NESCAC

[RelegationZone]

Out of interest I went back on these boards and compared the reaction to the two incidents, also compared the level of criticism kids received;

1)   Thomas Bull playing mind games in a shootout.
2)  Peter Lee Kramer violently assaulting a Bowdoin player with a cheap elbow, leaving the kid knocked out and likely seriously injured.

Was in attendance at this game and happened to be standing close to the Tufts 18 when this happened. Although I agree the foul was uncalled for and should have been grounds for an immediate red, the video feed actually makes it look worse than it was. In reality, the player was NOT knocked out and got up only seconds later, was never inspected by one of the trainers that were present, and continued to play in both overtimes. There was not even a visible mark from the elbow which would be expected from a hard knock to the nose/mouth/face region. The foul was committed (stupidly) inside the penalty box with only a minute or two left in regulation, so naturally Bowdoin appealed for the penalty, which would include the player who got knocked to stay on the ground and embellish a little, which is only natural and I do not blame him. It does however make the foul look much more atrocious on video as the feed was cut off before we are able to see the events that follow.

A truly self-serving and irresponsible misrepresentation of the key facts by an obvious Tufts supporter.  The only credible point you make is that you were viewing the action from a point on the sideline fairly close to the edge of the box, which would isolate you somewhat from the obnoxious, wounded-bird cry emanating from the Tufts section in the stands throughout the game.  Pray tell: is Lee-Kramer eligible to play in the NCAA tournament or did NESCAC issue a multiple-game suspension for his violent and  inexcusable conduct?

[RelegationZone]

All NESCAC - suspect you have found 1st/2nd round hosting information by now, but if not, the printable bracket posted on NCAA.com seems to indicate that Franklin & Marshall, Brandeis, St. Lawrence, SUNY Cortland, Wheaton and Muhlenberg will host 2 games, while Nichols and Morrisville State will host opening round games only, with winners traveling to SUNY Oneonta and Messiah, respectively.

[NEPitch62]

Congratulations to Tufts getting in.  I agree that their body of work spoke for itself this year and they deserved a bid.  Also, and unfortunately I have it from a reputable source that Peter Kramer (starting center back) will continue his suspension through the first round but would be eligible to play if they make it to round 2. 

[Brother Flounder]

3 NESCACs are in:

Bowdoin
Amherst
Tufts

Well Deserved!!!  Good Luck to all!!!

[Mr.Right]

Interesting rematch of Amherst at SLU. Should be heated..Tufts v Dickinson will be a good game as Wheaton should steamroll Daniel Webster.

[RelegationZone]

Mr. Right - are you familiar with the field surfaces at the schools hosting the 1st and 2nd round games (natural grass or artificial)?  Will that be a factor in any of the early match-ups in your view?

[Mr.Right]

give me the schools and i will tell you the surface

[RelegationZone]

F&M, Wheaton, St. Lawrence, Brandeis, SUNY Cortland and Muhlenberg. Thanks.

[Mr.Right]

F&M I saw this wknd and it looked like sh*t turf.
St.Lawrence a great grass 120 v 80 field. They should be able to spread out Amherst
Brandeis a sh*t turf field that is 72 wide. Very narrow.
Wheaton is a nice grass field that Tufts and wheaton should both enjoy

[All NESCAC]

All NESCAC - suspect you have found 1st/2nd round hosting information by now, but if not, the printable bracket posted on NCAA.com seems to indicate that Franklin & Marshall, Brandeis, St. Lawrence, SUNY Cortland, Wheaton and Muhlenberg will host 2 games, while Nichols and Morrisville State will host opening round games only, with winners traveling to SUNY Oneonta and Messiah, respectively.

Thank you Relegation Zone.

[Brother Flounder]

Below are my general observations regarding the draw.

Bowdoin: Assuming both teams make it out of the first round, I think Bowdoin could give Brandeis some problems physically and on set pieces. However, they lack any real dynamism on offense. Furthermore, while Brandeis would have every reason to fear Amherst due to its physicality, Bowdoin is not as potent as Amherst offensively. Henshall, White, and Goitia are good players, but White is not nearly as physical as he should be given his stature. I do like Van Siclen and I think he could be as good as Greenwood and Bull if he keeps it up. Charlier, after a standout frosh campaign, really hasn't impressed me at all; he appears to have lost significant dynamism. I like Bowdoin—it is near where I grew up and I come from a Bowdoin family—but they don't have any real speed or skill that I have seen. They are a "solid" team, but could very well get sawed apart by a team that is quicker and more dynamic. That said, White's goal against Williams was great, and if the Bears can conjure up some kind of magic like that they could be in for a good run.

Amherst: Couldn't believe that they aren't hosting. Then again, I can. I don't think they've played particularly well all season, and very well could have lost against Middlebury and Mt. St. Mary. I've only watched St. Lawrence a few times, but, the Rochester loss aside, they've been very good. As far as Amherst goes, NPL—who should be NESCAC POY in my eyes, Bull (despite his Bull$#!* yesterday, pun intended), Singer, and Wirz have impressed me. Not sure how to feel about their chances. On the one hand, they are an experienced team, but I think we all agree that they are their most "vulnerable" they have been in years.

Tufts: Good to see Tufts make it in, especially considering their body of work all year. It's hard to tell how far they'll go, but, as NCAC said, they have A/A- talent. They are solid front to back. Santos is finally playing on a consistent basis; he is their best player in my mind when he is on his game. Hoppenot, while lacking true speed, is a solid target man. Moving back, I really like Kayne, Pinheiro, and Williams as well, and Greenwood is an excellent goalkeeper. IMHO, when Tufts is on its game, it is the best team in the NESCAC. The big question is which Tufts team shows up? After all, I think Wheaton, despite its uncharacteristic loss this weekend, is a very, very solid team, and, coupled with home-field advantage, would make a very tough second-round opponent.

Either way, definitely looking forward to the first two rounds this weekend.

Bowdoin may have the momentum and current intangibles to make a run.  Yes, Van Siclen is hot now.

Amherst can do damage if Pascale-Leone continues to play well, even though this has been a down year for the Lord Jeffs....

Tufts can make a run also. The players you mentioned are excellent. Most notably, Kayne played the last few games with a broken big toe and should be healed..This should help Tufts tempo...Maybe a Tufts supporter can elaborate on this and Kramer's status for the upcoming game.

Good luck to all 3 teams!!!

[RelegationZone]

Per earlier post (#1927) from NEPitch62, Kramer drew 2-game suspension and will not play in opening round NCAA game.

[Mr.Right]

The question is was that from Tufts AD, Shapiro or Nescac?

[MENESCACFAN]

Very good question from MR there.  Shame we can get no info here.

Also it turns out someone WOULD defend Kramer, absolutely the most embarrassing post I have read on here to condone and minimize that act.

Very pleased to see all three teams in.  Thoughts on who will go furthest?

My gut tells me it will be Tufts to regroup, find early season form and make a run.

[oldonionbag]

Would be much more devastating if Tufts did not also have Sam Williams. An absolutely phenomenal defender that's flown under the radar until this year. I remember seeing him as a freshmen and being very impressed with his poise and calmness on the ball.

Tufts seems like the most dangerous team to me, but as always, the question is: which Tufts team will show up? (I didn't know this prior to today, but they have the 19th ranked defense in all of D3 soccer. Pretty impressive considering their NESCAC competition.)

Amherst has not impressed me this year, but as always, it's Amherst in the NCAAs...and who would bet against that...?

Bowdoin's miracle run gives them the most momentum going in, but keep in mind, they haven't scored a goal in 230 minutes. Still, they haven't allowed one in 250 minutes, and as the old adage goes, defense wins championships...