NESCAC

[Ommadawn]

Tonight another bunch of Nescac Men's Soccer teams get going. All night games tonight.

Great preview, Mr. Right!  Unfortunately, I was not able to watch any of the games.  The box scores were quite revealing, though.

I watched Wentworth a few times last year and they seemed to be a decent, middle-of-the-road outfit, not the kind of team that goes down to any team 5-0 at the half.  With a brace and an assist, Giammattei seems to be the real deal.  I'm not a betting person, but what is the over/under on goals for him? 20? NESCAC back lines will no doubt be stouter than that of Wentworth, but still....  Hats off to Lind as well for a goal and 3 assists.

Trinity seems to have gotten off to a good start, with a gritty comeback and 2-1 OT victory against 0-3 Endicott (whose "strength through adversity" quotient is rising with each narrow defeat).

Mr. Right's comments proved prescient with Colby's game winning goal by Fabricant.  The "pond water" flowed just quickly enough to score! 

Wesleyan was "close, but no cigar" against WPI (1-0 loss), and kudos to Coach Sheikh, whose Bates squad was a 2-0 winner over Maine-Farmington in his Bobcat coaching debut.

[Ommadawn]

I am curious about why Liam Sloan is not listed on the Middlebury roster.  There was a big build-up for him last Spring (https://www.nesoccerjournal.com/liam-sloan-argentina-middlesex-gps/) and he seems to have found his way to campus (http://athletics.middlebury.edu/sports/msoc/2018-19/bios/sloan_liam_5r3s), but he is not listed on the roster.  Did he sustain a season-ending injury in preseason?

[Mr.Right]

Nescac predictions:


Tufts at Colby-----I predicted Colby to finish 5th in Nescac but I may have to rethink my prediction. For some reason 4 players(3 of them key starters) from 2017's roster are not playing in 2018. GK Avery Gibson, Jansen Aoyama, Ryan Lauderback and Alberto Butts-Lee have either quit, been booted off or did not return to the school. 1970's Nescac Player any info on this? Either way without Aoyama and Gibson plus the graduation of Smith and Heilbron this team might have more holes than expected. All of a sudden they have question marks in net and losses up the spine that may hurt. #9 Wyett MacDonald played in 13 career games in 3 years and played 90 minutes on Wednesday at Thomas. Same goes for #7 David Howarth. Meanwhile, speedy Jeff Rosenberg played only 35 minutes. GK Dan Carlson started in net and has played a total of 9 games in 3 years. #31 Lucas Pereira who played a key role in 2017 and had some goals played a grand total of 10 minutes against Thomas. Frosh #14 Graham Pugh played 90 minutes. So I really do not know what to expect as I did not see them play on Wednesday. Certainly, there are more question marks for me now than before the season started. Tufts stream was so bad I caught about 10 minutes 1st half v UMB and I know their players and was a little surprised at their starting lineup, Still they have a ton of talent and depth that should be able to outlast Colby. Colby will be very organized as usual in the back and they will sit with 6 and make it difficult on Tufts to score. I am not sure yet if Tufts will continue to struggle to score goals like the way they ended their season in 2017. Colby is not a side that you want to see when you are struggling to finish. I still think Tufts gets it done but it will not be easy.   1-0 Tufts


Hamilton at Bates-----I caught some of the 2nd Half of Bates 2-0 win over Maine-Farmington. When I tuned in it was 0-0 about 10 minutes into the 2nd Half but Bates was all over Farmington. Farmington is not a very good team but their GK was keeping them in the game. As expected Bates brand new Head Coach tinkered with his lineup. He started 3 Frosh and 3 Soph and benched Opoku, Kimpolo-Pene and Dewdney who were 3 key players in 2017. However, I did not see the 1st Half so I have no idea how the starters performed. I will say when I tuned in I was pleased to see Opoku wide left causing a TON of havoc against Farmington. He helped create the 1st goal out on the flank by beating a guy and then feeding Peder Bakken(who also played well) who beat a couple guys and crossed it to a Frosh who finished it nicely. Dewdney played a bunch 2nd half and scored on a nice header from a corner. Bates looked dynamic in attack and were all over Farmington but again Farmington is not very good. I think question marks are going to be in the back for Bates this season and I could not get a good read on their backs in the Farmington game. Hamilton looked very solid against Oswego as I like what Nizzi has done with his back 4 as I thought Luke Eackles and Milo Donovan played very well at CB and 5'7 RB Sebastien Deguines is a little on the short side but his speed, skill and grit are a breath of fresh air. The LB Jack Sheehan looked the most suspect to me as he got burned a couple times. GK Lins Cadwell did not really get tested much and striker Aidan Wood looked as quick and dangerous as ever with attacking CM Bobby Chapman causing problems and snagging a goal. Hamilton's other striker Jefri Schmidt was quiet all game and might have hit the worst PK I have seen in a while. I think Hamilton has more talent and depth than Bates plus they will remember the Home loss to Bates last year. I think this game will be an even game still and the 9 hour bus ride does not help Hamilton but they find a way and Wood knocks in 2.   2-1 Hamilton


Amherst at Bowdoin-----Did not see Amherst 7-0 drubbing of Wentworth and their 32-3(18-1 SOG) shot advantage but based on the box score there were no real surprises in their line-up. The heralded Frosh #9 Giammattei got 2 goals and I heard that #7 Dane Lind looked the best and his stats showed it with a goal and 3 assists. Still Wentworth is not a top D3 opponent but Ommadawn is right they usually are an average side so 7-0 is an impressive start for Amherst. Looks like Amherst is going with Michael Stone as their GK as he finished last year as their starter. I also did not see Bowdoin's 4-0 trashing of U New England and their 36-2(14-1 SOG) shot advantage. Bowdoin started 4 Frosh in #25 Dylan Reid who is 6'2 225, #30 Charlie Ward who is 6'4 190 with 3 SOG, GK #24 Chris Kingston who is 6'4 and #32 Harry Cooper. Will be tuning into this game to see what Bowdoin's lineup looks like and where these three Frosh are playing. Bowdoin also started a Soph #4 Alex Chaban who did not play at all last year but at 5'5 I am guessing he is pretty quick. They also had some regulars from 2017 in the starting lineup with Stenquist, McColl, McPherron, Niang, Drake Byrd and Justin Miller. All 6 of those guys were key contributors in 2017. In net, the 6'4 Frosh is supposedly a highly touted recruit from what i hear but I have never seen him play. Interestingly, CJ Masterson and Levi Morant came off the bench. It is possible both got a ton of minutes as Masterson had 3 SOG. So Bowdoin looks to have brought in even more size with their Frosh to go with a pretty good mix of veterans. Bowdoin has not defeated Amherst since 2008 and is 0-10-3 against them since that last win. Interestingly, 8 of those 13 games have been 1-0 losses. I might have undervalued Bowdoin a bit by picking them 8th as they could have a decent season this year but I do not see them defeating Amherst.    2-0 Amherst



Midd at Conn---Midd had a disappointing result mid-week v Norwich which ended 0-0 but it is not the end of the world. In fact I liked the way Midd was playing on the ground and to feet. They worked hard for Elias in his first game as Head Coach.  The backline of Moffat, Robinson, Davis and the Frosh McFarlane is big, strong and decently quick. That is a pretty legit backline and with #4 Jeremy Barovick holding and busting his butt Midd will be very tough to break down this season. Of Course their GK is as green as grass and was not tested at all in the Norwich game. He is their biggest question mark this year and Conn would be wise to test him early and often from all over the field. I thought attacking CM Barsamian also looked dangerous. Potter wide left did not do much in that game but is plenty capable and Oudet wide right worked his ass off but is not very skilled. Up top Reid and Goulart were in and out of the game but both have plenty of talent. O'Grady came off the bench to start the 2nd Half up top. I have a feeling Elias was not planning on using him hoping his starters would put Norwich away early but that did not happen. O'Grady busted up top but missed a couple chances. Midd could not finish all game but still looked good 18 to 18. I did not see Conn blast Mitchell 5-0 but they had basically the same lineup as 2017 minus Lockwood and Sommers. 2 Frosh started #20 Luke Stoneback and #25 Steve Yeonas. Will be curious to see the lineup against Midd. I think as usual this game will be a battle and a very even game. All depends on Midd GK if you ask me. If he gives up a soft goal or 2 then forget it but if he keeps Midd in the game than I see Midd winning this match. I will bet on the latter.        1-1



Trinity at Williams-----Williams is the only Nescac and probably only team in D3 to have not played a game yet. As I said in their preview I hope they come out attacking this season. I expect the Frosh Oberg to contribute right away on the backline along with MacDonald, Ranieri and Andrew Mathew. Dory and Andreou will be in midfield along with maybe Petrik or Chris Fleischer. Scatt MacDonald and Andreou are Captains but I am surprised Dory is not a Captain. Up front Demian Gass has plenty of wheels and skill, Sullivan likes Fabricant but I think he is to slow plus in 2 years he has 3 goals and 14 SOG with a ton of minutes up top. Those numbers need to increase this season. Williams had trouble scoring goals all season in 2017 and I am not sure that changes this year unless Sullivan starts attacking with his wingbacks and taking way more chances. So you go down a goal or 2 there are enough horses on this roster to get you right back in the game. The conservative afraid to lose stout defenses the past 3 season are not getting good enough results so it needs to be switched up. Also, I assume the Senior Schein will be in net for Williams and he has not played much the past 3 years so that is a BIG question mark. Trinity had a surprising and fantastic come from behind victory at Endicott the other night. I was in the car but caught bits and pieces of the match and Endicott looked in control with a 1-0 lead well into the 2nd Half. Trinity started to get back in the game and scored a late equalizer in the 78th minute that seemed to deflate Endicott. I missed Henry Farr's goal in the 94th to finish Endicott off. I liked #34 Nigel Gustave who played well in what looked to be a holding position. The two frosh #23 Eduardo Velez-Perez and #24 Nick Mastroianni played well on the backline. Mixed in with veterans William Baker, Alex Steel, Henry Farr, Max Cottrell and Henry Belt Trinity looked better than I thought they would. Again I did not see the whole game and I did not see Soph Gk Andrew Clark but this team might get a few surprise results in 2018. I give the advantage to Williams on their Home field but if Trinity takes the emotion and effort from the Endicott game into Williamstown they could atleast get out of town with a draw. A draw would be a solid result for Trinity in this Nescac opening match. Unlike most Nescac's, Trinity will not sit in as they will play Williams straight up.    Williams 2-1


Wesleyan at Haverford----I did not catch Wesleyan's 1-0 loss at Home to WPI and have not seen Haverford play so this is a toss-up. I will say this is a big weekend for Wesleyan with 2 games back to back at Haverford and at Eastern on Sunday. If they go home 0-3-0 on Sunday night that will not be good for Wheeler and Co.

[truenorth]

The only one of these matches I can comment on with any knowledge is Bowdoin v Amherst, as I am literally and figuratively a Bowdoin "homer".  My son played for the Polar Bears and I now live in Brunswick...

That said, I wandered over to watch Tuesday afternoon's match vs. a not-very-strong UNE team.  I learned that in the 0-6 drubbing Bowdoin took in their previous scrimmage with Tufts that Wiercinski played two new center backs who didn't work out.  In response he has moved Niang and freshman Reid into the center back spots.  Niang can be effective anywhere, and Reid is a defender by trade who is built like a linebacker.  You need to see him to believe him.

McColl is a very good and very savvy left back.  That leaves the bigger question marks at right back and keeper.   Miller played right back in the UNE game.  He is composed but is wearing a knee brace and I'm sure his quickness is hampered.  Kingston was not tested in goal and it's always an adjustment as a freshmen keeper in the NESCAC.  The back line will have to protect him consistently if they are going to stay in the game with Amherst.

As Mr. Right pointed out on numerous occasions last season, Bowdoin was offensively challenged.  I do like what I saw of freshman Harry Ward in a striker role vs. UNE.  I think he could add a dimension to Bowdoin's attack that has been lacking for several years.  Byrd is a live wire on the wing who looks more seasoned and confident.  This doesn't mean they'll be a goal scoring juggernaut by any means, but I think they will be more potent than last year.

My hunch says 1-1 or 2-1 in either direction.

[Mr.Right]

Interesting so Wiercinski now has Niang at CB with the Reid kid. Yea I read Reid is 6'2 225 which is a MOOSE..That is a linebacker size for sure. I wonder how skilled he is but damn Niang could be a decent CB as long as he doesn't play around with the ball to much back there and doesn't lose focus in marking. With McColl still wide left than maybe that is a solid backline. It's not like RB last year MacMillian was an all-star. He was steady but I think you can replace him. The GK will be tested on Saturday for sure. Out of curiosity did Wiercinski try at CB against Tufts? I think of Miller as more of a midfielder kind of like Ellsworth but hey who knows

[1970s NESCAC Player]

Nescac predictions:


Tufts at Colby-----I predicted Colby to finish 5th in Nescac but I may have to rethink my prediction. For some reason 4 players(3 of them key starters) from 2017's roster are not playing in 2018. GK Avery Gibson, Jansen Aoyama, Ryan Lauderback and Alberto Butts-Lee have either quit, been booted off or did not return to the school. 1970's Nescac Player any info on this? Either way without Aoyama and Gibson plus the graduation of Smith and Heilbron this team might have more holes than expected. All of a sudden they have question marks in net and losses up the spine that may hurt. #9 Wyett MacDonald played in 13 career games in 3 years and played 90 minutes on Wednesday at Thomas. Same goes for #7 David Howarth. Meanwhile, speedy Jeff Rosenberg played only 35 minutes. GK Dan Carlson started in net and has played a total of 9 games in 3 years. #31 Lucas Pereira who played a key role in 2017 and had some goals played a grand total of 10 minutes against Thomas. Frosh #14 Graham Pugh played 90 minutes. So I really do not know what to expect as I did not see them play on Wednesday. Certainly, there are more question marks for me now than before the season started. Tufts stream was so bad I caught about 10 minutes 1st half v UMB and I know their players and was a little surprised at their starting lineup, Still they have a ton of talent and depth that should be able to outlast Colby. Colby will be very organized as usual in the back and they will sit with 6 and make it difficult on Tufts to score. I am not sure yet if Tufts will continue to struggle to score goals like the way they ended their season in 2017. Colby is not a side that you want to see when you are struggling to finish. I still think Tufts gets it done but it will not be easy.   1-0 Tufts

Mr. Right, I was as surprised as you when I discovered that those players were not on this year's roster.  And unfortunately, I do not have inside information at this time, as my son's last season was four years ago and I have not spoken to the coach since last season.  I do not even know if all the missing individuals are still enrolled.  I suspect that it may be some combination of normal attrition, burnout, and academic priorities.  As for key players like Rosenberg and Pereira, or how much time a freshman played, it has been typical for Coach Seabrook to give other players plenty of run in non-conference games, so I wouldn't read anything into it yet, unless Rosenberg and Pereira again play sparingly tomorrow.  Wyett MacDonald was, I believe, a former NH HS player of the year, and NEPSAC All-Star at Kimball Union (after moving from a mid-Atlantic state), so he was highly touted coming in.  Howarth started almost every game his freshman and sophomore seasons, and then fell off last year, so he may have regained favor.  There is no doubt, however, that this is not the lineup I expected either.  I will be curious to see what happens tomorrow.

[truenorth]

Out of curiosity did Wiercinski try at CB against Tufts? I think of Miller as more of a midfielder kind of like Ellsworth but hey who knows

I don't know who Wiercinski tried at CB in the scrimmage with Tufts, but I suspect it was two returning nonstarters from last year...

[Mr.Right]

Amherst at Bowdoin is 0-0 about 20 minutes in. The game has been even since the start. Some good physical play by both teams 18 to 18 but neither team with any real legit chances so far. Bowdoin has done very well matching Amherst physicality. Both teams a little sloppy with the ball. Just as I am typing Bowdoin has a great chance on a set piece outside the 18 served in nicely by McColl then flicked nicely by Morant I believe which gave the Frosh CB Reid a beautiful look as he slid for it but hit it over the net. 1st legit chance of the game


Jeez a dangerously careless foul by the Frosh Reid gives Amherst a good looking set piece about 30 yards out but the header off the service skied in the air...Should have been a card on Reid

[Mr.Right]

Amherst goes up 1-0 on Bowdoin with about 15 minutes left in the 1st Half on a fantastic goal. Bowdoin with a stupid foul about 25 yards away near the top of the box. Amherst puts the ball down quickly and takes a free kick while Bowdoin was trying to get organized. Did not see who took the set piece but a beautiful ball on the ground to let Nguyen run onto it unmarked and ripped a shot past Bowdoin GK. Roofed it. That is just careless stuff by Bowdoin not paying attention to the re-start. Maybe due to inexperience on the backline but Niang and McColl should know better. Bowdoin cannot make mental mistakes like that because before that set piece Amherst had not had any legit looks up to that point. 1-0 Amherst 10 minutes left in 1st Half. Plenty of time for Bowdoin to get back in but they cannot give up a 2nd.

Looking at the replay of the goal it was Niang with a stupid foul on an Amherst player who was dribbling away from net. No need to foul there. Amherst #7 Lind with the heads up intelligent play to catch Bowdoin napping on the set piece.

[Mr.Right]

1-0 Amherst at the Half. 1 dangerous chance for Bowdoin by Reid and the Goal by Nguyen for Amherst and that has been really it. The game is a physical affair and being played between the 18's so far. No sign of Amherst poacher #3 Jimmy McMillian who maybe is injured? That would be a big loss. Also, heralded frosh for Amherst #9 German Giammattei has not done much of anything 1st Half as Bowdoin has kept him quiet. #7 Lind has been active as usual. Careless mistake for Bowdoin on that set piece otherwise it would be 0-0. Let's see if Bowdoin can tie this game up 2nd Half.

[Mr.Right]

1-0 Amherst about 20 minutes left. Bowdoin just scored a goal but it was called back. The long high arching corner by McColl finds Niang's head who heads it back into the box and a nice strike off the bounce by a Bowdoin player(could not see who) was punch saved by Amherst GK Stone right back into the middle of the scrum in the box and right to a Bowdoin player who headed the ball in the net. I thought it was a goal but the linesman called it off. I think the linesman was saying that Amherst GK Stone was interfered with by Bowdoin's Drake Bryd or possibly one of the players was offside? I couldn't tell on the stream it was tough to see but it was a nice goal and just what Bowdoin was looking for. That is hard luck for Bowdoin but still Amherst 1-0.

[Mr.Right]

Final: Amherst 1-0 Bowdoin.....Very even game IMO with both teams having a couple good looks but not many. Amherst scored on the set piece catching Bowdoin sleeping and Bowdoin had a goal called back 2nd Half. A couple other decent looks by both teams but again it was mostly played between the 18's. I thought Bowdoin played better than I expected and should compete for a Top 4 this year if they play like they did today. Still I am wondering who is going to score goals for them and like 2017 they might be relying on set pieces again. Amherst did not dominate the game as I expected and looked dangerous at times but also looked sloppy on occasion as well. GK Stone was not tested really all game and the one time that he was tested was on the goal that was called back. He made a mistake by punching the ball right back into a scrum that was headed into the net. He needed to punch that ball with more power to get it out of danger. I think he is still a question mark back there. Amherst backline also dis not look as stout as I thought. LB #20 Jack O'Brien is 5'8 but quick and feisty. He works hard and reminds me a little of former LB Chris Lerner. Serpone had #6 Fikayo Ajayi and #12 Felix Wu at CB. IMO Ajayi is not a CB but he and Wu did a decent enough job in the air and clearing balls out. Still I think the key is #4 Luke Nguyen who played right in front of them. If you can pull him out from in front the back 4 then you can attack them. The key is dragging Nguyen out of the middle of the field. He was their key today and even scored a banger of a goal. The RB is #5 Bryce Johnson who is big and physical and has that monster long throw but if you get someone real quick on the flank he can be beaten. Bowdoin did use #4 Alex Chaban out there and his quickness was causing them some problems. So something to watch for going forward. The Frosh #9 Giammattei was quiet all day but #7 Lind was very active and dangerous. Amherst will be scoring goals this season for sure but do have some question marks still defensively and in net. Still they got it done today with a nice road win up in Brunswick 1-0.

[Mr.Right]

Williams goes up 1-0 on Trinity about 13 minutes in. A careless giveaway by Trinity's holding midfielder #34 Nigel Gustave at halfield leads to a harmless ball wide finding #22 Bobby Fabricant who takes a nice touch and cuts inside to beat Trinity Frosh LB #23 Eduardo Velez-Perez and was not closed fast enough by Trinity Frosh CB #24 Nick Mastroianni and hits a BEAUTY over Trinity GK Andrew Clark's head who might have been to far off his line. A fantastic hit by Fabricant who matches his brother up at Colby who scored a couple days ago. Still a bit careless defending by the 2 Frosh and bad giveaway to start the play. Williams 1-0

[Mr.Right]

4 minutes later Williams goes ahead 2-0 over Trinity. Fabricant gets his 2nd goal in 4 minutes. Trinity's D is getting burned left and right by Williams speed up front. Trinity's defense needs to WAKE UP and FOCUS. #34 Gustave also careless and getting burned by Williams speed. Very careless goal to give up. Williams up about 15 minutes in 2-0. This is what I feared could happen to Trinity this year if they were not fully ready to go. Plenty of time to go in the game though

[Mr.Right]

3-0 Williams...Damn...#21 Chris Fleischer with a pop-up header off a beautiful cross finds the net. Trinity GK Andrew Clark to far off his line and the ball goes over his head into the goal. Trinity's D is running at half speed and seem uninterested. Trinity's GK needs to get focused but a 3-0 hole will be to much for Trinity to get back into this. 20 minutes in and Trinity has thrown in the towel. Williams just dominating and this front 3 of Gass, Petrik and Fabricant plus attacking CM Fleischer look VERY GOOD