NESCAC

[LaPaz]

OK....rant time.

How can a school like Williams not have video or live stats that work?

And why does Tufts not start probably the two best players, and then when one of those players finally comes in and draws a PK that he wants to take the coach apparently calls for another player to take it who misses?

We know there are issues at Tufts

[LaPaz]

Colby at Williams cancelled, will be re-played tomorrow. Also, Rashid had to come out of the game with what looked to be a possible knee injury. Not a good start for the Ephs

[ihidebehindtheinternet]

OK....rant time.

How can a school like Williams not have video or live stats that work?

And why does Tufts not start probably the two best players, and then when one of those players finally comes in and draws a PK that he wants to take the coach apparently calls for another player to take it who misses?

Who are you referencing? I am assuming it's either Gus santos or hoopenot. Probably don't want to expose your best shooters tendencies this early in the season when the game isn't on the line.

[LaPaz]

OK....rant time.

How can a school like Williams not have video or live stats that work?

And why does Tufts not start probably the two best players, and then when one of those players finally comes in and draws a PK that he wants to take the coach apparently calls for another player to take it who misses?

Who are you referencing? I am assuming it's either Gus santos or hoopenot. Probably don't want to expose your best shooters tendencies this early in the season when the game isn't on the line.

This is ridiculous statement. If you have a chance to score you do it. The best shooters can go either way. The real question as NCAC brought up is for the past 2 years their have been strange lineups and decisions out of Shapiro. Maybe these guys all have attitude issues or do not practice hard or at all?  Not just Santos and Hoppenot on the bench but Nakamura as well

[nescac1]

re: Colby v. Williams, it's odd that they don't just pick up the game from where they left off, nice break for Colby after Williams got the early goal.  Fingers crossed Rashid is OK and it's not a ligament injury; he's had a lot of bad injury luck and obviously is the most dynamic offensive player the Ephs have.  Based on box score it seems like a frosh striker came in to replace him; that is a not a position where the Ephs have tremendous depth.  As LaPaz predicted Alcorn got the first shot at the goalie vacancy but Russo usually gives more than one goalie a shot over the course of the season, unless one is clearly superior.  As for live stats / video, I'm guessing that the massive lightning storm may have had something to do with the issues! 

[PaulNewman]

Yes, I meant Santos and Hoppenot.  You seem to be familiar with them since they rightly were your first guesses.  Your post really isn't logical.  A D3 saving their most dangerous players for later in the season so teams don't get a good look at them???  First, this was a real NESCAC game, so why would you risk getting off to an 0-1 start?  Secondly, all of the NESCAC teams already are very familiar with these two players and the only surprise would be not seeing them on the pitch.  Third, no coach who truly wants to win keeps their best players on the bench (or "saves them for later") unless there is some disciplinary or attitude issue and/or if there is some huge coaching ego issue.  The ONLY other argument that would make sense is saying that they are no longer two of the best players.  And if that is true then Tufts should be the favorite to win the national championship.

[lastguyoffthebench]

Two bad goals off throw-ins...  Amherst equalizer with only 20 sec left. WOW.

[Bucket]

I'm not sure I'd call Amherst's goal a bad goal. There was a scrum in the box off the throw in and then a solid strike; keeper had no chance. Typical—or classic, depending on what shirt you're wearing—Amherst. I had shades of Willy Workman in Pepin flashing before my eyes. Little Bucket might have said it best: "Not again."

Hard to tell what happened on the Midd goal. It was set up by the Ogle throw—what a weapon—at least 40 yards in the air. Then just an unfortunate bounce off an Amherst player into the net.

Both teams played really hard. Amherst is so fast and strong it seemed at times they were playing with 12 or 13 men. Panthers were technically strong, played with a lot of grit. Recovered well when Amherst gained advantage, which they did often.

Very chippy play, tho it never got dirty. A couple of yellows, a lot of jawing. There was even chirping between some members of the coaching staffs. Emotions were running hot. By the end, everyone was spent.

Some partisan Panther observations:

*The DI transfer, Sydor, was, in fact, the keeper. He doesn't have the strongest leg, but he was quick off his line, had good instincts, and made some athletic saves.

*So good to see Luis Echiverria back out there after losing most of his first year to injury. Love watching him play.

*Glaser has such a motor.

*Goss-Woliner is a competitor. Reminds me of Harrison Watkins in that regard.

*Solid, solid play from Midd backs. They were pressured a lot and were steady all game.

*I expect that few teams can match Midd's Conrad, Bean, and Ogle inch-for-inch and pound-for-pound, but Amherst is one team that can. I see big days ahead this year for those sophs, especially Conrad.

So glad we're back and the season's under way!

[PaulNewman]

The Midd goal was soft, and through the hands of Bull which was the biggest surprise.  Result was probably very fair in the end, although Midd had to be distraught giving up an equalizer 20 secs from a big win.  Kudos to Midd for not losing in OT which seemed likely with the way regulation ended.

Generally the criticisms of Serpone have seemed overblown to me in the past, but I have to say that his sideline antics in the last 10-15 minutes were poor.  At one point looked like he almost made physical content with a ref.  Intense competitiveness is understandable but he needs to do a better job as the leader of that team and as a representative of the college.

[nescac1]

NESCAC memo featured in Fox "News" segment on the "wussification of sports": http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2014/09/07/11-colleges-ban-booing-at-soccer-games/ ... I guess Serpone didn't get the memo . 

[LaPaz]

Midd goalie actually was the highlight of the day for me. With him in net they have a chance in any game compared to last year. They still do not have any legitimate goalscorers. Glazer scored a lot last year against weak competition and has definite wheels but has NO LEFT FOOT and did not have a sniff today. Conrad reminds me of a typical Midd / Bowdoin soccer player. Big, Strong, tremendous athlete but not a "soccer" player. He is very good but not a legitimate goal scorer. This game was extremely UGLY as anyone could have predicted. Ball flying around in the air most of the game, actually Amherst tried to play a bit. Rico and Pascuel Leone are skilled and good "soccer" players. Midd was extermely ugly especially out of the back. Heo, Singer and transfer did nothing today.

[frank uible]

If one does it quietly, is a spectator at a NESCAC game permitted to pass gas?

[CAC2424]

Good first weekend of soccer.

Conn looked good today vs. UMD.  Gave up two second half goals but had game in hand.  Devlin is a great player obviously.

Amherst-Midd today was intense. Good, old fashioned CAC game.  Caught 40 minutes or so.  Amherst seems to find a way.  Learned more about Midd today than Amherst- they are a force to be reckoned with again. Conn-Midd next weekend is going to be fireworks.   

Bowdoin -Wesleyan yesterday was a travesty.  Totally harmless shot by Wesleyan ended up in back of the net when it hit a hole in ground and bounced over Bowdoin goalkeepers -who is good- hands. Even game decided on an uneven play.  Pun intended. 

[All NESCAC]

Good first weekend of soccer.

Conn looked good today vs. UMD.  Gave up two second half goals but had game in hand.  Devlin is a great player obviously.

Amherst-Midd today was intense. Good, old fashioned CAC game.  Caught 40 minutes or so.  Amherst seems to find a way.  Learned more about Midd today than Amherst- they are a force to be reckoned with again. Conn-Midd next weekend is going to be fireworks.   

Bowdoin -Wesleyan yesterday was a travesty.  Totally harmless shot by Wesleyan ended up in back of the net when it hit a hole in ground and bounced over Bowdoin goalkeepers -who is good- hands. Even game decided on an uneven play.  Pun intended.

We will find out about Conn in their next two games vs. Midd (9/13) and Amherst (9/17).  Both games will be a tall order (pun intended) for Conn.  Conn's new goalie will be tested by Midd's/Jeff's set pieces.  On the positive side for Conn both games are home.  If Conn can somehow avoid a sweep it will be a big step for them.  Expect the bodies to be flying and colliding in these games.

[amh63]

Noticed that posters awaiting American football to begin are appearing on the soccer board.
Bucket...for awhile thought you were broadcasting the game on NSN.  Saw a "little guy" on the sidelines working the balls.  Maybe in a few years, young Bucket wii be working the sidelines.  Amherst pays students over  10 bucks/hr these days to help in sporting events. 
The HD coverage was great for the Mid-AMH game.  Heard that Amherst will now have NSN coverage.
With respect to  Coach Serpone...he is the nicest person off the field.  Was surprise to see him..in the grey shirt..sitting with his senior assistant during the first half.   Remember, both guys are "thin" on top and can be mistaken.   Did see him get upset with some of the out of bound calls, as Amherst was trying to get as many chances to attack as possible in the last part of the game.  Believe his assistant was pulling him back at times.
Part of the tremendous number of headers by both teams is that both goalies were booming their free kicks down the field.  Bull, the Amherst goalie, has scored a goal off a kick and he was trying hard in the last 5 minutes of regulation time to get the ball into the attacking zone.  My take. 
Oh yes, Amherst has now played two OT games in two starts.  Seems to me that they are still trying to find the best offensive player combo, while rebuilding their defense...loosing two first team conf. Players to graduation....one an All-American......and the other a local boy from Sidwell Friends School.