Wait ‘Til Next Year
The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) men’s soccer (women too) starts tonight with the two semifinal matches. This is an annual ritual where there the top four teams earn a berth based on standard soccer scoring methodology (3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie).
Illinois Wesleyan, a team I follow, didn’t make the cut this year. A 3-2 overtime loss to Carthage left the Titans in 5th place, one point out of the money.
End of story, right?
Except for a moment, looking back through an entire season of games (both conference and non-conference), it’s somewhat baffling how a small break or two can make such a big difference in the final standings.
The final game against Carthage was filled with positive expectations as time wound down. IWU led by two goals before Carthage scored with about 13 minutes left in regular time. At that point, Elmhurst trailed 2-0 at Augustana. Both scenarios put the Titans in the tournament; in fact, an Elmhurst loss and an IWU tie also put the Titans into post-season play.
Ten minutes later, Carthage scores, Elmhurst ties up their match at Augustana, and it’s anybody’s guess on the outcome.
As it stands, IWU losses on a penalty kick when a ball is played off the arm of one of their players. A just call, except it appeared the same scenario happened moments early on IWU’s offensive end with no whistle. Such are the subtleties of soccer – it’s a very subjective game, and these things happen.
Even though Elmhurst ended up losing in overtime, they finish ahead of IWU (who beat them head-to-head) because they had tied one additional game (which IWU had lost). They play at Carthage tonight, a match that ended in one of those ties earlier.
How close was IWU really? By virtue of the loss to Carthage, they end up in fifth place. But a scoring chance late in the game that went just wide (and was ultimately called a foul) could have swung the outcome the Titan’s way.
The win would have given IWU the head-to-head over Carthage, and potentially eliminated the Red Men from postseason play. Instead, by virtue of a North Central victory over North Park later that evening, Carthage wins the league outright.
How close?
IWU beats Carthage, and the subsequent Elmhurst and North Park ties would have moved the Titans into a four-way tie for the conference title. If not for a split-second call by a referee, or a shot attempt that’s just wide, IWU is hoisting a trophy.
Wait ‘til next year.
