New England Soccer Discussion

Jim Matson · October 01, 2009, 12:44:41 AM

That Wesleyan/Wheaton match was a good one. I would have thought Wheaton was a 2 goal favorite, but obviously would have been wrong. I agree that the NESCAC might be stronger top to bottom this year than in recent years.

I don't know if Middlebury will be there in the post-season, but traditionally, the NESCAC has had up to 3 teams in the Tourney - 1 as the AQ winner, and 2 as the Pool C choice.

ECSUalum · October 01, 2009, 10:34:59 AM

Sometimes difficult to predict results this year. For example, Babson bomped Keene last night 3-1 while Keene domimated ECSU. Finally, ECSU beat Babson earlier this season! Additionally, some major upsets this past weekend!!

However, I agree NESCAC conference teams are very strong and will be the teams that will have to be defeated to get into and advance in the up coming NCAA NE Regionals.

truenorth · October 01, 2009, 05:58:11 PM

Some forum contributors are far more savvy about the intricacies of NCAA tournament selection criteria than I am. That said, it appears to me that the overall strength of the NESCAC programs cuts both ways.

For starters, the NESCAC teams play a restricted schedule of 14 regular season games. A team can have a very good season, win all of its out-of-conference games, win more than half of its in-conference games, and barely get to 10 wins.

Whereas the other D3 conferences in New England allow anywhere from 17 to 20 game schedules, making it far easier to get to 10+ wins.

I realize the tournament selection committees take strength of schedule into account, but I've still got to believe it's hard to ignore the overall W's and L's, regardless of true schedule strength.

vabaseball · October 03, 2009, 03:20:48 PM

Connecticut College over Bowdoin today 1-0 in 2 OTs.

ECSUalum · October 03, 2009, 04:29:04 PM

Keene over RIC 3-2 in a swamp today
Plymouth St over WCSU 2-0
ECSU/ UMass Bost ppt
UMass Dart/USM ppt

Jim Matson · October 03, 2009, 10:34:33 PM

The Plymouth win was expected but I thought Conn would have an easier time with Bowdoin.

ECSUalum · October 04, 2009, 01:04:26 PM

Huge game with ECSU vs Montclair St today at Montclair where they have recently set a new NCAA record for home wins (40)!!

Looking at Montclair roster they are a big team with a majority of thier starters over 6 feet. Complete roster are NJ boys. Great tribute to NJ soccer!!

Cullen Brothers are Red Hawk impact players with 8, 6, 22 ytd goals/assists/point respectively. Larry Geraghty thier third goal scorer.

Maybe ECSU has an upset in mind 8)

ECSUalum · October 04, 2009, 04:21:24 PM

Montclair 2 ECSU 1

Larry Geraghty scores in the 101 minute in double over time.

MS dominated in shots on goal 29-14. Valiant effort by the Warriors, but Red Hawks just too strong.

Jim Matson · October 05, 2009, 12:16:20 AM

...plus they had that home winning streak on the line!

ECSUalum · October 07, 2009, 11:24:08 AM

ECSU 5 Becker 0

Next 10/10 @ U Southern Maine

ECSUalum · October 10, 2009, 07:21:54 PM

ECSU 2 @ USM 0

Next 10/12 @ Kean NJ

ECSUalum · November 01, 2009, 11:46:37 AM

LEC Tourney begins Wednesday.

2009 Little East Men's Soccer Tournament Championship

Semifinals Championship

Wednesday, November 4 Saturday, November 7

#4 UMass Dartmouth vs
Winner UMD/KSC
#1 Keene State *
vs
#2 Eastern Connecticut vs
Winner ECSU vs RIC
#3 RIC

Reg Season Final Standings
W-L-T
-----------------

Eastern Connecticut 6-1, 14-4-1
Keene State 6-1, 13-6
Rhode Island College 5-2, 9-7-2
UMass Dartmouth 3-3-1, 9-6-2

owl · November 01, 2009, 08:31:19 PM

NESCAC tournament began today also. #1 Wesleyan handled Colby #8 easily 5-0 while #2 Williams handled #7 Conn College 3-0. #6 Middlebury had a battle with #3 Amherst and survived with a 2-1 victory. #4 Bowdoin took #5 Trinity 3-0.

Next week, Wesleyan hosts the semis and finals. Wesleyan takes on Middlebury while Williams plays Bowdoin. What happened to Middlebury? In the past three days, they have beaten Williams and Amherst. They get a well deserved rest before battling with Wesleyan.

ECSUalum · November 02, 2009, 12:15:41 PM

owl,

Really some wonderful teams in NESCAC this year!!! Bowdoin, Middlebury, Wesleyan, Williams, all capable of beating anyone on any given day.

Good luck to all for NCAA NE regional bid

Will be some tough teams to beat in the National tournament, O Weslyan, Montclair St., Messiah, Hopkins etc

Jim Matson · November 02, 2009, 08:35:01 PM

I wish I had seen Wesleyan play this year. They may the New England region team to beat.