The Williams game was more of the same as far as dominating without scoring. Last year they averaged 1.3 GPG and allowed .70. This game was crazy in that they allowed Springfield to tie with under 10 mins remaining on a direct kick into the box. In OT Williams again dominated and with 17 seconds remaining Springfeild was called for a foul 35 yards from the goal. The refs allowed Springfield to kick the ball and stand in front of it until the clock was finally stopped and springfield warned with 1.5 seconds left. Sure enough Williams left back Nick Renieri puts the free kick into the upper left corner as the clock expires and the refs confer and wave off the goal. The replay shows the ball to be just under the crossbar with 0.1 on the clock. IMO way to close to wave off, especially after allowing Springfield to stall 15 seconds off the clock initially. Really tough start to the season for Williams with Tufts next on the schedule Saturday.

Elizabethtown ties it at 1-1. Williams not playing with the same energy as they did for the first 30 minutes. Still getting opportunities but not moving the ball and midfield is not controlling the ball. The goal came on a cross or a corner where Williams had at least 4 opportunities to clear it out of the box and didn't get it out. Finally Etown got a foot on it.

Williams scores off a nice series of headers that ended with the third header going into the net by Damian Gass. Williams has controlled play and played real futbal on this wide field. They did give up a dangerous counter 15 minutes in thatbreaulted in a blest from the top of the 18 yard box which schein came out and blocked with his body.

Finals moved back to the grass today at Amherst.

Everyone on this thread is related by NESCAC blood. However, 43 and I are locked in disagreement over tomorrow's predictions. I think Williams and Amherst win in 1-0 games and he is predicting an explosion of goals. Either way it should be fun.

NESCAC 43, I think there are 2 goals scored in tomorrow's games total. Williams and Hamilton don't really score. Colby packs it in quite a bit. In addition, it will be a rainy day. I wouldn't mind seeing a shootout but not sure it can happen with those teams.

Regional Rankings are out:

New England   
1. Tufts 13-0-3 13-0-3
2. Connecticut College 12-2-2 12-2-2
3. Amherst 12-3-1 12-3-1
4. Babson 11-2-4 11-2-4
5. Middlebury 10-3-3 10-3-3
6. Williams 9-5-2 9-5-2
7. Endicott 10-5-2 10-5-2
8. Bowdoin 9-5-2 9-5-2
9. Hamilton 9-6-1 9-6-1
10. St. Joseph's (Maine) 18-0-0 18-0-0
11. Gordon 10-6-1 10-6-1
12. WPI

I've spoken with serpone when he has been at other NESCAC games scouting and he is extremely soft spoken, friendly, willing to discuss recent games etc. 100% different from the when he is on his Amherst sideline. I've also seen times where the Amherst video feed had to have the audio shut off because it was catching a non-stop stream of expletives from him during the game. so complicated is probably a great description.

Quote from: rudy on October 29, 2018, 01:58:50 PM

Quote from: rangerfan on October 29, 2018, 01:13:05 PM
I was at the Bowdoin-Amherst game yesterday and have a question for the experts here. WTF is up with NESCAC refs? As a Grade 8 ref myself, I've got years of experience on this subject with the younger crowd. I thought that game yesterday was completely out of hand from the get go. IMHO, Mike the ref didn't call much that deserved a whistle (including two handed grabs, vicious elbows, obvious jersey pulling etc...), blew it a few times unexpectedly on soft, mysterious fould, and worst of all, he let the Amherst bench and players continually show him up, scream in his face (Amherst #10 should have had multiple yellows!), and endlessly waste time. The game was the most physical soccer game I have seen, and I saw Cornell play in person last year, so that says a lot!

Also saw at least 2 flip throws in directly in front of us that were questionable--no feet on the ground when the ball was released. Granted, that's tough to call and I can let that go. But the over the backs with forearm shivers on headers, grabbing of hips, and overall needless banging and trash talking had me leave that field quite down on NESCAC soccer in general. Can someone talk me off the edge here? Is NESCAC soccer always like this, or was it because it was a playoff game?!

One word. Amherst. I went to Tufts Colby game and only a few non calls on what looked to be fouls against Tufts. There are a handful of teams across the country that play this way. Falconer can tell you about Lycoming. I don't think shoves in the back, tripping often, and pulling on players arms and shirts is uncommon with these teams. Depending on the ref it will either continue all game or put to a stop via yellow cards and warnings.

I am with you Rangerfan. My explanation is that the games at Amherst are like that most of the time. That's the way they play and the Amherst team takes its cues from serpone who gets out of hand. The visiting teams expect it and come to the field with an overly aggressive style. The refs are in a tough spot from the opening minutes. Interestingly, the visiting team then shows up at its next game still in this crazy mindset and starts the games overly aggressive again until they are either carded a lot or regain their bearings.

Hamilton beats conn 1-0. Williams will not have to play tufts in the semis. Amherst up 1-0 on bowdoin and tufts ties at 0-0 with Colby.

Driving to the middlebury game. It is starting to rain and it's the rain that clinks off your windshield.

Mr. Right and others, I am wondering people's thoughts on whether some of these teams should play for PKs on Saturday rather than extending themselves and giving up cheap or fluke goals? I have seen a few games at tufts and Conn this season and while solid sides, they don't score that easily. Same for Midd. Bowdoin, Williams, even Colby have solid defenses that would be stronger by not over extending themselves. Look at Williams. They have a very solid back line and a gk who has done well against PKs this season stopping several. It is clear that Sullivan can't create a scheme to score goals. Each time they do push forward they end up not scoring but frequently expose themselves to attack. I'll hang up now and see what everyone's thoughts are on this.

I'm told Ranieri may get a few minutes.

No Andreou today for Williams. No Ranieri. No Gass.

Should be good games today. Moran is not playing much because he is injured. He hurt his knee in the weight room and was told he could get season ending surgery or play 20 minutes a game. Interesting story that I have heard more and kore frequently in nescac. Coaches really pushing the boys to lift. Several teams lift twice a week in season on top of practices. Coaches are all about getting bigger and more physical. The boys come from real soccer programs where their clubs or academies don't want them too big. The boys are often reluctant as Morant was but coaches pushed him to lift more. I have heard this at a few nescac schools this season.