NESCAC

[d4_Pace]

Winning all these NESCAC tournament games, this isn't the Tufts I knew.

Pretty shocking that this will be the first ever Tufts-Amherst NESCAC final

[EnmoreCat]

Connecticut College 1 Amherst 2

I have to own up to a making a mistake with the clocks, I should have remembered that VT is a different time zone, so I missed the first 15 minutes, which was of course, when all the goals were scored, but did catch up on everything at half time.  Apologies for the late debriefing, but I did have to get the grocery shopping done, where sadly, not for the first time, I got zero recognition for my long-sleeved t-shirt with a big mammoth on it.  I then caught up with Crystal Palace's 2-0 win at Burnley, but now I am ready.

On a cooler day not too far from the banks of Otter Creek, the Mammoths were in fast start mode and even if an opposition team is expecting it, it still needs to be dealt with and Conn found themselves behind 2-0 inside five minutes.  EnmoreKitten managed to sweep in the first one and then proceeded to engage in a celebration that had this correspondent smiling and wincing simultaneously.  Not that I scored many goals, but I was one for the revolving arm windmill on the rare occasion I did.   The second goal was an Amherst special and again, expecting is one thing, dealing with is another and the delivery has to be spot on.

Conn is a much too good team to just lie down and say, "goodnight nurse" and were always going to come back and it wasn't that many minutes later that they made it 2-1, with a clinically taken snapshot finish around the 6 yard box, which in many ways was darkly reminiscent of the winner they got at Freeman Field just on a month ago against Amherst.  Everything I saw after that was pretty even.  Into the second half, Conn started to push Amherst back and it's very hard not to like some of their one touch passing to move the ball forward, particularly from just outside of their penalty area.  I suspect their game is better suited to the turf as they are clean movers. 

I was getting a little nervous, but that isn't unusual and the Camels started to get free kicks closer to the Amherst box, but fortunately, the white shirted-defence was on its collective game and whilst there were some close-ish calls, most things were handled well.  Although, as only central defenders' parents can understand, they can ALWAYS be handled better.  With seven minutes left, one of the Amherst freshmen, who plays off defenders' shoulders for a living, appeared to be most likely offside, but given that Google Maps refused to even calculate a distance from downtown Enmore to South Street Field, it was clear that my positioning was nowhere near as good as the assistant referee's, who allowed play to continue.  This subsequently resulted in a penalty, which sadly for Amherst supporters, wasn't dispatched, which of course, meant that Camel spirits lifted for the time that was left.

I can imagine that the forward scout notes provided re Amherst would mention that the Mammoths concede late goals and it was certainly on my mind, and whilst the team was content to sit and absorb what Conn had left, they did get through unscathed and closed off with a very good win against very good opposition.  I am reluctant to call Amherst, "very good", but beating very good teams puts you on the path to that description.

Congratulations to Tufts.  I have seen nothing of their win against Midd, but right now, given their recent results, they could justifiably be the most confident team in the country and will not fear Amherst. 

This correspondent appreciated the commentators hat tip to probably the only watcher who was Australia-based and gives one back his way.  There was a funny exchange with some Conn supporters over the distance a Camels offside actually was, but he gave as good as he got.  Again, coming through the microphone was spectator angst about, "Number 33", probably easier to say than Kalinauskas I guess. 

Foul Count: Conn 9 Amherst 20 - there was a sense of inevitability that this might skew against Amherst after unveiling my thesis around the kinder and more gentle 2023 Mammoths and so it came to pass.  What I will say, is that this now means that against NESCAC opposition this season, that it's now even at 5 all on total fouls.  I haven't mentioned Conn's red card either... 

[d4_Pace]

Big key for tomorrows is going to be set pieces. Tufts have not been great on set pieces this year and we know that's where Amherst thrives. Tufts need to limit fouls and find ways to own their box. If they can be neutral on set pieces then they will have a chance to find a goal and steal a result.

[Newenglander]

Connecticut College 1 Amherst 2

I have to own up to a making a mistake with the clocks, I should have remembered that VT is a different time zone, so I missed the first 15 minutes, which was of course, when all the goals were scored, but did catch up on everything at half time.  Apologies for the late debriefing, but I did have to get the grocery shopping done, where sadly, not for the first time, I got zero recognition for my long-sleeved t-shirt with a big mammoth on it.  I then caught up with Crystal Palace's 2-0 win at Burnley, but now I am ready.

On a cooler day not too far from the banks of Otter Creek, the Mammoths were in fast start mode and even if an opposition team is expecting it, it still needs to be dealt with and Conn found themselves behind 2-0 inside five minutes.  EnmoreKitten managed to sweep in the first one and then proceeded to engage in a celebration that had this correspondent smiling and wincing simultaneously.  Not that I scored many goals, but I was one for the revolving arm windmill on the rare occasion I did.   The second goal was an Amherst special and again, expecting is one thing, dealing with is another and the delivery has to be spot on.

Conn is a much too good team to just lie down and say, "goodnight nurse" and were always going to come back and it wasn't that many minutes later that they made it 2-1, with a clinically taken snapshot finish around the 6 yard box, which in many ways was darkly reminiscent of the winner they got at Freeman Field just on a month ago against Amherst.  Everything I saw after that was pretty even.  Into the second half, Conn started to push Amherst back and it's very hard not to like some of their one touch passing to move the ball forward, particularly from just outside of their penalty area.  I suspect their game is better suited to the turf as they are clean movers. 

I was getting a little nervous, but that isn't unusual and the Camels started to get free kicks closer to the Amherst box, but fortunately, the white shirted-defence was on its collective game and whilst there were some close-ish calls, most things were handled well.  Although, as only central defenders' parents can understand, they can ALWAYS be handled better.  With seven minutes left, one of the Amherst freshmen, who plays off defenders' shoulders for a living, appeared to be most likely offside, but given that Google Maps refused to even calculate a distance from downtown Enmore to South Street Field, it was clear that my positioning was nowhere near as good as the assistant referee's, who allowed play to continue.  This subsequently resulted in a penalty, which sadly for Amherst supporters, wasn't dispatched, which of course, meant that Camel spirits lifted for the time that was left.

I can imagine that the forward scout notes provided re Amherst would mention that the Mammoths concede late goals and it was certainly on my mind, and whilst the team was content to sit and absorb what Conn had left, they did get through unscathed and closed off with a very good win against very good opposition.  I am reluctant to call Amherst, "very good", but beating very good teams puts you on the path to that description.

Congratulations to Tufts.  I have seen nothing of their win against Midd, but right now, given their recent results, they could justifiably be the most confident team in the country and will not fear Amherst. 

This correspondent appreciated the commentators hat tip to probably the only watcher who was Australia-based and gives one back his way.  There was a funny exchange with some Conn supporters over the distance a Camels offside actually was, but he gave as good as he got.  Again, coming through the microphone was spectator angst about, "Number 33", probably easier to say than Kalinauskas I guess. 

Foul Count: Conn 9 Amherst 20 - there was a sense of inevitability that this might skew against Amherst after unveiling my thesis around the kinder and more gentle 2023 Mammoths and so it came to pass.  What I will say, is that this now means that against NESCAC opposition this season, that it's now even at 5 all on total fouls.  I haven't mentioned Conn's red card either...

it's ok to mention the red card - wouldnt mind an explanation as nobody at the game live or the commentator saw what happened. I will say frustrations are likely to happen when 20 fouls are called which results in only one card shown

[d4_Pace]

God these mornings are what you live for. Waking up at the hotel, jogging around the parking lot with your buddies, a few nerves kicking in during breakfast knowing in your few hours you're gonna see the steam coming off Serpone's shiny dome. Gonna be a good one

[Bucket]

Connecticut College 1 Amherst 2

I have to own up to a making a mistake with the clocks, I should have remembered that VT is a different time zone, so I missed the first 15 minutes, which was of course, when all the goals were scored, but did catch up on everything at half time.  Apologies for the late debriefing, but I did have to get the grocery shopping done, where sadly, not for the first time, I got zero recognition for my long-sleeved t-shirt with a big mammoth on it.  I then caught up with Crystal Palace's 2-0 win at Burnley, but now I am ready.

On a cooler day not too far from the banks of Otter Creek, the Mammoths were in fast start mode and even if an opposition team is expecting it, it still needs to be dealt with and Conn found themselves behind 2-0 inside five minutes.  EnmoreKitten managed to sweep in the first one and then proceeded to engage in a celebration that had this correspondent smiling and wincing simultaneously.  Not that I scored many goals, but I was one for the revolving arm windmill on the rare occasion I did.   The second goal was an Amherst special and again, expecting is one thing, dealing with is another and the delivery has to be spot on.

Conn is a much too good team to just lie down and say, "goodnight nurse" and were always going to come back and it wasn't that many minutes later that they made it 2-1, with a clinically taken snapshot finish around the 6 yard box, which in many ways was darkly reminiscent of the winner they got at Freeman Field just on a month ago against Amherst.  Everything I saw after that was pretty even.  Into the second half, Conn started to push Amherst back and it's very hard not to like some of their one touch passing to move the ball forward, particularly from just outside of their penalty area.  I suspect their game is better suited to the turf as they are clean movers. 

I was getting a little nervous, but that isn't unusual and the Camels started to get free kicks closer to the Amherst box, but fortunately, the white shirted-defence was on its collective game and whilst there were some close-ish calls, most things were handled well.  Although, as only central defenders' parents can understand, they can ALWAYS be handled better.  With seven minutes left, one of the Amherst freshmen, who plays off defenders' shoulders for a living, appeared to be most likely offside, but given that Google Maps refused to even calculate a distance from downtown Enmore to South Street Field, it was clear that my positioning was nowhere near as good as the assistant referee's, who allowed play to continue.  This subsequently resulted in a penalty, which sadly for Amherst supporters, wasn't dispatched, which of course, meant that Camel spirits lifted for the time that was left.

I can imagine that the forward scout notes provided re Amherst would mention that the Mammoths concede late goals and it was certainly on my mind, and whilst the team was content to sit and absorb what Conn had left, they did get through unscathed and closed off with a very good win against very good opposition.  I am reluctant to call Amherst, "very good", but beating very good teams puts you on the path to that description.

Congratulations to Tufts.  I have seen nothing of their win against Midd, but right now, given their recent results, they could justifiably be the most confident team in the country and will not fear Amherst. 

This correspondent appreciated the commentators hat tip to probably the only watcher who was Australia-based and gives one back his way.  There was a funny exchange with some Conn supporters over the distance a Camels offside actually was, but he gave as good as he got.  Again, coming through the microphone was spectator angst about, "Number 33", probably easier to say than Kalinauskas I guess. 

Foul Count: Conn 9 Amherst 20 - there was a sense of inevitability that this might skew against Amherst after unveiling my thesis around the kinder and more gentle 2023 Mammoths and so it came to pass.  What I will say, is that this now means that against NESCAC opposition this season, that it's now even at 5 all on total fouls.  I haven't mentioned Conn's red card either...

it's ok to mention the red card - wouldnt mind an explanation as nobody at the game live or the commentator saw what happened. I will say frustrations are likely to happen when 20 fouls are called which results in only one card shown

After a failed Conn set piece in the Mammoths' box, a fountain of expletives from Conn's #24—that got quite personal—directed at the center ref.  His response: "You've been talking this way all game, I've warned you, but I've had enough."

[Newenglander]

Connecticut College 1 Amherst 2

I have to own up to a making a mistake with the clocks, I should have remembered that VT is a different time zone, so I missed the first 15 minutes, which was of course, when all the goals were scored, but did catch up on everything at half time.  Apologies for the late debriefing, but I did have to get the grocery shopping done, where sadly, not for the first time, I got zero recognition for my long-sleeved t-shirt with a big mammoth on it.  I then caught up with Crystal Palace's 2-0 win at Burnley, but now I am ready.

On a cooler day not too far from the banks of Otter Creek, the Mammoths were in fast start mode and even if an opposition team is expecting it, it still needs to be dealt with and Conn found themselves behind 2-0 inside five minutes.  EnmoreKitten managed to sweep in the first one and then proceeded to engage in a celebration that had this correspondent smiling and wincing simultaneously.  Not that I scored many goals, but I was one for the revolving arm windmill on the rare occasion I did.   The second goal was an Amherst special and again, expecting is one thing, dealing with is another and the delivery has to be spot on.

Conn is a much too good team to just lie down and say, "goodnight nurse" and were always going to come back and it wasn't that many minutes later that they made it 2-1, with a clinically taken snapshot finish around the 6 yard box, which in many ways was darkly reminiscent of the winner they got at Freeman Field just on a month ago against Amherst.  Everything I saw after that was pretty even.  Into the second half, Conn started to push Amherst back and it's very hard not to like some of their one touch passing to move the ball forward, particularly from just outside of their penalty area.  I suspect their game is better suited to the turf as they are clean movers. 

I was getting a little nervous, but that isn't unusual and the Camels started to get free kicks closer to the Amherst box, but fortunately, the white shirted-defence was on its collective game and whilst there were some close-ish calls, most things were handled well.  Although, as only central defenders' parents can understand, they can ALWAYS be handled better.  With seven minutes left, one of the Amherst freshmen, who plays off defenders' shoulders for a living, appeared to be most likely offside, but given that Google Maps refused to even calculate a distance from downtown Enmore to South Street Field, it was clear that my positioning was nowhere near as good as the assistant referee's, who allowed play to continue.  This subsequently resulted in a penalty, which sadly for Amherst supporters, wasn't dispatched, which of course, meant that Camel spirits lifted for the time that was left.

I can imagine that the forward scout notes provided re Amherst would mention that the Mammoths concede late goals and it was certainly on my mind, and whilst the team was content to sit and absorb what Conn had left, they did get through unscathed and closed off with a very good win against very good opposition.  I am reluctant to call Amherst, "very good", but beating very good teams puts you on the path to that description.

Congratulations to Tufts.  I have seen nothing of their win against Midd, but right now, given their recent results, they could justifiably be the most confident team in the country and will not fear Amherst. 

This correspondent appreciated the commentators hat tip to probably the only watcher who was Australia-based and gives one back his way.  There was a funny exchange with some Conn supporters over the distance a Camels offside actually was, but he gave as good as he got.  Again, coming through the microphone was spectator angst about, "Number 33", probably easier to say than Kalinauskas I guess. 

Foul Count: Conn 9 Amherst 20 - there was a sense of inevitability that this might skew against Amherst after unveiling my thesis around the kinder and more gentle 2023 Mammoths and so it came to pass.  What I will say, is that this now means that against NESCAC opposition this season, that it's now even at 5 all on total fouls.  I haven't mentioned Conn's red card either...

it's ok to mention the red card - wouldnt mind an explanation as nobody at the game live or the commentator saw what happened. I will say frustrations are likely to happen when 20 fouls are called which results in only one card shown

After a failed Conn set piece in the Mammoths' box, a fountain of expletives from Conn's #24—that got quite personal—directed at the center ref.  His response: "You've been talking this way all game, I've warned you, but I've had enough."

thanks - straight red based on the lack of cards issued is interesting choice

[Freddyfud]

Not really based on #6

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/soccer/rules/2023PRXSO_QuestionsInterpsVol4.pdf

[Newenglander]

Not really based on #6

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/soccer/rules/2023PRXSO_QuestionsInterpsVol4.pdf

I haven't seen this. I don't condone the behavior but I also havent observed a straight red for language once this season and I've heard plenty across the board on all sides......

[d4_Pace]

Tufts-Amherst a pretty even game with not a ton of chances for either team. Amherst get the moment of luck with an mis hit cross that goes in and then defended well from there. I think any of the four semifinalist could easily make a final four this year.

[stlawus]

One of the most uneventful NESCAC tournament games I've seen in quite a long.  Few antics, not many scoring chances.  Looked like fatigue might have played a bit of a role.

[Bucket]

Not really based on #6

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/soccer/rules/2023PRXSO_QuestionsInterpsVol4.pdf

I haven't seen this. I don't condone the behavior but I also havent observed a straight red for language once this season and I've heard plenty across the board on all sides......

Believe me, the center ref was well within the established rules for a straight red

[PaulNewman]

Tufts-Amherst a pretty even game with not a ton of chances for either team. Amherst get the moment of luck with an mis hit cross that goes in and then defended well from there. I think any of the four semifinalist could easily make a final four this year.

I'm not sure that was a mi****.  He almost had one very similar go in a few minutes before that.  Nuhu and Yanez imo were the two best players on the field.  Campbell nearly equalized by himself on a fantastic run through several Amherst defenders and I assume he put some pressure on himself feeling he should have done better job on Nuhu but very, very players would score from that angle.

I actually thought Tufts marginally outplayed Amherst...but the thing with Amherst is that you either have to have a bit of good fortune and/or outplay them significantly because of the massive advantage they always have on set pieces and defending set pieces.

Tufts imo should have been up 1-0 or even 2-0 in the first half but when you have good chances and don't break through then among even teams the edge often goes the other way.

[College Soccer Observer]

Not really based on #6

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/soccer/rules/2023PRXSO_QuestionsInterpsVol4.pdf

I haven't seen this. I don't condone the behavior but I also havent observed a straight red for language once this season and I've heard plenty across the board on all sides......

Believe me, the center ref was well within the established rules for a straight red

Official NCAA ejection report lists the reason as Violent Behavior I  "Player (24) grabbed jersey of defender on Amherst College with two hands and threw player to the ground with force when ball was out of play."

[SoccerFan4Life]

Not really based on #6

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/soccer/rules/2023PRXSO_QuestionsInterpsVol4.pdf

I haven't seen this. I don't condone the behavior but I also havent observed a straight red for language once this season and I've heard plenty across the board on all sides......

Believe me, the center ref was well within the established rules for a straight red

Official NCAA ejection report lists the reason as Violent Behavior I  "Player (24) grabbed jersey of defender on Amherst College with two hands and threw player to the ground with force when ball was out of play."

Actually Bucket, that's not at all what happened. And no one should take you at your word on this as this is now the 3rd time that you have leveled a personal attack on a player based on incorrect or inaccurate information that you present as facts.

Newenglander is on the right track with his observation regarding the foul count and card count. The incident was not at all a reaction to "a failed Conn set piece" but rather to repeated instances of Amherst defenders grabbing, holding or bundeling up Conn players on set pieces and crosses. #24 is a dangerous threat on set pieces and in fact scored Conn's goal with a tidy finish on a set piece early in the match. And indeed #24 was a focal point for Amherst's defenders on subsequent set pieces and crosses. In fact at one point, #24 attempted to draw the referee's attention to defenders holding him (both arms wrapped around him in a bear hug). The referee basically shrugged it off (actually, his response was "don't talk to me"). From there, the physical play escalated as Amherst defenders were emboldened by the referee's refusal to call a foul or otherwise address the situation. There were numerous instances of off-the-ball contact in the match and in at least one instance an Amherst players throws an elbow and makes contact with a Conn player.

More broadly, Amherst's set-piece defending tactic of grabbing and holding attacking players has been noted and discussed by other posters in this forum. Physical play is a part of the game and not all contact is going to be called. Full credit to Amherst for getting a result in a hard-fought competitive match. The referee's responsibility is to manage the match to ensure player safety and fair competition, and he did not do that yesterday. The foul/card count speaks volumes about the way the match was managed with Amherst committing 20 fouls and 1 YC while Conn committed just 9 fouls but received 2 YC and a RC. This is particularly notable in light of the fact that no cards were issued for thrown elbows and a very high and dangerous challenge that actually does make contact with the Conn player.

My last comment on this for you Bucket: You seem very comfortable passing off some secondhand garbage that you hear from some unspecified source as if it's first hand knowledge of facts (including some very serious accusations of racism). But you know that you don't really have all the facts. And now CSO has confirmed it. My suggestion to you is that you refrain from publishing personal attacks on the character of players based on what you know is not a complete and accuracy account of the facts.