NESCAC

[SoccerMom_5]

Good observations SoccerMom.  I'm harkening back to Mr. Right's opinion that Tufts is the class of the league so far.  Having allowed only one goal, it's hard to argue with that.  I think Bowdoin and Amherst are in the next tier, and Colby is one of the teams who are right behind them.  However, as recent history has shown, anything can and probably will happen during the NESCAC tournament.

People keep talking Bates and Williams with pool C hopes and that Bowdoins chances are poor.  But... why?  I really don't get that.
I don't actually care that much, at this point, I guess, but I guess I am not sure how it is done.

Granted, I have not gotten to watch as much this week.  Also, I havent seen them play live, so could be missing something, but... I don't understand at all how people are reading these things, if it comes down to numbers... which it seems like it has to. 

Trying to figure out how these judgements get made.  Help me out?

I don't think anyone on these Boards has been talking about Bates and Pool C hopes.  That must be a typo.  Did you mean Colby or perhaps Middlebury? The only way Bates has a chance to make the NCAA Tournament is through the AQ and to do that they would need to beat Midd on Saturday, Colby next Wednesday and get help from Colby beating or playing to a draw at Hamilton.  And if all that were to occur, Bates would then need to win the NESCAC tournament.  I have a pretty good idea what percentage chance Mr. Right would put on all that happening...

Regarding the Bowdoin/Tufts comparison, the NESCAC standings reflect the in-conference comparison - not much difference between the two teams (other than goals against).  However, the NCAA Committee looks all at the games played and overall SOS is one of the primary criteria in their ranking process.  SOS and a better overall winning percentage account for the gap between the two teams in the regional rankings.  A few of the regulars on these Boards have noted many times that Bowdoin needs to leave Maine and beef up its non-conference schedule if it wants to improve its Pool C chances year-in and year-out. The same would apply to Colby and Bates. They all play a predominately "Maine" based out of conference schedules.

Having said all that, if Bowdoin beats both Conn and Tufts on the road to finish the regular season, I think they would be a lock for a Pool C berth with at least 4 ranked wins.

Sorry.  I meant Bowdoin & Pool C hopes  Maine schooll with a B.

So... does the team who wins the NESCAC, automatically participate in  playoffs, or does it come down to qualifying for "Pool C" or whatever, if they arent ranked. 


It is really weird that teams get ranked so much lower on the national rankings than multiple teams that they have beaten, isnt it?  To me that is just so bizarre.

[Brother Flounder]

I would LOVE for you to be Mr. RIGHT on the Williams-Tufts score, but it would be pretty amazing for Williams, who has struggled to score against the stronger defenses it has faced, to score twice as many goals as Tufts has surrended the entire SEASON so far.  Fingers crossed it happens, though.  But man, Tufts' D sure has been impressive ... what is the record for fewest goals surrendered by a NESCAC team in the regular season?  It HAS to be north of one, I would think ...

I like Williams in this one to get at least a draw. Not sure that they will win, though. Either way, I'll admit that I was completely wrong about Tufts' defense -- at the beginning of the year I thought they might struggle missing Greenwood, as he was huge in their run to the national title (Sullivan I thought was good as well but Greenwood was the star for me). Anyway, Coleman has done a fantastic job leading that back line, and has to be in with a shout for individual AA honors. Obviously Johnson and Mieth have performed well, but I don't think they've been tested that much (Johnson, for his part, has only faced 16 SOG all year, whereas Greenwood had made 38 saves by this point last year), and I think a big part of that has to do with the Tufts back line not allowing many goalscoring chances.

Sure, the back line has played most excellent, and deserves credit, but a lot of success is also attributable to the pressing midfielders. Tufts midfielders have pressed and played great defense under Shapiro...

[blooter442]

Sure, the back line has played most excellent, and deserves credit, but a lot of success is also attributable to the pressing midfielders. Tufts midfielders have pressed and played great defense under Shapiro...

Very true. They used to have this guy named Kayne, he was pretty good...you ever heard of him?

Jokes aside, I do think that the Tufts midfield has done well this year. Their cohesion as a unit under Shapiro has always been very good, as I remarked in another forum. Kulcsar has stood out for me, and Rojas is starting to realize his potential I think. On the other end of things, I think -- even as a winger -- Tasker links the midfield very well with the front line and creates space for his teammates.

[BendIt007]

Heading to Conn for Camels vs. Bowdoin game.  A big one for both teams.  I will report in... as Mr. Right said, the video cast is usually not too hot.

[SoccerMom_5]

Heading to Conn for Camels vs. Bowdoin game.  A big one for both teams.  I will report in... as Mr. Right said, the video cast is usually not too hot.

I was going to watch this game on NSN, but there seems to be no sound, and it is a bad angle.    I have not watched a home game at Conn yet.  Do they not have sound? Or is it my device?

[BendIt007]

Conn Bowdoin .. great game so far.  Conn with more control and shots but close .. both goalies look good.  25 minutes in. 0-0

[Mr.Right]

About 20 minutes in Tufts gets on the board 1st with a nice goal by Zach Lane. He whipped Williams Frosh Nick Ranieri 1v1 as he fell on his ass after getting his legs tied in a knot by Lane who is not known as a great 1v1 player but he does Ranieri and beats Williams GK. 1-0 Tufts.


Note:...Bruce Johnson gets the start in net for Tufts.

[Mr.Right]

Just as I say Bruce Johnson gets the start for the Jumbos in net he absolutely muffs a corner kick but Williams could not take advantage as Tufts cleared it out....Williams has GOT TO SHOOT and test Tufts GK..

[Mr.Right]

In other Nescac games it looks like Hamilton was pissed at their performance at Williams as they are all over Colby at Halftime 2-0. Also, as someone predicted Bates has come out and seems to be dominating Midd at the Half 2-0. The other games are 0-0

[Mr.Right]

1-0 Tufts over Williams at Halftime. Tufts is controlling play but certainly not dominating. Williams has had a couple good looks but did not finish. Tufts look good so far as Williams need to possess the ball better and keep shooting.

[letsGOswans!]

Can't remember the last time the Camels best the Polar Bears. If conn escapes there next two games with at least a win and the tie are they pretty much guaranteed a pool C regardless of Nescac tournament results?

[Mr.Right]

Amherst up 2-0 over Wesleyan about 30 minutes in. Their 1st goal was scored off of #5 Johnson's long throw that was headed into the net but should have been cleared by Wesleyan's defense and should have been saved by Wesleyan's GK..He has been suspect all year and both he and his defense make a fatal mistake. I should have seen this coming as Amherst just bullying Wesleyan's defense around. The 2nd goal was a long ball that was played out wide and than slotted into the middle that Amherst Frosh Derby finishes. Again, HORRIBLE defending by Wesleyan as they are ball watching and whiffing and look slow and weak today. Amherst about to put the final nail in another miserable season for Wesleyan which will miss the Nescac Playoffs for the 2nd straight year. Wheeler needs to get out and start recruiting early anyway.

[Mr.Right]

Can't remember the last time the Camels best the Polar Bears. If conn escapes there next two games with at least a win and the tie are they pretty much guaranteed a pool C regardless of Nescac tournament results?

Ahh I would not lose that Nescac 1st Round game...Just ask Midd and Williams about that

[blooter442]

Just as I say Bruce Johnson gets the start for the Jumbos in net he absolutely muffs a corner kick but Williams could not take advantage as Tufts cleared it out....Williams has GOT TO SHOOT and test Tufts GK..

He did that earlier this year against Brandeis but recovered it and got away with it. That said, if it keeps happening, he might not be so lucky one of these times.

[truenorth]

Heading to Conn for Camels vs. Bowdoin game.  A big one for both teams.  I will report in... as Mr. Right said, the video cast is usually not too hot.

I was going to watch this game on NSN, but there seems to be no sound, and it is a bad angle.    I have not watched a home game at Conn yet.  Do they not have sound? Or is it my device?

I just got home and pulled up this game.  I can confirm that there is no audio and the camera angle from behind the goal is poor...