IIAC

So this weekend, the IIAC closes out their regular season for men's and women's soccer. Both still have 1 spot left up for grabs, and some seeding left to be decided as well.

On the men's side, Wartburg has clinched the number 1 seed in the conference tournament, as they go into the final game of the regular season at home against Central. Loras can clinch the 2 seed and a first round bye as well with a win against winless Coe at home. Central has clinched at least third and a first round home match, but still has an outside shot at the 2 seed, if Coe defeats Loras. Simpson College has locked up the other first round home spot as they are 4-3 heading into their final game with Cornell. Luther has clinched another year in the conference tournament, but does not have their seed settled yet. They are currently in fifth with a 3-4-1 record. They are the only team that has played all their games in conference and are on the sideline as the rest of the league fights it out. Their battle for 5th is with Dubuque U who they tied 1-1 in Dubuque. Dubuque closes the season on the road against Buena Vista which will be the match that will likely decide who will be the last team in the conference tournament. A win by BV will, I believe, give them the 6th seed and leave Dubuque out for another year. A win by Dubuque and they will likely take the 5th seed playing at Simpson while Luther would get the 6th seed and either be traveling to Loras, or more likely, Central. A draw would give Dubuque 6th place and Luther fifth.

While all this is going down though, Cornell still has a slim outside shot at the conference tournament. In fact they'd be in better position then BV if not for some violations of IIAC rules, which I quote here: Conference penalty structure penalizes unsportsmanlike conduct that results in teams losing standing points based on cards received.

This will be a major downfall for Cornell if they happen to defeat Simpson on Sat. Coe has been eliminated from possibly making the tournament, and unless they pull off a miracle win at Loras, will go the entire season without a win, and 1 draw.

Here are my predicitions for the last weekend of the season conference games:
Coe vs. Loras - Loras wins this one going away and clinches second.
Dubuque vs Buena Vista - This one ends in a draw as that's the main thing BV knows, and it will come back to haunt them here as Dubuque qualifies for the post season for the first time.
Central vs Wartburg - As much as I want Central to win this one, Wartburg is gonna go into the tournament undefeated in conference play, but it will be close, 1-0 to the Knights
Simpson vs Cornell - Cornell needs this for their conference hopes to stay alive, but I don't see that happening, Simpson gets the win here.

The conference tournament this year will be held at the winner of the women's regular season champion, which looks to be Simpson. Loras had a rough non-conference schedule that saw them go 2-6-1 outside the conference. Loras has though wrapped up a bye along with Simpson, and still have a chance to take first if Simpson stumbles. Luther has clinched either 3rd or 4th depending on Wartburg's result against Central at home. Coe and Dubuque are fighting for the last spot in the conference tournament, with Dubuque having the inside lane as Coe has to go play at Loras while Dubuque plays BV who has not won a game in conference this season. Central and BV have both been eliminated from play.

Also of note, Clint Schreiber of my alma mater, Central, was named to the d3Kicks.com team of the week. See the rest of the team here.