With just over half the season done I thought I'd take a look and see how my preseason predictions look in hindsight. I will say I miss watching so many of the uber talented girls on the pitch that we've seen the last few years. Overall quality has dipped quite a bit. Gone are the Zimm Twins, Murphy, Moore, Ferris, Russo, Kuerze, Cochran, Kohl's, Mouch, Erbach, Ipsording, Fiore, Cummings, Hardesty, Manning, Carle and Cluxton and so many of the other exciting players that filled rosters across the city the last few years. We do have studs Flax, Pennekamp, and Cornejo and the exciting to watch committee of scorers at Mariemont. But it's not the same cornucopia of next level girls we've seen the last few years.
Anyway what I thought to where we are.
D1
Well Oak Hills and Springboro. I thought Seton would be a player and probably Centerville but Looks like right now that I was way off especially with Seton. Springboro's surprise loss to Little Miami had to be a let down for the team, but the head to head win vs Oak Hills has to give them the nod for local D1 Champs. But even with the much better overall record they still have to get past the Lady elks to even win the GWOC. I have to believe we will see Oak Hills and Springboro play again for a regional birth. Oak Hills is rolling and has a viable path to a 20+ win season something the program has never accomplished and has only happened 2 times in my memory in the GMC. What a job the coach there has done. Springboro has Creek and Centerville both potential losses. But I think Boro will clear their schedule.
D2
I called MND with Anderson being a Possible. The scoring in the GGCL has been low. Seton by example was at 48 goals in the first 11 games last year vs a dismal 18 this year and MND had 27 goals scored in their first 10 games last year vs the 12 they have this year. Goes back to what I said about the overall lack of next level talent) But MND is one of just 3 undefeated teams (joining Anderson and Madeira). Looks to me like Anderson is the favorite but the game between the Redskins and Cougars this Saturday will be a great test for both and could certainly clear the picture. Anderson has legit scoring threats, but MND has only conceded 1 goal all season. 1 Goal! That is an incredible accomplishment. This should be a great playoff type level match. I love that they made it an 8pm game on a Saturday night. Should be an electric atmosphere on Forest Rd.
D3
I was off here. Turpin is not as good as I'd hoped not even close. Badin with the win vs Carroll is now my favorite. I thought maybe Bellbrook would be the dark horse here but a loss vs East tells me they are not the local answer. I'm hoping the girls from Hamilton can make a great run and carry our local flag.
D4
Summit end of story. As expected CCDS and Waynesville are way off their dominating forms of yester year. Waynesville has scored 37 less goals vs same point last year and CCDS has scored 24 less goals. CCDS had 1 loss in the first 9 games last year and just 2 wins in the same span this year! To say these two teams are shells of themselves is an under statement. I thought maybe McNick, and I'd love to hold out hope for the Private school Eastsiders, but I think Summit is just too much. The Summit roster is packed with high level club players possibly the most in the city. Mariemont is the most exciting D2 team to watch in my opinion. The lady Warriors match vs. Badin will tell me what to expect when Mariemont and Summit meet in the playoffs. Roger Bacon the let down of the season. I heard good things and had high expectations but they are just not on the same level. Maybe they will make a good run and be the spoilers like Indian Hill did a few years back when they surprised a Summit team that was poised for a great run.
D5
Madeira. the CCDS draw was a let down, like so many others across the divisions have seen outside of Anderson, but they are playing very well. I simply can't forsee a situation where Madeira does not represent the tri-state in the regionals. The Zons have a clear and easy path. Oak Hills vs Madeira is an inconsequential for the future game I am very much looking forward to watching. Brady vs Spraul, Pennekamp vs Cornejo, East vs West, Very Big Public vs Very Small Public. I was hoping for the same kind of excitement in the Summit vs Seton game but it does not look like it will live up to this.
Anyway what I thought to where we are.
D1
Well Oak Hills and Springboro. I thought Seton would be a player and probably Centerville but Looks like right now that I was way off especially with Seton. Springboro's surprise loss to Little Miami had to be a let down for the team, but the head to head win vs Oak Hills has to give them the nod for local D1 Champs. But even with the much better overall record they still have to get past the Lady elks to even win the GWOC. I have to believe we will see Oak Hills and Springboro play again for a regional birth. Oak Hills is rolling and has a viable path to a 20+ win season something the program has never accomplished and has only happened 2 times in my memory in the GMC. What a job the coach there has done. Springboro has Creek and Centerville both potential losses. But I think Boro will clear their schedule.
D2
I called MND with Anderson being a Possible. The scoring in the GGCL has been low. Seton by example was at 48 goals in the first 11 games last year vs a dismal 18 this year and MND had 27 goals scored in their first 10 games last year vs the 12 they have this year. Goes back to what I said about the overall lack of next level talent) But MND is one of just 3 undefeated teams (joining Anderson and Madeira). Looks to me like Anderson is the favorite but the game between the Redskins and Cougars this Saturday will be a great test for both and could certainly clear the picture. Anderson has legit scoring threats, but MND has only conceded 1 goal all season. 1 Goal! That is an incredible accomplishment. This should be a great playoff type level match. I love that they made it an 8pm game on a Saturday night. Should be an electric atmosphere on Forest Rd.
D3
I was off here. Turpin is not as good as I'd hoped not even close. Badin with the win vs Carroll is now my favorite. I thought maybe Bellbrook would be the dark horse here but a loss vs East tells me they are not the local answer. I'm hoping the girls from Hamilton can make a great run and carry our local flag.
D4
Summit end of story. As expected CCDS and Waynesville are way off their dominating forms of yester year. Waynesville has scored 37 less goals vs same point last year and CCDS has scored 24 less goals. CCDS had 1 loss in the first 9 games last year and just 2 wins in the same span this year! To say these two teams are shells of themselves is an under statement. I thought maybe McNick, and I'd love to hold out hope for the Private school Eastsiders, but I think Summit is just too much. The Summit roster is packed with high level club players possibly the most in the city. Mariemont is the most exciting D2 team to watch in my opinion. The lady Warriors match vs. Badin will tell me what to expect when Mariemont and Summit meet in the playoffs. Roger Bacon the let down of the season. I heard good things and had high expectations but they are just not on the same level. Maybe they will make a good run and be the spoilers like Indian Hill did a few years back when they surprised a Summit team that was poised for a great run.
D5
Madeira. the CCDS draw was a let down, like so many others across the divisions have seen outside of Anderson, but they are playing very well. I simply can't forsee a situation where Madeira does not represent the tri-state in the regionals. The Zons have a clear and easy path. Oak Hills vs Madeira is an inconsequential for the future game I am very much looking forward to watching. Brady vs Spraul, Pennekamp vs Cornejo, East vs West, Very Big Public vs Very Small Public. I was hoping for the same kind of excitement in the Summit vs Seton game but it does not look like it will live up to this.
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