Agree Keene is dangerous and their forwards will give most defenders a tough time. Some credit to Clark who almost came back from a two-goal deficit. Hit the crossbar and had a goal disallowed. Not sure what happened at the end as Clark players seemed upset about something. I think the commentators called a goal and then said offsides. If that is the case Clark had two goals disallowed.

For the second year, MIT loses on PK's to not advance to the semi-finals.

One could argue that his recruiting has been pretty solid since 2016. In 2015 they were 6-10-1. Since 2016 they have not had a losing record and are 33-16-6.  Not sure what injuries they had but they faded late in the season. as the opposition became tougher. Challenging the team with a Gordon, Endicott or NESCAC team early in the season will be a good read on what the team will need to work on for tough NEWMAC play.

Over the last three years, Coach O'Toole has turned the Clark program around but IMO they need to beef up there out of conference schedule so they are better prepared for NEWMAC. Too many close losses in conference play. 

Once again Off Pitch predicts the win/loss/tie results. Suprised that Coast Guard gave up three goals to MIT.  A Clark loss to WPI and a likely MIT win against Emerson puts MIT into the fifth place spot. Interested to see Off Pitch predictions for the last Saturday of conference play.

Quote from: Off Pitch on October 06, 2018, 12:23:04 AM
10/6/2018 Preview

Clark @ Coast Guard:  Two teams tied for fifth, (five teams qualify for the conference tournament), Clark enters having lost 3 of their last 4.  Coast Guard, on the other hand, has 3 straight shutout victories.  Clark is more talented, but Coast Guard is tougher and is at home.  Prediction:  Coast Guard 1 - Clark 1   

MIT @ Springfield:  Last place @ First place.  MIT is scoreless in 4 of their last 7 games and enters the game in last place in the conference.  Springfield has rolled to 3 straight wins since losing at Babson.  The Pride bests the punchless Engineers.    Prediction:  Springfield 1 - MIT 0

Emerson @ Babson:  Fun fact, Babson has only trailed for 8 seconds this entire season and has 3 consecutive shutouts.  This will be four as the Beavers improve to 6-1-4.  Prediction:  Babson 2 - Emerson 0

Wheaton @ WPI:  Wheaton is somehow tied for first in the NEWMAC despite yielding a conference high 15 goals and losing 4 of their last 5 games in which they managed to score a total of only 2 goals.  WPI is also struggling to find consistency, but the Engineers have enough to pull the Lyons back into the pack.  Prediction:  WPI 2 - Wheaton 1

Well done off Pitch - even called two of the scores. Three games left in regular season play and every team has a chance of finishing in the top five and qualifying for post season conference play.

Heard that Springfield was not playing the kick and run game that was their bread and butter last season. Watched Babson beat Brandeis and thought they kept the ball and passed the ball well in that game. If they played at Springfield, it is the worst turf in all of New England - It is like a carpet and the ball runs fast which does not help to keep the ball. Though should not lead to giving the ball away.
Clark loses for the first time this season to Wheaton. Wheaton got a soft PK and was able to stifle the second half Clark onslaught. Wheaton keeper made some big saves. Congrats to Emerson on what I think is their first NEWMAC win in the history of the program?

Would not read much into early rankings  - three NEWMAC teams in early regional rankings. Babson and WPI have been tested. Clark has had a soft schedule to date but could be tested tonight against Framingham State who are off to a strong start and will be looking for a win against their second NEWMAC team in a week.

http://unitedsoccercoaches.org/web/Rankings/College_Rankings/NCAA_DIII_MEN/web/Rankings/NCAA/DIII_MEN.aspx?hkey=8152a37c-dcf4-4681-b87d-1404b6d21915

Babson with an excellent win on Saturday over Brandeis. Early non-conference results indicate that NEWAC could be a tough conference this season.