New England Soccer Discussion

[Ommadawn]

Troy Remillard of WNEU scored his 17th and 18th goals of the season today against Nichols.

Remillard bagged two more Saturday afternoon against Eastern Nazarene to up his total to 21.  WNEU squares off tonight against Springfield in a derby at Ludlow's Lusitano Stadium.

[Mr.Right]

I think the most impressive stat for Springfield is in 5 Newmac games they are 5-0-0 with 5 Shutouts. They do have a weak out of conference schedule but the Newmac is a decent league. In fact on the year Springfield is 12-0-0 with 9 Shutouts. They have not allowed a goal in 3 weeks and only have allowed 2 goals(both by Wentworth) since their Sept 10th 2-1 victory at Stevens. My point is that something has to give tonight v WNEC with Remillard being that much of a poacher v Springfield's stingy defense 

[Off Pitch]

Wheelock gets what I think is their first win in program history today 2-0 over Maine-Presque Isle.  Before today, Wheelock was 0-88.  Congratulations to the Wildcats!

[Ommadawn]

Wheelock gets what I think is their first win in program history today 2-0 over Maine-Presque Isle.  Before today, Wheelock was 0-88.  Congratulations to the Wildcats!

And just in time, too, as I just saw that Wheelock is becoming part of BU in 2018.

[blooter442]

Wheelock gets what I think is their first win in program history today 2-0 over Maine-Presque Isle.  Before today, Wheelock was 0-88.  Congratulations to the Wildcats!

Awesome. As much as winning is a big part of sports, achievement (in a relative sense) is important, too. I imagine they'll enjoy this one tonight.

[Flying Weasel]

Wheelock gets what I think is their first win in program history today 2-0 over Maine-Presque Isle.  Before today, Wheelock was 0-88.  Congratulations to the Wildcats!

By my count, their first win came in exactly their 100th game.

2009: 0-12-0
2010: 0-16-0
2011: 0-13-0
2012: 0-3-0
2013: D.N.P.
2014: 0-13-0
2015: 0-14-0
2016: 0-18-0
2017: 1-10-0

Total: 1-99-0

[Ommadawn]

I think the most impressive stat for Springfield is in 5 Newmac games they are 5-0-0 with 5 Shutouts. They do have a weak out of conference schedule but the Newmac is a decent league. In fact on the year Springfield is 12-0-0 with 9 Shutouts. They have not allowed a goal in 3 weeks and only have allowed 2 goals(both by Wentworth) since their Sept 10th 2-1 victory at Stevens. My point is that something has to give tonight v WNEC with Remillard being that much of a poacher v Springfield's stingy defense

Springfield's stingy defense pitched another shutout last night, prevailing 1-0 over WNEU.  Remillard had two close chances, but that was about it.  Springfield dominated the shot tally 22 (6 OG) to 7 (2 OG). Although the game was on turf, the ball didn't hit the ground a lot.  There was one sequence of mostly headers where the ball was in the air for 8 straight volleys.  I did find myself wondering sometimes why players not under pressure would boot the ball down the field to an area where only opposing players were located, but, hey, what do I know?!

[Off Pitch]

Projected 10/18 regional rankings for New England:

1.    Amherst
2.    Tufts
3.    Brandeis
4.    Conn
5.    Middlebury
6.    Williams
7.    Springfield
8.    St. Josephs
9.    Mass-Boston
10.  Bowdoin
11.  Coast Guard
12.  Johnson & Wales

Springfield and St Josephs may not be ranked as their SOS may fall below .500

Next in line:
Colby
Endicott
WPI
Gordon

[blooter442]

Interesting TV spot on St. Joseph's and its 0.00 GAA, currently the only perfect GAA in men's or women's soccer, any division. Full disclosure: I'm a native Mainer who likes to see Maine schools do well. As coach Dubois said, they're not giving it much attention, and rightly so — the real tests have yet to come, although I do fancy SJC to reclaim the GNAC title. Go Monks!

As an aside, in meeting OldNed last week, I discovered that SJC has its t-shirts (and I would guess other apparel) printed by a local vendor named Bob the Screenprinter, of whom the proprietor is a guy who my dad — a longtime silkscreener and graphic artist — taught to print some 26 years ago (right before he left that gig because yours truly came along — I'm the elder of
two). It's a small world indeed.

[NEFutbol90]

St. Joes has done a really good job getting some of the local business involved with the evolution of their athletic dept. in the past few years, and undoubtedly Bob's has benefited from the countless t-shirt orders from all parts of the college community as they are always a hit on campus.

Something Im interested in hearing what people think is their opinion on the outcome of the little east... with UMB getting all the talk out of that conference Keene St. has battled them every year including a win this year. (Since 2012 Keene is 1W-1L-2T vs UMB) Since moving #3 Salta out of the back he has had an immediate impact in terms of goals and could decide their fate with 2 conference games remaining to dictate their post season (URI & UM Dartmouth). If they find they're way in I reckon UMB will be uneasy facing them in the first round.

[blooter442]

Something Im interested in hearing what people think is their opinion on the outcome of the little east... with UMB getting all the talk out of that conference Keene St. has battled them every year including a win this year. (Since 2012 Keene is 1W-1L-2T vs UMB) Since moving #3 Salta out of the back he has had an immediate impact in terms of goals and could decide their fate with 2 conference games remaining to dictate their post season (URI & UM Dartmouth). If they find they're way in I reckon UMB will be uneasy facing them in the first round.

To be honest, I haven't watched much of the LEC this year, but I do think that UMB aren't as dominant as they were last year, which makes the LEC somewhat open for me. I saw that Keene beat them last month, and I did get to watch them in person against Wentworth, and they looked good in patches and have some nice skill, but they don't have the same level of power that they have had in years past. What's more, I think they've had some issues with composure – not just talking about the Haverford incident last year, but what I mean is when they go 1-0 down they seem to lose their heads a bit. As such, I think Keene — and perhaps others — could cause them some problems, although I do think they're still the favorite at this time.

[Mr.Right]

Projected 10/18 regional rankings for New England:

1.    Amherst
2.    Tufts
3.    Brandeis
4.    Conn
5.    Middlebury
6.    Williams
7.    Springfield
8.    St. Josephs
9.    Mass-Boston
10.  Bowdoin
11.  Coast Guard
12.  Johnson & Wales

Springfield and St Josephs may not be ranked as their SOS may fall below .500

Next in line:
Colby
Endicott
WPI
Gordon

I am not so sure Nescac will dominate all the top spots this year. At least I do not think they deserve to. I think Amherst, Tufts and Brandeis will be 1,2 and 3 but I do not know which order. I agree Conn will be 4 but I do not think Midd and Williams will be ahead of Bowdoin as Bowdoin beat both of them. You are correct that St.Joe's and Springfield might find problems getting ranked especially St.Joe's as their SOS will be awful. I just do not see a legit win on their schedule except for Bowdoin and maybe Johnson and Wales. Keene St will be a challenge at Keene to finish the year but they need to upgrade the schedule in the offseason. At least play all 3 Maine Nescac's(If they will agree to play) and it seems like Endicott will play anyone anywhere so give them a call. ECONN will play anyone anywhere. Maybe Babson will want a rematch from last year's NCAA exit? I remember last year Springfield was like 15-1-0 and did not get ranked because of their schedule. I think WPI gets ranked and even Endicott has a chance. Honestly I am grasping at straws here as it seems the whole region is WAY down.

[blooter442]

I am not so sure Nescac will dominate all the top spots this year. At least I do not think they deserve to. I think Amherst, Tufts and Brandeis will be 1,2 and 3 but I do not know which order. I agree Conn will be 4 but I do not think Midd and Williams will be ahead of Bowdoin as Bowdoin beat both of them. You are correct that St.Joe's and Springfield might find problems getting ranked especially St.Joe's as their SOS will be awful. I just do not see a legit win on their schedule except for Bowdoin and maybe Johnson and Wales. Keene St will be a challenge at Keene to finish the year but they need to upgrade the schedule in the offseason. At least play all 3 Maine Nescac's(If they will agree to play) and it seems like Endicott will play anyone anywhere so give them a call. ECONN will play anyone anywhere. Maybe Babson will want a rematch from last year's NCAA exit? I remember last year Springfield was like 15-1-0 and did not get ranked because of their schedule. I think WPI gets ranked and even Endicott has a chance. Honestly I am grasping at straws here as it seems the whole region is WAY down.

Certainly don't disagree that St. Joseph's should beef up its schedule, but apparently they were scheduled to play Colby this year but Colby pulled out because SJC was finishing up its turf, wouldn't have it ready for an early September game (as had been scheduled), and wanted to instead play on one of the local turf fields (Colby declined). That would have been 2 of 3 Maine NESCACs, but alas it's only one (albeit a good win for SJC).

I might speculate that Colby perhaps didn't want to lose to SJC as it did last year, and saw an "out." That's just me, though, and this year's Colby is better than last year's Colby (although the same could be said for SJC being better this year). If they can get Bates in there and keep all three those would be good additions to the SoS and -- get a win or two out of those three -- a decent boost in credibility as well to the neutrals.

[Mr.Right]

Ahh..I did not realize Colby pulled out of the game. I mean what is the difference playing on St.Joe's turf or another turf field close by. Unless the field was not to Colby's liking dimension wise or just not up to snuff. Seems hard to imagine though. I am guessing that when St.Joe's called to say their field would not be ready back in the late spring that Colby might have suggested to play the game in Waterville. If St.Joe's balked at that then I would have a bit of a problem. Yes it is unfair to have to go back to Waterville for the 2nd year in a row but certainly not unheard of. St.Joe's is not in a position to balk they NEEDED that game for their SOS. They should have done everything possible to play the game. If Colby actually was looking for a reason not to play the game they would have simply dropped St.Joe's back in December. Also, looking at past year's schedules when they were not so good you see teams like Wheaton,  Babson, ECONN, Endicott, Ro ger Williams, etc on their schedule so that is something also to consider. All I am saying is that when you play in one of the weakest conferences in the country you MUST go out of your way to get solid games non-conference.

[1970s NESCAC Player]

I am not so sure Nescac will dominate all the top spots this year. At least I do not think they deserve to. I think Amherst, Tufts and Brandeis will be 1,2 and 3 but I do not know which order. I agree Conn will be 4 but I do not think Midd and Williams will be ahead of Bowdoin as Bowdoin beat both of them. You are correct that St.Joe's and Springfield might find problems getting ranked especially St.Joe's as their SOS will be awful. I just do not see a legit win on their schedule except for Bowdoin and maybe Johnson and Wales. Keene St will be a challenge at Keene to finish the year but they need to upgrade the schedule in the offseason. At least play all 3 Maine Nescac's(If they will agree to play) and it seems like Endicott will play anyone anywhere so give them a call. ECONN will play anyone anywhere. Maybe Babson will want a rematch from last year's NCAA exit? I remember last year Springfield was like 15-1-0 and did not get ranked because of their schedule. I think WPI gets ranked and even Endicott has a chance. Honestly I am grasping at straws here as it seems the whole region is WAY down.

Certainly don't disagree that St. Joseph's should beef up its schedule, but apparently they were scheduled to play Colby this year but Colby pulled out because SJC was finishing up its turf, wouldn't have it ready for an early September game (as had been scheduled), and wanted to instead play on one of the local turf fields (Colby declined). That would have been 2 of 3 Maine NESCACs, but alas it's only one (albeit a good win for SJC).

I might speculate that Colby perhaps didn't want to lose to SJC as it did last year, and saw an "out." That's just me, though, and this year's Colby is better than last year's Colby (although the same could be said for SJC being better this year). If they can get Bates in there and keep all three those would be good additions to the SoS and -- get a win or two out of those three -- a decent boost in credibility as well to the neutrals.

Even assuming that you are correct, blooter, about the SJC field issue (which I had not previously heard, but can't dispute either), Colby recognizes that SJC is currently a solid program and would gladly play them (as long as there was a suitable college field to play on).  Colby's non-conference schedule is generally dictated by geography, which means they are typically going to stay in state (given the extensive travel (with multiple overnights) they already do in NESCAC).  [The exceptions would be where a good program is willing to travel to Waterville (see Gordon 2017), or where they would be able to combine a weekend trip to an away NESCAC location with a game in proximity the next day -- e.g., Wheaton following Tufts in 2015.]  As such, they want to play the best available schools in Maine whenever possible.  [The only exception is Thomas, which is a local rivalry for the Elm City Bowl, whom they will play every year, regardless of any imbalance in quality of the teams.]  To this end, Colby in recent years has dropped noncompetitive historical opponents such as USM and Farmington, and were originally scheduled to drop Me. Maritime this year (until the apparent issue with the SJC field).

At this point in time, Colby doesn't care about possibly losing to SJC (or any non-conference foe), although they would naturally prefer to win.  As can be seen from their non-conference box scores this year (including Gordon), Coach Seabrook generally uses those games as an opportunity to give lots of players game time, and to play the back up GKs.  I'm sure the coach realizes that his path to the postseason is to focus on the NESCAC games.