Quote from: ephoops on March 11, 2025, 12:20:56 PMMy daughter played lax at Midd.  Tufts fans (and parents) were by far the worst in NESCAC (and second only to Salisbury nationally).

So she happened to think that the fans were worst at two of the only schools that really compete with Midd in that sport? Shocking! These boards have become way too much of a place to complain about player/fan behavior...and it always happens to be in big games. I'll give you a hint from the student perspective: none of them care. It is simply part of sports these days. In fact, I think most elite, competitive athletes enjoy it.

If Tufts students are really that much worse than at other schools, then maybe all that says is that a lot of their teams are competing in important games, they like sports, and in terms of NESCAC, that they're a larger school. Honestly I think having a rowdy student section is great for college sports, let's stop beating the same drum, painting it in a negative light.

Bottom left quadrant looks like the quadrant of death to me...

Tufts takes it over Keene State 88-84. The depth that has been questioned from Tufts side really showed out tonight...was very impressed with Gettings, Kennelly, and Wooten. Definitely a nice back for them after WPI.

In terms of NESCAC vs Ivy recruiting classes, I'd agree that there's more overlap than may be perceived (with the exception of the elevated international presence for the D1 league). When you're looking at the players that end up on a lot of the NESCAC rosters, particularly the top sides, the vast majority of these guys were very close to going to Ivies.

Bringing that back into the discussion about the Dezotell era for Tufts...In agreement with the last few posts that it doesn't make sense to call these last few years underperforming squads. I think if you look back and actually watch the teams play now versus during the Shapiro era, you might find that the quality of play is actually higher now. However, as I believe rdaniel posted, what these squads have all been missing is a dominant goal scorer. They've been missing a "gusty" guy with a little bit of selfishness who knows that he's going to be the one to put the ball in the back of the net; that he's going to be the guy (when the going gets tough in the tournament against a quality, gritty Buffalo St team with a park the bus and counter-style) to put the game away. With the evolution of top D3 recruiting now versus just a few years ago, it's only fair to wonder if maybe this missing piece they've been looking for is outside of the predominantly MLS Next/ECNL pool.

Not suggesting that they should abandon the recruiting style altogether as the teams have been really good. But perhaps, when looking for this dominant forward/goal-scorer, it's worth slightly shifting resources into some more "gutsy" talent pools?

Does hosting priority go to the women's side next weekend?

Quote from: boomer on October 31, 2024, 10:55:46 AM

Quote from: D3Reporter on October 31, 2024, 10:36:16 AMRegardless of who wins DPOY, these Midd and Tufts defenses have been phenomenal this year, tied at No. 4 nationally for GAA despite SOS. Hoping we'll see these teams clash at least once more this year.

I watch more of the Jumbos than the Panthers, so I'll add a bit more on them. One of the things that has really stood out to me about this defensive group is just how deep it is. They really have five guys that have all performed well and have gotten significant minutes in that back four. The full group is so talented that out of the additional guys, one has become a starting winger with other injuries and two more get important minutes at winger and a 8/10 role (particularly when the Jumbos are up a goal in big-time games). That doesn't even mention that they realistically have three top-tier CDMs who in my mind would each start on almost any team in the country. With the injuries they've had, this has allowed them to stay strong there.

That's fair, but I think all of these things are also true of Midd.  Which is why they are both in the top three lol.

Hopefully they will get to play each other again.

Yes, definitely possible. Didn't mean it as a Tufts is this, Midd is not. I just can speak more on the specifics for Tufts, so wanted to provide that context.

Regardless of who wins DPOY, these Midd and Tufts defenses have been phenomenal this year, tied at No. 4 nationally for GAA despite SOS. Hoping we'll see these teams clash at least once more this year.

I watch more of the Jumbos than the Panthers, so I'll add a bit more on them. One of the things that has really stood out to me about this defensive group is just how deep it is. They really have five guys that have all performed well and have gotten significant minutes in that back four. The full group is so talented that out of the additional guys, one has become a starting winger with other injuries and two more get important minutes at winger and a 8/10 role (particularly when the Jumbos are up a goal in big-time games). That doesn't even mention that they realistically have three top-tier CDMs who in my mind would each start on almost any team in the country. With the injuries they've had, this has allowed them to stay strong there.

Quote from: SKUD on October 02, 2024, 10:14:02 AMI find D3s take on both goals off.

The camera is on a structure where the frame of the structure blocks
The view.

Rewatched the goals on video to see how they compared to what I saw last night. Pretty unbelievable how much of the Babson goal was obscured by the post on the structure the camera is on. Seeing as that is...I can totally understand how my explanation about the miscommunication can seem like it came out of nowhere.

On the video you can see the beginning of the lead-up: Missed pass is cleared by Feinberg, which is blocked by Yablonovskiy.Then after that, the post completely blocks the rest of the play until the shot. On the field, I saw Feinberg shielding for a few seconds and visibly/audibly yelling at Antic, expecting that he would pick it up. Antic stayed on his line, though, and Yablonovskiy capitalized. Don't mean to take anything away from the Babson striker as his ability to get around Feinberg was impressive and strong, but to me, there's no doubt that goal doesn't happen if Feinberg and Antic are on the same page there.

In terms of the second goal, I think that one goes rather unobstructed. But, I view it at as a nicely placed ball to get it over the keeper onto Canfin's head, who finished at back post late in the game with almost everyone in the box.

I totally understand, though, that it's the nature of the game that several of us watching the same play can have entirely different interpretations. Would love to hear what others took away from the goals to get a different perspective.

Longtime reader, first time poster here.

Was in attendance for the Tufts - Babson game tonight, 1-1 tie. Both teams looked really solid for most of the contest...it was nice and refreshing to see soccer played as the beautiful game it can be, rather than the ugliness of pure kick-and-run and physicality that college soccer can be sometimes.

Tufts seemed to have the upper-hand to me for most of the contest, though Babson certainly didn't appear uncomfortable at any point. In fact, in the middle 20 minutes of the second half, it seemed like Babson actually might be the team with a goal coming. With about ten minutes left, Babson found the back of the net, but it came off of a miscommunication between the Tufts CB Feinberg and GK Antic. This is not a mistake I expect to see again this season from the Tufts defense who have looked very solid this season and in this game. But here, the Babson FWD Yablonovskiy took advantage and put it away to make it 1-0.

For the next ten minutes, Tufts pushed hard for the equalizer and with about one minute left, they found the goal that seemed like was coming for most of the contest. Beautiful ball in off the corner from Gerken and I believe last touch was from Canfin to put it in the back of the net.

This Tufts team is showing grittiness that will be helpful later in the year, though they are still missing a dominant, goal-scoring striker...

Despite its six ties, expecting Babson will win the NEWMAC and make a tournament run. Expecting their limiting factor will be their lack of physicality and set-piece dominance.