Quote from: Kuiper on February 21, 2025, 01:42:43 AMDiv3Footy, an Instagram account, came out with a Best 11 for last season

https://www.instagram.com/p/DGUUoOtMNXD/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Not a bad mix of players, although you might describe it as the Best 11 of teams that didn't make the Final Four (other than Madden of Middlebury). 

Much like the brackets they made before the tournament, so far off base. Yikes.

Quote from: College Soccer Observer on October 31, 2024, 09:48:05 AM

Quote from: camosfan on October 31, 2024, 08:35:34 AMTufts starting back four is the best this year and this is both as a unit and individually. Number 13 from Middlebury is the only defender up there with that group.

And yet both teams have allowed the same amount of goals and Middlebury has allowed fewer shots.  The argument is not the quality of individual players, it is the collective efficacy of the group.

Then Amherst is certainly in this conversation as well. 1 more goal conceded in league (5), conceding 30+ less shots than both Tufts/Midd.

Quote from: Dustin_Patrón on October 30, 2024, 06:07:18 PMMidd's Keagan Harder all but secured ROTY yesterday with his Joe Braun-esque goal against the purple team. Anyone willing to argue that?

I'd say Lorcan Mitchell from Williams has a strong case. 6 goals, 4 in league with a couple assists. Wouldn't be surprised if it was one of these two guys. Both deserving

Quote from: jumpshot on October 15, 2024, 05:30:15 PMTufts crush lord jeffs 1-0 with excellent defense. lj's resort to numerous fouls in final 10 minutes in desperate attempt to score. Agree with slaws as to style of play. Well done Jumbos.

I am by no means an Amherst supporter, but I'm interested to hear your input on how they were "crushed" 1-0? Having watched it live, it appeared to be a rather even game.  Even based on stats in seemed this way in terms of chance creation/corners/fouls.

Also, numerous fouls in the last 10 minutes. 3 is numerous? In a NESCAC game between 2 of the top 5 teams in the country?

Quote from: Hopkins92 on October 07, 2024, 03:21:42 PMAs a self-proclaimed "goalie person"... I don't think I'd say he had no business coming out. But he needed to be a lot better with his footwork and decision-making there. Either he needed to drop back on his line with the cross (as you imply), or make a quicker decision to go for the ball. Slight hesitation and indecision led to him being a fraction late.

Not an easy play, to be fair.

Certainly a tough situation, most re-serve situations are. I agree, footwork and decision making. Seems he got caught in no man's land. When the ball was initially cleared, he didn't seem to scan to see what was back post, or retreat 1 or 2 steps to be able to see what was in front of him to his left and right.

All this said, he made 3 other outstanding saves in this game to keep them afloat. Thus, the life of a goalkeeper!

Quote from: PaulNewman on October 06, 2024, 08:02:11 AMSpeaking of possible bias and how bias works, I'd be curious to see how others view the Amherst goal yesterday.

Here it is as posted in the Amherst recap...

https://x.com/AmherstMammoths/status/1842637725553303705

Imo this is a great example for what @freddyfud was elaborating on.  Clean, good goal?  Climbing and using the back of the defending player to elevate and gain separation while committing a foul?  Look at the immediate reaction of the defender clearly intent on shielding the Amherst player (no doubt known as the most important Mammoth player to shield) from an opportunity and also the GK's reaction.  I'm especially interested to again hear from the GK experts since defending corners is a high volume play for GKs and defending teams. Also, should the Wesleyan GK have made a play on the ball to grab or punch out?  Or no?  If we could do a survey of 10 Wesleyan fans/players/coaches and 10 Amherst fans/players/coaches, how many for each would have a take different than their counterparts?  After completing the exercise, and after using AI to run the same play with all the players in opposing jerseys (and Wesleyan scoring off the corner), how many would change their votes?

PK calls are another area that provide a rich tapestry for bias analysis.

My take?  As someone who quite admittedly has a very different kind of purple in MY heart, I'm leaning towards a slight adjustment of that foul count from 10 to 11.  And I'll obnoxiously interject that the other purple home pitch really is a billiard table.

One other thought...and one of respect for the Mammoths industrial complex.  When Amherst goes up 1-0 that often feels like 3-0 or 4-0.  Even though just a goal from equalizing actually getting one feels like a big mountain to climb.  Would be interesting to look at how many games Amherst has lost over the past decade or so when going up 1-0.  Obviously the sample size isn't very high.  In contrast, I would guess Amherst has a pretty strong record of winning or at least gaining a draw after they go down 1-0...and of course that sample size is even less.

As a begruding observer, the battle for NESCAC and national glory is per usual going to be a dogfight.  Imo there is very little daylight between Tufts, Amherst, Midd, and Conn...and there's Williams also smirking from the weeds.

Quote from: PaulNewman on October 06, 2024, 08:02:11 AMSpeaking of possible bias and how bias works, I'd be curious to see how others view the Amherst goal yesterday.

Here it is as posted in the Amherst recap...

https://x.com/AmherstMammoths/status/1842637725553303705

Imo this is a great example for what @freddyfud was elaborating on.  Clean, good goal?  Climbing and using the back of the defending player to elevate and gain separation while committing a foul?  Look at the immediate reaction of the defender clearly intent on shielding the Amherst player (no doubt known as the most important Mammoth player to shield) from an opportunity and also the GK's reaction.  I'm especially interested to again hear from the GK experts since defending corners is a high volume play for GKs and defending teams. Also, should the Wesleyan GK have made a play on the ball to grab or punch out?  Or no?  If we could do a survey of 10 Wesleyan fans/players/coaches and 10 Amherst fans/players/coaches, how many for each would have a take different than their counterparts?  After completing the exercise, and after using AI to run the same play with all the players in opposing jerseys (and Wesleyan scoring off the corner), how many would change their votes?

PK calls are another area that provide a rich tapestry for bias analysis.

My take?  As someone who quite admittedly has a very different kind of purple in MY heart, I'm leaning towards a slight adjustment of that foul count from 10 to 11.  And I'll obnoxiously interject that the other purple home pitch really is a billiard table.

One other thought...and one of respect for the Mammoths industrial complex.  When Amherst goes up 1-0 that often feels like 3-0 or 4-0.  Even though just a goal from equalizing actually getting one feels like a big mountain to climb.  Would be interesting to look at how many games Amherst has lost over the past decade or so when going up 1-0.  Obviously the sample size isn't very high.  In contrast, I would guess Amherst has a pretty strong record of winning or at least gaining a draw after they go down 1-0...and of course that sample size is even less.

As a begruding observer, the battle for NESCAC and national glory is per usual going to be a dogfight.  Imo there is very little daylight between Tufts, Amherst, Midd, and Conn...and there's Williams also smirking from the weeds.

I just watched this film back. One of the more clean set piece goals I've seen in NESCAC play. No extension of arms to push off, clear size advantage that looks even more uneven due to the Wesleyan defender not jumping. There has been wayyyy worse stuff that has lead to goals (jersey pulls, toe stomping, etc), especially in the box, especially in the NESCAC.

Further, agreed with CSO noting the reaction (or lack there of) from Wesleyan as the goal was scored. GK had no business coming out for that, either.

Quote from: Freddyfud on October 03, 2024, 04:52:06 PMWell since you asked...but please don't be offended.  The facts are what they are--two goals were scored.  I think it's more about the characterization with what is seemingly some confirmation bias.  Some fans see goals scored as marvels and goals allowed as mistakes from a better team.  Human nature as we all have bias.  Sometimes if you look deeper you see things differently.  Let me try to show by example: 

Quote from: D3Reporter on October 02, 2024, 01:28:25 PMRewatched 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.  A Tufts throw in deep in their defensive end is immediately won by Babson players with 2 skilled one touches leading to a poor cross from the corner but followed by a poorer clearance effort straight into a Babson attacker. 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 as the Babson attacker was applying tremendous pressure behind the ball and eventually won it and quickly maneuvered into open space for the finish. 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 Babson doesn't regain possession deep in the Tufts end and apply pressure.

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 the last of a series of corner kicks while Tufts was desperately sending attackers forward searching for the equalizer and found an unmarked man on the back post.  Had the Babson defender on the back post elected to come off his line sooner or another defender marked the scorer, Babson would have taken 3 points.

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.

Again I'm not trying to be a PITA or take away any enjoyment. I watched the game as an objective party and enjoyed it myself--two really good teams.  Just pointing out bias happens.  All you need to do is look around here.  From player mistakes made to poor refereeing to questionable coaching and many others, sometimes it is difficult to just give the other team credit.  Even when it is due.

Good luck to the Jumbos.

"From player mistakes made to poor refereeing to questionable coaching and many others, sometimes it is difficult to just give the other team credit.  Even when it is due."

So very true. I'd even amend it to saying "any team credit" for most folks on here, especially on this specific thread..

Quote from: jknezek on September 20, 2024, 12:51:27 PM

Quote from: laker4141 on September 20, 2024, 12:01:29 PMHampden-Sydney and Randolph-Macon is a massive one. Dates back to 1800's

Not in soccer, but yes, it's a huge game for football. Called simply "The Game".

It definitely spills over into other sports, particularly soccer and basketball.

Hampden-Sydney and Randolph-Macon is a massive one. Dates back to 1800's

Quote from: stlawus on August 30, 2024, 04:24:18 PMMontclair currently down 2-0 to Wheaton (MA).  Lukovic injury might have serious impact this season.

Might lol? Hard to replace someone who outscored half of the division 3 teams himself

Quote from: Kuiper on August 11, 2024, 10:24:12 PM

Quote from: SKUD on August 11, 2024, 09:18:58 PMDoes anyone else think this list is missing Amer Lukovic?

Montclair State's 2024 roster isn't out yet, but I noticed that Lukovic was on the MLS Super Draft 2024 Eligible List (which didn't bind a player this year).  Do we know that he's returning to college or to Montclair State?

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-superdraft-2024-eligible-players

He tore his ACL this summer. Not sure what that will do in terms of his eligibility/future

Very interesting hire...