NESCAC

[Jump4Joy]

Madzillagd: I've viewed your instagram image of Tufts throwing a ferocious elbow during the Bowdoin game. Does NESCAC ever review incidents like that on the men's side? I know the women's side has reviewed game tape after the fact to exact penalties regarding play in the post-season. A deliberately violent assault like that (off ball, too!) probably merits some kind of review, no?

[Off Pitch]

SOS ratings for ranked NE teams:

1. Brandeis     0.638
2. Babson       0.612
3. Wesleyan   0.605
4. Wheaton    0.598
5. Amherst     0.592
6. Tufts          0.589
7. Coast Guard 0.585
8. Williams     0.585
9. Middlebury  0.544
10. Gordon      0.543
11. WPI           0.535

[Corazon]

Saw the stream of the entertaining Colby-Bates game. I expected a Bates win and was proven wrong. I knew Colby was solid defensively (4 straight shut outs) but I just didn't think they had any offense. I'm still not sure how strong they are offensively but they got the job done tonight on 2 corners.
The announcers also said Colby has a loaded incoming recruiting class and in fact, I saw a reference to it earlier in the week on Topdrawer Soccer.  Not surprised, as Ewan Seabrook is a former U18 Academy head coach and works hard. Very impressed with what he has done in his first year without any of his own recruits.

We'll see whether they can keep it up Saturday in Amherst. I will be there live and am very psyched for the playoffs.

[Off Pitch]

A quick scan of the data sheets shows that only the following teams have SOS > 0.600:

Chicago         0.646
Brandeis        0.638
North Central (IL)  0.630
Babson           0.612
Haverford       0.611
Emory             0.605
Wheaton (IL)  0.603
Swarthmore    0.602

[Mr.Right]

Madzillagd: I've viewed your instagram image of Tufts throwing a ferocious elbow during the Bowdoin game. Does NESCAC ever review incidents like that on the men's side? I know the women's side has reviewed game tape after the fact to exact penalties regarding play in the post-season. A deliberately violent assault like that (off ball, too!) probably merits some kind of review, no?

Oh yes they do...Last year for Williams their captain Dan Lima head butted Conn's Weller Hilomanaz   and got suspended 2 games. They looked at both teams video. The play happened with 30 seconds left in the game and the ref never even called a foul on Lima, Conn's coach did not pursue it but Weller sustained a concussion and his parents wrote the league office, President and AD of Williams and put up a huge stink.

[Mr.Right]

Can you send the link of that topdrawer soccer article about Colby 2015 recruiting class...I am interested to see what he's got coming in.  He was overhead telling another coach that he has figured Nescac out and he is only going to recruit players 6'1 and above.

[Corazon]

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-soccer-articles/boys-commitments:-loyal-to-loyola_aid35101

Here you go. Not much of an article but I so rarely see NESCAC recruits get mentioned that I noticed it. There was also a reference to Colby recruiting on Mass Talking Soccer Forum a few weeks ago, and then I heard the announcers mention it again tonight so it caught my attention. If anyone has any insights on Colby or any other NESCAC schools, I'd love to hear about it. Of course, it is all speculation in NESCAC land as they still need to get past admissions.

[Corazon]

As for 6-1 and taller comment, I don't necessarily agree. Perhaps for the back line and target striker but you also need playmakers and they tend to be smaller.

[Mr.Right]

I think he meant defenders. Also, That Mass Soccer Forum is known for blatant rumors and parents posturing. I would not put to much stock into that website. As far as kids and admissions the top players that schools are recruiting hard have known for a couple weeks if they would get support from admissions and the coach would let the player know but to keep it secret  as long as the kid kept his grades where they are he is given a verbal acceptance by the coach.

[Corazon]

Agree with you on both counts but man, that Mass Talking Soccer forum is a joke.

[Mr.Right]

I think it is ridiculous that you have parents outing their son's teammates college choices etc etc

[Nutmeg]

As for 6-1 and taller comment, I don't necessarily agree. Perhaps for the back line and target striker but you also need playmakers and they tend to be smaller.

I have to agree. There have been many posts about how well the Tufts midfield plays. I don't think any of the starters are over six feet....

[Corazon]

Fwiw, this is the comment I referenced from Mass Talking Soccer ...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered  View Post
Not to derail from the women's conversation, but does anyone know how the new colby men's coach is doing with recruiting? He's done an impressive job organizing the inherited team.

Colby coach is really working on the recruiting end. It seems like every time I turn around I hear about another kid that plays/has played with my son being "recruited" by Colby coach. My son is a 2016 and he is working on him. Enjoying being with your teammates can go a long way toward building a successful team. I think Colby is going to get better each year under this coach.

[Off Pitch]

How does Coast Guard not drop to #3 or #4?
How does Tufts not get #2?
How does Babson sit idle at #6 after losing yet another game and to another ranked opponent which gives them a 1-4-0 record vs ranked. That bothers me.
How does Wesleyan drop out and Williams stay idle at #10 if they have the same record and Wesleyan has a better SOS. I get it Williams beat Wesleyan but they both should be there.
How is Gordon still relevant in this discussion?
What is ECONN doing in there?
Does this committee have any ability or are they allowed to think outside the box a bit?

The rankings, with one major exception, are pretty reasonable given the data.  The exception is Eastern Connecticut State.  They were not ranked 10/22.  So what did they do between 10/22 and 10/29 to get recognized?  They went 0-2-1 with a good tie vs. Coast Guard but losing to both UMass-Dartmouth and Babson scoring a grand total of 0 goals for the week.

[Mr.Right]

So Babson goes 1-1-0 and loses to another ranked team and sits at #6. 1-5-0 against ranked teams with a good SOS but they haven't beat any of those tough opponents.