Goofy comparisons between D1, 2, and 3

[Unregistered]

Having been to many games of each division over the last year, I can honestly say there are massive differences in play from D1 to D2 to D3. The suggestions that some Nescac teams could compete in mid D1 is ludicrous. Holy Cross and URI would plaster them and they had dreadful seasons. Nescac ranges from mediocre to bad for a current top club player.

Northeast 10 is not much better, if at all. I was shocked at the low level displayed by D2 teams that are ranked in the top 20 nationally. Hard touches, awkward aerial mistakes, and long prayer balls are the staple of most teams I have seen. Stars or Scorps U15 and older teams would absolutely bludgeon the likes of Merrimack, Stonehill, and St. Anselms.

[Unregistered]

how do you get to all these games to judge them?

[Unregistered]

I drive.

[Unregistered]

I drive.

Meet George Jetson!

[beentheredonethat]

The really goofy thing is that each of the kids that actually has advanced to the college level, regardless of where, are still better than the overwhelming majority of the kids at the level below. Just getting there is an accomplishment. The need to qualify and legitimize that accomplishment really just shows an insecurity on the parents part.

[Unregistered]

I have attended the NESCAC women's playoffs for the last few years. Older top Stars and Scorp teams would beat most teams easily. The top NESCAC team such as Williams this year would be a competitive match, but they'd struggle to contain the likes of Brock, Bacon, Ryan or Mewis. To their credit, the games are often well played, and the top teams attempt to play soccer rather than pump long balls forward.

[Unregistered]

BTDT is right on: the kids don't do the D1 vs. D3 comparison at all....it is the parents who try to "explain" how little Mia is at Colby and not UMass. I was with 3 college kids a couple weeks ago at a HS soccer game. 1 plays D1 and 2 play D3 and two things were really clear to me: 1) all 3 were 100% comfortable with where they were and were happy and playing and 2) the abilities of the kids were seeded exactly right: the best kids is playing at local D1 (not a top 50 school), the next best is a NESCAC kid, and the 3rd kid is at a small D3 school (not NESCAC or NEWMAC or UAA). And that said, they were all very good HS/club players and there was no suprsie they are playing in college.

[Unregistered]

I have attended the NESCAC women's playoffs for the last few years. Older top Stars and Scorp teams would beat most teams easily. The top NESCAC team such as Williams this year would be a competitive match, but they'd struggle to contain the likes of Brock, Bacon, Ryan or Mewis. To their credit, the games are often well played, and the top teams attempt to play soccer rather than pump long balls forward.

Give it a break. Who cares what division or who players play for as long as they enjoy themselves and are having fun. If they are successful and enjoying the game in any program then that should be enough for you. No comparisons needed.

[Unregistered]

Players....kids care. They have to view various teams, research academics, and honestly assess their abilities in both realms to find a fit.

[Unregistered]

I said long ago that college soccer is just an older version of high school soccer. This comment comes as no surprise.

[Unregistered]

how do you get to all these games to judge them?

Original poster here, and I have been to many games because my child is in the process of choosing a school and she is being recruited by several schools from D1 -D3.

One thing to note is that while the soccer in Nescac, Newmac, etc. is not IMO near the D1 levels we have seen, it is hardly enough to disqualify those schools from consideration. In fact, even having seen these soccer disparities, I hope my child chooses/gets into a Nescac type school over a D1 team.

[Unregistered]

Original poster here, and I have been to many games because my child is in the process of choosing a school and she is being recruited by several schools from D1 -D3.

One thing to note is that while the soccer in Nescac, Newmac, etc. is not IMO near the D1 levels we have seen, it is hardly enough to disqualify those schools from consideration. In fact, even having seen these soccer disparities, I hope my child chooses/gets into a Nescac type school over a D1 team.

Forget about the levels if she is a good player then she is a good player. On a lesser team she will have to work harder to make her team be successful and on a stronger team maybe not as much. Also, I've seen players who were good but someone that the coach liked a little better at a certain position. Maybe a coach says I'll recruit 3 All state forwards because our scoring was down the past couple years and the coach falls in love with how a player has the potential to be good in the air and your kid is better on the ground but your kid only plays limited minutes behind that player because your kid might be thought of as a backup. Go to a school where the coach loves your kid and says she will be a big difference maker! The key is knowing she will be a difference maker.