NESCAC

[Brother Flounder]

I thought this issue about Santos came up before.  I believe he got mononucleosis during his sophomore season and was hurt and/or played hurt his junior year.  I am basing this on a sketchy memory so I can't be 100% sure..... As long as Tufts is in the NESCAC you cannot use the apple and orange comparison.  Also, do you really think Tufts has a recruiting edge over Williams, Anherst or Bowdoin.  People would die to go to those schools also......

[oldonionbag]

There probably hasn't been a week in 3 (or 4?) years when Amherst wasn't ranked in the national top 15, and Tufts STILL hasn't cracked the top 15.

Very good points NCAC, and ones that I am glad I don't have to answer when casting my vote...mainly because I don't have one! And, this is just busting your chops- Tufts was 12th in last week's NSCAA national rankings

http://www.nscaatv.com/rankings/3794/NCAADivisionIII/men/Poll9

[PaulNewman]

LOL.  All the way from RV to #12 and in less than a week back to RV.  Well played.  You got me.

[Mr.Right]

This is what I wrote back in July please put your attention to Tufts

Since we are on the topic of Russo's retirement, I wanted to look at all the coaching changes in the last decade in Nescac and give them a grade. What was once a league in the late 70's,80's and 90's of consistency and less pressure and focus on winning in general has turned into a pressure packed league with parents and even alums getting into the Athletic Director's ear about not getting results.  Coaches lasted decades and could even go a decade under .500 and not worry about it too much. Recruiting was non-existent and it was a very secure job. In 1993, when the NCAA tournament ban was lifted this changed everything. You could even argue Russo and Williams aslo helped change the culture in the 80's as he started recruiting and sneaking players away from some of the Ivies (i.e Calichman-who was headed to Dartmouth). I am by no means saying Nescac was different than any other D1,D2 or D3 league. Some Ivies in the 80's were still not recruiting and you had D1 teams still scheduling D3 teams until they finally realized it was a no win situation. You are supposed to win and if you lost it looked real bad. Middlebury would beat UVM, Williams would beat Dartmouth, Tufts and Brandeis would give Harvard a game and even Wesleyan would play Yale.  NO pressure until the late 80's and early 90's. Anyway, I am going off topic and we could talk about this another time. Let's look at the coaching changes and if it was warranted and if the replacement has improved the program to date.

Amherst-Peter Gooding / Milton Gooding replaced by Justin Serpone in 2007. Peter Gooding was a legend and did so much for the game, was even the NSCAA President in the 90's. He was retiring in 2006 and wanted to hand the job to his son Milton who had been there about a decade coaching with him. For whatever reason, the new AD or President wasn't having it. Milton was an exceptional recruiter as he got a lot of talent to Amherst which in my opinion is half the job. However, for whatever reason they were not as consistent as they are now and not nearly as organized. Serpone has turned this program into a consistent winner and a dominant powerhouse year in and year out. He has rubbed some people the wrong way with his methods but you cannot argue the results or the hire.           A-

Bates-George Purgavie replaced by Stewart Flaherty in 2012. Purgavie had been there some 30 years with some decent teams and some bad ones. A solid coach and sneaky tactician, who seemed to really care about his players. His best years were 2002-2007 as he had some top of the league talent and results. This school is the toughest school to recruit to in Nescac for a number of reasons that is another story for another time. He was forced out in 2012 after a 0-10 Nescac record and bumped up to a director of coaching or overseer of both men's and women's soccer. A nice demotion for a nice guy who had been at the school for 30 years. It was time for a change no doubt as he looked a bit dis-interested in the end. Rumors were that Flaherty had gone behind Purgavie's back as his assistant to the AD and threw him under the bus. Whatever the truth is he got the AD's attention and ended up getting the job. I think Bates has never had less talent on its roster as it did last year. They had no weapons up front and looked dysfunctional on offense. In fairness to Flaherty, Purgavie left the cupboard dry but I think the AD would have been better served to hire a young gun assistant to really turn the program around and recruit and motivate...i.e Shapiro at Tufts. No offense to Flaherty but he looks lost in this league. I will give him another year or 2 to put his stamp on the program but for now Flaherty gets a D.           D

Bowdoin-Fran O'Leary replaced by Scott Wiercinski in 2013. O'Leary left for Toronto FC which is looking like a better move by the day and was replaced by Wiercinski. In 2005, when Ainscough was forced out and he went to Northeastern, Wiercinski was being considered for the job but O'Leary came out of nowhere from George Mason and decided he wanted back in D3. He knew the AD from Kenyon or something like that and they hired him in August of 2005 leaving Wiercinski wondering what the hell happened. He eventually got the U Chicago job. Fran was extremely organized defensively and in shape and it showed in 2010 with their NCAA final four team and if not for a late goal they could have won the whole thing. If Middlebury is recruiting, Bowdoin usually gets their scraps. Midd and Bowdoin will always get the best athletes in Nescac. They will feed off of Williams and Amherst scraps. Kids love Bowdoin's facilities and the town and the proximity to Boston. I have no opinion really of the new coach as he needs time but he is the PERFECT example of what Bates and Colby should have done, and what Tufts and Bowdoin did do; Former player in Nescac, D1 or D3 assistant or head coach, young fit and energetic. Basically he has a great understanding of the league and its players and its requirements.    B

Colby-Mark Serdjenian replaced by Ewan Seabrook in 2014. The longest tenured coach in Nescac was basically forced out after an 0-10 league record. Serdjenian was an all around great guy and coach. It is hard to recruit to Colby as you have to get in your car and drive everywhere from the middle of Maine to see kids and I do not think Serdjenian was a good recruiter. It's  a young man's job and this is the clearest example. Like Purgavie at Bates, Serdjenian was kept in the Athletic department until I assume he retires. Seabrook has no Nescac experience and is from across the pond. He comes from UNH as a top assistant. Time will tell    B-

Connecticut College-Bill Lessig replaced by Kenny Murphy in 2009. Murphy came from Brown as Noonan's top assistant and immediately lit a fire under Conn's players asses. Lessig should have been long gone by now as he was buying time. Another example of the old school Nescac coach who never recruited and made do with what he had. Lessig had a couple good teams in the early 90's but nothing else really to show for a long career. Murphy quickly learned that besides Trinity, Conn can get anyone in thru admissions for a Nescac school. He is a great recruiter and works his ass off recruiting. He gets results and is a good coach. The question now is can he bring this team to the next level and get them into a NCAA berth or a Nescac Final Four.      B+

Tufts-Ralph Ferrigno replaced by Josh Shapiro in 2010.  Ferrigno was the most aloof Nescac coach. His peers barely knew him. He had some great teams in the mid-90's and Tufts had a magical 1994 NCAA run where they hosted Johns Hopkins in front of 3,000 screaming fans. Somewhere along the line Ferrigno lost interest in his team, instead trying to focus on his camps which were making him pretty good money. Eventually, Tufts lost interest in him and canned him after 15 years.  If Tufts can be dominant in and win NCAA championships in LAX, there is no reason why Men's Soccer cannot do the same. Tufts is a great school, largest undergrads, Boston location, etc etc. It just needed some youthful energy and got it with Shapiro. Played at Midd, D1 assitant under Weise at Georgetown, paid his dues and has done an incredible job of recruiting and turning this team around. Ferrigno left him a bag of balls and some JV players. In four years he has gotten Tufts back in the NCAA's, has some of the best talent in Nescac(whether they gel is another story), and has brought life to this dormant program.  A

Hot Seat-Perry Nizzi-Hamilton

[Mr.Right]

Shapiro deserves coach of the year. He won the regular season for Tufts for the first time and this is a huge accomplishment. He is a very sharp coach and has the most tactical acumen besides Russo in the league. He is not the best recruiter in the league but a close 2nd to Serpone. Also, lets remember the coaches vote for all these end of season rewards and they will give it to Shapiro. Serpone is still not liked by some coaches and this usually hurts Amherst players in these end of season rewards.

[Mr.Right]

I thought I would also recognize Russo as he is retiring. What a legend. His best teams and most entertaining teams were from 1998-2006. There was only 1 final 4 in those 8 years which was also his biggest disappointment. However, there was maybe 5 Final 8's and always a massive upset in those games. Those teams could have beaten many D1's and I would be willing to say they could have won a couple IVY league titles especially the teams with Khari Stephenson, Alex Blake, Josh Bolton, Teddy Giancopolous, Mark Williams and Josef Powell. Maybe the biggest upset in NCAA D3 history was 2001 in a 1st round game at Cole Field in Williamstown. All those Jamaicans and skilled talent went up against a MASCAC team Worcester St. Williams out shot them 44-3 and lost in PK's.

[Mr.Right]

As far as his replacement it will be Erin Sullivan if he wants it. The only thing I could imagine holding him back would be money. The players would probably like current assistant Derek Cece a Midd grad. He is a very good coach but may end up being just a little to young and green but he would also be an excellent choice. I bet Fran O'Leary throws his name in the hat and will not have a chance to get it.

[Mr.Right]

For any of my POY and 1st team Nescac selections which I will do after Sunday you MUST only consider Conference stats not Total stats.  It is the only fair way to do this.

POY- Absolute toss up between Greg Conrad and Nico Pascual Leone. Zach Grady may get 1 or 2 votes but will not win it. I think both Conrad and Pascual Leone deserve it. Both are extremely important to his team and you would see a season like Williams had without Rashid if either was out for the season. I would vote for Pascual Leone by a tiny hair just because he has scored some incredible goals and I think maybe 3 GW goals. Conrad's 2nd goal against Wesleyan 1 week ago was incredible and also deserves mention. I am glad I do not have to vote for this one and I predict it might be a dead heat.

COY- Shapiro

[Corazon]

Nice string of posts, Mr. Right. There are some really good insights. The 44-3 shot advantage and still losing is incredible.

Can you see a scenario where Sullivan won't come to Williams?  Surely Williams can offer as much money as WNE?

[Mr.Right]

Everyone thinks Sullivan does not make any money at WNEC but he has been there 15 years. He turned around a dormant program and became associate AD. They love him down there and I believe he has 3 kids and his family really like the schools and surrounding areas. If Williams low balls the offer like Amherst did in 2007 there could be some issues . Saying all that I still believe he will get it and take it. Looking at WNEC's season this past year he must be disappointed that his season is already over and he has taken WNEC as far as they can go with multiple NCAA appearances highlighted by a 2006 Sweet 16 classic game vs Johns Hopkins at Williams.

[PaulNewman]

Mr.Right no doubt is right that Serpone won't win because the coaches don't like him.  Probably turned their stomachs to give it to him a year ago.  On merit, though, it's not a close call.  One regular season loss in how many seasons?  Which team do you give the better chance of making a run to the Elite 8 or final four, Amherst or Tufts?  And why is that?  Shapiro was in the running up until he blew the Bowdoin game and then didn't have his team ready to play an injured #8 seed on his home field.  Also still does not have any huge, unexpected wins.  That said, he should learn from his mistakes this year and be a better coach going forward.

Anyone know how long the suspension is for the Tufts player?

[MENESCACFAN]

My vote for player of the year goes to Zach Grady of Williams.  Not only a good run of goals, but OT game winners, and others at important times.  Also a very fiery character who seemed to have an uplifting impact on those around him.  What would there season have been without him?

My vote for rookie of the year goes to Nate Merchant of Bates.  Extremely fast right midfielder in a 4-4-2 who scored 4 goals in 10 games, and defended like a Tasmanian devil.

Also I loved the previous idea about running totals for predictions next season.  What do you say we all guess our first team All-NESCAC, and see who hits the most of the 11 selections?  Should be fun, and some form of measure beyond opinion into what we are seeing.

[Mr.Right]

Do not get me wrong I like Grady and he had an incredible year but he most likely will get Most Improved Player not POY.

Rookie of the year will be Adam Cowie-Haskell

[PaulNewman]

I think it's hard to overestimate the relief that Amherst will feel knowing that they don't have to look over their shoulder for Williams.  I think Amherst rolls, and Serpone will be smart enough to be thinking ahead with a chance of being impressive enough to challenge Brandeis and Oneonta for home games.  Conn gave absolutely everything they had and barely, barely held off Tufts.  I see the Camels getting overwhelmed, and then in a final on their home field I would see Middlebury having some chance if the Panthers could get ahead by a couple early but just don't see that happening. 

I don't know all the teams as well as you guys, but is there a POY candidate from Tufts?  I might vote for Bull.  And Cowie-Haskell might be right in a very weak year overall for first years.  Young from Williams impressed me.

[Mr.Right]

In fairness to Grady he did fade in and out of games and usually struggled more with big physical central defenders. His worst game was against Tufts and Amherst. That being said he did struggle last Saturday against Bowdoin.

Saying that Bowdoin v Midd will be a game of the year I could not disagree more.  Bowdoin has gotten healthy really fast as Keefe,Jones and White all played and were the difference against Williams. Their wingbacks are quick and skilled but have a serious height issues. Bowdoin does try to play futbol against teams that will knock it around like Tufts and Williams but against Conn, Amherst and Midd my guess is Bowdoin will revert back into volleyball r ping pong with the 3 worst thumpers in the league and country. You are correct that Midd does not have a good supporting cast but they have 2 legitimate goal scorers and a great keeper. You do not need much more to win this tournament. The first game between these 2 teams was completely muddled in midfield and painful to watch. I agree Bowdoin is going to get a result in this game