NESCAC

[Corazon]

Just for kicks, I checked the Massey Rankings simulator to see how Coast Guard would do if they were to become the 12th member of the NESCAC. They came in 7th ahead of only Conn, Trinity, Colby, Hamilton, and Bates. A 7th place team will not make the NCAAs.

[Corazon]

I also checked to see how Stevens, another near certain NCAA tournament participant playing in a weak conference, would fare in the NESCAC.

Stevens also came in 7th, in the same slot as where Coast Guard placed.  If Stevesn and Coast Guard played each other?  Coast Guard wins 45%, Stevens wins 33%, they tie 22%.

I've found the Massey Rankings to be quite accurate in the past. I know, I need to get a life.

[PaulNewman]

There is a lot more than we both publish, we are outside observers who do not actually know the truth in this or any other scenario. 

MENESCACFAN, I'm not getting overheated or even looking for a heated debate.  I was challenging the rationale you offered, which was presented semi-journalistically as fact, as opposed to the usual more obvious hypothetical bantering and opinion offering that many of us engage in.  I'm probably also reacting a little to you presenting some information and then deciding when a conversation about it should or should not be shut down.  Other than that, I'm simply offering my opinion that the explanation did not make a lot of sense to me, as least not as presented as THE reason why he wasn't starting.  Like I suggested, would make more sense to me if he didn't play at all for a few games resting a strained muscle as opposed to starter minutes off the bench.  Not to mention that the rationale wouldn't explain why Hoppenot also wasn't starting.  Or why, it turns out, Santos DID start the first game of the season, then did not for a number of games, and did not miss any.  If you said the initial opinions offered on Santos a few weeks ago that involved the coach were over the line, including whatever I offered, I probably wouldn't disagree with you.  And I do agree with your comment that we really don't know.

I guess my last point on this is that I'm pretty sure most of us are here just for the fun of it, and as fans, parents, observers, etc we enjoy sharing information, back and forth commentary, and even disagreeing occasionally.  I know I do.  On the other hand, this site is also journalistic in nature and really the place to go for D3 soccer, and no doubt many folks with any interest in D3 soccer across the country visit the site and read our ramblings.  It seems to me that we've started talking about teams in a little more detail (and perhaps personally), and also talking more about specific players and whether they are good, just OK, or suck, how they got recruited and by whom, or whatever, and we should probably think about that a little.  And when we do decide to post about specifics we might want to consider whether we are presenting what we offer clearly enough as fact, a possible relevant factor, theory or opinion, gossip, etc.  I would throw in that it's not helpful (to me) for posters to claim they know something of a inside nature for a fact but then we're just supposed to trust them because they really can't talk about it.

[PaulNewman]

A LOT of us in or from the New England area seem to think we are pretty smart 

[MENESCACFAN]

NCAC

I will be honest, a little sensitive to shutting down as the last debate I got into here went down the road of xenophobia and blind prejudice.  Shouldn't have tarred you with that brush.  I still feel the Santos scenario I offered is very believable, and you don't.  It is what it is.

[MENESCACFAN]

SUNDAY PREVIEW

BOWDOIN @ BABSON

Tough out of conference opponent for in form Bowdoin on the back of a conference game, and a road trip less.  This really is a tough ask, but Bowdoin are one of the form teams in the league today and I think they will grind out a draw with Wiernicski (sp?) rotating the lineup a bit.  The relatively fresher legs of Austin Downing, Sam Ward and Cedric Charlier likely a big factor.

10 goal striker Justin Laurenzo is Babson's go to guy, and has won the NEWMAC and ECAC Offensive Player of the week awards on separate weekends this season.

PREDICTION:  Bowdoin 1 Babson 1

[Off Pitch]

Regional rankings are not done based solely on winning %. Your rankings are just right for NSCAA. See we both feel happy now

Amazing how selectively you read.  You have responded twice to posts stating winning % AND SOS and failed both times to recognize the word "AND".   Results and strength of schedule are important.  Williams simply does not have the results.  Coast Guard, who you say has no quality wins, has beaten two teams that have defeated Williams.

[Off Pitch]

SUNDAY PREVIEW

BOWDOIN @ BABSON

Tough out of conference opponent for in form Bowdoin on the back of a conference game, and a road trip less.  This really is a tough ask, but Bowdoin are one of the form teams in the league today and I think they will grind out a draw with Wiernicski (sp?) rotating the lineup a bit.  The relatively fresher legs of Austin Downing, Sam Ward and Cedric Charlier likely a big factor.

10 goal striker Justin Laurenzo is Babson's go to guy, and has won the NEWMAC and ECAC Offensive Player of the week awards on separate weekends this season.

PREDICTION:  Bowdoin 1 Babson 1

Babson also played a tough conference game yesterday (on the road), but it is difficult to pick against Bowdoin in this one.  They come in with a lot of momentum, and Babson has not been consistent and has given up more than a goal per game on average.  Additionally, Bowdoin has owned Babson the last 5 or 6 years.   By the way, Laurenzo is a midfielder.

Bowdoin 2 - Babson 1

[MENESCACFAN]

Seen 20 minutes of Babson if I am honest playing Williams, they looked good and results are strong.  Laurenzo looked to be playing forward to me or at least a #10 role.  Kids switch or teams switch formation.  If he is indeed doing the genuine defensive work of a midfielder, the numbers are even more impressive.

[Mr.Right]

Looking at Nescac Team Stats in Conference only there are some telling figures.

The most impressive stat is Tufts only letting up 2 conference goals ( 1 penalty kick) in 8 games.

Williams at the bottom of the stat table with 24 corners compared to about 60 for Tufts and Amherst.

Conn is 3rd in corners with 50 and only 94 Shots and 5 goals. That is one corner for every 2 shots. 2:1 shots and corners is a ridiculous statistic and very telling of Conn's inability to finish on set pieces and not creating legitimate shots.

[MENESCACFAN]

"The most impressive stat is Tufts only letting up 2 conference goals ( 1 penalty kick) in 8 games."

In full agreement  I always had Tufts down as a flair attacking team that lacked defensive steel (see Liverpool in EPL last season or Arsenal in EPL...well....every season).

They really have moved up a level, well played to Coach Shapiro and all of them.

[blooter442]

Seen 20 minutes of Babson if I am honest playing Williams, they looked good and results are strong.  Laurenzo looked to be playing forward to me or at least a #10 role.  Kids switch or teams switch formation.  If he is indeed doing the genuine defensive work of a midfielder, the numbers are even more impressive.

Laurenzo definitely plays a No. 10 role, at least in all of the Babson games I've seen this year.

Was interesting, though; yesterday I caught the Bowdoin/Conn. game and Sam White was playing as part of the midfield 2 in a 4-2-3-1. I don't see too much of Bowdoin but is this an anomaly? Thought he was an out-and-out striker, but I guess not.

[Mr.Right]

Laurenzo is a legit player. One of few on that Babson side. White has been playing attack CM for Bowdoin but in my opinion he is to "soft" for that 6'4 frame of his. Bowdoin will start in a 4-4-2 and if they go ahead they tend to sit on the lead against better teams and almost fall back into a 4-5-1. If they fall behind I have seen Werzinski even go to what looks to be a 4-2-4  but most probably a 4-3-3.

[blooter442]

White has been playing attack CM for Bowdoin but in my opinion he is to "soft" for that 6'4 frame of his.

I'd agree with that. I saw him play when in high school. Quick, athletic, clean player, but he never really put himself about. Saw the trend continue yesterday.

[MENESCACFAN]

I remember White being phenomenal in High School.  His freshman year I watched him play right wing and forward, and now he is back in mid but yes a bit of a "looks like Tarzan plays like Jane" as one Football movie once quoted.

He also had a good younger brother named JP White who was extremely good, I thought he would go NESCAC.  Anyone know where he is and how he is playing?