NESCAC

[TerrasIrradient]

It's tough to compare the leagues/teams with a small sample size of matches, but I think looking at Hamilton's recent transition to the NESCAC is a fair gauge and, based on that, I would disagree pretty strongly that the aforementioned LL teams compare favorably with mid-table NESCAC teams. SLU is a great side and has been for a very long time. Beyond that, I don't really see many others that would finish in even the top half of the CAC.

Really looking forward to some great matches this weekend. The Jeffs and SLU should provide some fireworks in a really tough contest. I'll be expecting the winner of this one to move past Williams on Sunday after the EPHs secure a 2-1 victory on Saturday.

[Sirius90]

One slight advantage that the NESCAC teams enjoy is the short schedule. My feeling is that they come into the post season fresher and with fewer injuries. I know of at least one of the bubble teams that didn't make it faltered late in part because of a decimated squad.

[All NESCAC]

The nescac league although only a14 game schedule is the "black and blue" league.  The games are vicious and beyond normal physical soccer. All the nescac teams are beat up injury wise just from their league games which better resemble Rugby for there physicality. Not really an advantage for a shorter schedule.  Go ephs and lord jeffs!

[PaulNewman]

Geez, All NESCAC.  Maybe NESCAC should just go D1.

[PaulNewman]

TerrasIrradient, one spot left.  Who are you giving it to this year?  DePauw at 14-2-3, Union at 12-3-2, Calvin at 14-5-1 OR Wesleyan at 9-6-1 or Midd at 9-5-1?

[Sirius90]

The nescac league although only a14 game schedule is the "black and blue" league.  The games are vicious and beyond normal physical soccer. All the nescac teams are beat up injury wise just from their league games which better resemble Rugby for there physicality. Not really an advantage for a shorter schedule.  Go ephs and lord jeffs!

Fair enough. That's why it's generally terrible to watch.

[All NESCAC]

Geez, All NESCAC.  Maybe NESCAC should just go D1.

who suggested nescac was as good or should be D1?  I didn't.  I did say and truly believe that the league plays overboard physically and unfortunately results in play that is "not the beautiful game" yet it does get results in the win column despite it being tough to watch.  I can only compare it to college soccer in new England ive seen but by far the most physical league.

[CCHoopster]

NESCAC has been nothing special in soccer on the national stage. 2 Titles since '95. Basketball league, soccer a distant 2nd.

[amh63]

The weather may play an impact today, imo, at the games in Amherst.  Winds and wind gusts are expected. 

[All NESCAC]

NESCAC has been nothing special in soccer on the national stage. 2 Titles since '95. Basketball league, soccer a distant 2nd. 

I don't believe many if any on this board believe the top team from nescac is best team in the D3 nation thus unlikely to stack up national championships however I believe most here believe top to bottom they are usually the top league in the country for D3 in most years.  Good luck to both Williams and Amherst today.

[nescac1]

I'd say that NESCAC is about as good in men's soccer as it is in hoops, relative to the rest of the country.  The difference is that there is no single totally dominant team like Messiah, which is on a whole different level than everyone else, in D3hoops.  NESCAC has two champions (it only has three in basketball), I don't think any other league has had two teams win titles during the same time period.  Plus NESCAC has a slew of other Final Four appearances, Williams alone has made it to five Final Fours, and Midd and Amherst have also made it.  And there is a pretty good chance that NESCAC will add another Final Four appearance this year.  NESCAC is not be quite as strong at the top as NESCAC men's hoops, but the talent is more evenly dispersed throughout the league. 

All that being said, I don't see how NESCAC deserved more than two bids this season. 

[socdude4]

I've watched the first 15 minutes of the Amherst game and am quite surprised by a couple of things. Mind you I don't watch much Amherst but I'm shocked by the facility. How does Amherst not have a better venue then just a field. No lights, no real seating area, chain link fence surrounding the back and no barriers separating the fans...How does the NCAA allow them to host?!?!?

Furthermore, how Amherst's bench (especially the Irish/Scottish assistant) is allowed to behave the way they do is outrageous. Please do everyone a favor- sit down, shut up and let the kids play!!!!

[Ryan Harmanis]

Pretty open game thus far.  Stop-and-go, mostly a result of the fact that Amherst attempts to bomb a long throw-in into the box anywhere on the positive side of midfield.  Both goalies look huge and have been strong on set pieces.

Very contrasting styles.  Amherst has been on top more but has played almost shockingly direct.  I'd put possession 60-40 for Amherst but SLU has probably connected twice as many passes.  That's embodied by the calls from the bench - every time Amherst gains possession the call is to send it, when SLU has it the call is to possess.  Amherst has been much more effective imposing their style on the game and have had the two best chances.

While I agree that Amherst's bench is extremely annoying, it's probably more of a function of camera location - rarely do fans get to hear exactly what gets said on the bench to this level.  I haven't heard much out of the ordinary except the coaching staff having a heart attack about things happening when each goalie punts it.

[socdude4]

Shockingly direct is right...

[socdude4]

Shouting at the STL bench by the Amherst assistant...."that's a man's play. You have to play like a man." I'm not sure what exactly that means but very classy Amherst, very classy. Your comments about "letting the kids play" while shouting and trying to orchestrate the entire game from the sidelines is laughable.