NESCAC

[Nutmeg]

Yes, Tufts had an edge over Amherst for much of the game. But not in goals!
Note: The "inadvertent" handling was Tufts' second in the box within 10 mins. The second one must have looked less "inadvertent" than the first. The foul was committed during a phase of the game when Amherst had the upper hand.
Interesting that on a day when Amherst looked less than usual, they still came away with a point on the road against a good looking side.

Tufts was a man down and still looked better in the ot....you have to give them some credit....

[Jump4Joy]

Nutmeg, I did give Tufts credit. I opened with such. 

[Brother Flounder]

Saturday's Heroes and Zeroes:

Heroes:
1. Yinka Onayemi- Colby Jr, F- Monster game for this Colby striker. His speed up top was causing Midd problems all day. 

2. Colby- Excellent performance and they gained confidence as the game wore on. They sat with a block of six and frustrated Midd all day. I predicted this might happen I just did not know Colby had all those goals in them.

3. Bates- This was an impressive result. I did not see this coming at all.

4. Jayson Kayne- Tufts- Great goal that I thought might hold up.
5. Amherst and Tufts- Yes I know 9 shots in 110 minutes but the game had a great atmosphere and had chances throughout.

Zeroes:
1. Midd- As I predicted they came out asleep and never woke up. They thought they could roll off the bus and win this. They had a couple chances all day and the rest was ugly.
2. Williams- Minus Rashid this team has looked very average. They look slow and soft. This senior laden team needs to find some urgency.
3. Trinty- See Midd and Williams. Total complacency to start the game and they never woke up.
4. Midd CB- Could not see who it was but that might have been the worst own goal in the history of own goals. This goal gave Colby confidence.
5. Conn- great win but they are getting uglier than Midd and Amherst. No effort to play futbol.

I would have to agree with this analysis, LaPaz.  I also caught the Amherst-Tufts game and the game was very exciting with a great atmosphere. The benches were lively, the fans were lively, and the players didn't disappoint. Amherst seems to use their mid-field a bit more than in the past. Tufts uses their midfield well (even with a man down)...like a poster mentioned before...easy on the eyes. Hoppenoot and Kayne had a real nice give and go but couldn't score.  Amherst is quick and doesn't allow much space.  Neither goalie could have saved the gols and they weren't tested much. The legs must have been tired after this one!!!!  This would be a good game to show NESCAC recruits!!!!

[MENESCACFAN]

WEEKEND REVIEW PART 2

BATES 0 AMHERST 1

Amherst beat Bates in a soccer game.  In other news, the sun came up in the morning and went down at night.  I watched this game as the only game in town.

The first half was a pretty dominant display by Amherst, with right winger Chris Martin their best player.  Bates put their red headed central defender Martell at left back in a likely tactical shift designed to stop Martin.  Despite one way traffic and seemingly total dominance and 50 corners by the Jeffs the game went into half time scoreless.

The second half started with a huge error by a Bates central defender gifting Amherst the ball and Martin strode through for the game winner.  Bates did show fight in the second half and carved out some chances despite always being second best to Amherst.  Given the  Trinity win yesterday, it is fair to think Bates will view this is a productive weekend.

Amherst continue to win despite having not many superstar individuals or blowing anyone away.  That said, #10 seems a low national ranking for a team that beat Williams 4-1 and has not lost a conference game since.....?

[Nutmeg]

WEEKEND REVIEW PART 2

BATES 0 AMHERST 1

Amherst beat Bates in a soccer game.  In other news, the sun came up in the morning and went down at night.  I watched this game as the only game in town.

The first half was a pretty dominant display by Amherst, with right winger Chris Martin their best player.  Bates put their red headed central defender Martell at left back in a likely tactical shift designed to stop Martin.  Despite one way traffic and seemingly total dominance and 50 corners by the Jeffs the game went into half time scoreless.

The second half started with a huge error by a Bates central defender gifting Amherst the ball and Martin strode through for the game winner.  Bates did show fight in the second half and carved out some chances despite always being second best to Amherst.  Given the  Trinity win yesterday, it is fair to think Bates will view this is a productive weekend.

Amherst continue to win despite having not many superstar individuals or blowing anyone away.  That said, #10 seems a low national ranking for a team that beat Williams 4-1 and has not lost a conference game since.....?

I'm sure their legs must have been heavy from the double ot battle with tufts yesterday...

[MENESCACFAN]

While that is obviously true, Bates had a game day before also and will have had heavy legs.  Without checking subs, I am going to throw a wild guess out there that Amherst is fitter and has more depth than Bates, so not sure exactly what difference that makes here.

[All NESCAC]

Saturday's Heroes and Zeroes:

Heroes:
1. Yinka Onayemi- Colby Jr, F- Monster game for this Colby striker. His speed up top was causing Midd problems all day. 

2. Colby- Excellent performance and they gained confidence as the game wore on. They sat with a block of six and frustrated Midd all day. I predicted this might happen I just did not know Colby had all those goals in them.

3. Bates- This was an impressive result. I did not see this coming at all.

4. Jayson Kayne- Tufts- Great goal that I thought might hold up.
5. Amherst and Tufts- Yes I know 9 shots in 110 minutes but the game had a great atmosphere and had chances throughout.

Zeroes:
1. Midd- As I predicted they came out asleep and never woke up. They thought they could roll off the bus and win this. They had a couple chances all day and the rest was ugly.
2. Williams- Minus Rashid this team has looked very average. They look slow and soft. This senior laden team needs to find some urgency.
3. Trinty- See Midd and Williams. Total complacency to start the game and they never woke up.
4. Midd CB- Could not see who it was but that might have been the worst own goal in the history of own goals. This goal gave Colby confidence.
5. Conn- great win but they are getting uglier than Midd and Amherst. No effort to play futbol.

Wondering why you list Conn as a "Zero" and UGLY vs Williams?  When Conn plays the ball on the ground they play good soccer.  Game vs Williams was physical both ways, but far from ugly.  in fact the 2nd Conn goal from Devlin via Dia (Fr) and Scmidt (So) was a very pretty goal and passing.  Devlin played a tremendous game in the middle for Conn.  The only time Williams had any consistent possession was in the first 20 minutes of the game when Devlin was on the bench (he didn't start).  As soon as Devlin came on the complexion of the game changed in favor of Conn.  Conn's right back Gikandi played a very solid game shadowing Williams #22 forward (very good player).  #7 for Williams Morealias (spelling) played a great game for the Ephs.  A deserved win for Conn as they outplayed Williams and did it by moving the ball around.  Yes the bodies were flying but Williams had something to do with that.  Conn still was missing starting forwards O'Brien, Mutala, and Hermoniz.  Hoping they get them back for next Saturday vs Bates which should dramatically increase their firepower and depth.   Congratulation to both Bates and Colby on their wins over the weekend.

[LaPaz]

I never said Williams was playing on the ground. Also, never said Devlin's goal was ugly. Conn deserved to win the game but Williams allowed them to dictate the game and once Williams' frosh keeper made a horrible blunder Conn was ahead to stay. The game was ugly in all respects and both teams have a serious injury bug and weak goalkeeping. That does not make for good finishes for either side

[All NESCAC]

I never said Williams was playing on the ground. Also, never said Devlin's goal was ugly. Conn deserved to win the game but Williams allowed them to dictate the game and once Williams' frosh keeper made a horrible blunder Conn was ahead to stay. The game was ugly in all respects and both teams have a serious injury bug and weak goalkeeping. That does not make for good finishes for either side

Conn dictated the game because Devlin, Patch and Adair controlled the midfield, not because Williams let them.  Blunder by the Williams keeper was caused because William's left back was put under pressure first and in turn so was the keeper and a great hustle play by Partk of Conn.  I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder because the game was not ugly IMHO and there was "futbal" being played.  I have seen many uglier NESCAC games over the years, this game was far from ugly.  If you wanted an example of ugly then you should have seen the game vs Coast Guard, where the CG's moto was "hit first, hit second and then boot the ball".  You are correct that both teams (Conn & Williams) have a serious injury bug this season.  Hopefully others players step up and some of those on the IR get back soon for both teams.

[LaPaz]

Conn can get away playing like that because of that sh*t field they play on. They were more aggressive in midfield for sure but heir tactic all day was to hit long balls over the top. There was no futbol on that field just a desire to win more than Williams' desire. Nothing wrong with that.

[LaPaz]

As for Trinity, hearing whispers of a potentially lengthy suspension for their young goal scorer Savonen.  Can anyone confirm or deny those rumors?


This is true. .Stories of heavy drinking and fighting leading to an arrest. Other Trinity players were involved and they all missed the game vs Bates. I would imagine the school will come down hard on him.

[MENESCACFAN]

An arrest?!  Wow.  Silly boy if that is the case, and hard to defend that.

[FourMoreYears]

As for Trinity, hearing whispers of a potentially lengthy suspension for their young goal scorer Savonen.  Can anyone confirm or deny those rumors?


This is true. .Stories of heavy drinking and fighting leading to an arrest. Other Trinity players were involved and they all missed the game vs Bates. I would imagine the school will come down hard on him.

I am pretty sure that no other players face disciplinary action and missed the game vs Bates as a result.
I do know that Cody Savonen missed the game vs Bates due to his actions and faces additional consequences to his actions.

[madzillagd]

This is what separates the D3 vs D1 programs in terms of resources, in D3 you have to play on the team and act as your own hooligans

[NewEngland]

Conn beating Williams is surprising. Looked back at the NESCAC archives (go back to 2000) and didn't see a win for Conn against Williams.
Big win even if it is a down year for Williams. Biggest question is whether it will be a one off or is Conn legitimate this year? Right now they are too inconsistent.