Does anyone have information on travel schedules for the final four teams?

Not the right board, I know, but...  Midd women just won their 7th consecutive Field Hockey national title over NESCAC rival, Tufts.  Unfortunately, the game was marred by numerous life-threatening fouls, ugly language, knife pulling and other examples of NESCAC on NESCAC violence. 

Mr. November, thanks for the clarification and acknowledgment of the weight your criticism may have had. The opportunity these young men have to learn, develop and compete is incredible.  From where I stand on the home side of the pitch, I couldn't be more impressed. Let's leave it there.

Quote from: Mr_November on November 18, 2024, 10:30:41 AM

Quote from: Dustin_Patrón on November 18, 2024, 10:22:40 AMIn response to Fitz's comment about the fouls committed by nescac sides in comparison to normies:

Fouls are a part of the sport. In fact, fouling is an important tactic that it practiced and coached at the highest level. I don't think we should shine a negative light on it, as Fitz aimed to do--especially when these teams are coming from the most physical conference in the country and are used to refs that often times let them play. Not to mention, these same teams continue to dominate division 3 soccer.

During last year's NBA season, critics were pointing out the Celtics high volume of 3-point shooting, scoffing at their decision to chuck up 3s rather than getting to the paint or posting guys up. This season, the majority of teams are shooting significantly more 3s after watching Boston skip through the playoffs on their way to an 18th championship for the franchise. Even the Celtics have upped their volume to start the year.

Though an imperfect analogy (fouls and 3-pointers are quite different), I think Messiah and other normies can take something from this. Rather than hang your hat on fouling less than other teams, why not coach fouling? Any Nescac team would have immediately fouled the Williams player during that counter attack (or at least tried to) and they probably could've saved a goal.

I think we're seeing two contrasting philosophies in sports ethics. NESCAC schools operate out of a mode where you must "win at all costs" rather than "winning the right way". Messiah prides themselves on winning with class and sportsmanship, whereas NESCAC schools don't mind a bit of gamesmanship to get the job done. I don't take issue with either approach. It all just depends on your sports ethics philosophy.

Not sure the 3 point analogy works with soccer, to be completely honest.

Mr. November.  With all due respect, I have no idea what you are talking about when you say that NESCAC has a "win at all costs" approach rather than doing it the "right way".  Whether it's the admission standards which eliminate lots of strong players and, most likely, great kids, the on-field sportsmanship or the character building approach taken by (I can only really speak for Middlebury) it's coaches, I can assure you that Messiah does not have an exclusive on "class".  I see no more classy teams when we play out of conference than in.  The taking of a "professional foul" in the right way at the critical time is a part of the high level game.  Sorry your team lost but please come down off of your off-base high horse and and work on your perspective.   

Does anyone ever remember 8 teams getting in to the tournament from NESCAC or any other conference?

Quote from: Camelparent on November 10, 2024, 07:27:06 PMJust wanted to say Middlebury were great host both the fans and the players showed great sportsmanship throughout

Great to hear!  Good luck next weekend.

I'm surprised by your prickliness, Newenglander.  I offered congratulations, complimented your team's ability to finish and suggested they'd do well in the tournament.  Perhaps, I could have bought you coffee for the ride home. My only point was that possession and chances were more even than the score.   

Great soccer game in Middlebury today.  Two high level teams playing with speed, skill and aggression all match. As a partisan, I'd say the score didn't mirror the game (check the stats) but it really doesn't matter.  Conn finished and Midd didn't, often from point blank. Congrats to the Camels. I believe the prospects for both teams are very strong in the tournament.

Quote from: rdanie03 on October 30, 2024, 10:35:55 PMI agree. I would also say that Nuhu should be the POTY and that Nik Antic will very likely win DPOY

I'd suggest that Middlebury's Luke Madden is a strong contender for DPOY.  That back 3, with O'Brien and Nelson, is as solid as they get.

Yes, that is spot on.  This ref was not going to call any defensive fouls in the box.  At least 3 could have been fairly called.  The yellows were appropriate.

Quote from: College Soccer Observer on October 14, 2024, 06:46:33 PM

Quote from: maineman on October 14, 2024, 04:49:06 PM

Quote from: College Soccer Observer on October 13, 2024, 07:46:22 PMMidd with a 2 win weekend, picking up wins over Colby (1-0) and previously unbeaten Babson (3-1).  The Colby game was a much more cagey affair, with the Mules sitting deep for long periods and absorbing pressure.  Gavin Randolph was on the receiving end of a crunching challenge from the Mules GK that sent him to the hospital overnight and will keep him out of action for the foreseeable future.  Today's game was much more open from Midd as the Panthers came out flying and took the lead on a Will Sawin goal in the 5th minute.  Babson GK Walker White stopped a pk later in the half and made some other nice saves to keep the margin at 1.  The Babos came out with a more attacking edge in the second half, registering 7 of their 10 shots and tying the game on a cross that was slotted home at the back post.  The Panthers had a number of good chances, including a Shane Farrell header that was somehow scooped off the line by White.  After laying siege to the Babson goal, the Panthers finally broke through when an Ari Klayman shot struck a defender and looped over a diving white to put Midd up 2-1 at 87:09.  Keegan Harder added the insurance goal 45 seconds later to finish off the contest.  Midd is now 10-0-2, with league contests at Tufts, at Bates, and home vs Williams to close the regular season.

d
Does anybody know what happened at the end of the Babson game?  The announcers indicated there was some sort of scuffle as the teams exchanged pleasantries after the game ended.

Allegation that a Babson player made an inappropriate remark to a Midd player.

This "altercation" seemed like a small "dust-up" after what was a very high-paced and hard fought game after what, I felt, was a game with good sportsmanship exhibited. 

Quote from: nescac1 on February 04, 2023, 04:48:24 PM
Sobel very clearly double-dribbled before the winning hoop.  I watched pretty closely and I sure didn't see a touch by a Trinity defender. 

Key for Williams today was the two-way play by Glatzer and Lee.  They were stellar on Ravetz and Johnson respectively and had two of their best offensive games to boot.  Go Ephs!

Regarding Sobel's alleged double dribble, having attended Saturday's game I'll simply add that the official was just over the end line with a close and direct view of the play.  Wesleyan players did not complain.

By the way grabtherim, your "someone special" was such a special player and teammate, who passed the ball like he had eyes in the back of his head.  Amazing distributer.

Quote from: middhoops on December 09, 2022, 09:07:06 PM
The Alex Sobel experience was visited upon Skidmore tonight in Saratoga Springs.
The big guy scored 29, with 20 boards, 7 blocks and 8 offensive boards in a 73-53 win.

There's no question that Sobel has been a dominant player so far in this short season.  Friday night, he left the local Skidmore fans and coaching staff frustrated and amazed. What doesn't get spoken about as much is the relentless level of intensity he brings to his time in the paint. He often gets second and third chance points or rebounds while simply leaving the other players weary or unable to sustain the effort.  This culture of tenacity has spread to David Brennan who, although undersized and lacking the same length as Alex, brings a warrior's mindset to rebounding and second chance points. This culture is also spreading to first year big Jackson McKersie.

Still, when your attack is as narrow as it is right now for the Panthers, they are bound to run up against a defense that will slow them down. Outside shooting and cutting down on turnovers will have to improve meaningfully as they head into the NESCAC schedule.

Quote from: Painter66 on September 01, 2022, 01:39:31 PM
The Middlebury schedule is posted and it is very tough. 23 games, 7 home games, with only 4 of 10 NESCAC games at home. At Williams for 2nd consecutive year. They should be good but this is really difficult.

Adding to Middlebury's tough start is a reported scheduled scrimmage against the University of Vermont on November 2nd.  This must be at the very beginning of official team practices.  As board readers know, UVM is the defending America East champion and frequent NCAA tournament participant.