New England Soccer Discussion

[blooter442]

Just landed at Logan, the Babson result was one I absolutely didn't see coming...props to Mr.Right for calling that, spot on!

[ECSUalum]

UMass Boston 3-0 over Kean in Haverford PA.  Ed Barros with 2 and Kenawy with one.  Shot/shots on goal/CK pretty even.

[Mr.Right]

UMass Boston 3-0 over Kean in Haverford PA.  Ed Barros with 2 and Kenawy with one.  Shot/shots on goal/CK pretty even.

Great win for UMASS Boston and they deserved it. UMASS Boston played well but Kean disappointed me but this game was closer than the scoreline suggests. They will have their hands full at Haverford today but like I said a week ago it is doable if they play their "A" game and if Williamson / Kenawy can get the 1st goal of the game it would make a HUGE difference. UMASS Boston play best when teams are chasing the lead and sending players forward to try to score. They really take advantage with numbers going forward and have done this all year. The only game they really chased was the Babson and ECSU games. The Babson game they chased and equalized but in the ECSU game they failed to finish. If they have to chase this game they will be in trouble IMO. 1ST GOAL IS KEY IN THIS GAME TODAY

[blooter442]

A look at this year's NE teams in the final NSCAA top 25.

1. Tufts: I don't think many of us saw the Jumbos making a second run to the NCAA title this year, as the team didn't have headliners like Santos, Williams, Hoppenot, etc. when they won in 2014. What they did prove, however, was their ability to get results, and that is a testament to both Shapiro and his coaching ability as well as the players' desire and hunger. Thinking about next year, Tufts doesn't lose a ton in terms of numbers, but the graduation losses are big: Greenwood in net, who has been the best goalkeeper the program has ever seen; Sullivan, who developed from an initially shaky defender into a solid CB who did well in this year's postseason run; Zach Halliday, who has been a four-year starter if I'm correct; Lawson, who started this year in midfield and did well enough; Becherano, the surprise-AA who supported the squad while Majumder was out; and Majumder, who first made his name as a sophomore scoring in the 4-2 win over Wheaton in the national final and became one of the best strikers in the NESCAC. Even so, the Jumbos do return a decent amount, including Weatherbie, Coleman, McMillian, Kevin Halliday, and a number of other players who I'm sure I'm forgetting. The one Jumbo I think will be one to watch is Tasker. Everyone was talking about Rojas coming into this year as the Tufts freshman to watch, and he did well, but Tasker really shone throughout the year and I think will be a force to be reckoned with as he adjusts to the college game. Braun is also an imposing player and I think he'll continue to progress as he gets older. What's impressive about the Jumbos is that, in addition to having a very deep team this year, they bring in these guys who, in my observation, didn't have a lot of fanfare – guys like Becherano, Lawson, Najjar, etc. – and get them to develop into solid players who are integral parts of the team. It will be tough to repeat next year considering the sheer magnitude of graduation losses, but if there's anything we've learned these past three years, it's that you can never count out the Jumbos.

4. Brandeis: The first UAA team to get to the Final 4 since 2006, the Judges lose a decent amount to graduation, including both CBs in Brito and Robinson, as well as wingers Jastremski and Vieira. Those are big losses but the one coup for Brandeis is that – much like his brother and fellow All-American – Josh Ocel will return in 2017 for a medical hardship season, as he missed the entirety of his freshman year. He has been the engine that has driven the Judges the past two years, and having him back will be huge. Additionally, Brandeis returns its two other center mids in Hernandez and Miskin, and that midfield is – I think – as good as you'll find in New England. There will certainly be holes defensively and up top, as losing both wingers and both CBs will be tough, but strikers Allen and Flahive and wing backs Sam Vinson and Stephen DePietto have proven capable, and will surely help lead whomever comes in for the Judges. In the past few years, Brandeis has transformed from solely playing an aesthetically-pleasing style to basing its game on a possession style but being able to grind out results, and I think that trend might continue next year.

10. Amherst: The Jeffs won the NESCAC title this year, and looked to be primed to make a run to the Final 4 before being bounced by Brandeis in the NCAA Sweet 16 on PKs. I do think it's fair to say that this year's Amherst team was not quite as strong as the 2015 National Champion side, so perhaps it isn't that surprising that they came back to earth a bit this year. Much like Tufts and Brandeis, Amherst's sheer number of graduation losses isn't that huge, but they do lose key players: Aoyama, Bean, Lehnhart, Ciambella, Orozco, and Martin, as well as guys like Sisk and Sood who didn't get all the press but were key contributors to Amherst's success. I think having Hlinomaz back will be huge for Amherst, as he gives the Jeffs a target man who is quick and agile. Zojaji and Lind both had good freshman years, and Amherst returns a good amount of talent elsewhere, so I expect them to be strong once again.

15. UMASS-Boston: It is unfortunate that the Haverford debacle happened to UMB, because the Beacons were really starting to gather some credibility as a top New England team. Kenawy had a good year and I like Cunha and Martinez a lot. The biggest issue I see for UMASS-Boston has nothing to do with graduation, as they only lose 7 players out of 32, but the collateral resulting from the frankly inexcusable behavior that was encapsulated at Haverford that calls into question the Beacons' credibility as a program, which could certainly hurt recruiting/etc. I assume Williamson will never be allowed to play in the NCAA again, and would be disappointed to find out otherwise. To rehash a point I made earlier, while I do respect the work he's done in getting in "non-traditional" students, I do not think Beverlin is mature enough to be an NCAA head coach. From a talent perspective, though, I think there's no telling what UMB can achieve if they stay healthy and keep their composure.

[letsGOswans!]

How is Amherst's number of graduation losses not big? They lose their whole starting midfield and defense, + Martin. Don't underestimate the loss of Tuft's Halliday. He will be VERY hard to replace.

[blooter442]

How is Amherst's number of graduation losses not big? They lose their whole starting midfield and defense, + Martin. Don't underestimate the loss of Tuft's Halliday. He will be VERY hard to replace.

I said they lose a number of key players; I think that speaks more to your point re: the two banks of four than losing 9 seniors. Agree about Halliday, he was the only returner in the Tufts midfield this year and I think they will miss him a lot.

[blooter442]

After an illustrious career at Brandeis that spanned 44 yearsr, it was announced today that Coven is retiring.

Obviously I am biased, but I have nothing but good things to say about this man. Moreover, I never played for him, as I was never more than a rec league player, but he treated me like one of his own. A class act. From the day I met him - I was out shooting on the Brandeis turf when he came over and introduced himself - I could tell that he had special relationships with his players. They genuinely loved playing for him and he genuinely loved coming to practice. I'd thought that maybe he was retiring based on the gossip, and that belief was strengthened by how emotional he was during his post-game Final 4 presser - you got the sense that it was the last time he'd do it.

1976 National Champions, four Final 4s, and five consecutive NCAA appearances in his last five years. Most importantly, the impact he's had on his players and the friendships he's forged with his fellow coaches, even those of his rivals - a few weeks ago  I saw him joking with Anderson, a guy whom he considers a good friend - are unique. I think Margolis will do a great job as head coach, as he has been the tactical mind for the last 10 years and is an excellent coach and recruiter, and I'm excited to see how the Judges do with him at the helm.

So long, Mike Coven. You will be missed.

[1970s NESCAC Player]

After an illustrious career at Brandeis that spanned 44 yearsr, it was announced today that Coven is retiring.

Obviously I am biased, but I have nothing but good things to say about this man. Moreover, I never played for him, as I was never more than a rec league player, but he treated me like one of his own. A class act. From the day I met him - I was out shooting on the Brandeis turf when he came over and introduced himself - I could tell that he had special relationships with his players. They genuinely loved playing for him and he genuinely loved coming to practice. I'd thought that maybe he was retiring based on the gossip, and that belief was strengthened by how emotional he was during his post-game Final 4 presser - you got the sense that it was the last time he'd do it.

1976 National Champions, four Final 4s, and five consecutive NCAA appearances in his last five years. Most importantly, the impact he's had on his players and the friendships he's forged with his fellow coaches, even those of his rivals - a few weeks ago  I saw him joking with Anderson, a guy whom he considers a good friend - are unique. I think Margolis will do a great job as head coach, as he has been the tactical mind for the last 10 years and is an excellent coach and recruiter, and I'm excited to see how the Judges do with him at the helm.

So long, Mike Coven. You will be missed.

I've known Mike since 1971 when he was the coach at Newton South High School (I went to Newton North).  I played for him in the old BAYS leagues and then he recruited me at Brandeis.  I ultimately decided to go to Colby, but I worked at his soccer camps throughout college.  I would have played on his 1976 national championship team, and I became friendly with some of his players who worked at the camp, including Cleveland Lewis (Carl's older brother), who was a terrific player.  Mike and I have remained friends over the years, and we would run into each other regularly at recruiting events where my kids were playing.  Fortunately, I had a chance to congratulate him recently at Amherst after Brandeis advanced on PKs, where he once again reminded me that I should have gone to Brandeis.  Congratulations on a legendary career Mike, and I hope we can catch up again on some pitch in the future!

[Brother Flounder]

After an illustrious career at Brandeis that spanned 44 yearsr, it was announced today that Coven is retiring.

Obviously I am biased, but I have nothing but good things to say about this man. Moreover, I never played for him, as I was never more than a rec league player, but he treated me like one of his own. A class act. From the day I met him - I was out shooting on the Brandeis turf when he came over and introduced himself - I could tell that he had special relationships with his players. They genuinely loved playing for him and he genuinely loved coming to practice. I'd thought that maybe he was retiring based on the gossip, and that belief was strengthened by how emotional he was during his post-game Final 4 presser - you got the sense that it was the last time he'd do it.

1976 National Champions, four Final 4s, and five consecutive NCAA appearances in his last five years. Most importantly, the impact he's had on his players and the friendships he's forged with his fellow coaches, even those of his rivals - a few weeks ago  I saw him joking with Anderson, a guy whom he considers a good friend - are unique. I think Margolis will do a great job as head coach, as he has been the tactical mind for the last 10 years and is an excellent coach and recruiter, and I'm excited to see how the Judges do with him at the helm.

So long, Mike Coven. You will be missed.

Congrats on a great career!

[Mr.Right]

Yes Coven was very well respected in all coaching circles. He is actually better known for being an absolutely hilarious character and also it is very well known that I would bet 90% of his players LOVED playing for him which you do not find these days. He was one of the last remaining New England legends of coaching from the old days to hang on. This list includes Coven, Gooding, Russo, Saward, Butcher, Serdjinian, Haley, etc. The press release makes me laugh because that is the same AD that wanted him OUT about 10 years ago and nearly did oust him. With the help of all his peers and the pressure they put on Brandeis to keep him he stayed and was actually given a full time assistant. That full time assistant was Gabe Margolis and he has his fingerprints all over that program now. He basically saved the program with his tireless recruiting because this was something Coven needed big time help with. The job will open up publicly but it has to be a given it will go to Margolis. If it doesn't that would be a terrible mistake but we all know there can be administrators that can be completely clueless and AD's that think they know best. Nothing is a given but this I think will be.

[blooter442]

Yes Coven was very well respected in all coaching circles. He is actually better known for being an absolutely hilarious character and also it is very well known that I would bet 90% of his players LOVED playing for him which you do not find these days. He was one of the last remaining New England legends of coaching from the old days to hang on. This list includes Coven, Gooding, Russo, Saward, Butcher, Serdjinian, Haley, etc. The press release makes me laugh because that is the same AD that wanted him OUT about 10 years ago and nearly did oust him. With the help of all his peers and the pressure they put on Brandeis to keep him he stayed and was actually given a full time assistant. That full time assistant was Gabe Margolis and he has his fingerprints all over that program now. He basically saved the program with his tireless recruiting because this was something Coven needed big time help with. The job will open up publicly but it has to be a given it will go to Margolis. If it doesn't that would be a terrible mistake but we all know there can be administrators that can be completely clueless and AD's that think they know best. Nothing is a given but this I think will be.

He is hilarious. As the sports editor of the newspaper I got many great one liners and sound bites from him, some of which shouldn't be reproduced here. Regardless, in my experience he was always respectful of his opponents, and never let the result of any one game get to him too much. I know that regardless of how this season went results-wise he also really enjoyed having a kid from Team IMPACT this year, and they brought him along for the ride for the NCAA run through the Final 4, which I thought was awesome, so I think this season was a great way for him to go out. (The first link I shared is a video which features a number of great Coven soundbites, including the end where he asks the kid "You hungry? Let's eat!")

My favorite memory was from a BBQ he was having in the parking lot with the Brandeis parents before the Rochester game a few years back. He was eating a cheeseburger and some chips and I said "hey coach, that doesn't seem like a very nutritious pre-game meal."

He turns and looks at me and goes "hey [bloots], f*** you!"

My friends laughed, and I did too – it was hilarious.

Technically the AD at the time 10 years ago is no longer the AD, as she was promoted and Lynne Dempsey, who was the Associate AD, became AD earlier this year. I have interacted with her much more than former AD Sheryl Sousa so I can't speak to her directly but I don't disagree with you that he was under some heat 10 years ago.

Coven himself has said publicly that Margolis would take over when he retires, so I think it's about as close to being a given as can be.

I've known Mike since 1971 when he was the coach at Newton South High School (I went to Newton North).  I played for him in the old BAYS leagues and then he recruited me at Brandeis.  I ultimately decided to go to Colby, but I worked at his soccer camps throughout college.  I would have played on his 1976 national championship team, and I became friendly with some of his players who worked at the camp, including Cleveland Lewis (Carl's older brother), who was a terrific player.  Mike and I have remained friends over the years, and we would run into each other regularly at recruiting events where my kids were playing.  Fortunately, I had a chance to congratulate him recently at Amherst after Brandeis advanced on PKs, where he once again reminded me that I should have gone to Brandeis.  Congratulations on a legendary career Mike, and I hope we can catch up again on some pitch in the future!

That's a great story – thanks for sharing. It seems like he remembers every player's name, hometown, what their parents did for work, what their cousin was famous for in the 1980s, etc. Apparently he wrote handwritten letters to his recruits as recently as 2012, which is pretty incredible given how seldom most of us (perhaps I'm a bad example as a millennial) handwrite things these days.

[PaulNewman]

I'll chime in as well.  Kind of hard to wrap one's head around how special and unique it is to have a 44 year career at one place, whether in D3 soccer or really in any area in life.  This last half-decade or so at Brandeis really could not have gone any better in terms of Coven putting his final signature on his career.  And he always as far as I can tell has given Margolis tremendous credit for the program resurgence and for re-energizing and influencing him.  It does seem that he is beloved by his players and that he does not take that for granted.  And to have Brandeis now among the most elite soccer programs in the country is quite the accomplishment.  Brandeis obviously is right smack in the middle of NESCAC-land.  In general, I wouldn't consider Brandeis a competitor with NESCAC schools as Brandeis would seem to attract a different kind of student.  I think of Brandeis (and Holy Cross) as the two New England schools similar in academic reputation to the NESCACs but not necessarily big overlaps with them.  Brandeis is well-known for being 50% or more Jewish and also for having a proud history of focusing on social justice.  I've always thought of Brandeis as a place that attracts and nurtures students who truly want to make a difference in the world.  All that said, I think in recent years Coven and Margolis have been able to get some players that either could have gone to NESCACs or where NESCACs have dropped the ball and missed out.  At any rate, a huge congratulations to Coach Coven. 

[blooter442]

I'll chime in as well.  Kind of hard to wrap one's head around how special and unique it is to have a 44 year career at one place, whether in D3 soccer or really in any area in life.  This last half-decade or so at Brandeis really could not have gone any better in terms of Coven putting his final signature on his career.  And he always as far as I can tell has given Margolis tremendous credit for the program resurgence and for re-energizing and influencing him.  It does seem that he is beloved by his players and that he does not take that for granted.  And to have Brandeis now among the most elite soccer programs in the country is quite the accomplishment.  Brandeis obviously is right smack in the middle of NESCAC-land.  In general, I wouldn't consider Brandeis a competitor with NESCAC schools as Brandeis would seem to attract a different kind of student.  I think of Brandeis (and Holy Cross) as the two New England schools similar in academic reputation to the NESCACs but not necessarily big overlaps with them.  Brandeis is well-known for being 50% or more Jewish and also for having a proud history of focusing on social justice.  I've always thought of Brandeis as a place that attracts and nurtures students who truly want to make a difference in the world.  All that said, I think in recent years Coven and Margolis have been able to get some players that either could have gone to NESCACs or where NESCACs have dropped the ball and missed out.  At any rate, a huge congratulations to Coach Coven.

Well said. In my opinion, the Holy Cross parallel is a very good one, and one I had never thought of before. One interesting thing is that – while the 50%+ Jewish student body was true historically – it is now less than 50% if I am correct. It's certainly getting more diverse every year.

In terms of non-athletic admissions, Brandeis competes with a few NESCACs, mostly Colby, Bates, Conn. etc. I don't think that Brandeis is competitive with Williams/Amherst/Middlebury/Bowdoin/etc., but I would say it is quite competitive with the other NESCACs: I myself chose Brandeis over Conn. College, although I think I would have been happy at Conn., and I know of at least two kids off the top of my head who chose Brandeis over Colby. I even know one kid who chose Brandeis over Bowdoin, although I think that is certainly the exception and not the norm. This is not meant to be a brag piece, but just to illustrate a bit about Brandeis' admissions alongside those of the NESCACs.

Most importantly, I think you do well to recognize that Coven has indeed credited Margolis time and time again with transforming the program. He even said after his 500 win that he would "not be standing here today if it wasn't for Gabe Margolis." Whether that means particularly that Margolis helped save his job or he wouldn't have reached 500 wins, I don't know, but he certainly recognizes the role that Gabe has had in Brandeis soccer this past decade.

[Flying Weasel]

. . . .  With the help of all his peers and the pressure they put on Brandeis to keep him he stayed and was actually given a full time assistant. That full time assistant was Gabe Margolis and he has his fingerprints all over that program now.  . . . .

. . . .  This last half-decade or so at Brandeis really could not have gone any better in terms of Coven putting his final signature on his career.  And he always as far as I can tell has given Margolis tremendous credit for the program resurgence and for re-energizing and influencing him.  . . . .

In Ryan Harmanis' interview with Coven, he fully credits Margolis for convincing him to change from a long ball, direct style of play to a possession style and for the success that bred.  Here's the excerpt:

I've been here 44 years, and it's so different. When I started playing, any success a team had was based on athleticism, speed, getting after the ball, aggression. That was just common, that was just how you played in the United States. And when I started coaching back in the early 70s, it was just the same thing. Team success, no matter Division I, II, or III, was very similar to teams in England, where you just get after it. Ball over the top, get it to goal. Crush people in the tackle, pressure in the midfield, and then get rid of it. That was the name of the game. Then it started changing. When kids started getting good coaching, playing twelve months out of the year, when the club scene started growing. When I was playing everyone played two or three sports, soccer was just another one. Now kids are getting great coaching, they're on academy teams, they're playing high level soccer.

I was reluctant to change my style. We'd been so successful in the 70s and 80s and early 90s playing that long ball, direct style of play. And then I started seeing that some really good teams were keeping the ball, possessing it. But I was still reluctant, until Gabe came in eleven years ago, and his philosophy was always to keep the ball, to possess it. He converted me. It took a little arm twisting [laughs], but he changed my whole concept of how the game was played. I credit so much of our success the last ten years to Gabe, because he was the one who showed me, yes, we can be successful playing an attractive, possession style of soccer. Still using our athleticism and speed, but keeping the ball, sometimes slowing things down, being calmer on the ball. I believe in it, I adjusted my philosophy, and that's the way we play here. But Gabe's been a huge influence on me.

[PaulNewman]

I'll chime in as well.  Kind of hard to wrap one's head around how special and unique it is to have a 44 year career at one place, whether in D3 soccer or really in any area in life.  This last half-decade or so at Brandeis really could not have gone any better in terms of Coven putting his final signature on his career.  And he always as far as I can tell has given Margolis tremendous credit for the program resurgence and for re-energizing and influencing him.  It does seem that he is beloved by his players and that he does not take that for granted.  And to have Brandeis now among the most elite soccer programs in the country is quite the accomplishment.  Brandeis obviously is right smack in the middle of NESCAC-land.  In general, I wouldn't consider Brandeis a competitor with NESCAC schools as Brandeis would seem to attract a different kind of student.  I think of Brandeis (and Holy Cross) as the two New England schools similar in academic reputation to the NESCACs but not necessarily big overlaps with them.  Brandeis is well-known for being 50% or more Jewish and also for having a proud history of focusing on social justice.  I've always thought of Brandeis as a place that attracts and nurtures students who truly want to make a difference in the world.  All that said, I think in recent years Coven and Margolis have been able to get some players that either could have gone to NESCACs or where NESCACs have dropped the ball and missed out.  At any rate, a huge congratulations to Coach Coven.

Well said. In my opinion, the Holy Cross parallel is a very good one, and one I had never thought of before. One interesting thing is that – while the 50%+ Jewish student body was true historically – it is now less than 50% if I am correct. It's certainly getting more diverse every year.

In terms of non-athletic admissions, Brandeis competes with a few NESCACs, mostly Colby, Bates, Conn. etc. I don't think that Brandeis is competitive with Williams/Amherst/Middlebury/Bowdoin/etc., but I would say it is quite competitive with the other NESCACs: I myself chose Brandeis over Conn. College, although I think I would have been happy at Conn., and I know of at least two kids off the top of my head who chose Brandeis over Colby. I even know one kid who chose Brandeis over Bowdoin, although I think that is certainly the exception and not the norm. This is not meant to be a brag piece, but just to illustrate a bit about Brandeis' admissions alongside those of the NESCACs.

Most importantly, I think you do well to recognize that Coven has indeed credited Margolis time and time again with transforming the program. He even said after his 500 win that he would "not be standing here today if it wasn't for Gabe Margolis." Whether that means particularly that Margolis helped save his job or he wouldn't have reached 500 wins, I don't know, but he certainly recognizes the role that Gabe has had in Brandeis soccer this past decade.

Yep, Brandeis can compete academically with a good portion of the NESCAC.  Was just trying to say (and I know these are big generalizations) that when you think of the overall vibes NESCACs tend to attract the "preppier" really smart kids in your high school with the more social activist smart kids leaning towards a Brandeis.