NESCAC

[All NESCAC]

With all due respect, I'm waiting for the POY contender to make game-changing impact in tough games.
Hard to emerge as POY without being a consistent game changer in contests against the top of one's league.
Who are the other contenders this year?

On Saturday, Tufts had one player follow Devlin around the entire game. Even when he was nowhere near the ball, Tufts had a player right next to him. When he received the ball, 2/3 guys were on him instantaneously. Despite all this focus on him, he still had a great game. He created nearly all of Conn's opportunities and, as usual, was the best player on the field. NESCAC teams know how Conn plays and make defending Devlin their focal point. They're waiting for another conn player to beat them, unfortunately, no one has stepped up. Better teams with more attacking options and depth can't be defended like teams are defending Conn. If you look at the top forwards and attacking midfielders of the past, they've always had at least 1, and usually more than 1 great attacking option playing alongside them. Devlin does not, and as a result opposing teams are able to focus in on him more so than other top players.

Despite Conn's shortcomings, Devlin's impact this season has been incredible. Over the past few years, I can't recall a player as technically & athletically gifted and as competitive as he is. In my opinion, he's the best and most impactful player NESCAC player I've seen in a while.

Spot on.  it's awful hard to create the offense and score the goal....every Butch Cassidy needs a Sundance...and Devlin doesn't have the other players around him when playing against the top talent teams in the league this year.  Devlin was tremendous last year and he has raised his level of play even higher this season.  He could have gone to a number of Top D1 teams, but CHOSE Conn and it is quite evident from his play that he is a D1 talent dominating in THE top D3 league.  That said while there is no clear cut dominate team this season Amherst, once again, appears to be the best of the bunch as they continue to get it done game after game which continues to be a very impressive run  of soccer year after year.

[Mr.Right]

First of all I will say without question Devlin is a great player but he WOULD NOT START on most D1 teams like a previous poster has stated. He was a late bloomer and because Murphy is such a great recruiter he noticed him and got the kid to commit to Conn. After it was to late others noticed as well like Williams and Amherst both wanted him and were ready to get him thru admissions. 4 Patriot League schools wanted him and he would have played a starting role on all of them. 2 Ivies wanted him and he would have started on them as well BUT he would not be starting ON MOST ACC and BIG 10 schools. I mean he is good but not that good as there are a ton of kids around the country that are just as good if not better and play the same type of game. THE BEST THING ABOUT THE KID.....He NEVER DE-COMMITTED from Conn. He had every chance to go to top Nescac's and some Patriot and IVY league schools BUT KEPT HIS WORD TO MURPHY. That to me is the most admirable characteristic he has.

[oldonionbag]

+1

And kept his word to his teammates. Just as - if not more - important.

[blooter442]

THE BEST THING ABOUT THE KID.....He NEVER DE-COMMITTED from Conn. He had every chance to go to top Nescac's and some Patriot and IVY league schools BUT KEPT HIS WORD TO MURPHY. That to me is the most admirable characteristic he has.

I was going to say, certainly impressive that he turned down the Ivies after they became involved - although I know of folks who would choose Williams over Dartmouth, for example. I even know a kid from my hometown who chose Middlebury over Dartmouth, although that was for his academic program I believe.

On the subject of Ivies, were they willing to "tip" him?

Does seem like he is/was a bit of a late bloomer, even in college, as he had 1g&1a his freshman year, but has really improved the last two years.

[Mr.Right]

Saturday's Nescac Predictions:

Middlebury v Bates------Middlebury is in great shape for a Pool C ranked #4 in New England. They are however in much deeper trouble with a most likely season ending injury to their top striker Adam Glaser. An unfortunate end to a very talented and superior career. I was told that it is possible he returns but unlikely. I have been hard on him for his 4 years because he relies so much on his right foot and never used his left but I will say he might go down as one of Midd's best strikers in their history. This injury is very problematic for Midd as they were having trouble scoring goals even with him. A deep NCAA run is still possible because they are so stout up their spine, have the best GK in Nescac and still have Goulart, Conrad,etc and CAN SHUT down good teams defensively. Bates has continued to under perform under Stewart Flaherty and will miss the Nescac Playoffs and Top 8 ONCE AGAIN. I have said this over and over but former coach George Purgavie did a much better job with Bates usually qualifying them for the Top 8 and 1 or 2 years getting them to the Nescac Semi's. He was fired because of one 0-10-0 season and [removed as warned previously/admin] by Flaherty to get his job. VERY UNFORTUNATE. Anyhow, Bates has nothing to play for and have been dreadful all year. No reason to believe that will change against Midd.....2-0 Midd

Bowdoin v Conn---------This game has Nescac Playoff seeding implications and both teams are regionally ranked so it might have faint Pool C aspirations. I think this will be a very even game but both teams are heading in different directions. Bowdoin has been playing very well of late and Conn has been fading a bit down the stretch. I think Bowdoin has better talent and more athleticism. If they can beat Conn and Tufts to end the season and get themselves in their familiar Nescac run they will get a Pool C. It will be tough as they can struggle to score but Conn's defense has been making mistakes and GK Cameron is average at best. Charlier finishes a Dias-Costa cross to win it. 2-1 Bowdoin

Colby v Hamilton---------Hamilton played very well against Williams mid-week and deserved to win the game IMO. Hamilton kid missed a SITTER with a wide open net to win it right before OT. These things happen to young teams but that HURTS. Colby needs to win it's final 2 games and get tons of help from other teams to nab the #8 seed. It's a pipe dream but still possible. Colby cannot just SIT IN like usual against Hamilton as they need to win the game so this will give Hamilton plenty of opportunities to counter and score as Hamilton needs a win to have any hopes at a Top 4 seed. Normally, I would predict a 0-0 snooze fest here but with both teams attacking(as least they better be attacking) I am looking at some goals. Hamilton with the 9 hour trip to Maine. OUCH on the ass but they get it done.

Tufts v Williams-----------HUGE GAME with Nescac seeding and Pool C aspirations for both teams. Tufts is seeded #8 and Williams #6...Very Strange to me. Tufts has much better wins and Williams only with 1 ranked win against Babson so these rankings might change especially if Tufts wins the game. Williams is 2-0-1 is their last 3 Nescac games and are winning but playing really poorly IMO. Rubber hits the road here as Tufts is playing VERY well and believe will dominate the game. I was very impressed on how Tufts SLAMMMED the door on Trinity last Sunday defensively and gave them NOTHING. Majumder always plays very well against his hometown team and look for him to get a goal or 2. A win here and Tufts will certainly be climbing the rankings and be a hair away from a Pool C. Williams just has not impressed me yet and I have no reason to believe it changes int his game especially on the carpet....3-1 Tufts


Wesleyan v Amherst----------Throw out the records in this heated rivalry as Wesleyan has really held its own with Amherst the past 5 years upsetting them on numerous occasions especially in Middletown. Wesleyan MUST beat Amherst and Conn to qualify for the Nescac Playoffs. That is a tough ask but it is possible. Wesleyan will have a heated and great crowd in this game and playing the game on possibly the worst field in Nescac will only serve to help Wesleyan. Amherst needs to beat Wesleyan and Trinity to assure itself of the #1 seed and a great draw in the NCAA's. Wesleyan needs to attack and score as they HAVE to win so this will really open them up which Amherst will take advantage of. I say Cowie-Haskell and Gruner with Gallo's help and a complete GK blunder by Lee Own gets the upset special for Wesleyan this weekend.  3-2 Wesleyan

[SoccerKick]

Saturday's Nescac Predictions:

I have said this over and over but former coach George Purgavie did a much better job with Bates usually qualifying them for the Top 8 and 1 or 2 years getting them to the Nescac Semi's. He was fired because of one 0-10-0 season and a complete back-stabbing(rumor) by Flaherty to get his job. VERY UNFORTUNATE. Anyhow, Bates has nothing to play for and have been dreadful all year. No reason to believe that will change against Midd.....2-0 Midd

Purgavie
2007: 1-7-1 in conference
2008: 4-5 in conference
2009: 0-8-1 in conference
2010: 2-6-1 in conference
2011: 0-10 in conference

Total: 7-36-3

Flaherty
2012: 1-7-2 in conference
2013: 1-7-2 in conference
2014: 2-7-1 in conference
2015: 2-5-3 in conference
2016 (so far): 1-6-1 in conference

Total: 7-32-9

How exactly is this "much better" from Purgavie?

[1970s NESCAC Player]

Saturday's Nescac Predictions:

I have said this over and over but former coach George Purgavie did a much better job with Bates usually qualifying them for the Top 8 and 1 or 2 years getting them to the Nescac Semi's. He was fired because of one 0-10-0 season and a complete back-stabbing(rumor) by Flaherty to get his job. VERY UNFORTUNATE. Anyhow, Bates has nothing to play for and have been dreadful all year. No reason to believe that will change against Midd.....2-0 Midd

Purgavie
2007: 1-7-1 in conference
2008: 4-5 in conference
2009: 0-8-1 in conference
2010: 2-6-1 in conference
2011: 0-10 in conference

Total: 7-36-3

Flaherty
2012: 1-7-2 in conference
2013: 1-7-2 in conference
2014: 2-7-1 in conference
2015: 2-5-3 in conference
2016 (so far): 1-6-1 in conference

Total: 7-32-9

How exactly is this "much better" from Purgavie?

Good example of how one can use stats to one's advantage by looking at a limited sample.  SoccerKick, if you go back to 2000 and look at Bates record for 2000-2006, they were 19-33-11, made the conference playoffs 5 of 7 years, and made the conference semifinals in 2006.  Based upon that larger sample, although you are correct that Purgavie was struggling at the end (and maybe it was time for him to go), his earlier record supports Mr. Right's claims.

[Mr.Right]

Thank you 1970's Player you beat me to the punch. After watching a ton of Purgavie's teams over the years his sides from 2003-2006 were his BEST. There were some great players on those teams and they were a bit unlucky in 2004 and 2005 as they had the talent to win the whole league.

[Mr.Right]

Bowdoin dominating Conn as they are playing with a ton of confidence. It is 1-0 Bowdoin but should be 2-0 if not for a Conn player clearing one of the line. Conn jusr does not have the players this year IMO. This would be a big win for Bowdoin if they can hold on.

[Mr.Right]

Weather will be a factor in all Nescac games today. The rain is just dumping all over New England. This means weaker teams should be able to hang in there today especially on grass....

[SoccerKick]

Good example of how one can use stats to one's advantage by looking at a limited sample.  SoccerKick, if you go back to 2000 and look at Bates record for 2000-2006, they were 19-33-11, made the conference playoffs 5 of 7 years, and made the conference semifinals in 2006.  Based upon that larger sample, although you are correct that Purgavie was struggling at the end (and maybe it was time for him to go), his earlier record supports Mr. Right's claims.
[/quote]

I'd agree IF Flaherty took over the team in 2006 or 2007 when they were at their best. Taking over a team that had a grand total of 8 points in conference the combined three years before he took over? I think that is a different story

[Mr.Right]

Flaherty has had 5 years to put his stamp on the program and has DONE NOTHING. Not to mention he was Purgavie's assistant for 3 years prior to taking over so he was a big part of the problem to begin with. This job should have opened up to a National Search and did not. I think it will open again in a few years especially with a new AD coming to town

[Mr.Right]

AND.....Bates upsets Midd in OT 3-2....Very bad loss for Midd as they will drop in the rankings but still will be in line for a Pool C unless they totally collapse. Looked like a Midd defensive breakdown

[SoccerKick]

Not to mention he was Purgavie's assistant for 3 years prior to taking over

2 years

[EasyGoer27]

Bates outplayed them most of the game, especially in the OT.  Deserved win.