NESCAC

[MENESCACFAN]

Maybe the kids just watch too much NFL Madzilla?   

[SoccerFollower]

Conn has too much trouble scoring to be a real threat this season. They strike me as the type of team to come up with a big win one weekend and follow it up with a 0-0 or 1-1 against Trinity/Colby/Bates type despite outplaying them.

Predictions for tomorrows games?

Don't know much about non-NESCACs so I'll stay away from those.

Midd at Williams is interesting. Midd coming off a surprising 0-3 defeat to Colby, and Williams winless in their last 4. On one hand I think Midd is the better team this year and will want to rebound from an embarrassing loss. On the other hand, I have trouble seeing Williams go winless in 5, especially if losing four of them.

I'll go with Midd 2 - 1 Williams, but this score could very well be flipped. If Williams loses this one, they could be in for a long, long year (For their standards)

[All NESCAC]

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.

Conn last beat Williams in 1992 per Conn website.  Health will be a key for Conn.  Getting Mutala; Obrien and Hermoniz back this coming weekend will give them a boost.  Maybe they broke the seal on the goal drought vs Williams.  If Devlin and Patch keep playing well in the middle they will continue to be in every game.

[MENESCACFAN]

MIDWEEK PREVIEW

Hopefully the 'CAC is back to dominance after a ropey out of conference week last time out.  Also a high stakes game in Williamstown on tap.

MIDDLEBURY @ WILLIAMS

The Ephs sit at .500 after a four game winless streak, and the Panthers are not the most forgiving opponent under such circumstances.  Westling and Rashid are huge losses for Williams leaving the offense reliant on Muralles behind the powerful Zach Grady.

Middlebury ran into a late ambush in Waterville after an impressive start to the season.  Glaser the key to their offense, and will be hoping to add to his 5 goal season tally here.

The loser of this game will end up behind the 8 ball in the battle for a home playoff game.

Prediction:  Middlebury 1 Williams 1

HUSSON @ BOWDOIN

Husson will ride a four game win streak, and also have a 1-0 win over Endicott on their resume, whom Bowdoin beat 2-0.  Husson's powerhouse striker Phil Frost is definitely a NESCAC level player and will be a handful for a Bowdoin back line anchored by Nabil Odulate.

Bowdoin will win to take their record over .500, but will fight it out in a physical affair here.

Prediction:  Husson 1 Bowdoin 2

FRAMINGHAM STATE @ CONN COLLEGE

Framingham are a middling foe that should be easily dealt with by the talented and confident Camels.  Pat Devlin to be string puller in chief as Camels roll to a comfortable win.

Prediction:  Framingham State 0 Conn College 3

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND @ AMHERST

The Bears will face the Jeffs in the PDL stadium Lusitano, home of the Western Mass Pioneers.  Having already beaten Wesleyan, WNE will look to make Amherst their second NESCAC scalp of the season.

Amherst has a mentality and work ethic that allows them to impose themselves on many an opponent, and expect to see the same here, Talented winger Chris Martin to net the game winning goal in a hard fought affair.

Prediction:  Western New England 0 Amherst 1

COLBY @ THOMAS

Perennial NAC Champions Thomas play host to resurgent Colby, who will be sky high in confidence after their 3-0 mauling over the Panthers.

Khamisi Lightbourne is a speedy winger who played an outstanding game v Williams in the 2013 NCAA tournament, he will pose the biggest threat to the Mules.  Florida PDL player Tre Ming also found the net when the Terriers beat Bates 1-0 earlier in the season.

Confidence is a powerful thing, and expect Colby to continue their perfect out of conference record.

Prediction:  Colby 2 Thomas 0

NEWBURY @ BATES

A week ago I may have picked an upset here.  Bates stumbled form one embarrassment to the next this season before showing signs of life this weekend. 

Newbury have 2 wins, but expect sophomore scoring machine Peabo Knoth to give the Bobcats their first home win of the season.

Prediction:  Newbury 1 Bates 3

[LaPaz]

very good previews...I love people that actually take the time to research even non-conference foes. I disagree with the WNEC v Amherst prediction as WNEC is a weak side this year. That win over Wesleyan was almost embarrassing for Wesleyan. Amherst should win that one 3-0 and out shoot them 30-4. 

Midd at Williams- 0-0 I agree it will be a tie. Williams will make changes because they need a shake up. Muralles does not look like the same player as last year and Williams needs him more than ever. Midd's height will be a huge advantage on long throws from Ogle and on set pieces. Midd might be the biggest team in the country as they have maybe 6 or 7 players over 6'3.  Historically,  Midd usually scores on Williams from set pieces and Williams' usually scores on a Midd defensive breakdown. Williams has won the last 3 or 4 games but those Midd teams were a bit weaker and did not have good goalkeeping. Williams needs to better protect their suspect goalkeeping and cannot attack as much as they would like to. Williams has to fight itself to play defensively but this is what they need to do with all the injuries.

[All NESCAC]

MIDWEEK PREVIEW

Hopefully the 'CAC is back to dominance after a ropey out of conference week last time out.  Also a high stakes game in Williamstown on tap.

MIDDLEBURY @ WILLIAMS

The Ephs sit at .500 after a four game winless streak, and the Panthers are not the most forgiving opponent under such circumstances.  Westling and Rashid are huge losses for Williams leaving the offense reliant on Muralles behind the powerful Zach Grady.

Middlebury ran into a late ambush in Waterville after an impressive start to the season.  Glaser the key to their offense, and will be hoping to add to his 5 goal season tally here.

The loser of this game will end up behind the 8 ball in the battle for a home playoff game.

Prediction:  Middlebury 1 Williams 1

HUSSON @ BOWDOIN

Husson will ride a four game win streak, and also have a 1-0 win over Endicott on their resume, whom Bowdoin beat 2-0.  Husson's powerhouse striker Phil Frost is definitely a NESCAC level player and will be a handful for a Bowdoin back line anchored by Nabil Odulate.

Bowdoin will win to take their record over .500, but will fight it out in a physical affair here.

Prediction:  Husson 1 Bowdoin 2

FRAMINGHAM STATE @ CONN COLLEGE

Framingham are a middling foe that should be easily dealt with by the talented and confident Camels.  Pat Devlin to be string puller in chief as Camels roll to a comfortable win.

Prediction:  Framingham State 0 Conn College 3

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND @ AMHERST

The Bears will face the Jeffs in the PDL stadium Lusitano, home of the Western Mass Pioneers.  Having already beaten Wesleyan, WNE will look to make Amherst their second NESCAC scalp of the season.

Amherst has a mentality and work ethic that allows them to impose themselves on many an opponent, and expect to see the same here, Talented winger Chris Martin to net the game winning goal in a hard fought affair.

Prediction:  Western New England 0 Amherst 1

COLBY @ THOMAS

Perennial NAC Champions Thomas play host to resurgent Colby, who will be sky high in confidence after their 3-0 mauling over the Panthers.

Khamisi Lightbourne is a speedy winger who played an outstanding game v Williams in the 2013 NCAA tournament, he will pose the biggest threat to the Mules.  Florida PDL player Tre Ming also found the net when the Terriers beat Bates 1-0 earlier in the season.

Confidence is a powerful thing, and expect Colby to continue their perfect out of conference record.

Prediction:  Colby 2 Thomas 0

NEWBURY @ BATES

A week ago I may have picked an upset here.  Bates stumbled form one embarrassment to the next this season before showing signs of life this weekend. 

Newbury have 2 wins, but expect sophomore scoring machine Peabo Knoth to give the Bobcats their first home win of the season.

Prediction:  Newbury 1 Bates 3

well done.

[MENESCACFAN]

Thanks LaPaz

Actually remember seeing the Frost kid from Husson kid on the youth club scene and (wrongly) thinking he would end up NESCAC or D1, huge kid physically.

You maybe right on WNE.  I go on limited games as far as judging them, did not see Wesleyan, but did see Bowdoin struggle with them 2-3 years back, I feel like Bowdoin were much better then than now.

Looking forward to watching Midd v Williams online today.  Really is a big one for both teams I feel.

[ihidebehindtheinternet]

Midd 1 Williams 0

Midweek game with each team having a pretty big weekend ahead of them. Think this game is going to be ugly and sloppy in this fall NESCAC weather. Winner here has a lead on third/fourth in the league. Loser is looking like they could be in trouble and end up 6th in the league. Think Williams is in a complete funk and won't be able to turn it around here. Midd wins on a set piece.

Anyone know why Amherst's home game is at Lusitano stadium? That's more of a home game for WNE. It's not like the game was going to be on grass to begin with (would have been on Amherst turf under the lights) and then they wanted to switch it to turf to ensure playing tonight.

[amh63]

ihidebehindtheinternet.....interesting handle.  Anyway, I will try.
First...Amherst plays soccer on its grass fields.  Maybe to preserve them for the weekend,
Second...think it wants to have bigger game attendance...for community charity purposes in the greater Springfield area.  Posters out and online stating that the game is free but ask the fans to make a five dollar donation.  Therefore a game under the nights and more locally to WNE.

[blooter442]

Ominous start for Williams as Midd goes one-up on a PK in the seventh minute. Great pen and hopefully the first of many goals—I would have called 0-0. Will be interesting to see if Williams can win this game after going one-down; I doubt it given the way they've been playing. But hey, I could very well be wrong.

[blooter442]

And I was.

[PaulNewman]

I watched last 35 minutes or so of this game and seemed to me that Williams dominated and had better chances during that time.  Midd's defense looked shaky and Williams repeatedly was able to play through midfield and get the ball out in space wide on right side to Young who looks like he is going to be very good player.  From a distance these look like good teams rather than potentially great teams.  The NESCAC playoffs as always are going to be a war.

[LaPaz]

That was Williams' best game of the year. They were playing on the ground and very fluid futbol. If Williams continues to play like that they will win a lot of games this season. However, their GK was a bit of a train wreck as got lucky a couple of times as he was racing off his line and missing crosses. He is only a frosh and will get more stable. Midd had some chances but not as many as Williams and by OT they were time wasting to try and leave Williamstown with a draw. They are a good team and have hit a bit of a funk here with Tufts coming in on Saturday.

[amh63]

Amherst wins over WNE..2-1...in a home game in Springfield..  WNE went into the half with a 1-0 lead....a goal scored in the first 10 minutes of the game.  It was a damp night under the lights on a turf field.  Amherst came out in the 2nd period attacking and dominated the play...getting a goal with about 25 minutes to go.  With about 10 minutes to go, the game winner game on a long free  kick by Bull from midfield towards the goal...Amherst player sends a header in front of the goal and a Jeff player kicks the ball pass the WNE out of position goalkeeper.  A quick one..two...three touch goal so to speak.
Amherst killed the clock in the last 5 minutes.  WNE indeed played a tough..hard fought contest.  No stats or announcer for the webcast...no knowledge of how WNE scored presently as I came online late. It did appear to me that Amherst out shot WNE and had more corner kick opportunities. 
Too bad it was wet and damp...kept the attendance down.

Back with some particulars...amherst outshot WNE...31-3 ; Corner kick advantage 13-3, Amherst.
WNE got its goal at the 10:35 min mark on a free kick from the right side from 24 yards out.
See box on Amerst's website.

[MENESCACFAN]

MIDWEEK REVIEW

The 'CAC is indeed back.  A fantastic league game served up today accompanied by some resounding out of conference wins.

MIDDLEBURY 1 WILLIAMS 2

Two storied programs in need of a win serve up a double OT classic.  Middlebury opened the scoring on a shaky PK call in my eyes.  I am never a fan of the bouncing ball handball calls that can decide games.  Nonetheless a well taken penalty.  The Eph's rebounded before half time with Danilack forcing home a loose ball on a set play.

Game seemed pretty even to me after, with both teams having chances to score and Glaser's pace a factor.  Although he looks a little awkward, young keeper Schneiderman pulled off a good reflex save to keep the scores level.  Then cometh the hour, cometh Zach Grady, the senior is making a habit of big plays at big time, and goals like this could see him named NESCAC MVP.

If Mike Russo is deservedly to end his final season on a good note, this goal could well be remembered as the moment the ship was turned back in the right direction.  Williams back into th top four, something that would make Arsene Wenger cry with joy.

HUSSON 0 BOWDOIN 4

Complete and total dominance from Bowdoin.  A pair of goals in each half from Ward, Citrin, Goitia and Hall cap off a rout that saw the Polar Bears outshoot the wingless Eagles 34-2.  Junior midfielder Citrin also registered a pair of assists for Bowdoin.

FRAMINGHAM STATE 0 CONN COLLEGE 1

Framingham State go down fighting to Conn College in a surprisingly even game.  With the shot count even at 10-10, a header from Zach Punt in the last minute of the first half was enough to get the Camels over the hump (sorry!).

WSTERN NEW ENGLAND 1 AMHERST 2

There is a deeper meaning behind this game being played at Lusitano.  The stadium is the home of the Western Mass Pioneers, and many Jeffs including the Sucre brothers have represented the club.  Having players PDL in off-season is important to many NESCAC programs and this is likely Amherst building the relationship.

WNE took a first half lead, but Amherst responded through the excellent Chris Martin, and scored the winner when Gabriel Wirz finished off a long set play from GK Thomas Bull.

COLBY 2 THOMAS 2

While we mocked Bates for their defeat in Waterville, this Thomas squad is no joke.  They also held Bowdoin to a 0-0 draw last season.  Winger Charlie Dupee scored to put Colby in the lead going into half time, before Bermuda national team winger Khamisi Lightbourne replied 3 minutes into the second half.  Both players went ti for tat again with Dupee netting in the 56th minute, before Lightbourne leveled matters in the 70th.

If you eve get to see Thomas, Lightbourne is a lightning fast winger with a bag of tricks who will very likely feature in the NCAA tournament.  Talented but volatile Thomas playmaker Tre Ming was ejected int he last minute of regulation, forcing to see out both overtime periods a man down to secure the draw.

NEWBURY 0 BATES 9

Before you completely dismiss this result, consider that Newbury drew 1-1 with MIT, the same result that Tufts achieved v MIT.

The game actually went into half-time scoreless, before Bates went ballistic with a 9 goal surge in the second period.  Bobcat star man Knoth tallied 1 goal and 3 assists, and 5 Bobcat goals were scored by freshman.  Out of interest I took a quick glance at the season stats.  Bates have scored 14 goals, and 12 have been scored by freshman or sophomores.  I am not quite as sure Flaherty is the useless recruiter some paint him as.

On another note, even a Bates fan would admit they are a struggling NESCAC team (0-10 in 2011 followed by two 1 win seasons).  So dominant results like this are a huge sign of the NESCAC's strength against other divisions.