NESCAC

[blooter442]

I have to admit the past 2 games have changed my view on Brandeis. I have underrated them all year. I have seen them in person 5 times now and on video about 8 times. The past two games on their carpet they have looked like the 2nd best team in the country. Soboff looks like one of the best players in D3 and everyone else is playing exceptionally well. They have excellent speed on the flank, strikers that can finish under pressure, solid GK and blooter you are right they are playing with 4 backs now.

I appreciate your objectivity. I certainly don't think they're Final Four material, but I felt that they would get out of the first two rounds.

Lat year, Williams scored 4 minutes in and won the game 2-0. Brandeis out possessed Williams a bit but they got man handled physically. Brandeis might have that in the back of their heads and come out fired up and actually take it to Amherst to start.

Given their NCAA history with Williams, many of us doubted that Brandeis could beat a NESCAC team. Well they have twice this season—Tufts and Bowdoin. Granted both of those games were on their turf, and not on grass, but they have proven that they can match (not better, but match) NESCAC teams physically. Amherst in my mind is the most physical team they will see all year, but, the point is, Brandeis is much more fit to compete with teams physically this year than last, as their overall size has definitely increased the last two years. Conor Lanahan (CB), the leader of Brandeis' back line who I believe should be in the conversation for All-American on defense, is 6'4" and doesn't lose many headers. Soboff and Savonen are big guys. Josh Ocel (Sam's younger brother) is 6' and holds down the fort at CM, and two new freshmen—Bernardo Ponte and Patrick Flahive—are both 6' and see the field regularly. Additionally, Robbie Lynch, while not that tall, can definitely mix it up, and at 5'8" consistently outjumped Eric Anderson of Babson (who is 6'4") for headers during Brandeis' 2OT victory in 2012.

I am not implying that Brandeis matches up to Amherst physically—at all. Like I said, I would even still consider Amherst slight favorites. I am just saying that they have cleared the mental hurdle of proving they can beat NESCAC teams, and are better able to deal with the physical threat that they pose.

[Mr.Right]

I think Soboff looks like a 1st team All-American. I hope Brandeis has their defenders in practice under complete duress as they will see that aplenty on gameday.

[oldonionbag]

I have to admit the past 2 games have changed my view on Brandeis. I have underrated them all year. I have seen them in person 5 times now and on video about 8 times. The past two games on their carpet they have looked like the 2nd best team in the country. Soboff looks like one of the best players in D3 and everyone else is playing exceptionally well. They have excellent speed on the flank, strikers that can finish under pressure, solid GK and blooter you are right they are playing with 4 backs now.

I appreciate your objectivity. I certainly don't think they're Final Four material, but I felt that they would get out of the first two rounds.

Lat year, Williams scored 4 minutes in and won the game 2-0. Brandeis out possessed Williams a bit but they got man handled physically. Brandeis might have that in the back of their heads and come out fired up and actually take it to Amherst to start.

Given their NCAA history with Williams, many of us doubted that Brandeis could beat a NESCAC team. Well they have twice this season—Tufts and Bowdoin. Granted both of those games were on their turf, and not on grass, but they have proven that they can match (not better, but match) NESCAC teams physically. Amherst in my mind is the most physical team they will see all year, but, the point is, Brandeis is much more fit to compete with teams physically this year than last, as their overall size has definitely increased the last two years. Conor Lanahan (CB), the leader of Brandeis' back line who I believe should be in the conversation for All-American on defense, is 6'4" and doesn't lose many headers. Soboff and Savonen are big guys. Josh Ocel (Sam's younger brother) is 6' and holds down the fort at CM, and two new freshmen—Bernardo Ponte and Patrick Flahive—are both 6' and see the field regularly. Additionally, Robbie Lynch, while not that tall, can definitely mix it up, and at 5'8" consistently outjumped Eric Anderson of Babson (who is 6'4") for headers during Brandeis' 2OT victory in 2012.

I am not implying that Brandeis matches up to Amherst physically—at all. Like I said, I would even still consider Amherst slight favorites. I am just saying that they have cleared the mental hurdle of proving they can beat NESCAC teams, and are better able to deal with the physical threat that they pose.

I agree with both of you here. Mr. Right's, I had the same sort of epiphany while watching them this past week. They're no longer getting tossed around. One could even argue they're playing with a chip on their shoulder because of that "soft" reputation. I think Amherst comes into this game perhaps overconfident because of their presumed unmatched physicality and pedigree.

One thing is for certain: it's not going to be a pretty game- I'm sure the Lord Jeffs will want to impose themselves early with hard tackles.

I'm predicting its 0-0 at half. Amherst gets a goal of a set piece, and Brandeis answers a bit later in the 65-80th minute range. I like Brandeis to win it in the first OT 2-1. 

Why do I think that? I don't even know, but I'm going with my gut here

[Mr.Right]

I agree even though I have been picking Amherst all week I also think Brandeis sneaks one in late to win it. They have been doing that all year so why not now. I have praised Brandeis the way they play at home, I just want to see the same play on the road against an Amherst side who's only goal is to impose their will on you and muck up the game as best as possible. If Brandeis can even play 75% of the way they played on Saturday night and even for a bit Sunday they can win this game

[ihidebehindtheinternet]

i hope brandeis is bringing some extra jerseys to this game. not sure if the uaa jersey stitching will hold up against the chaos that amherst will bring on set pieces.

[Mr.Right]

Brandeis MUST limit fouls to an absolute minimum in their own half. If they can keep Amherst to 4 corners or less they will survive. Also, must keep fouls under 15 for the game and keep it to 5 or 6 in their own half

[Mr.Right]

We must also remember that Amherst will be without Bubba Van Wie against Brandeis from the red card he got against SLU. While they can survive without him he is an integral player off the bench and has the massive long throw. When Amherst got corners, SLU was zoning on the 6 yard box and man marking the runners in. It was quite effective as everyone was back in the box defending.

[play-to-win]

I think Soboff looks like a 1st team All-American. I hope Brandeis has their defenders in practice under complete duress as they will see that aplenty on gameday.

I have seen Soboff play twice this year (Babson, Wheaton). He is very talented, holds the ball well under pressure and has good size. He can score goals. He has D1 experience (S. Fla, Rutgers) and brings some maturity (25 yrs.) to the team. While he is talented I do not see him as a top 3 striker in the country. Perhaps he could run the table.

[Mr.Right]

I also saw those 2 Brandeis games and he was not as involved as he was the past 2 games. If he is not in your Top 3 I am curious who is

[PaulNewman]

Why has this thread turned so quiet?

I can't wait for the Amherst-Brandeis game.  My only prediction right now is that it is going to be an Instant Classic.

I'm not quite as interested in Tufts-Muhlenberg but that should be intriguing as well.

And I've got a funny feeling about the Messiah-Cortland match.

[Jump4Joy]

What more is there to say at this point?
Amherst is the underdog and will have to pull out all the stops like they did vs. SLU to advance to Sunday. Can they muster that kind of intensity two weekends in a row? Maybe.
Tufts can take down Muhlenberg if they don't freak out as they have in the past (even as recently as the conference tourney). Jumbos seem to be back in a groove.
I guess the only chatter left might be inside scoops on injuries or game plans. Doubt we'll be hearing from loose lips at this point! Have fun, everyone.

[NEPitch62]

All I can say at this point is GO JUMBOS!!  Feelin' it...

[Nutmeg]

Hope Tufts can carry the momentum into this weekend.. they are playing extremely well right now. I think the loss to Conn College where CC scored two early goals opened their eyes to start games with intensity and focus....to go out and take the game.  Good luck to the NESCAC teams this weekend!

[MENESCACFAN]

NCAC

Can't speak for all.  I have gone a bit quiet as frankly go in to a lot of these games blind to opponent so can't really predict.

Rooting hard for Tufts and Amherst this weekend though.  I think the NESCAC took a lot of bullets this fall in terms of out of conference losses, this could be a huge weekend though if both teams get out of it.

[Brother Flounder]

All we have heard this year is that the NESCAC is down and that Amherst isn't as good as they were in the past...and Tufts can't win the big one.  Well, they are both still alive and both have had very tough SOS's.  Not many thought Tufts would advance past Wheaton, let alone Dickinson... They actually outplayed Wheaton quite well....and Bowdoin won their first round NCAA game... So, here's to Tufts and Amherst this weekend!!!!!