NESCAC

[Mr.Right]

Interesting past weekend in Nescac as my picks of dogs in 4/5 Games fell flat. It was close than it looked though. Bates had Conn 0-0 into the 70th minute or so until giving up a Goal off a giveaway and then Conn added an insurance Goal. Bates had some chances to score but were snuffed out by Conn's GK Marcucci. Teams are starting to get behind Conn's defense but Marcucci is bailing them out. Something to watch for though as it is a concern going forward for Conn. Midd got a 2nd minute Goal v Tufts that I thought could of and should of stood up but Midd gave up a weak equalizer later in the 1st Half. Besides that goal allowed Tufts did not have many dangerous chances at all and Midd should be a bit disappointed with that Goal allowed. Amherst squeaked by Hamilton 1-0 but Hamilton had plenty of looks on net especially in the final 20 minutes when Amherst was sitting compact and not coming out of a defensive shell. Hamilton just could not finish and Amherst Frosh GK White came up with a couple good saves. Colby beat Wesleyan on a PK but I did not catch that game so it is possible Colby outplayed Wesleyan but based on the stats and recap Wesleyan had some chances to get the equalizer. This week and weekend is possibly the BIGGEST in Nescac to date with multiple teams playing 2 conference games either on a weekend back to back or 1 midweek and 1 Saturday(Bowdoin will play 3 Away matches in 6 days with Williams the most likely to benefit by playing Bowdoin on Sunday).

Tuesday Nescac Predictions:

Amherst at Conn--------Amherst sits at 6-3-0 overall 3-3-0 in Nescac and are still looking for a Win v Ranked. Conn at 10-0-0 overall and 6-0-0 in Nescac with 1 GA all year(a late PK v Endicott). Conn has been playing very confident futbol all year and while I have had some issues with Conn's wingbacks the past few games, that 1 GA in 10 Games is mighty impressive. Amherst has 6 GA in 6 Nescac Games and shows some of the issues they are having in the back. The Frosh GK is looking like a shining light in net for Amherst and it is his job to lose the rest of the way. This game will be a battle and while Conn was a thorn in Amherst side when Serpone first arrived I cannot remember the last time Conn beat Amherst. It could be almost 6-7 years I am guessing without actually looking. If Amherst were to drop this game and go to 6-4-0 I do not see how they would be in line to get a Pool C especially with a game at Brandeis and at Wesleyan(who always plays them tough no matter Wesleyan's record) remaining. So it is a must Win and I think they have a good opportunity to get it. With Lind, Giamattei and Derby Amherst has plenty of firepower on the attack. McMillian has been a huge loss(he has not played since scoring v Gordon and has only played in 3 Games all year) as if they could ever get him back on the field and fit he would free up the other forwards for better looks on net. I still think they have enough firepower to atleast score v Conn tomorrow but not sure they have enough in the back to keep Conn off the board at Home. Tough game to predict but I think whoever scores first will then sit back in a prevent defense as both teams have shown they will do this with leads this year. Not sure there is a winner in this game......1-1


Bowdoin at Colby-----As previously mentioned Bowdoin has a BIG WEEK ahead with games at Colby, at Hamilton and at Williams. All are winnable games but there is no way they are going 3-0-0 in the 3 games. Colby has played well at Home of late and with Home Games v Bowdoin and Hamilton plus Road Games at Amherst and at Bates they have a realistic chance to live up to predictions and sneak into the Top 4 or at least the Top 6. A Home Playoff game would be ideal but they have a ton of work to do. This game last year was an absolute tedious match with Bowdoin winning it with a 1st Half Goal and then absorbing pressure from Colby in the 2nd Half. Colby had about 4 point blank chances to even the game and deserved some sort of result in that match. Neither team has much depth and IMO both teams have a pretty even starting 11. I give the edge to Colby as Dan Carlson has been fantastic in net and Dickey and Pugh in front of him have been impressive. Colby can easily match Bowdoin's size and I think Colby has better wing play. It is going to come down to 1 Goal and who can finish and who makes more mistakes. I would bet a 0-0 Halftime score with the winner coming at about the 70th minute. I'll give the edge to Colby.....1-0 Colby


Interesting Out of Conference matchups as well:

Coast Guard at Williams----Coast Guard has started to play better of late but I do not see them getting a Goal in Williamstown nor do I see them holding Williams scoreless for 110 minutes.....2-0 Williams

Suny Polytechnic at Hamilton-----No idea where in Upstate NY this school is even located but Hamilton easily Wins with some backups 3-1.

WCONN at Trinity----WCONN is quietly 9-2-2 but still only 4th in the LEC. They are a decent outfit and have plenty of Seniors and skill. They can be completely undisciplined at times but not UMASS Boston undisciplined and have more talent than Trinity. What exactly is Trinity playing for right now? Pride? At 2-8-0 and 0-7-0 I am not seeing much pride...WCONN 2-1.

Wheaton at Wesleyan-----Mid table Nescac / Newmac showdown with both teams in the middle of rebuilding. Wesleyan's season should be finished after this weekend with games at Williams and at Midd. With that in mind I could see Wheeler playing a ton of reserves as this Weekend is way to important to waste energy in this meaningless non-conference game. Wesleyan has looked much better on turf and this game will be played under the lights.....1-1

Babson at Tufts-----2nd installment of this fixture as last year Tufts opened their season with a 1-0 OT Win over Babson at Home on a Gavin Tasker Goal. My question is why is this game at Tufts AGAIN. Did Shapiro agree to play Babson ONLY if they would host both years? That would seem a bit petty but it is a legit question as to why Tufts is hosting this match? Babson Women have a Home match against Springfield and maybe this was the only date that would work for both teams but I find that difficult to believe as there were a couple Sunday's where Tufts did not play this year. Either way this is a MASSIVE game for Babson as at 6-1-4 they are right in the mix for a Pool C even without this game. However, like Amherst they look to be lacking a Win v Ranked so if they could ever get a Win here they would be a lock IMO. Babson is much improved from last year and I think they have the best central defender in this game in Greenspan and the best midfielder in Parker. The kid Collins out wide is a serious threat to cause trouble with his quickness and skill but he is not the toughest kid. Still he is usually wide left and should be going right at Weatherbie and he has the skill to beat Weathebie 1v1 but if Weatherbie sticks the Frosh hard in the opening minutes I think he would throw the kid right off his game. Parker could cause some problems for the awkward running Aroh but I do not think Babson will be attacking thru the middle of the field and we might see Parker drift out towards the flanks where he can be more effective...This game is a must watch(it will be on jumbocast so it is a must watch but not necessarily a "can be watched") as Tufts should be able to pin Babson in here and there but compared to last season Babson is much more dangerous on the counter. Anderson has a history of getting his teams up for "big" games like this and with what is on the line I expect Babson to show up from the get go. Tufts has not lost a Regular Season match at Bello in about 2 years as Wesleyan's Nick Jackson beat them on a header IIRC. It will be tough for Babson to do but somebody has to do it eventually so why not Babson plus I want to pick another dog.....Babson 1-0

[Bobcat1]

Bates is at Thomas at Wednesday. Thomas 2 losses are to Bowdoin 2-1 and Colby 1-0. Will be a difficult road test for the Bobcats, but I see them finding a way to get it done. The Conn game was much closer than the final score. Each team dominated for stretches and I really thought Bates would punch one in midway through the second half. They had several chances. Marceau (wide open) blew one wide off a corner maybe 10 mins in to the second half, Bakken had a couple chances, but Cronin's blast off the cross bar was cruel for Bates fans.  Like all good teams, Conn capitalized on on a beautiful cross by Murphy to the back post with 14 mins left. Heart-break city for Bates.  I will say, its encouraging to see the compete level up several notches this year. Gotta find at least one more conference win to secure a 'CAC playoff berth.

[Ejay]

Conn 2 - Amherst 0.  Statement win for the camels.

[PaulNewman]

TBH, I will be very surprised if Amherst doesn't win this game.  And I expect Tufts to be sky-high for the game next weekend.  If Conn gets 2 wins I would be inclined to vote them #1 overall.  I wish Conn luck as a program needs wins in these spots to truly break through.

[BendIt007]

Conn 2 - Amherst 0.  Statement win for the camels.

I am in this camp... and should be an interesting one with both teams really going at it, and hopefully a minimum of those flip throw-ins (ugh,not a fan) flying across Freeman field.  Camels 2-0.

[Buck O.]

This game is a must watch(it will be on jumbocast so it is a must watch but not necessarily a "can be watched")

This is one of the advantages of living in Medford.  I can be at Bello in eight minutes.

[NESCAC11]

I think Conn plays quality soccer all over the field and will be able to handle Amherst. I think it will be difficult to flip throw at Conn as the field they are using these days has big slopes on the sidelines. The Amherst defense wont be able to keep Conn from literally taking the ball to the goal. Even a takedown in the box is a distinct possibility. Conn should win this game.

[blooter442]

This is one of the advantages of living in Medford.  I can be at Bello in eight minutes.

I'm also in Medfa, but closer to the West Medford train stop and without a car. Still, it's not too difficult. If I can just get the MBTA to make a stop at the Tufts interlocking then getting to these games will be even easier.

[Mr.Right]

I think Conn plays quality soccer all over the field and will be able to handle Amherst. I think it will be difficult to flip throw at Conn as the field they are using these days has big slopes on the sidelines. The Amherst defense wont be able to keep Conn from literally taking the ball to the goal. Even a takedown in the box is a distinct possibility. Conn should win this game.

Yes I realize I predicted a Draw but it also would not surprise me if Conn Won this match. Conn's Manoogian is one of if not the biggest competitor's in the league and hates to lose. His fight rubs off on his teammates and this is a game that it will be needed. Taft product MT Tshuma will be a threat against Amherst's suspect CB's as long as he does not get intimidated by their physicality and a couple hard fouls. Murphy and Dieng wide are really playing well and if Manoogian, who got his first Goal of the year up at Bates on Sunday starts to score like last year as a holding midfielder than watch out. I also agree the way Conn's field is set up could affect Amherst Bryce Johnson's long throws but he will still get them off and Conn's CB's Donelan and Stoneback MUST be on their toes. I am guessing Murphy will want Manoogian to stay tight with the CB's to help when Amherst has the ball but I hope it does not hinder him from going forward as he is the type of player that will score in this game. I am a little shocked that Serpone has not give Avon Old Farms stud Sean Dube a chance to strat in the back as he is one hell of an athlete. Maybe he is a year off. I am hesitant to still keep my prediction a Draw but the more I think about it the more I agree with some of you that Conn Wins this game. Still I am never one to be indecisive so I will stick with my 1-1 Final.

[Mr.Right]

Colby v Bowdoin about to get underway in a game where both teams need 3 pts. Lineups look relatively untouched except Colby has the TREE Jacob Tower starting for Lucas Pereira up top. Bowdoin gives last weekend goal scorer Junior Jake Shultz his first start of the year. Two veteran Seniors Morant and Masterson have a combined 4 starts between them this season which is surprising because Wiercinski has in the past liked both of them up top.

[Mr.Right]

Colby with a legit first chance from a beautiful 40 yard low driven ball by Berolzheimer into space for the lightning quick Douglas running onto it but Bowdoin GK gets big and shuts it down..Nice opportunity especially after Bowdoin has come out playing some decent futbol. At the start it looks like both teams know they need a Win.

[Mr.Right]

Quick peek into Williams starting lineup v Coast Guard looks a bit worrisome..Williams missing 3/4 Regular Starting defenders in CB Liam Bardong, RB Andrew Mathew and LB Nick Ranieri. I know Ranieri has been out with a concussion but not sure whether the other 2 defenders are being rested for this upcoming monster weekend with Home games v Wesleyan and Bowdoin or if they are also injured. Also possible is they got sacked from the lineup which we will knoe right away if they come off the bench. Demian Gass is still out as he has not played since the Amherst match and it is looking more and more that he will be out for a while. I remember him limping off the field at Amherst so maybe it is an ankle/knee/hamstring issue? Who knows but these are all key losses and Williams does not have the depth to replace all these players. It should not matter v Coast Guard today but this weekend could be another story.

UPDATE: Starting CB Liam Bardong comes off the bench 10 minutes in..Very interesting as I thought Bardong and Scatt McDonald were a solid CB pairing.

[Mr.Right]

Colby v Bowdoin 0-0 about 5 minutes to go in 1st half and a more entertaining game than I expected. Colby has looked very dangerous on the counter but has not been able to finish yet. Both teams have had some decent looks.

[blooter442]

"Bernie White" somehow makes me think of "Whitey Bulger."

[PaulNewman]

"Bernie White" somehow makes me think of "Whitey Bulger."

Or Walter White....