New England Soccer Discussion

[BaboNation]

https://emersonlions.com/sports/msoc/2022-23/releases/20221026g0pv03

Emerson finishes regular season 10-2-5 in what must be the best season in program history.  The Lions also appear headed to finishing 2nd in the NEWMAC, a big achievement even if it is a down year for the conference.  WPI leads MIT 3-0 in 2nd half which will leave the Lions in sole possession of 2nd place.

Dan Toulson at a minimum should probably be NEWMAC COY.

A remarkable job.  I understand the NEWMAC is not among the elite conferences for men's soccer, but consider Emerson's history since joining the conference in 2013, making it the 8th team:

2013 0-7    8th  (first year in NEWMAC)
2014 0-6-1 8th
2015 0-7    8th
2016 1-6    8th
2017 1-6    8th
2018 1-6    8th
2019 1-6    8th
2020 covid
2021 0-7    8th

That's right.  Before this year they'd never finished better than dead last.  Had never sniffed the postseason tournament.  Hadn't ever won more than 1 game.   Hadn't scored a goal against my squad since 2014.
This year they finish 2nd at 4-2-1, make the tournament, and get a home game.  Unreal.  Absolutely COY, and should get recognition beyond the conference.

It almost makes me root for them in the NEWMAC tournament.

Almost.

[ECSUalum]

Eastern Conn had multiple chances to win the semi final vs UMB, but porous Warrior defense allows the Beacons, (who were playing with a short bench), to comeback twice with less than 5 min left and defeat ECSU.  WestConn would have destroyed them in the LEC finals anyway!

[OldNed]

Just catching the last 15 minutes of Babson/Wheaton regulation time.  Does anyone know why Alasdair Ferrier isn't playing for Wheaton?  I'm assuming he's injured, but Wheaton could sure use the offense from the 13 goal scorer.  Looks like he played in the Oct 29 win over Clark, but didn't play in the NEWMAC opening round win for Wheaton over WPI on Nov 1.

[BaboNation]

Just catching the last 15 minutes of Babson/Wheaton regulation time.  Does anyone know why Alasdair Ferrier isn't playing for Wheaton?  I'm assuming he's injured, but Wheaton could sure use the offense from the 13 goal scorer.  Looks like he played in the Oct 29 win over Clark, but didn't play in the NEWMAC opening round win for Wheaton over WPI on Nov 1.

Yes, injury wasn't reported.

Gazo substituted in for Babson in the 88th, and scores in the 90th for the win, with a rocket to the upper left from ~20.
Wheaton gave a great showing and looked to have fresher legs in the 2nd half, due in part to more liberal subbing (and probably greater trust in 2nd level).
Disappointing showing in set pieces for Babson needs to be improved going forward.

EDIT:  Meant to say injury *was* reported.

[OldNed]

Just catching the last 15 minutes of Babson/Wheaton regulation time.  Does anyone know why Alasdair Ferrier isn't playing for Wheaton?  I'm assuming he's injured, but Wheaton could sure use the offense from the 13 goal scorer.  Looks like he played in the Oct 29 win over Clark, but didn't play in the NEWMAC opening round win for Wheaton over WPI on Nov 1.

Yes, injury wasn't reported.

Gazo substituted in for Babson in the 88th, and scores in the 90th for the win, with a rocket to the upper left from ~20.
Wheaton gave a great showing and looked to have fresher legs in the 2nd half, due in part to more liberal subbing (and probably greater trust in 2nd level).
Disappointing showing in set pieces for Babson needs to be improved going forward.

I saw the game winner, and you're right it was a complete rocket.  Nice goal.

[PaulNewman]

Emerson was 4+ minutes from advancing in the NEWMAC and MIT leveled at 2-2.  And worse, Emerson now playing with 10 men for OT for what looked like a vague 2nd yellow with about 8 minutes left.

[Hopkins92]

Emerson was 4+ minutes from advancing in the NEWMAC and MIT leveled at 2-2.  And worse, Emerson now playing with 10 men for OT for what looked like a vague 2nd yellow with about 8 minutes left.

OH! Thanks PN... I mentioned earlier, I'm rooting for Emerson for vague reasons. Tuning in now.

[Hopkins92]

Sweet Mother of Pearl. I forgot how gnarly the Emerson field is aesthetically. YIKES.

I don't understand... AT ALL... the gk's positioning on that goal. At all.

You don't cover the near post because the danger is what you can't see (back post.)

just... ew.

[BaboNation]

This is similar to the Emerson women's quarterfinal against Wheaton on the same pitch.  They fell behind on a 1OT goal, but rallied to score TWICE in the final minute of 2OT.

Deja Vu?

[Hopkins92]

EMERSON LEVELS!!!!!!!!!!!

That was awesome.

Fans going berserk. Absolutely awesome. Man, I love this stuff.

=-=--

Loving the Emerson fans. Very engaged and the type of roller coaster emotions that make this game fun.

MIT is really in control of this game. Emerson needs to buckle-down and spring something or hope for PKs.

=-=-=

Ok.. Pks.

Gonna need notepad as the production her is beyond bare bones.

I'm not complaining! We get to watch EVERYTHING now.

[PaulNewman]

Did not see that coming when MIT went up 3-2 and Emerson playing with 10 men for 30 minutes.  Wow.  Go Lions!!!

[Hopkins92]

Wow. Emerson through on PKs.

I have to say, at this level, I'd still be able to guess the right way on a significant percentage of PK takers. Last guy is a great example. You're a big dude and probably 200 pounds. If watched you all night. You're not going to all of a sudden open your hips and push the ball right, you're going to slam the ball across your body to the left (keeper's right).

Just clear as day stuff that still happens at the D3 level. It's endearing.

[BaboNation]

Emerson men and women both in NEWMAC Finals.

I think I felt the planet wobble.

[PaulNewman]

Emerson men and women both in NEWMAC Finals.

I think I felt the planet wobble.

That was a really gutsy effort by Emerson....lose the lead late..very soon after going to down to 10 men.  MIT already had much more of the possession, then up a man with even more possession, MIT scores in 1st OT, Emerson somehow gets goal in the 2nd OT, holds off MIT again the last five minutes.  Also relinquished advantage in the PK shootout and needed an extra save just to pull even, and prevail.  Those kinds must be ecstatic, and their families.  Remember the two preceding seasons...3-13-1 (x2).

[Hopkins92]

It was just incredible to watch, and... again... thanks PN... That was bonkers.