New England Soccer Discussion

[blooter442]

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.

Fair enough, and I didn't mean to "stir the pot" in hypothesizing, although in hindsight that's probably how it came across. I just was a little confused as to why they wouldn't want to play them when there were (are) suitable turf fields in the Greater Portland area, particularly considering Colby itself now has a turf.

In Colby's defense, I can see how it might be a bit undesirable to have to go out of the way to accommodate special requests of your host opponent, though I did wonder why Colby didn't offer to host (thereby eliminating travel for a game). That said, your point about using the NESCAC games as focus does make sense -- that is (generally) where the toughest tests will come and so non-conference games are usually good places to try new things. I think SJC would do well to pick up all three Maine NESCACs, as all three have shown to be competitive -- particularly Colby with its impressive win on Saturday.

[NEFutbol90]

You are correct that the postponed opening of the new complex was the issue behind the cancellation, although it wasn't until just before the season that it was announced because they had been training on it all pre season. Why Deering/Portland/Falmouth where St.Joes played a lot of games (due to rain) and even the opening round of GNAC playoffs weren't good enough is the real question. With the obvious need for a better SOS it was certainly a tough spot for St.Joes, Although losing to St.Joes I don't think was the issue either because the loss last year was on a  final second deflection off a half volley.

About years past in terms of scheduling for SJC, Roger williams and ECONN was in a year that they had a strong group of OLD, but very talented old men finishing up their eligibility so that certainly could've played a part, and then the following year with Babson, wheaton, endicott, etc. the old coach, Babineau, had scheduled those with no apparent "real" talent coming in, and left coach Dubois with his toughest schedule to date, and at most 15 field players.

But undoubtedly, SJC should've done anything in their power to play Colby, just seems like on both ends they could've afforded to be a bit more flexible. Another note, hard to believe babson wouldn't have jumped on the chance to battle St.Joes again after the NCAA loss last year, maybe a missed opportunity for Dubois and the monks.

[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

Actual rankings with winning % and SOS

1.     Tufts             0.875        .605
2.     Amherst        0.727        .679
3.     Conn             0.808        .605
4.     Brandeis        0.769        .618
5.     Williams        0.750        .601
6.     Springfield     1.000        .556
7.     Middlebury     0.692        .614
8.     Mass-Boston  0.692        .578
9.     Bowdoin        0.750        .554
10.   J&Wales         0.893        .530
11.   Gordon          0.679        .555
12.   Colby            0.636         .584

Not ranked (winning % over .600 and SOS over .500)
        St Josephs     0.964        .474
        Coast Guard   0.654        .549
        Endicott         0.679        .546
        WPI              0.692         .535
        Clark             0.654         .507
        Colby-Sawyer 0.615         .534
        Keene St        0.615         .556
        WConnSt       0.625          .515

[blooter442]

Actual rankings with winning % and SOS


1.     Tufts             0.875        .605
2.     Amherst        0.727        .679
3.     Conn             0.808        .605
4.     Brandeis        0.769        .618
5.     Williams        0.750        .601
6.     Springfield     1.000        .556
7.     Middlebury     0.692        .614
8.     Mass-Boston  0.692        .578
9.     Bowdoin        0.750        .554
10.   J&Wales         0.893        .530
11.   Gordon          0.679        .555
12.   Colby            0.636         .584

Not ranked
        St Josephs     0.964        .474
        Coast Guard
        Endicott

Wow...Amherst with .679 SoS? That's absurd.

[Mr.Right]

Good call Offpitch...Bowdoin is ranked behind Williams and Midd even though they beat both of them...Bowdoin's out of conference schedule kills them BUT Midd has an equally bad out of conference schedule but they did beat Amherst.


Nescac gets 7 teams ranked...That is how down New England is this year...

[Mr.Right]

Actual rankings with winning % and SOS


1.     Tufts             0.875        .605
2.     Amherst        0.727        .679
3.     Conn             0.808        .605
4.     Brandeis        0.769        .618
5.     Williams        0.750        .601
6.     Springfield     1.000        .556
7.     Middlebury     0.692        .614
8.     Mass-Boston  0.692        .578
9.     Bowdoin        0.750        .554
10.   J&Wales         0.893        .530
11.   Gordon          0.679        .555
12.   Colby            0.636         .584

Not ranked
        St Josephs     0.964        .474
        Coast Guard
        Endicott

Wow...Amherst with .679 SoS? That's absurd.

That will plummet after upcoming games against Mt.St Mary and Farmingdale but still will be about .620 my guess. The Eastern Nazarene cancellation and the RUN addition has helped big time

[blooter442]

Makes sense re: RUN and Eastern Nazarene. I was going to say that seemed a bit high given Amherst's tendency to schedule easier non-conference games in years past. Did seem a bit inflated but I'd guess they'll be over .600?

Not even 10 mins into MIT-UMB and Beverlin is already working the refs. His behavior is embarrassing.

[blooter442]

No Martinez for UMB tonight and I don't see his poofy hair on the bench (which is awesome I must say). Injured? Suspended? Did I miss him? He is their live wire and everything goes through him.

As an aside, Dropkick Khang is back playing after a lengthy injury lay-off.

[blooter442]

One interesting thing about UMB that just dawned on me is that they seem to play like they're playing small-sided pickup games. They do have good skill and speed but their play can be very frantic and disjointed.

Even with the absences of Williamson and Khang, I can very much see how Tufts ground them down and eventually got the winner last year; in Tufts' system, the team cohesion is very evident. Everyone knows their job, everyone is aware of where others are, what runs will be made, etc. UMB seems to win games through "moments" and sheer talent rather than systemic pressure (of course it could be argued that cohesive teams win games this way as well, but those are often a result of the game plan, in my observation. Perhaps this explains the lack of composure from UMB I've harped on.

Just as I write this, UMB guy makes a great individual run down the right and pulls it back only for the man in the middle to be on a totally different page.

[blooter442]

MIT goes up 1-0 on a back header from a long throw, keeper no chance. Really nice flick. 6 left in the half.

[blooter442]

Game is already a bit chippy but this ref is managing it very well. No. 9 tried to talk back and got a yellow.

[Mr.Right]

I switched games to the UMB at MIT game as Tufts is in control over Keene St. I have seen MIT 2 times this year but have ye to see UMB..

[blooter442]

Lol UMB kid tries a scissor kick on a high serve — predictable result.

[Mr.Right]

One interesting thing about UMB that just dawned on me is that they seem to play like they're playing small-sided pickup games. They do have good skill and speed but their play can be very frantic and disjointed.

Even with the absences of Williamson and Khang, I can very much see how Tufts ground them down and eventually got the winner last year; in Tufts' system, the team cohesion is very evident. Everyone knows their job, everyone is aware of where others are, what runs will be made, etc. UMB seems to win games through "moments" and sheer talent rather than systemic pressure (of course it could be argued that cohesive teams win games this way as well, but those are often a result of the game plan, in my observation. Perhaps this explains the lack of composure from UMB I've harped on.

Just as I write this, UMB guy makes a great individual run down the right and pulls it back only for the man in the middle to be on a totally different page.

I completely agree. They still have tons of skill and just in the 2nd Half they have made about 4-5 great thru ball passes to guys who have made impressive individual runs. They do rely on "moments" for sure..They are definitely missing a finisher though.

[Mr.Right]

#3 Cunha the CB is their field general for sure..I remember him from last year..


whoever made the comment a few weeks back about the refs giving UMB absolutely no leeway was correct. This ref is putting up with nothing that comes out of their mouths. The word definitely has gotten around at least in New England