Seems to me that the FSC - UMD was a one horse race.... I think notice has been served, Mr. Thorton officially losses the nomination!!!!

I agree Pride FAN.  I'd imagine that most coaches would have a problem with any of their players posting here, especially if they were promoting themselves...

Not the first time an NEFC team has been ranked in the top 25.  Let's see who get's to the dance and who they are playing before anyone starts thinking that this is the year... 

Quotethis would also kill any chance of two teams getting into the NCAA from the NEFC   

Boxer, 2 teams from the NEFC makng the NCAA's?  I don't care what happens but the chances of 2 making it are slim to none!!!  The only reason 1 will make it is because of the automatic bid...

Come on...

QuoteChanging coaches isn't THAT big of a deal.  That's what the preseason is for.

LewDogg you are so unbelievable wrong.  This is especially true at the D3 level where many programs have mostly part time coaches and no true spring practice to install anything schemes. 

What preseason???  Are you talking about 2 weeks of camp???  That is barely enough time to get to know what type of players you have never mind install and run a new offense or defense.

If you want to talk specifically about UMD, then we can.  I would have been surprised if UMD didn't struggle to start.  When the coaching change took place, UMD lost 2 guys in Kavanaugh an Allaire who had been there for 17 years, Starky, who had been there on of during the past 17 years and other player coaches connecting the program back through the years.  The whole historical significance in the change and all the things that were/are going on at that school should most definitely make the transition a difficult one.  Add the fact that there are no full time coaches and the late start of the new coach probably explains the product on the field.  Now that we see improvement also should come as no surprise because Kavanaugh left the program full of some very talented players who know what it takes to win.

QuoteBoston College also has new coaches and offensive schemes as well............

Jonny let me get this straight.... You want to compare a D1 program and coaching staff to that of a D3 part time staff?  UMD has part time coaches who don't have the benefit of a full contact series of spring practices that they use to install those new defenses and offenses!!!!

Come on Jonny I thought you had much more insight then that!!!

Remember UMD has new coaches, new offensive scheme, new defensive scheme with some very talented players.  Let's see how it plays out before we throw them in the not so good category....EC has finally found out that the wing t can only get you so far and WNEC is still building from scratch..

Late but what the heck...PSC's program was in jeopardy a few years ago because the schools administration decided to deemphasize the program.  The program had become a revolving door for coaches trying to make it to the big time and upper administration was getting tired of the type of player being brought in.  The program was also losing a great deal of money and other sports programs were suffering.

They fought hard to get back into the NEFC and had to make promises regarding the type of program (budget, academic qualifications and such) they would have.

Castioni is a good guy who has a lot of coaching experience. He has worked hard to get his type of kids in and certainly had taken his lumps since arriving.

I've said it before...but the only people really concerned about the NEFC getting respect outside the region are the players, some coaches and people posting here.  The only teams in the NEFC to consistently try to play outside the league have been UMD, Curry and EC.

OK, not that it matters in the NEFC but did I read that right that Hartwick beat Ithaca??? 

63 and Gull, I agree! Either everyone is good or no one is good.(profound, I know)  Makes for a competitive league but what the....  One could assume that UMD would have some growing pains under a new staff and might turn things around but the rest of what happened last week could mean a changing of the guard in the NEFC.

Should be fun to watch!!!

Pimpin, I agree but disagree.  If you are a team that is trying to grow so that you can compete on the national level then you would prefer to play someone at a higher caliber.  Don't get me wrong because it is always nice to make up for a loss but can I build my program by playing another NEFC team or by playing Ithaca like UMD did a few years ago?  It's great to have another game, win and/or championship but I think you get more (long term) out of the higher level competition.

Union, I don't think the player's expectations are low.  I think they believe that they have just as much of a chance as anyone.  Especially with good coaching! I think the fan base itself may feel that there is a limited chance but not the players.  I would say that the coaches, if polled would have a realistic view of what would need to happen for their team to win.  At this point a NEFC team would have to play a near perfect game to get a win in the NCAA's or against the better programs. 

The problem with the NEFC championship game is that it takes a lot out of the players and coaches, both physically and mentally.  Never mind the difference between full time staff's and part time staff's when it comes to game prep...in the post season.

My opinion!

Having been involved with the NEFC title game, the NCAA's and the ECAC's, I can tell you that the NEFC title game means more then an oops game in the ECAC's.  It's a nice consolation if you don't make the title game and in the past really meant something to a team that was trying to grow...Now that you are playing a team from your area or one you've already played during the year takes away from it....

I beg to differ regarding playing teams outside your league and getting your but kicked.  A lot is gained from the experience of playing those better teams and it shows your players and recruits that you're trying to expand your program.  Going out and playing the Stonehills, Merrimack's, Springfield's and West Conns (all teams that the NEFC recruits against) helps big time in the recruiting game  and shows your players what they have to do if they want to compete at that level.

If the NEFC breaks up the Privates will go one way and the publics the other way....my opinion!!!

I agree JU but historically, UMD, Curry and EC are the only NEFC teams that have tried to play quality opponents outside the NEFC  on a consistant basis. BSC had in the past as well...

It just seems that the only people who care how well the NEFC does outside the league are the people who post here, the players and a few coaches.  What's more important, going to an ECAC game or the NCAA's?  I would say that most NEFC schools are happy for a chance at the ECAcCs then doing what it takes to compete on the national level...

so much for WNEC, EC, Worcester and UMD....  WNEC has the best chance taking it to the next level? Wow what a reach... 8)

Probably because the administration at Framingham wouldn't pay for a tenth game which would have meant the team coming into camp a week earlier...

With money being tight, the state schools really have to fight for 10 regular season games...

I would say CC should be in the mix but unless something drastically changes at Curry....who else will beat them??? This may be EC's year but time is running out for them, BSC was young last year with good talent, UMD was young last year with good talent, and WNEC with a full time coach in his 2nd year might be interesting. 

My thoughts are UMD, Curry and EC fight it out and WorS, CC, and BSC on the other side.  Curry vs. BSC for the Championship...Sorry EC, until you change the offense playing good defense will only get you so far...  CC will always be a cyclical team, up one year down the next but they sure will compete hard along the way...