New England Soccer Discussion

[Shooter McGavin]

Looking around at other regions I do not think New England goes beyond #6 and maybe not even #5...That Bowdoin / Midd matchup is huge on Saturday

The first 6 will get in. 7-12 are done unless they win an AQ.

[truenorth]

Assuming either Tufts, Bowdoin or Middlebury win the NESCAC tournament and thus the AQ (which is highly probable unless Hamilton springs two upsets), and assuming Springfield wins the NEWMAC tournament (which would seem to be reasonably doable) and gets the AQ, would that open up spots for any of the teams currently ranked below the top 6?

[Mr.Right]

Assuming either Tufts, Bowdoin or Middlebury win the NESCAC tournament and thus the AQ (which is highly probable unless Hamilton springs two upsets), and assuming Springfield wins the NEWMAC tournament (which would seem to be reasonably doable) and gets the AQ, would that open up spots for any of the teams currently ranked below the top 6?

15% for Conn but doubtful. Had they had 2 more ranked wins than yes they would be in the hunt BUT to many draws against the top of Nescac and wasted games v Mitchell and Swarthmore that meant nothing but less SOS and 2 less games to get ranked wins. With Endicott sneaking into the rankings they will get 1 more ranked win but I do not think it is enough. There are only 19 Pool C's and the UAA will gobble 4, Nescac another 2-3, Sunyac 2, etc etc an that is not even counting all the upsets that could happen this weekend around each region. That does not mean they have stopped practicing. Legally, you can practice until you are officially eliminated. In fact Murphy did that his 1st year at Conn in 2009 when they were obviously eliminated and players and trainers and everyone including the dining hall dish washer WENT NUTS...That was his intro to D3 and just a friendly reminder this is not D1. Last time he did that.

[truenorth]

Yeah, that's an interesting Murph story.  He was the assistant coach at Brown when one of my sons played there.  It doesn't surprise me at all that he initially had an "aggressive" approach when he first arrived in D3...

[Mr.Right]

Hmm Clark and Springfield 1-1 close to the end of the 1st Half. I was not sure Clark could hang with Springfield today.

[blooter442]

Well, Norwich's park the bus plan is out the window — St. Joe's scores 3 mins in.

[Mr.Right]

Springfield taking control now up 3-1 with about 15 minutes left.

[blooter442]

And the Monks go marching on for the second year running. Congrats OldNed!

[blooter442]

Endicott in OT! Congrats to the Gulls. They've been knocking at the CCC door for a while and I'm really happy to see them finally win it. The program's first NCAA appearance awaits.

[blooter442]

Of all the titles won today (many are still on the table for tomorrow), I think perhaps the most impressive victory was by Endicott. They had some serious demons, having never won a CCC title nor advanced to the NCAA Tournament, and having lost in the 2015 conference final in what seemed to be the best opportunity for a conference title for some time, but they shed them. I've been impressed by Endicott the past few years, they've been a program on the rise, but they needed to get over the hill and finally win the CCC in order to be considered a legit NE team -- and now, they have done that.

This is a team that many, myself included, thought would have its best shot at a conference title two years ago, but lost. Last year they had a better-than-expected year, but lost on PKs in the semis to WNE. This year, as top seed, they won all three playoff games in OT -- the quarters in 2OT, and the semis and final in OT. When you have your backs up against the wall like that, it's nerve-wracking, but instead of folding and letting the past get to them they pulled through. They have had some good results in the last few years -- they beat Trinity, a NESCAC team, this year, beat Tufts last year, got a draw against Williams two years ago, but this year they dropped a couple of close home games against Conn. and Babson and I wondered if they would have the mental strength to pull through those tough games. We have the answer.

Good vantage point of the winner by Neukom, which -- I'm sure for Endicott fans -- seemed like it took forever to hit the back of the net. Cool to have the action captured in the moment. https://twitter.com/ECGulls/status/926936089637597193

[Domino1195]

Over/under for the Springfield fan yelling "c'mon white" is now 500. . . .

[blooter442]

Over/under for the Springfield fan yelling "c'mon white" is now 500. . . .

Still probably less than the Tufts mother and her bird call. So annoying I had to mute it.

[Domino1195]

He's now started to double up now with rapid "c'mon white - c'mon white".  It seems to having an effect because white is coming on.


Just want to write for The Onion one day . . .

[blooter442]

WOW...Westfield State with a huge chance to win the MASCAC title with less than a minute left in 2OT, but the Salem State 'keeper makes the save. PKs in Salem it is.

[OldNed]

And the Monks go marching on for the second year running. Congrats OldNed!

Thanks blooter.  The early goal really helped, that's for sure.  Kudos to the Norwich defense and goalie as they were really tough to get good shots on. I can't tell you how many chances St. Joe's had and then to see the shot blocked by one of the Norwich defenders or mids - must have happened about 15 times.  St. Joe's defense was even better, though and Norwich couldn't even get a shot on goal.  I just didn't want the game to go to PKs (again).

I'm really interested to see where the committee puts St. Joe's and I hope they good a decent draw.  Worst case scenario for me would be to put St. Joe's at Tufts next weekend, but I suppose that is a definite possibility.