NESCAC

[1970s NESCAC Player]

It really bothers me that Nico did not win player of the year.  He is quite obviously the best player in the NESCAC and on top of the ridiculous skill, physicality, and general effectiveness he has exhibited each game this season, he also has the best stat line in the league to back it up (11 goals and 4 assists).  While these awards should be taken with a grain of salt, they do mean something, and it really is too bad that 30 years down the road Nico will not have a NESCAC POY award to look back upon.   I am somewhat embarrassed for the NESCAC coaches who voted in Odulate over Nico because it shows not only a huge bias but also an inability to evaluate talent (which might be why Serpone is such a superior recruiter to his NESCAC counterparts).  At first I thought Amherst had a recruiting edge because Serpone worked hard and had Amherst's academic reputation working in his favor, but now I am really starting to wonder if it actually has to do with the fact that many NESCAC coaches watch games and genuinely think, "Oh that kid Nico who just scored 3 goals against us in 20 minutes,  one of which was a bicycle kick, is not as good as that solid defender we played against last week".  People always criticize Amherst for a so-called inability to play soccer, but I am really starting to question who knows what about the game and whether the guys who didn't pick Nico are the same guys who try and argue that Hazard is better than Messi.  I am not trying to badmouth Odulate here.  I just think Nico is THAT good.

FWIW, I have to agree with Gabe that it is an embarrassment that NPL hasn't won POY at least once in his career.  There is no explanation other than anti-Amherst sentiment among the voters.

[dacac]

It really bothers me that Nico did not win player of the year.  He is quite obviously the best player in the NESCAC and on top of the ridiculous skill, physicality, and general effectiveness he has exhibited each game this season, he also has the best stat line in the league to back it up (11 goals and 4 assists).  While these awards should be taken with a grain of salt, they do mean something, and it really is too bad that 30 years down the road Nico will not have a NESCAC POY award to look back upon.   I am somewhat embarrassed for the NESCAC coaches who voted in Odulate over Nico because it shows not only a huge bias but also an inability to evaluate talent (which might be why Serpone is such a superior recruiter to his NESCAC counterparts).  At first I thought Amherst had a recruiting edge because Serpone worked hard and had Amherst's academic reputation working in his favor, but now I am really starting to wonder if it actually has to do with the fact that many NESCAC coaches watch games and genuinely think, "Oh that kid Nico who just scored 3 goals against us in 20 minutes,  one of which was a bicycle kick, is not as good as that solid defender we played against last week".  People always criticize Amherst for a so-called inability to play soccer, but I am really starting to question who knows what about the game and whether the guys who didn't pick Nico are the same guys who try and argue that Hazard is better than Messi.  I am not trying to badmouth Odulate here.  I just think Nico is THAT good.

Let's not act like he was running around dropping hat tricks on everyone. He had 1 league hat-trick and it was against Colby, one of the worst NESCAC squads I can remember.

NPL is a great player, no question, but I don't think he is head and shoulders above the rest as you are indicating. It was a tight race for POY with with more than 1 deserving winner. That being said, I have no doubt that NPL's candidacy suffered from anti-Amherst sentiment, and that sucks. But if you don't want your players to have to suffer due to association with your coach, then fire your coach.

[Brother Flounder]

It really bothers me that Nico did not win player of the year.  He is quite obviously the best player in the NESCAC and on top of the ridiculous skill, physicality, and general effectiveness he has exhibited each game this season, he also has the best stat line in the league to back it up (11 goals and 4 assists).  While these awards should be taken with a grain of salt, they do mean something, and it really is too bad that 30 years down the road Nico will not have a NESCAC POY award to look back upon.   I am somewhat embarrassed for the NESCAC coaches who voted in Odulate over Nico because it shows not only a huge bias but also an inability to evaluate talent (which might be why Serpone is such a superior recruiter to his NESCAC counterparts).  At first I thought Amherst had a recruiting edge because Serpone worked hard and had Amherst's academic reputation working in his favor, but now I am really starting to wonder if it actually has to do with the fact that many NESCAC coaches watch games and genuinely think, "Oh that kid Nico who just scored 3 goals against us in 20 minutes,  one of which was a bicycle kick, is not as good as that solid defender we played against last week".  People always criticize Amherst for a so-called inability to play soccer, but I am really starting to question who knows what about the game and whether the guys who didn't pick Nico are the same guys who try and argue that Hazard is better than Messi.  I am not trying to badmouth Odulate here.  I just think Nico is THAT good.

FWIW, I have to agree with Gabe that it is an embarrassment that NPL hasn't won POY at least once in his career.  There is no explanation other than anti-Amherst sentiment among the voters.

Okay then, and I see your points, but why is there such an anti-sentiment?  Did it exist before Serpone?  My history doesn't go that far back....

[Bucket]

Another interesting quirk of the voting—the only freshman to earn a spot on the first or second team is Daniel O'Grady and not the rookie of the year, Mark Leon. I'm a big fan of O'Grady and am thrilled for him but am somewhat surprised he's the lone first-year to find a place on either team.

[stlawus]

I'm not going to start another flame war over the topic but is anyone really surprised NESCAC coaches don't give votes to Amherst players?

[PaulNewman]

These are grown, presumably very mature men at some of the most elite, prestigious colleges in the United States.  Give the awards to the best players and the best coach for that year, period.  Even if you hate them.

[12SNoon]

These are grown, presumably very mature men at some of the most elite, prestigious colleges in the United States.  Give the awards to the best players and the best coach for that year, period.  Even if you hate them.

This.

[stlawus]

These are grown, presumably very mature men at some of the most elite, prestigious colleges in the United States.  Give the awards to the best players and the best coach for that year, period.  Even if you hate them.

Then maybe they truly thought Odulate was the most deserving?  Like you said, they're mature enough to decide who earned the award.  Players that anchor teams to success are awarded more often.  Odulate helped Bowdoin secure their second NESCAC championship in as many years in a competitive league.  Odulate put his money where his mouth is and rose to the occasion. 

[stlawus]

In the end how much does it truly matter?  So you can reminisce 20 years down the road when you're drinking with friends?  These guys aren't playing for individual awards. 

[Bucket]

These are grown, presumably very mature men at some of the most elite, prestigious colleges in the United States.  Give the awards to the best players and the best coach for that year, period.  Even if you hate them.

Then maybe they truly thought Odulate was the most deserving?  Like you said, they're mature enough to decide who earned the award.  Players that anchor teams to success are awarded more often.  Odulate helped Bowdoin secure their second NESCAC championship in as many years in a competitive league.  Odulate put his money where his mouth is and rose to the occasion.

Yeah, I don't think Odulate wins this award if Bowdoin doesn't win the NESCAC tourney. With the win and with his defensive dominance this year, I think he was deserving of the honor. I also think that Nico was deserving.  I can see arguments either way. Personally, if I had a vote, I would have given the nod to Nico. But I also can't argue selecting the league's best defensive player on the league championship team. Now, if an "inferior" offensive player had been chosen, then I can see making a much bigger deal about the Nico snub.

[nescac1]

Has anyone considered the possibility that the coaches simply hate hyphenated names? 

[1970s NESCAC Player]

Has anyone considered the possibility that the coaches simply hate hyphenated names?

Or can't be bothered to write out a name that long on their ballots?

[Corazon]

I don't have anything else to add that hasn't already been expressed, but the anti-Amherst bias in the NESCAC has become farcical.

[PaulNewman]

In the end how much does it truly matter?  So you can reminisce 20 years down the road when you're drinking with friends?  These guys aren't playing for individual awards.

I agree with this, BUT, if you're going to go to the trouble of giving out awards, then try to get them right.  If there is some kind of blackballing deal going on then that's just wrong, or at least limit the blackballing to the coach if you must.

I don't know enough about the players to know who the POY is.  Based on what I've read here, including from some folks who are not Amherst fans, NPL was very deserving.  What did Bowdoin finish in the league?  6th?  The fact that they won back to back NESCAC tourneys by very thin margins each time is a great credit to the TEAM/COACH, but I don't know if that's a basis for a POY decision.  Amherst has been arguably the most dominant team in D3 soccer this year, and at worst #2 or #3. 

[Nutmeg]

Congrats to all of the young men. Many years of hard work to earn the awards!