NESCAC

[coach analytics]

Hey, @coach analytics...

That is very impressive work.  Very few could provide that type of detailed assessment and prognostication.  At the peak of my powers (such as they were) I could have maybe done something similar with two, maybe three, NCAC teams, but certainly not eleven.

There is only one person who in recent history on the site could approximate what you did...and while thinking about that and wondering if @coach analytics was just the new screen name for our old friend, I vaguely recalled that his disappearance at least roughly paralleled his objection  to a phrase you used.  A little bit of research confirmed the chronology, and btw I had forgotten that you had provided a similarly detailed breakdown of the entire NESCAC last year as well.  I also recall thinking that he must know you and thought that he knew who you are given the personal nature of the interaction (and objection).  I didn't think there was anything there and I think I also vaguely recall wondering if he was reacting more to someone else providing such comprehensive insights into the league.  At any rate, I do know you aren't him, because even though you both have offered very detailed, well-written commentary, the actual writing styles are quite different.

Anyway, please carry on and I hope to read more of your posts going forward.  Would also btw love to see Mr.Right return but perhaps more happened "off-stage" that I am not privy to...or perhaps his accusation alone was considered prohibitive...or perhaps he simply decided he had had enough.

Paul, thanks for the compliments.  I am just an old retired club and school coach with a lot of time on my hand.  I know tons of current and former players in the NESCAC as well as some parents, club coaches and high school coaches who I use as sources.   I live closest to Trinity, Wesleyan and Amherst so I see more of their games than others and watch a lot on line as well.  It may be true that a couple current coaches call me for some scout as well (but I think its mostly to shoot the $hit)

I am just so impressed with the quality and depth of the players in the NESCAC and I expect the technical skills to continue to be better.  The D1 programs continue to take more and more international players which pushes more and more high end club players down.

Also, with the density of the competition locally, including West Conn, Babson and others, they are battle tested come tournament time. I expect this force to continue.

[coach analytics]

Hey, @coach analytics...

That is very impressive work.  Very few could provide that type of detailed assessment and prognostication.  At the peak of my powers (such as they were) I could have maybe done something similar with two, maybe three, NCAC teams, but certainly not eleven.

There is only one person who in recent history on the site could approximate what you did...and while thinking about that and wondering if @coach analytics was just the new screen name for our old friend, I vaguely recalled that his disappearance at least roughly paralleled his objection  to a phrase you used.  A little bit of research confirmed the chronology, and btw I had forgotten that you had provided a similarly detailed breakdown of the entire NESCAC last year as well.  I also recall thinking that he must know you and thought that he knew who you are given the personal nature of the interaction (and objection).  I didn't think there was anything there and I think I also vaguely recall wondering if he was reacting more to someone else providing such comprehensive insights into the league.  At any rate, I do know you aren't him, because even though you both have offered very detailed, well-written commentary, the actual writing styles are quite different.

Anyway, please carry on and I hope to read more of your posts going forward.  Would also btw love to see Mr.Right return but perhaps more happened "off-stage" that I am not privy to...or perhaps his accusation alone was considered prohibitive...or perhaps he simply decided he had had enough.

Paul, thanks for the compliments.  I am just an old retired club and school coach with a lot of time on my hand.  I know tons of current and former players in the NESCAC as well as some parents, club coaches and high school coaches who I use as sources.   I live closest to Trinity, Wesleyan and Amherst so I see more of their games than others and watch a lot on line as well.  It may be true that a couple current coaches call me for some scout as well (but I think its mostly to shoot the $hit)

I am just so impressed with the quality and depth of the players in the NESCAC and I expect the technical skills to continue to be better.  The D1 programs continue to take more and more international players which pushes more and more high end club players down.

Also, with the density of the competition locally, including West Conn, Babson and others, they are battle tested come tournament time. I expect this force to continue.

Alos, I have no idea why the poster you referenced took such offense at my write up.  He assumed that my use of 'coming out party" was intended to be offensive.  After the fact, I googled the phrase and even Google said it was a phrase that had its origins with the debutante young ladies when they ha d party announcing their adulthood.

I was taken aback by being alluded to as someone who casts judgement on others choices but i certainly had no intention.  I apologized but, guess, it was not accepted by what seemed to be a fine gentleman.  Despite this uncomfortable exchange, I hope he is doing well.  His insights are missed.

[PaulNewman]

Coach, agreed.  I do believe we must take persons seriously who tell us that at least for them certain language means something particular to them...but yes, being raised in NC I was well aware of especially the Southern debutante scene.  I actually don't know whether is a debutante scene outside of the South.  In any case, I actually find that scene offensive, and while I can't avoid admitting I'm probably one of the absolute worst elitists here, the Southern debutante scene, where only certain families with certain socioeconomic and educational backgrounds preferably spanning multiple generations qualify is part of what I think about with the elite academic D3s and esp the East Coast and New England ones.  Put simply, the exclusivity can cut both ways.
Another discussion for another day.

The other way I heard the phrase often referenced has been in athletics, like a new QB on a college or NFL team who "lights up the lamp" so to speak for the first time. 

[PaulNewman]

One thing about Siebert and Williams is undeniable...a massive surge in hat sales 

And Boardman no doubt already is making 750K for an investment firm in Manhattan.

[northman]

Regarding the Williams situation, their magical run to last year's NCAA D3 final is undeniable.  Likewise, the astounding turnover in the roster from last season to this season is also undeniable.  I've never seen anything like it in my ~20 years of NESCAC soccer viewing.  NESCAC schools tend to give coaches the benefit of the doubt and seek longevity...and NESCAC coaches tend to do the same with players.  It generally makes no sense for the coach or the institution to want to see high levels of turnover among intelligent, dedicated student athletes...many of whom are from families paying full boat.  Just sayin'...

[EnmoreCat]

Spinning that around, the fact a family is paying a pretty significant full freight also means that if it doesn't feel right for whatever reason, then it makes sense to at least contemplate change.  Our generation (I am talking us 50-60 year olds) would typically stick these kind of things out and try and make the best of it.  However, this generation/cohort is a little different.  Through my work I have a bit to do with graduates and they definitely aren't hanging around if they feel their aspirations aren't being met.  Whilst coaches may be uncertain about a player who appears in the portal/their inbox, an employer in banking likes the fact that another institution has already done the training for them.  The student-athletes are prepared to take the chance someone will feel similarly.

[northman]

Enmorecat, your generational observation seems accurate at a high level...but when you bring it down to the individual college level, you're not seeing the same level of turnover on the other NESCAC rosters that you're current seeing at Williams.

[camosfan]

From the outside the guy seems a solid coach, only two years in, maybe he is demanding more from players than they are used to?

[Viking]

To deflect some of this roster turnover discussion away from Williams and support the point that year-to-year retention glitches are pretty common, it's worth noting that Williams probably isn't even the conference leader in 2022 to 2023 non-retention. By my (clumsy and semi-reliable) count, Wesleyan's 2023 roster is missing at least eight players who were on the 2022 roster despite being first-years, sophomores, or juniors last season, including at least three guys who started a good number of games in 2022: Oliver Clarke, Max Hofsetter, and Noah Hartzfeld. Wesleyan only has two seniors on their roster this year -- that's less than half of last year's junior class returning as seniors.

It's also unwise to assume why players with remaining NCAA eligibility don't return.

[nescac1]

Interesting point, Viking! 

Caught a fair bit of Hamilton-Williams yesterday.  The game was very even with very few good scoring opportunities for either team.  Most of the game was played in the midfield area and neither team had many sustained build-ups.  Hamilton had a bit more possession overall and Williams was fortunate to come away with the win thanks to an early goal set up by a long-throw in (Kirkman has assumed that role) right into the box, Gara Grady headed it right to Keussom who knocked it home, GK had no chance. 

Hamilton looked very strong defensively and in the midfield (especially Margaronis, Kantrowitz, Peplowski, all of whom are very good) winning a lot of tough balls and lots of possession in the top third, but had no really dangerous attempts on goal.  Hamilton was much bigger, more physical, and more experienced in the midfield than Williams and that showed.   Diffley was a huge presence for Williams and cleaned nearly everything up that Hamilton got close to the goal.  Rouhana had some pretty sweet moves and was the only player who seemed to make much happen offensively, I was surprised he didn't get more touches.  Scoring is clearly going to be an issue for Hamilton all year as they seemed to have little in terms of finishing players, as exhibited by only one goal scored on the season so far.   

For Williams, Gara Grady, Gutierrez, and first year Labonski were steadying presences defensively.  The midfield play was a bit too erratic and there were some bad decisions / passes that a better offensive team would have capitalized on at least once.  A zillion guys coming in and out and there, the entire roster is always fresh and runs hard, but definitely need work on cohesion and sustaining possession with a series of passes.  On the plus side, first years Ross, Stauffer, Coelho, Mix and Grace are a very talented group who bring a lot of juice when they come into the game, and they are all deservedly playing big minutes off the bench (and many of them started the second half).  They should be a very potent engine of the offense as time goes on.  Of course, that's a LOT of very young and generally small players to rely upon (definitely need those guys to muscle up a bit over time), and they got bullied by the bigger Hamilton midfielders at times.  As they play more together I suspect the attack will become more coordinated, it's still very early in their careers - that group (along with soph Keussom) will create a lot of offensive opportunities as time goes on.  In terms of finishers, not clear that Williams has solved that perpetual issue yet, no real target striker that defenses have to focus on.  Williams could really use in next year's glass a big target forward (in addition to a goalie or two). 

[camosfan]

Tufts v Wesleyan cancelled due to weather!

[SlideTackle]

To deflect some of this roster turnover discussion away from Williams and support the point that year-to-year retention glitches are pretty common, it's worth noting that Williams probably isn't even the conference leader in 2022 to 2023 non-retention. By my (clumsy and semi-reliable) count, Wesleyan's 2023 roster is missing at least eight players who were on the 2022 roster despite being first-years, sophomores, or juniors last season, including at least three guys who started a good number of games in 2022: Oliver Clarke, Max Hofsetter, and Noah Hartzfeld. Wesleyan only has two seniors on their roster this year -- that's less than half of last year's junior class returning as seniors.

It's also unwise to assume why players with remaining NCAA eligibility don't return.

One of those starters had a bad concussion and can no longer play.  Another is in the Wesleyan/Columbia enginereeing program and studying at Columbia this year,  but will be back.  The other left.  And sometimes roster players from prior years don't make the cut for whatever reason.

No idea why players left Williams.  But I bet it's not because they all preferred not to be there.  Sometimes players get cut too.  And sometimes players who leave come back.  I agree it is unwise to assume why players with elegibility don't return.

[EnmoreCat]

Manhattanville 0 Amherst 3

Firstly, GoValiants Field is a really nice set up.  The bleachers are close to the field and there was no fence or rope. It would be a great place to watch at regularly.   Manhattanville started quite well and were keeping the ball, but the Mammoths' press intensified and they got pushed back.  After 9 minutes, Amherst made it 1-0 via a header off a corner. Son of EnmoreCat was the scorer, which meant for a second consecutive season he has scored against Manhattanville. Hopefully, that won't be his last.  Two of the freshmen also got goals and it's not exaggerating to say it could have been a few more.

At half time there was a pretty comprehensive rotation, which some less enlightened folk may describe as, "Amtics", but which made perfect sense as there is another NESCAC epic coming up on Saturday, at Tufts.  Plus,  it represented a great opportunity for the freshmen to get valuable game time.  The second half was more even and perhaps Manhattanville might have pushed a little harder given the relative experience advantage.  Amherst did create some useful chances also and on another night might have managed at least one more goal.  The Mammoths keeper did make one superb save at close range, thus registering this season's first clean sheet.

I know Manhattanville haven't had the best of starts, but they did draw with Stevens and without knowing much more about the Skyline Conference, I expect they will be improvers.

Foul count: Manhattanville 8 Amherst 20 - a much more elite pace.

The EnmoreCat caravan rolls onto Boston on Friday.  Looking forward to Tufts in what will undoubtedly be another monumental NESCAC occasion.

[Another Mom]

Fantastic that you were able to see your son's goal in person!

[NESCACDad101]

Long time reader, first time writer. Ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you, it's an absolute disgrace what's been going on in NESCAC soccer this season. I've been keeping a close eye on the competition, or should I say, the lack of competition, and it's clear as day that my son is the undisputed king of the pitch. Nobody, and I mean nobody, even comes close to his level of skill and talent.

Now, I don't want you to think for a second that I'm being biased here. No, I'm just stating the facts, being objective, you know, like I always am. My son, who, by the way, has the most points in the NESCAC, deserves to be crowned the NESCAC Player of the Year, and I'm going to tell you exactly why.

Let's start with his performance against Husson University. I mean, folks, it was a thing of beauty. A goal and not one, not two, but two assists! Who does that? Well, my son does, of course. It's almost unfair to the competition, really. They just can't keep up with him.

And let's not forget about that incredible assist against Bates. It was like watching a maestro conduct an orchestra. The precision, the finesse, it was poetry in motion. Nobody in the NESCAC can match his level of play. I'm just stating the facts here, folks.

But that's not all, not by a long shot. My son's four-goal, yes, you heard me right, four-goal performance against the University of New England was something to behold. It's almost as if the other team wasn't even on the field. He added an assist for good measure, just to remind everyone who's boss.

Honestly, they should just go ahead and award him the NESCAC Player of the Year right now. There's no competition left; it's pretty much over for everyone else. My son might just be the best player in NESCAC history, and I'm not saying that to brag, folks, I'm just telling you like it is.

So, to all the naysayers and doubters out there, take a good hard look at the stats and the performances. My son's dominance on the field speaks for itself, and it's time for the NESCAC to recognize greatness when they see it. We're not talking about opinions here; we're talking about cold, hard facts. My son is the best, and it's time everyone acknowledges it. Believe me!