NESCAC

[oldonionbag]

Caught the Tufts game. Conn came out better in the first 15-20 minutes, and as previous posters have stated, I think it took Tufts a bit of time to adjust. That being said, Tufts dominated the rest of the game. Despite the awful weather (which definitely helped Conn, especially after they could sit back and defend the lead) I think Tufts actually played very, very well and were unfortunate not to score another one. There was span of ten minutes late in the second half in which the ball did not even cross into the Jumbos' half.

Additionally, I think that two PKs could have been awarded. From the webcast, and from the announcer, it sounded as though Hoppenot was clearly tripped up after beating a defender in the first half. I'm not sure the yellow was for diving- I think Hoppenot got it for dissent after debating the call. Hoppenot also had a golden opportunity late in the game to tie, as a through ball was played to him and he was in on goal. It was a difficult angle, and he opted for outside of the foot. The keeper made a great little kick save.

A very entertaining game. Conn, to their credit, was able to hang on. Definitely the best I've seen the Camels play in years.

[Jump4Joy]

Responding to my own question, here's what I found on the Wesleyan site, the most info I can find so far:

Wesleyan got the early edge when McConnell guessed right diving to his right and stopping the first Panther PK.  All players then made their shots on the next eight attempts with conversions by Cardinals Ben Bratt '15, Daniel Issroff '15, Sousa and Hans Erickson '16.  Thus, Wesleyan had a chance to clinch when Charlie Gruner's '17 turn came up as Wesleyan was shooting second.  His attempt was saved, sending the teams into sudden-victory PKs.  Middlebury scored on its next try and Wesleyan came up shot as Adam Cowie-Haskell's '18 bid was saved.

[PaulNewman]

Wesleyan definitely had the advantage and the game on their boot to win it.  To the credit of Midd's PK takers they had a ton of pressure not to miss after missing the first one.

[Bucket]

Responding to my own question, here's what I found on the Wesleyan site, the most info I can find so far:

Wesleyan got the early edge when McConnell guessed right diving to his right and stopping the first Panther PK.  All players then made their shots on the next eight attempts with conversions by Cardinals Ben Bratt '15, Daniel Issroff '15, Sousa and Hans Erickson '16.  Thus, Wesleyan had a chance to clinch when Charlie Gruner's '17 turn came up as Wesleyan was shooting second.  His attempt was saved, sending the teams into sudden-victory PKs.  Middlebury scored on its next try and Wesleyan came up shot as Adam Cowie-Haskell's '18 bid was saved.

From the Middlebury side of things, Noah Goss-Woliner had his shot saved by McConnell to open PKs. Wes scored on their attempt to give them 1-0 lead after 1.

2nd, 3rd, 4th attempts were made by both teams. Midd goal scorers were Bean, Conrad, Glaser.

Top of the 5th, Midd's Deklan Robinson gets the equalizer, and then Sydor comes up huge on the Wes potential game-clincher.

Moving to sudden victory, Midd's Kirk Horton succeeds on his attempt, and then Sydor registers his second-consecutive save, sending Midd on to the semis.

[Corazon]

Despite the early exit, I think Tufts' Josh Shapiro is the deserving Coach of the Year, with Colby's Ewan Seabrook also getting consideration.  Williams' Mike Russo had a phenomenal career, but no chance he gets any votes for this year.  If they were to do a NESCAC lifetime achievement award, absolutely.

[maineman]

Is it an NCAA rule that after 2 OT's a league playoff game is a tie must be decided by PK's?  Could NESCAC or any league require the game to be played out to a golden goal?

[Ryan Harmanis]

Is it an NCAA rule that after 2 OT's a league playoff game is a tie must be decided by PK's?  Could NESCAC or any league require the game to be played out to a golden goal?

I'm not going to the rulebook but it has to be an NCAA rule. These games count toward tournament selection, and if the teams don't play identical games then it becomes impossible to compare them.

Hypothetical: Teams X and Y are on the bubble in the conference semis. Team X wins in 4OT while Team Y gets knocked out in penalties. Even though both teams played identical 110 minute games to a draw, Team X won a game when Team Y didn't even have the chance to do so. In terms of benefits, Team X gets (1) a win, whereas Team Y only got a draw in identical circumstances; and (2) the opportunity to play another game and pick up a big win (or the AQ).

Also, additional time almost always favors the better team, making it an even bigger advantage in terms of NCAA bids for any conference that implemented the rule.

[Mr.Right]

Looking at Ncaa's for Nescac.

Amherst will be in no matter what. They could get a nice 1st round hosting bonus with weak teams with a Nescac championship.

Tufts will get in but might need to sweat it out a bit. Amherst, Brandeis and loser of Coast Guard / Wheaton will need one all ahead of Tufts. If both Wheaton and Coast Guard need one then it starts getting a bit hairy. If other top teams start losing in their respective conference tournaments it could be trouble.

Bowdoin and Conn need to win it all.

Midd will be out with a loss and PK loss. They will squarely be on the bubble along with Babson with a conference finals loss.

[Mr.Right]

To clarify why Tufts needs to worry some is because in the last regional rankings Williams and Wesleyan will drop out. That is 2 wins for Tufts gone. Bowdoin will move in and that is a tie. They lost to Brandeis, tied Midd, Amherst and Bowdoin. That is 0-1-3. That is borderline at best

[Corazon]

To clarify why Tufts needs to worry some is because in the last regional rankings Williams and Wesleyan will drop out. That is 2 wins for Tufts gone. Bowdoin will move in and that is a tie. They lost to Brandeis, tied Midd, Amherst and Bowdoin. That is 0-1-3. That is borderline at best

If Tufts doesn't make it in, it would be a travesty.  Can you imagine if only Amherst makies the NCAAs?  I wonder when the last time NESCAC only got one in?

[Mr.Right]

maybe 10+ years ago when there were only 3 At-large teams in the country. Kind of what it will look like in 2-3 years

[PaulNewman]

Tufts will get in barring an unusual scenario with a ton of likely AQ teams needing at-large bids.  And Tufts is accountable for having to sweat a bit.  They squandered a two-goal lead to Bowdoin, lost their CB due to inexplicable reckless behavior, and then came out flat against a depleted Conn team that no one gave a chance (except NCAC New England). 

Also don't see why Shapiro would be a cinch COY.  His team has more talent than any team in the league this year.  What about the Bowdoin coach?  I'm not sure any of them had stellar years coaching-wise, although I can see giving the Colby guy a few votes and let's hope he does have the Mules on an upswing.  Frankly, and I'm not a fan, Serpone might be the most deserving.  After two brutal exits from the Elite 8 Amherst has had another almost flawless season with a little bit less talent.

[Mr.Right]

Shapiro will win COY also you are right since Tufts won the regular season nescac championship they will get in. In the history of the Nescac there has never been a winner of the regular season Nescac and not getting a Pool C.

[Nutmeg]

Tufts will get in barring an unusual scenario with a ton of likely AQ teams needing at-large bids.  And Tufts is accountable for having to sweat a bit.  They squandered a two-goal lead to Bowdoin, lost their CB due to inexplicable reckless behavior, and then came out flat against a depleted Conn team that no one gave a chance (except NCAC New England). 

Also don't see why Shapiro would be a cinch COY.  His team has more talent than any team in the league this year.  What about the Bowdoin coach?  I'm not sure any of them had stellar years coaching-wise, although I can see giving the Colby guy a few votes and let's hope he does have the Mules on an upswing.  Frankly, and I'm not a fan, Serpone might be the most deserving.  After two brutal exits from the Elite 8 Amherst has had another almost flawless season with a little bit less talent.

Yes, Tufts squandered a lead at Bowdoin, but that was with most starters out when that happened, as Tufts had already clinched the one seed... Shapiro may get it because of the regular season ?Record... One loss...

[Mr.Right]

Apparently Seabrook has already gotten a commitment from Aoyama's brother. He is a good player. Bowdoin needs to amp up the recruiting as teams that should not start passing them are. I am not impressed by many of Weirsinski's recruits as all the good players are O'Leary's. the only good recruit is the GK Van Sicklien but he was heavily recruited by others including D1's but he fell in Bowdoin's lap because of his ACL issues