Three University of Wisconsin State Schools in the Sweet Sixteen.  Impressive


Too bad all three are in the same quadrant

Quote from: stlawus on November 17, 2024, 03:28:17 PM

Quote from: ts33 on November 17, 2024, 03:17:56 PMA general question for some of you all who know more about the nescac than I... what makes the nescac so elite, what makes the programs tick, what makes them just that much better than the rest?

I mean you see the numbers on paper of teams qualifying, especially with this years NPI ratings.

For those of you who watch a ton of d3 soccer what makes this conference just that much better than the rest.

This 1000% a posting based upon genuine curiosity with no nescac hate or hate towards any other program/conference. Thanks

Self sorting mostly.  NESCACs are very high quality academic institutions which in turns attracts a lot of of the top student athletes.  A lot of the top soccer players in the country play for NEPSAC boarding schools which are in the heart of NESCAC country so they can also easily recruit the best players in their backyards. 

A lot of the top soccer players in the country that can afford to attend expensive schools, have played for academy teams, can afford to travel and be seen......so yes the top soccer players in a subset of soccer players in the country. 

Coach appropriately, have a good team culture and you do not need to worry about yellow card accumulation.....

Having finally watched a full Amherst game, along with some of the comments/sentiments expressed on this board a couple questions/comments:

1.  What is the draw for this program?  They do not play a good brand of soccer.  They play the type of soccer perpetuated at the youth level.  Big/aggressive kids that lack technical/tactical skills using size/aggression to win games.   (not saying the Amherst players aren't good players but the style of play does not showcase this if they are indeed technical/tactical)

2.  Their coach has multiple masters degrees in leadership yet his team lacks leadership as noted by antics, lack of self discipline/control. 

3.  Why do refs allow the players to get away with the repeated fouls?  One plater in natty had 2 hard fouls early on - easy yellow yet not given.  Refs could put an easy end to this behavior by controlling the game (and I am not just saying for this team - seems like refs are hesitant to give yellows in general this past year)

And to think that a second team all region GK made all American before other 1st team all region players is even more interesting.....

My son played against several of these teams/all americans and I had to go back and see if they players actually played because i didnt remember any standout players.

My surprise omission is Nathan Donovan from UW Eau_Claire

Obviously can have the debate about USC rankings/awards but....

Usually, conference awards are based on conference play and this award is related to the whole years "portfolio" of play (or should be).

Not sure of LL conference works.

UNITED SOCCER COACHES ALL- REGION - INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS


Region 1:   10
Region 2:   0
Region 3:   4
Region 4:   4
Region 5:    3
Region 6     5
Region 7     1
Region 8     6
Region 9     7
Region 10   2

Thanks for info - wont be paying but will search YouTube

I thought as part of hosting you were expected to make the games available without charge/fees but I guess I am wrong on that

Anyone know how to find a full game replay?  I have never seen amherst play but I am now interested in seeing a game.   

If indeed there were racial slurs from the opposing fans why wasn't this addressed by amherst - they were hosting.

We can't keep placing blame on Amherst/coaching and their culture without also placing some blame/responsibility on the parents of these kids.

Extremely inappropriate behavior from what I have seen and what has been discussed on this board. 

Unfortunately, these antics will continue while there is a win at all costs attitude or until appropriate measures are taken to punish such behavior (ie holding coaches accountable,, issuing appropriate sanctions/suspensions).   As far as the NCAA is concerned their reputation will not be ruined by this.  Had this been an elite 8 NCAA March Madness game there would be heads rolling by now.  Clips would be circulating; discussions would be taking place nationally.  As to Amherst this will not tarnish their reputation either as 99.9999% of the US population has no clue there was even a soccer game involving these two teams today 

That being said student athletes should be held to a certain standard.  As my son just finished a successful college career, I have been forced to reflect on what soccer meant to him and our family.

It has taught him time management, the rewards that come from working hard/dedicating yourself to a goal.  How to deal with adversity, how to lose with dignity and win with humility.   Life lessons that he will need to be a successful adult.

To our family it meant time spent together, traveling, seeing the country. 

It sounds to me that the Amherst players (not all but several) are missing out on these important values and only reinforcing the elitist mindset.   Their coach is doing them a disservice.  They can say they went to Amherst, played soccer and went to the final four but at what cost. 

Needless to say there are 3 teams I will be rooting for in a couple weeks.

Glad to see St Olaf through to the next round.  Having seen Eau Claire play in person I am not a fan of their style of play.   Gaining 10-15 yards on throw ins (repeatedly) is not in the spirit of the game (this isnt just a team issue as refs repeatedly allow it to happen)  I think a point of emphasis needs to be made regarding throw ins.   Not just location but I have seen a trend towards illegal throw ins as players/teams have concentrated more on long throw ins (essentially throwing in with one hand). 

How is SoS even calculated?  Historical? 

CCIW 2

Others can correct me if i am wrong but the only reason for Friday/saturday games are for regions where one team is unable to play on Sunday due to religious reasons.....

Several regions have Sat/Sunday with a football game earlier in the day at the host institution