Men's Semifinal 1 Preview

By Jim Naprstek

NCAA Division III Men's Soccer - National Semifinal 1

Friday, December 6 — 5:00 pm CT No. 2  Rutgers-Camden (22-0-2) vs. No. 6  Loras (19-1-3)

How they reached the Final Four

Rutgers-Camden: NJAC Automatic Berth (AQ) | 1st Rnd: Bye | 2nd Rnd: W4-0 Lycoming (H) | Sweet 16: W3-1 York (Pa.) (H) | Elite 8: W2-1 Montclair St. (H)

Loras: IIAC Automatic Berth (AQ) | 1st Rnd: Bye | 2nd Rnd: T1-1(2ot-pks) Luther (H) | Sweet 16: W2-0 Westmintser (Mo.) (H) | Elite 8: W2-1 Trinity (Tex.) (H)

2013 Statistical Overview

Rutgers-Camden: 22-0-2 (.958) | 2.70 GSA, 0.65 GAA (+2.04) | Avg. OWP: .584 | Last Ten: 10-0-0

Loras: 19-1-3 (.891) | 2.32 GSA, 0.51 GAA (+1.81) | Avg. OWP: .615 | Last Ten: 9-0-1

Rutgers-Camden Season Review

The only undefeated team left standing in this year’s tournament is the Rutgers-Camden Scarlet Raptors. Entering the Final Four at 22-0-2, they’ve cruised through a majority of their schedule this season. With the exception of two regular season draws to TCNJ and Montclair State, they’ve had a relatively easy go of things.

Through the month of September, Rutgers-Camden was a perfect 11-0 and held a +24 goal differential over their opponents. It was their first game in October that put the first blemish on the Scarlet Raptors' record. A converted penalty by TCNJ gave the Lions the lead in the first half. Stevan Austino would equalize for Rutgers-Camden in the 74’, leaving the two teams at a draw. Just ten days later, a second blemish would be added to their record at the hands of another NJAC foe, Montclair State. The Scarlet Raptors were outshot 33-20, but senior Mike Randall turned away all eight shots he faced to keep the Red Hawks off the board.

Following that final draw, Rutgers-Camden would only surrender three goals the remainder of the season, winning all ten of the matches by a combined score of 30-5. Of their regular season opponents, three were NCAA Tournament teams (Montclair St., Salisbury, and Rutgers-Newark). Rutgers-Camden went 3-0-1 against these squads by a combined score of 8-4.

After a first round bye, the Scarlet Raptors hosted Lycoming in the second round and made quick work of them, winning 4-0. Two first half goals would put them in control of their sectional semifinal match against York (Pa.). A third goal, five minutes into the second half, would seal the win, although the Spartans were able to avoid the shutout with a goal in the 58’. Then, in an all-NJAC sectional final, two goals in the opening seven minutes would be all that Rutgers-Camden would need to advance to their first Final Four.

Loras Season Review

For the second time in program history, the Duhawks have returned to the Final Four in back-to-back seasons. After a heartbreaking overtime loss to Messiah in last year’s national semifinal, Loras spent every week of the 2013 season in the Top 25, eventually earning themselves a first round bye in the national tournament. It was the first time since 2007 that Loras had received a bye. That season was also the first time in program history that a Loras team advanced to the Final Four. The Duhawks finished 23-0-2 that season, falling to Middlebury on penalties.

The current Loras roster was recruited on the heels of those Final Four teams from 2007 and 2008. But with their second consecutive trip to the Final Four, they now have the opportunity to leave their own legacy by becoming the first team in school history to advance to the national championship.

The Duhawks hail from the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC), where they claimed the automatic berth (AQ) over Wartburg College, the only team to defeat Loras this season. They finished the regular season with a 17-1-2 record and an eight game winning streak. Of their regular season opponents, five were NCAA Tournament teams (St. Scholastica, UW-Oshkosh, Wheaton, Wartburg, and Luther). Loras finished with a 4-1-2 record against those squads. The Duhawks are also holders of the toughest schedule in Division III according to NCAA.com. One of the cornerstones of this Loras College team is their smothering “swarm” approach. This has resulted in a combined 72 shots on goal against them and 60 of them being saved.

Loras hosted IIAC rival Luther College in the second round of NCAA Tournament. A late goal in the second half by Luther would push the game to overtime and eventually penalty kicks, but a save by Loras’ Dylan Milkent would provide the advantage needed to advance to the sectional round. In the “Sweet 16”, the Duhawks faced Westminster College, one of the “Cinderella” stories of this year’s tournament. Both teams would battle the frigid temperatures, but Loras claimed victory, 2-nil. With a trip to the Final Four on the line, the Duhawks met Trinity (Tex.) in the sectional final match after the Tigers knocked off Wartburg 2-1 in overtime. An early goal by Trinity looked as though to put them in the driver’s seat, but a commanding performance by the Duhawks in the second half caged the Tigers and sent them home. Freshman Alex Bradley and junior Mike Pizzello scored goals within minutes of each other early on in the second half to give Loras the advantage they would need.

Head Coaches

Seniors' 4-year Record (through Nov. 24)

Rutgers-Camden: 70-13-8 (.813) overall | NCAA's ('11,'12,'13): 7-1-1; Sweet 16 - '11,'13; Elite 8 - '11,'13; Final Four - '13

Loras: 73-13-8 (.819) overall | NCAA's ('10,'11,'12,'13): 10-3-1; Sweet 16 - '10,'12,'13; Elite 8 - '12,'13; Final Four - '12,'13

Experience

Rutgers-Camden: For the first time in program history, the Scarlet Raptors have advanced to the Final Four. With that being said, don’t jump to conclusions that this is a “green” team. Their Head Coach has been in similar situations before, leading the OC Nor’Easters to a PDL Final Four this summer. NCAA Tournament participants the last two seasons, Rutgers-Camden was halted by York (Pa.) in 2012 in a second round penalty shootout, and by SUNY-Oneonta in double-overtime in the "Elite 8" in 2011.

Contrary to Loras, Rutgers-Camden has relied on a relatively short bench this season with only 13 players appearing in 20 or more games. This 2013 squad also saw the addition of Division I All-American transfer Keegan Balle. His presence has been immediately felt, as the senior has contributed seven goals and four assists while anchoring the defense.

Loras: Having already been to the Final Four last season, the Duhawks hold the upper hand over Rutgers-Camden in the experience department. For many, the Final Four is a goal in and of itself. It doesn’t take much to get wrapped up in the show that the NCAA puts on. Not only did Loras return their core from last year’s Final Four squad, they are in contention to be one of the deepest teams in the nation. Twenty-two players have appeared in 20 or more games, solidifying their depth as a squad.

Players to Watch

Rutgers-Camden: F Mike Ryan (So.) - 21g, 4a | M Mitch Grotti (Sr.) - 7g, 10a | D Joe Auleta (Jr.) - 2g, 6a | GK Mike Randall (Sr.) - 0.65 GAA, .877 Sv. Pct. | D Bobby Foster (Sr.) - 3g, 2a | M Keegan Balle (Sr.) - 7g, 4a | M Connor Hurff (So.) - 8g, 5a

Loras: M Kevin Cavers (Sr.) - 2g, 8a | D Dan Figura (Sr.) - 1g, 2a | M Tom Fluegel (Jr.) - 8g, 5a | D Erik Berkomitz (Sr.) - 6g, 2a | GK Dylan Milkent (Sr.) - 0.47 GAA, .857 Sv. Pct. | F Johnny Rummelhart (Jr.) - 4g, 4a | F Tim van den Bergh (Sr.) - 6g, 3a

Analysis

So far in three trips to the Final Four, the Duhawks have been sent home empty handed. In each of their national semifinal matches, Loras has failed to score a goal, drawing 0-0 with Middlebury and falling to Messiah in 2008, 3-0, and 2012, 1-0 in overtime. Before they can even begin to think about a national championship, they’ll need to find a way to get on the scoreboard.

Rutgers-Camden will come out in a 4-4-2 formation and look to build from the back. At the top, junior Mike Ryan (21g, 4a) will certainly be a common target for the Scarlet Raptors. But if he’s guarded, senior Mitch Grotti (7g, 10a) is more than capable to handle the scoring duties.

It should be well known by this point that when you play the Duhawks, they’re going to come right at you. Expect Loras to come out in a 4-3-3 formation with the outside backs joining the attack on occasion. By enabling a deep roster, the players can afford to burn more energy than normal because they know they’re not being asked to play a full 90. For the substitutes that at times come onto the pitch much like in a basketball game, they carry with them the same level of intensity, forcing opponents to think quickly to avoid making costly mistakes.

In addition to their furious pressure, the Duhawks play a man-marking style of defense as opposed to the traditional flat back-four. While they still play with four defenders most of the time, three of them will typically man-mark while senior Dan Figura (2012 D3soccer.com All-American) assumes the sweeper role, cleaning up anything that gets past his defenders.

The first 15 minutes will be very interesting to watch, largely in part to see how Rutgers-Camden responds to the high pressure that Loras will provide. If they can maintain their composure and avoid turnovers, they could be able to get their offense rolling.

Loras has had trouble at times this season finishing their chances, something that plagued them in last year’s national semifinal. The recent rise of freshman Alex Bradley, who had two goals in the sectional round, could provide that sure footedness that Loras needs. So far this season, the team has been able to capitalize due largely in part to their high pressure and quickness off the ball. All it takes is one false step, and a Loras forward could have all the space they need for a scoring chance.

Rutgers-Camden has a perfect target on set pieces with Keegan Balle. Standing at 6-2, he’s proven to be effective in the air and is often a target for his team. If he’s able to get his head to a ball, it could spell trouble for Loras.

Lastly, depth could find its way into the deck in this match. For Rutgers-Camden, who leans on eight or nine guys for a majority of their minutes, will they be able to keep up with Loras who can afford to sub out their players two to three times per half? Surely they will be well conditioned, seeing as this has been their team’s style all year long. The question comes into play given the type of opponent that they will be playing.

Both teams have the capabilities to erase early deficits, so this match could be a race to two or three goals. Without that, its going to be a battle down to the final whistle.