NESCAC

[d4_Pace]

Williams massive field is going to be a disadvantage today as it leaves more room for Tufts attacking players to operate.  If Tufts is able to prevent Gass from getting in behind and manage set pieces, they should be able to keep williams off the board. AA Joe Braun gets off the mark today with a goal and an apple to Zach Lane who makes it four games in a row with a goal dating back to last years final four. 
Tufts 2-0 Williams
After a disappointing season last year Wood gets back on the score sheet for the continental off an assist from playmaker schmidt. The bus ride is too long for bates to find any offense and the first half goal holds up for the low scoring victory.
Hamilton 1-0 Bates
Colby finally got their new field, which compared to the old one is a huge upgrade...but its still a super slow playing surface and combined with all the firepower these two teams lost is going to mean a dreary affair in Maine.
Conn 0-0 Colby
Middlebury has simply too much attacking firepower for a Wesleyan program that has fallen off a cliff in the last 5 years. I didn't look but if the game is on the grass at wesleyan that could help. That field rivals Conn for the worst field in the league.  But either way Middlebury walks out of connecticut with 3 points in hand.
Midd 2-0 Wesleyan
Amherst has always had a difficult time with Bowdoin. But I think the departure of Moktar is going to be really felt this whole season, but particularly in this matchup. Sophomore Dylan Reid will really need to step up in his absence to slow down the best Amherst attack in years. Amherst concedes a soft goal early, ties it up before halftime, and wins it on a scrum in the box with less than 10 to play.
Amherst 2-1 Bowdoin

[PaulNewman]

OK, I'll play.

Tufts 3, Williams 1

Bates 2, Hamilton 1

Colby 2, Conn 0

Wesleyan 1, Midd 0

Amherst 3, Bowdoin 0

[blooter442]

Williams 2-1 up on Tufts, who would have thought that?! That said, calling #FakeNews on Tasker being in goal and Harned playing up top per the livestats.

[blooter442]

2-2 now, corner headed on and Aroh heads it in on the line. Clearly no one is rolling over for Tufts this year, but they are back in the game and with the momentum.

That being said, Williams has played some nice combinations going forward. They might not be getting the love that Tufts has (justifiably) gotten but they do look like the real deal.

[blooter442]

Screamer from van Brewer, 25 yards out into the top right, 3-2 with about 15 left. Part of what makes Tufts so good is that the Jumbos can hurt you in any number of ways — in this game alone the goals have come from two set pieces and a long-distance banger.

[blooter442]

Jumbos get out of Williamstown with a 3-2 victory. Williams ran well with Tufts but the latter had just too much to handle. Ephs have not beaten the Jumbos since 2013 (also at home).

[Brother Flounder]

Jumbos get out of Williamstown with a 3-2 victory. Williams ran well with Tufts but the latter had just too much to handle. Ephs have not beaten the Jumbos since 2013 (also at home).

Bloots, missed it. Sounds like an excellent fought game...

[SlideTackle]

OK, I'll play.

Tufts 3, Williams 1

Bates 2, Hamilton 1

Colby 2, Conn 0

Wesleyan 1, Midd 0

Amherst 3, Bowdoin 0

Not bad.  Colby/Conn was the only poor prediction.  The Wesleyan/Midd prediction was bold but it did end in a tie.  Should be another fun NESCAC season.  Tuft and Amherst cream of the crop. 

[blooter442]

Bloots, missed it. Sounds like an excellent fought game...

It was a good test for both teams. I think Williams knows that they can run with the top of the NESCAC pile if they put together a complete game...and Tufts has had to come through adversity already (last year they only trailed once all year, for about 15 minutes during a 1-1 draw at Middlebury in October). You can't really legislate for a 25-yard screamer although we all know Tufts has them in its locker; aside from that, a relatively even, well-fought game (shots were 11-8 Williams; SOG 4-3 Tufts).

[nescacfan94]

Bloots, missed it. Sounds like an excellent fought game...

It was a good test for both teams. I think Williams knows that they can run with the top of the NESCAC pile if they put together a complete game...and Tufts has had to come through adversity already (last year they only trailed once all year, for about 15 minutes during a 1-1 draw at Middlebury in October). You can't really legislate for a 25-yard screamer although we all know Tufts has them in its locker; aside from that, a relatively even, well-fought game (shots were 11-8 Williams; SOG 4-3 Tufts).

Not quite. Bowdoin was up on Tufts 3-2 with under 10 to play last season. Tufts tied it with about 3 minutes to go, and won in OT.

[PaulNewman]

OK, I'll play.

Tufts 3, Williams 1

Bates 2, Hamilton 1

Colby 2, Conn 0

Wesleyan 1, Midd 0

Amherst 3, Bowdoin 0

Not bad.  Colby/Conn was the only poor prediction.  The Wesleyan/Midd prediction was bold but it did end in a tie.  Should be another fun NESCAC season.  Tuft and Amherst cream of the crop.

Thanks.  For me, the Colby result and especially the margin at home was the biggest surprise of the NESCAC weekend.

[blooter442]

Not quite. Bowdoin was up on Tufts 3-2 with under 10 to play last season. Tufts tied it with about 3 minutes to go, and won in OT.

Ah, yes — forgot about that one: the equalizer which definitely looked like an own goal but was credited to Rojas (I was told it "grazed his foot", but certainly didn't seem like it from the video angle; then again, I wasn't on the field). Mieth had a poor game that day; I have to imagine the wind was bad because he got beat straight up on two crosses.

[blooter442]

Amherst-Babson is the first time the programs will meet since 2003...should be a good one. I think we all have a tough time seeing past Amherst, and I predict the Mammoths will win, but I think Babson will give them a game.

[blooter442]

Well then...Babson 1-0 up!

[blooter442]

Amherst ties it about 5 mins into the second half...FY Okorogheye pulled a series of moves and dusted about half of the visitors back line before slotting home. That was impressive.