NESCAC

[ECSUalum]

Congrats to Amherst on 1-0 victory over the Wesleyan Cardinals!!  Exciting evenly matched game except for one defensive lapse by the Cardinals allowing the only score.  Watching the game, it seemes that Wesleyan tried too many passes in or near the Lord Jeff box, which gave the stiffling LJ Defense a chance to clear, and, in many instances start breakaways.
Wesleyan probably should have taked more shots and made fewer passes, especially near the end of the game!! Wesleyan also had two great chances to score, but shots were either wide or over the crossbar.
Lord Jeffs vs Ephs should be an outstanding CAC soccer final

[Jump4Joy]

You called it LaPaz: Amherst vs. Williams in the final. Boy, did Tufts give the Ephs a run for their money, often looking like the stronger team despite missing top gun Santos on the field. In fact, it felt a little like Williams lucked out on the day. Lots of combination play for both teams, providing entertaining soccer for the fans. The Wesleyan/Amherst match was more frenetic, as each team spent a lot of time trying to jam it up the middle against one another. Lots of high pressure led to lots of turnovers and lack of rhythmic or poetic play. Hopefully, the Jumbos did a nice job wearing down the Ephs through two OTs. However, Williams has the advantage of familiar beds and pillows. Go Jeffs!

[amh63]

Amherst wins the conference championship 2-0 over Williams at "Willie" town.  Amherst scored the first goal by Heo in the first minute  and Moody followed with a goal around the 16 minute mark.  The first half ended at 2-0.  The second half it was the same with Williams changing lineups to get a spark going but both sides were attacking the goals....imo.....Amherst's shots being more dangerous.  Williams late shot was pushed aside by Bull and there was some rough play following as Williams tried to get on the board...in the last five minutes.  Amherst defends their title and gets the automatic bid to the post season!

[nescacsoccer]

well well deserved title for Amherst.   Serpone gets a lot of crap and is not the most well liked coach by opposing teams, but three NESCAC titles in his first six years is special.  He had his team up for this game, Russo did not.  Hats off to him.  Also, any ideas why Rashid, User, and Ebobisse didn't start?  In light of Williams' slow start seems like a decision worth questioning.

The archives will show that Amherst and Williams played this season almost to a complete draw with the exception of the final, but in my eyes Amherst  was a better team this year and by far the class of the league.  I didn't watch all of the games (including the tie against Wesleyan), but there was not a single moment all year that I thought there was a chance they would lose.

I don't see a third NESCAC school getting in to the tournament (though my grasp of the national D3 scene is minimal).  Tufts will have its fingers crossed pretty tightly on Monday.  Obviously a lot depends on the draw, but I think Amherst and Williams can both make noise this year in the NCAA.

[1970s NESCAC Player]

In these last two weeks, Tufts has looked like a NCAA tournament team.  Perhaps they will be left out due to conference tournament upsets, but they are clearly NCAA Tournament worthy.

[nescacsoccer]

I wasn't commenting on Tufts' worthiness, just the likelihood.  Three teams ranked ahead of them in the final NCAA regional rankings (Williams, Babson, and Brandeis) all will need a pool C bid.  They would be the seventh team from New England.  Doesn't seem out of the question, just borderline.

[LaPaz]

Tufts 3-3-1 record aganist ranked teams is hard to ignore. They might have a shot. Wes is done. As far as Amherst and classy being in the same sentence.........ur on ur own with that one.....They were definitly the better team and they are senior laden and this has to be there year for a run at the title but as a neutral observer they are a classless team when it comes to sportsmanship and it all starts at the top with Serpone. Williams looked tired on the day and definitly were sleeping the first half. Not sure why Rashid and Ebobise and User did not start but they didnt make a difference when they were on the field anyway. Amherst plays hard and there high pressure was to much for Williams to handle. They have a very solid 11 and it just seemed they wanted it more than Williams. This should propel Amherst with a ton of confidence and anything short of San Antonio would be considered a failure for them. For Wiliams, they are not a final four team but should not hit the panic button just yet. 13-1-3 is nothing to feel bad about plus 4-1-3 aganist ranked teams and non conf wins over RPI, Babson and Westfield St all NCAA teams either thru AQ or Pool C. They should get a decent draw and Russo has been doing this for 35 years so I am sure if they have to face Amherst again they will come up with a different plan.

[frank uible]

LaPaz: Would you like to justify with particulars your assertion that Amherst is classless?

[LaPaz]

Not really...any soccer fan who has been watching Nescac long enough since Serpone took over kno what I am talking about. I am not wasting energy on a Amherst poster who just joined the convo late because he is pissed about anything Amherst having a negative tone to it.

but what the hell a cpl: and I stood near there bench for this purpose.

Coaches throwing F bombs every minute....
Dirty slide tackles
Coaches yelling at refs on every call..EVERY CALL THAT WENT AGANIST THEM.
The previous game when #15 Fikke threw his long throw into a players chest to move him out of the way, when the rulebook states he has every right to be there.

I could go on and on.....I also praised Amherst for coming out ready to go....They have a very solid team that has a real chance at a national championship. They were more aggresive than Williams and wanted the game more. For that I give the credit to Serpone for being able to get his guys up for this big game while Williams was still sleeping for whatever reason.

[soccer121285]

First time poster and Colby supporter. 

I felt compelled to post because I've been following DIII soccer for the past four years and I am disappointed by the way LaPaz has  ruined the discussion with consistently negative observations/feelings about almost every game and team.  The fact remains that these are DIII student-athletes that made the choice not to play DI sports, are not on scholarship and deserve our admiration and support, not constant scrutiny.  What is "classless" is to attack other people (players, coaches, teams) on internet message boards.

LaPaz, have you noticed that there was once a time that others make weekly picks along with you and it was a fun process? You have taken the fun out of it.  You seem to have a running discussion with yourself about how bad Bates is (not true), how the Middlebury coach seems "disinterested" (coming off best run in Middlebury soccer history 07-09), how Amherst plays poor soccer (have you watched them?!), and how the Tufts goalkeeper struggles (made some GREAT saves on Saturday).  Oh, and complaining about everyone's non conference schedule other than Williams even though on the NCAA website they are ranked  #7 in the NESCAC for Strength of Schedule behind (Amherst, Wesleyan, Conn College, Bates,Tufts and Colby).

It's disheartening because this thread should be a place where we celebrate NESCAC soccer, not constantly attack it. 

When this NESCAC thread was on D3kicks.com, LaPaz identified himself once as a Williams Alum and another time as a Williams parent (which is it, or both?).  Certainly not a neutral observer.   

As for Amherst. Let me congratulate them on a fine year.  They were clearly the best team in the league, and I thought they were the best team I've seen in my time following the league. I wish them the best and hope that they (along with Williams, Tufts and hopefully Wesleyan) represent the NESCAC well in the NCAA tournament.

Let me finish by saying that I hope that Andrew Meisel gets consideration for NESCAC Player of the Year.  He has had a terrific career and been a fine leader for the Mules.  Things didn't go their way this season but the future is bright in Waterville!

I hope others agree with the sentiment I shared above.  Thanks. 

 

[LaPaz]

I am neither a Williams supporter or parent.  I have plent of positives along with my negatives. I will continue to talk to myself if need be..I do not need to waste time talking to happy go lucky my world is great and nothing is wrong in life, like yourself. I write what I see and I saw Amherst 6times this year. If you have read all my posts , which u obviously havent I have praise Meisel numerous times and even the style of play COlby played this year without the results. Bates was awful and there coach got fired / promoted for it....Midd coach just went 6-7-1 for first under .500 record since he got there and looks disinterested. This isnt a fact based column, opinion is also noted. If you do not like it do not read it.

[LaPaz]

Sorry to all for "Ruining the discussion" but nice of you to join in late and attack. Welcome to the real world

[nescacsoccer]

Addressing a couple of topics...

first, the Amherst/Serpone classy thread, which seems to have started from a comment of mine.  I didn't say Amherst was classy, I said "class of the league" which in my eyes is a comment on their quality not style.  You may disagree on that front too.  Having said that, I don't agree with all of your points.  1) if you stood near their bench for the purpose of seeking out instance in which they swore, seems you might have been pre-disposed to reach a certain verdict. swearing though, especially at a college level, is hardly a problem.  2) don't agree that Amherst is any more inclined than another team to go in on dirty/reckless challenges. 3) yelling at the ref for every call, I agree with you there.  that drives me crazy. 4) I dont blame Fikke, I actually see that as classless on the other end.  You know he is going to throw it long and hard, if you dont want to get hit, dont stand where he releases it.

second, I have never read LaPaz's comments as classes.  This is a message board, your are allowed to be critical. It is not being broadcast at Bates, Middlebury, Amherst where players can't avoid it.  Also, nothing has crossed a line.  Bates is bad, Midd had a weak year, and Amherst plays a direct style (though poor is in the eye of the beholder).

Lastly, Meisel as player of the year is preposterous.  He may a decent player, fine leader and so on but you can write that story for so many players.  Colby was really bad in conference this year, and this is a conference award. This award will deservedly go to Noon. An all conference selection, first or second team, would be a more fitting accolade.

[frank uible]

LaPaz: For the record I'm not an Amherst parent, player, alum or fan or other Amherst poster - just wanted to know more about such a serious charge as classlessness.

[ECSUalum]

Tufts 3-3-1 record aganist ranked teams is hard to ignore. They might have a shot. Wes is done. As far as Amherst and classy being in the same sentence.........ur on ur own with that one.....They were definitly the better team and they are senior laden and this has to be there year for a run at the title but as a neutral observer they are a classless team when it comes to sportsmanship and it all starts at the top with Serpone. Williams looked tired on the day and definitly were sleeping the first half. Not sure why Rashid and Ebobise and User did not start but they didnt make a difference when they were on the field anyway. Amherst plays hard and there high pressure was to much for Williams to handle. They have a very solid 11 and it just seemed they wanted it more than Williams. This should propel Amherst with a ton of confidence and anything short of San Antonio would be considered a failure for them. For Wiliams, they are not a final four team but should not hit the panic button just yet. 13-1-3 is nothing to feel bad about plus 4-1-3 aganist ranked teams and non conf wins over RPI, Babson and Westfield St all NCAA teams either thru AQ or Pool C. They should get a decent draw and Russo has been doing this for 35 years so I am sure if they have to face Amherst again they will come up with a different plan.

LaPaz
It is a shame that more of the NESCAC teams are not able qualify for the NCAA tournament as 2/3+ of CAC teams have outstanding records, vs strong SOS's and would beat up on a good proportion of the Auto Qualifiers.  Just too many excellent players/programs in this one Conference for its own good, so to speak.  But we all have to play by NCAA selection rules.  For example, I think Wesleyan has the team that could go deep in this tourney, Tufts as well. feel a bit sorry for these fantastic student athletes, (especially seniors) who will not have a chance to play in an NCAA National tournament!! 
And Oh, BTW Congrats to Amherst, (and amh63) for winning the CAC tourney!!
and PS, People can get pretty touchy on these boards and have thier feeling hurt easily , I know as my K points were decimated for criticizing the D-III basketball pre season polls, but +1K for your comments which are always made with a keen perception of the topic.