NESCAC

[Corazon]

La Paz - Thoughts on Russo's replacement at Williams?  I had hoped for Dan Calichman but with the news that he's headed for Toronto FC, that appears unlikely although with the short longevity of MLS coaches, you never know. I saw him a few years ago and he always spoke fondly of Williams and said he missed the four seasons.

[LaPaz]

La Paz - Thoughts on Russo's replacement at Williams?  I had hoped for Dan Calichman but with the news that he's headed for Toronto FC, that appears unlikely although with the short longevity of MLS coaches, you never know. I saw him a few years ago and he always spoke fondly of Williams and said he missed the four seasons.

Fatigue in Nescac tournament and NCAA's is different for the most part as 2 teams are playing two equally tough teams. Williams played Trinity and Babson played the almighty Lesley. Shame on Russo for scheduling them like this. My guess is the new coach will drop Babson all together so 3 out of 5 is done. Babson had good teams with Anderson's son up top(which is how they beat Williams the other two times) but today's Babson is not nearly as good.

[LaPaz]

La Paz - Thoughts on Russo's replacement at Williams?  I had hoped for Dan Calichman but with the news that he's headed for Toronto FC, that appears unlikely although with the short longevity of MLS coaches, you never know. I saw him a few years ago and he always spoke fondly of Williams and said he missed the four seasons.

My guess is Calichman might still be in the running. Who is to say that he will like being an assistant. Wonder what Fran O'Leary is doing right now?
Sullivan is the other top name. The Williams alum and current WNEC coach while more a descendant of Masur at St.John's(he was asst there for a few years) than Russo, he is the perfect age and at a time in his career to move on to better jobs. Sullivan is well liked at WNEC though and he does have family and $$ to consider.

Let us not forget when Amherst opened up in 2007 they low balled the $$$ and it took a lot of decent candidates out of the running. Side note they actually asked Sullivan to interview then but he declined.

Eric Watson will garner an interview. 1997 Williams alum and former head coach at Linfield, SUNY New Paltz, and Utica.

Ur slew of over the age of 55 candidates, D1 retreads, fired coaches, Brits, and HS coaches will apply and waste the money on a postage stamp.

I am sure Russo will have a say on his replacement one way or another

[nescac1]

I had always figured Sullivan was the favorite (and I'd be pretty surprised if Williams ends up paying him less than WNEC, but stranger thing have happened), he's done a lot at WNEC with a much smaller recruiting pool than he would have to work with at Williams, and I think that's only more the case now, since Watson has moved out of coaching and Calichman has moved to MLS, so I'm not sure how interested either would be.  Any of the three would be great picks, and with so many Ephs who have had careers in soccer, I do hope they keep this job in the Russo / Williams family barring just a crazy unexpected ace candidate. 

[Corazon]

My guess is Calichman might still be in the running. Who is to say that he will like being an assistant. Wonder what Fran O'Leary is doing right now?
Sullivan is the other top name. The Williams alum and current WNEC coach while more a descendant of Masur at St.John's(he was asst there for a few years) than Russo, he is the perfect age and at a time in his career to move on to better jobs. Sullivan is well liked at WNEC though and he does have family and $$ to consider.

Let us not forget when Amherst opened up in 2007 they low balled the $$$ and it took a lot of decent candidates out of the running. Side note they actually asked Sullivan to interview then but he declined.

Eric Watson will garner an interview. 1997 Williams alum and former head coach at Linfield, SUNY New Paltz, and Utica.

Ur slew of over the age of 55 candidates, D1 retreads, fired coaches, Brits, and HS coaches will apply and waste the money on a postage stamp.

I am sure Russo will have a say on his replacement one way or another

Thanks for your thoughts. As usual, your comment is mixed with good intel and humor. I enjoyed your second to last sentence mixing Brits with fired coaches and HS coaches. 

[CAC2424]

Hey LaPaz, any idea if Derek Russo would be a candidate?

[Bucket]

Conn will roll 3-0 over Amherst on Wed.  Mark it down.

Completely unlucky against Midd.  Outclassed them in every way. Devlin due for huge game- just like Murrales was yesterday.  Huge year for the Camels.

Not exactly "in every way." There's the ole "put-the-ball-in-the-back-of-the-net category" in which the Camels came up short.

[All NESCAC]

Conn will roll 3-0 over Amherst on Wed.  Mark it down.

Completely unlucky against Midd.  Outclassed them in every way. Devlin due for huge game- just like Murrales was yesterday.  Huge year for the Camels.

Not exactly "in every way." There's the ole "put-the-ball-in-the-back-of-the-net category" in which the Camels came up short.

Touche Bucket.

[LaPaz]

Hey LaPaz, any idea if Derek Russo would be a candidate?

As much a shot as learning dignity, class and sportsmanship from Justin Serpone and Derek Shea.

I suppose I could go into full detail on every single incident that Amherst has had in the 8 years since Serpone took over, but people are not interested in this kind of stuff. Let's talk about the upcoming games

[LaPaz]

Bowdoin v Bates-   2-0          Both teams need a win in the worst way. Bowdoin the better team and will win this one. I predict Bates clamps down on defense with 10 behind the ball to try to earn itself a draw. I do not think they get a goal in this game making it 5 games without a goal. What is more likely to happen? Bates scoring a goal or Bowdoin playing everyone on their bench

[PaulNewman]

LaPaz, what do foresee with Wes vs Tufts, Amherst vs Conn, and then Williams vs Amherst?  I'm sensing that Williams and Amherst are still good but perhaps a half-notch down from last year while Wes, Midd, and Tufts are a half-notch better (although I am taking a wait and see approach with Tufts based on what we've already mentioned).  If somewhat accurate, do all 5 of these teams meet somewhere in the middle, and can one of the latter 3 supplant the former?

[LaPaz]

LaPaz, what do foresee with Wes vs Tufts, Amherst vs Conn, and then Williams vs Amherst?  I'm sensing that Williams and Amherst are still good but perhaps a half-notch down from last year while Wes, Midd, and Tufts are a half-notch better (although I am taking a wait and see approach with Tufts based on what we've already mentioned).  If somewhat accurate, do all 5 of these teams meet somewhere in the middle, and can one of the latter 3 supplant the former?

Possibly...BTW excellent recap of Wes and Wheaton. I was looking forward to watching that game online but there was no stream. A lot of factors for your scenario. 

1. Without Rashid can Williams score goals against tough opponents? They are going to need Muralles and Madding to score more than ever this year. They need Westling back on the field.

2. I agree with you as I just do not think Wesleyan has the firepower to score goals consistently. However, this Wesleyan team reminds me of Wesleyan in 2009 when they lost to Univ Rochester in the sweet 16 at Messiah and were leading I believe at the half. The only difference is this Wesleyan team might be deeper but they do not have Purdy in goal. I am not a believer in McConnell as of yet.

3. I really like this Tufts team. I like how they have played so far. They have firepower all over the field and have depth. I Like Greenwood in goal even though I wish he was an inch or two taller. My only issue with them is that physical teams have tended to bother them in the past and out muscle them, can they get a bit more physical without losing there style.

4. Amherst looks good so far. Even though Bull has given up 2 soft goals already, he is the best goalie in Nescac by two times over. With him in net, Amherst can afford to struggle offensively this year and get away with it. I will say it again after Conn, Tufts and Williams their tough games are done.  2W and a D or 2 Draws and a W might get it done. They will still have to play Wesleyan but WNEC is not as good and they always toast Trinity. The rest is cake.

5. Wildcard is Midd. If they beat Bowdoin at home and can beat Williams away, they could do it. I like the new goalie and this kid Horton in midfield is a suprise. Only question mark is their D.

[PaulNewman]

Nice job LaPaz.

As I suggested in the Wheaton recap, Wesleyan had a couple of subs, a soph and a frosh, who I think will help them offensively.  Does Wes always play with just one striker?  I think they have the talent to score so I will be curious to see how the next few games go.

To piggyback on your comments about Tufts, I think the question is how fragile are they going to be.  Beyond whether their style will be impact by more physicality, will they also be able to respond and still keep their cool.  And how together is the going to be, and how much will they fight for each other when faced with some diversity?

Bull really is a difference maker.  I'm surprised with such a stout defense that they have been so anemic offensively.  And why did the Amherst kid get a red card?

Is Westling injured?

One thing I didn't mention in the Wheaton-Wesleyan post is that it was surprising that there were no glaring errors in 110 minutes.  It was raining, the ball was often wet and slick, and the field was a bit slippery in the conditions.  I kept expecting a mistake from one of the GKs but none came, and both had to make some tough plays.

[LaPaz]

Wesleyan has played a 4-5-1 and a 4-4-1-1 for a long time.  They usually leave that striker up top isolated and basically sit with 6 and attack with 4. Their 4 are cagey when attacking and sneak up you even when you feel like you are outplaying Wesleyan.

[Jump4Joy]

AMan,
Agree with much of your report. I would add that Amherst seemed more interested than usual to keep the ball on the ground in the early stages and then both teams seem to tire late and started launching it. Amherst looks good when they pass and move, much like Bowdoin did in the first half when they played the ball quickly and deftly around the box (after by-passing midfield entirely). Bowdoin finished in a flurry typical of a team running out of time but did not penetrate until the direct kick at the top of the 18 (which Bull rejected convincingly--an important touch for him to answer any shakiness he may have exhibited earlier). I thought the 1-0 win for the Jeffs was a fair result.