NESCAC

[northman]

Good observations, PN.  I think the NESCAC teams continue to build an impressive level of depth.  They may not have the obvious superstars of recent seasons, but many of these teams are deep.  When my son's Bowdoin team went to the Final Four in San Antonio in 2010, they had a great starting 11 and one super sub.  One of their all-NESCAC center midfielders left the semi-final game vs. Lynchburg in the first 10 minutes with a hamstring.  Bowdoin took a 1-0 lead and hung on in the 85 degree heat in early-December until the 89th minute, when Lynchburg scored the equalizer.  Lynchburg went on to win in the first OT.  Bowdoin had no depth to sustain them during the final 20 minutes of regulation or the first 10 minute OT period.

In today's world, Bowdoin has more depth and is better equipped to adapt to that kind of pressure.  I think this is true of a number of the current NESCAC teams.  I was chatting with a Conn dad during the Bowdoin v. Conn game in Brunswick.  I mentioned that Conn had a noticeably large bench.  He said they have a ton of depth, particularly due to 5th year seniors coming back after the lost Covid season.  And Conn's depth was very apparent on the field.  They'd bring in 4-5 subs at a time and really wouldn't skip a beat.

[stlawus]

I've mentioned it elsewhere, but I am curious to see how that 5th year dynamic plays out in terms of recruiting.  It works for teams in the short term, but one has to wonder if teams are missing out on recruits because their rosters are not able to accommodate playing time until teams are rid of 5th years. 

[camosfan]

Should not be a big deal since all teams have that issue, sort of like when the change youth soccer age groups from school year to calendar year.

[stlawus]

Not all teams have that issue. There's plenty of schools who have had no to very few 5th year players.

[Yankeesoccerdad]

Not all teams have that issue. There's plenty of schools who have had no to very few 5th year players.

From what i have seen of the NESCAC, most players who expected to have meaningful playing time in 2020 took at least a semester off.  I think almost every team has a few fifth year seniors.  My sense is that it hasn't impacted recruiting because the effect was seen across the conference.

[FanofNescac]

10/21/23:

Tufts @ Midd --> Game of the weekend. I want to pick Tufts because of recent form, but I don't see Middlebury receiving their first loss at home. 1-1. Goals from Traynor and Saint Louis

Trinity @ Williams --> Must win game for both teams. Williams 2-0.

Hamilton @ Amherst --> Amherst has lost enough close games this season to falter now. They beat Hamilton 4-0 last season around this same time. Amherst 3-0. Does anyone know if Margaronis for Hamilton is out for the season? Seems like he's the leader in the middle.

CC @ Bates --> CC's streak will continue. Bates will compete but won't be enough. CC 2-0

Bowdoin @ Wes --> Hard to figure out Wesleyan this season, but Bowdoin smashed Colby this week and Huck/Duran are leading the conference in goals. Bowdoin 2-1

[camosfan]

Reasonable expectations!

[EnmoreCat]

Montclair State 1 Amherst 2

The following is spectator colour and opinion, it is not substantive analysis and is based only on public information.  Amherst MSOC has not been involved in the preparation of this information and the contents may be contradictory to the official view of the programme.

I finally got to watch the game after really only being able to listen to it earlier in the week.  Having listened to the commentary (and acknowledgement of perfect pronunciation of EnmoreKitten's name) it sounded quite close.  The film was without commentary (but did contain a considerable amount of spectator involvement I could be quite uncharitable about) and whilst it does help knowing the result, I certainly felt a disconnect between what I listened to and what I eventually saw.  I thought Amherst looked pretty comfortable and aside from the Red Hawks' penalty, I didn't feel any anxiety other than the standard feelings when you are leading by a goal late in a game and sitting a little deeper.

According to the Mammoth Ultras there was a $6 admission fee and whilst I know D1 schools regularly charge for entrance, I would be curious to know how common it is in D3, it's the first time I have heard of it, but presumably it must happen elsewhere.  Amherst started the brighter and after sixteen minutes was 2-0 up after two silky finishes from one of the freshmen who has enjoyed a tremendous first season in the purple.  In general I thought Amherst dominated the first half and had a few wayward shots been better directed, it might have been maybe more.  Give that no one on these boards tends to talk about Montclair, I wasn't really sure what to expect from them and whilst there was one particular sharp looking transition, we didn't really get to see the best of them.  For that, I think Amherst deserves credit as the Red Hawks took time to adjust to what is a deliberately disruptive style. 

The second half was a tight affair, without either side looking especially dangerous, but when Montclair converted their penalty that opened the door for them to get back into it.  Again, whilst there were moments, it didn't feel to me like the final result was an unfair one.  It's not something I tend to typically follow, but from the box score, I noted that seven Amherst players played the full 90 minutes and that was in keeping with Coach Serpone's post-match comments that this game felt like a tournament match.  I'd concur with that, it was close and demanding, with the difference being that Amherst took their chances and created that bit more.  Whilst the Mammoths defence has let in a few more goals in 2023 than I am sure they would like, to keep the top scorer in the country to just a penalty is a real achievement.  His record for the Red Hawks is phenomenal and he has had only one game this season where he hasn't scored.  He looked a handful to me and similar to Midd's forward, could prove the difference in November in what feels to me like a pretty even D3 top tier. 

I'm not really looking forward to the 4am Sunday wake up for the Hamilton game, but it's a small price to pay for what I expect will be a pretty good match up.

Foul Count: Montclair State 16 Amherst 23 - more than usual for Amherst, but probably a reflection of the tension and pressure in the game

[camosfan]

According to the Mammoth Ultras there was a $6 admission fee and whilst I know D1 schools regularly charge for entrance, I would be curious to know how common it is in D3, it's the first time I have heard of it, but presumably it must happen elsewhere.

This happens at a lot of schools!

[SimpleCoach]

According to the Mammoth Ultras there was a $6 admission fee and whilst I know D1 schools regularly charge for entrance, I would be curious to know how common it is in D3, it's the first time I have heard of it, but presumably it must happen elsewhere.

This happens at a lot of schools!

From what I understand, all OAC games have a fee.  Always been the case with Football and Basketball, but not it extends to all athletic events.

SC.

[Ejay]

I paid $5 for a game at Arcadia, though not sure if it a usual thing or a one-time thing.

[Flying Weasel]

Yeah, as a soccer fan first and foremost (though liking all sports), it's been nice to not have to pay admission for soccer games until playoff time.  But I keep waiting and expecting that to change.  Our family has been to Montclair State twice to see Messiah play, but I had forgotten about paying admission.  Actually, I think the second time there it rained, so we watched from the parking garage as do many MSU students (alum?) and wouldn't have paid anyway.

[camosfan]

I paid at; Arcadia, Widner, Rowan, Montclair, was a parent at RUC of a player, so went in free.

[SierraFD3soccer]

In the Cent. Conf., no fee for soccer at any of the 10 schools.  NCAAs yes, I think it was maybe $6, but parents/family of players got in free. Might be one of the prerequisites for NCAA hosting in that you have a fence around your field.

[d4_Pace]

Montclair State 1 Amherst 2

The following is spectator colour and opinion, it is not substantive analysis and is based only on public information.  Amherst MSOC has not been involved in the preparation of this information and the contents may be contradictory to the official view of the programme.

I finally got to watch the game after really only being able to listen to it earlier in the week.  Having listened to the commentary (and acknowledgement of perfect pronunciation of EnmoreKitten's name) it sounded quite close.  The film was without commentary (but did contain a considerable amount of spectator involvement I could be quite uncharitable about) and whilst it does help knowing the result, I certainly felt a disconnect between what I listened to and what I eventually saw.  I thought Amherst looked pretty comfortable and aside from the Red Hawks' penalty, I didn't feel any anxiety other than the standard feelings when you are leading by a goal late in a game and sitting a little deeper.

According to the Mammoth Ultras there was a $6 admission fee and whilst I know D1 schools regularly charge for entrance, I would be curious to know how common it is in D3, it's the first time I have heard of it, but presumably it must happen elsewhere.  Amherst started the brighter and after sixteen minutes was 2-0 up after two silky finishes from one of the freshmen who has enjoyed a tremendous first season in the purple.  In general I thought Amherst dominated the first half and had a few wayward shots been better directed, it might have been maybe more.  Give that no one on these boards tends to talk about Montclair, I wasn't really sure what to expect from them and whilst there was one particular sharp looking transition, we didn't really get to see the best of them.  For that, I think Amherst deserves credit as the Red Hawks took time to adjust to what is a deliberately disruptive style. 

The second half was a tight affair, without either side looking especially dangerous, but when Montclair converted their penalty that opened the door for them to get back into it.  Again, whilst there were moments, it didn't feel to me like the final result was an unfair one.  It's not something I tend to typically follow, but from the box score, I noted that seven Amherst players played the full 90 minutes and that was in keeping with Coach Serpone's post-match comments that this game felt like a tournament match.  I'd concur with that, it was close and demanding, with the difference being that Amherst took their chances and created that bit more.  Whilst the Mammoths defence has let in a few more goals in 2023 than I am sure they would like, to keep the top scorer in the country to just a penalty is a real achievement.  His record for the Red Hawks is phenomenal and he has had only one game this season where he hasn't scored.  He looked a handful to me and similar to Midd's forward, could prove the difference in November in what feels to me like a pretty even D3 top tier. 

I'm not really looking forward to the 4am Sunday wake up for the Hamilton game, but it's a small price to pay for what I expect will be a pretty good match up.

Foul Count: Montclair State 16 Amherst 23 - more than usual for Amherst, but probably a reflection of the tension and pressure in the game

Enmore any thoughts on the great temper flare in Montclair?