Big congrats to Amherst. Nice to see NESCAC showing itself as the premier D3 soccer conference. Don't agree Bull more than a great D3 goalie. He needs to hold on to more shots and be a tiny bit more agile to be National team considered. Not trying to take away from his great skill and props for winning Championship, just need to temper his accolades to the realm in which he plays. Yea being 6'5" helps, but I have seen big guys who are lights out agile, fast, smart and don't drop anything and they are National team material. Must say I was not impressed by his 1970's throwback mustache. Well done Lord Jeffs. Go NESCAC.

I am a Tufts supporter, but elated that a fellow NESCAC school is heading to final 4. Demonstrates the quality of the league. Good luck Amherst.

Watched Tufts game. They seem to have kept ball in offensive half more than Kenyon. Just couldn't finish. Got goals on nice set pieces/corners. Tired legs at end so D couldn't get the late game clear. Could have gone either way. Tufts again showed Tourny experience and grit. SSweet 16 good result after so so end of season. Looking for them to do well next year.

Been following Tufts. Brown and Sullivan each with two while there leading scorer, Majumder, has been silent (yes he missed first game) but others participating in goal scoring bodes well for Tufts.

Quote from: Mr.Right on November 15, 2015, 12:03:51 PM
Not sure what you are talking about. Tufts looked plenty creative and dynamic yesterday. Bowdoin not as much but they also played a nice game. I thought Diaz-Costa played well as he has been under the radar all season. If he somehow finds his game they can get it done today.

Can't dominate the offensive half that much and come away with only two goals. need to take more shots or create better chances. Majumder back today with fresh legs, that should add something.

Bowdoin and Tufts both dominate their games and have to deal with late goals to advance. Nescac needs to find some offensive threats to mix in slightly with the defense minded game being played.

Quote from: Mr.Right on November 12, 2015, 12:52:09 PM
There is no way they would take Kayne out of midfield and Brown would get eaten alive by bigger more physical CB's. There is no reason to panic and move everyone around. They will have to keep things in place and hope to get a goal somehow.

Wouldn't be surprised if Tufts comes out technical with someone off bench with technical skill on the MSU turf. Big physical backs will either foul or get beat by that. Tufts been good on corners and set pieces so the fouls would benefit them. Looking for a sleeper off the bench and a dominant showing by them against both opponents this weekend then it is off to Ohio for the Kenyon leg and sweet 16.

Watched Tufts a bit this year. Majumder out creates more opportunity than not for Shapiro to be creative. They have Eichhorst and Becherano, Sclar and Smith (I think he is injured)  listed on their roster. Sclar and Becherano usually sub in at mid, but there is a chance for one of them to shine, Sclar is listed at mid and forward and has a goal. Should be fun to see what coach does with this, two up front wouldn't sacrifice much on D and could jumpstart the offense they have been lacking at the end of the season.

Tufts road to Championship went through Messiah last year. Scored in first minute then held on white knuckle screaming and kicking for 89 minutes. D3 is about defense, so the team with the best counter and tenacity will carry the day. A little luck isn't a bad thing either.

NESCAC so defense minded, it is hard to see technically talented players flourish. That is partly how Amherst gets to you, physical D and some technical offense on the counter. Tufts and Bowdoin need to find the sleeper in their midst, that technical unknown on the team that can make moves, create space and pass/score to compliment Majumder. 9 back on D makes it far too lonely for Majumder and Kayne/Brown aren't the answer and haven't been this season. Tufts and Bowdoin need to find the sleeper on their teams and another NCAA gear to get it done and go deep.

Middlebury loss to Tufts and "defending champs" propelled Tufts in. SOS might have been the tiniest of factors. Tufts down the stretch had no offense and will need to throw some bodies forward with Majumder to keep their heads above water and score some goals in the tourney.  Shapiro needs to change something to get this offense jump started. Amherst slowing down at end of season into Conf tourney makes me wonder. Bowdoin would be an interesting pick to go far, but not sure how they stack up out of conference. I will be glued to computer as the tourney rolls on.

Tufts was 10-2-4 at the same time last year having lost in the quarters as well. Then on a six game win streak of away games for the entire tourney to take it all. The NCAA needs to honor that run and their status as reigning champs if they are on the bubble this year. They had it in them last year as a mediocre team at the end of the season to go on a dream run and the NCAA would welcome another one of those from the defending champs. Watched the quarter final, coach failed to adjust in second half and get more offense on the field. He kept same scoreless team from first half who showed no offensive ability and changed nothing even after going one down and losing their striker to a red card. Even with 10 men they still kept things even and had some chances...He needs to recognize that his defensive minded set up needs tinkering. A second striker or attacking mid to keep forward to give their existing striker someone to pass to. Their striker always gets ball with back to goal and then has to do something, but no one up with him to do it with. With their defense, they could play 2 up and 8 back with 2 middies having attack responsibility, they are that good on D. Would be nice to see them get a chance at NCAA run.

Watched Bates-Tufts on phone. Announcers made it watchable with good comments and funny reparte'.  Tufts D is great, but at cost of not having enough men forward on counters. Coleman, their Center Back played better, still looking for his left foot and a couple of more runs forward (he could do to put on a few pounds - tall with no meat on the bones not typical center back stuff). Subs Halliday and Sclar seemed to get props from announcers for strong play and shooting on goal. Greenwood gets another shutout to buffer the school record. Wish the announcers talked less about Sullivans head dress. Thought Tufts could have taken advantage of wind a bit more in the half they had it in their favor. They now make it too interesting to get first round home in the NESCAC tourney and might have to stress over NCAA  :oat large bid, but if they keep shooting in their final contests, they should be OK. NCAA has to honor last years champs if it is close.