Well, the 2009 post-season is upon us. The brackets are out, the analysis has started, and now the matches are ready to begin.

After writing the preview of the Thursday matches, it seemed empty without some sort of prediction. So putting our the great relationship we enjoy with the coaches at risk, here is our take on the matches tomorrow:

1. Mary Hardin-Baylor over Hardin-Simmons by 1 goal. While HSU attacks the goal well, UMHB finishes stronger. The ASC final was a great match and it ended in a draw. But in a replay, this one goes to the team that had a 2.00/.61 goal per match ratio – and had a tougher schedule.

2. Ohio Northern over Brockport State by two goals. We think that ONU has a stronger and more skilled attack and has ground their teeth on better opponents. The SUNYAC is no cakewalk and Brockport has shown their ability to play a tight defense, but the Polar Bears are smarting after that PK loss to Capital and they will come out swinging.

3. Capital over Transylvania by one goal in overtime. Transy plays strong defense. ONU played a tougher schedule but lost most of those matches. This will be a close match, but the OAC plays tougher soccer these days than does the HCAC.

4. Bowdoin over Plattsburgh in PKs. This is going to be an interesting match as Bowdoin has played the typically tough NESCAC schedule, but didn’t have much success. And as referenced above, the SUNYAC is tough as well. But we think that as well as Plattsbugh has been playing, Bowdoin will be ready with a tested defense. But in the end, both teams have struggled to score against strong opponents, and that will happen tomorrow.

5. Stevens over York by three goals or more. If this was the Big Dance, this would be the No. 3 seed playing the No. 13 seed. York has had a good season, but they will not be able to stick with Stevens, who has played well against some tough company. York has no answer for Terrence Johnson and the Duck’s experience in post-season play.

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