NESCAC

[D3soccerwatcher]

Interesting that many insiders on this string are indicating that Tuft's won't even be a top 2 NESCAC finisher, much less a national power.

[All NESCAC]

Interesting that many insiders on this string are indicating that Tuft's won't even be a top 2 NESCAC finisher, much less a national power.

4 of 9 so far have Tufts at either #1 or #2 and of the other 5 sending in pre-season rankings 4 had them at #3 and the other at #4.  I'd say that most everyone on this board respects Tufts and was thrilled for their run to the Championship last year.  Let's see how they fare this season, but clearly based on sustained performance over a long time Amherst is always going to be in the hunt and will warrant being ranked #1 or #2.  Middlebury could be this years Tufts (I believe they will) where most everyone is back including their back line, keeper and their two most explosive players.  Tufts will need to have some sustained success to be considered in with Amherst and Williams as typical national powers out of the NESCAC, but it certainly wouldn't surprise me if they do have another great season, however replacing those departed long-time senior starters will not be easy as they were very good players.  One year of Championship success doesn't guarantee future success just ask the Red Sox, however it would be great if we had a season long 3 or 4 horse race for the NESCAC Championship this fall.

[ViewFromTheHill]

1. Middlebury
2. Amherst
3. Wesleyan
4. Williams
5. Tufts
6. Bowdoin
7. Trinity
8. Bates
9. Colby
10.Conn
11. Hamilton

[lastguyoffthebench]

1) Amherst
2) Middlebury
3) Williams
4) Tufts
5) Wesleyan


Slight change from my previous post...  Switching Williams above Tufts.

[12SNoon]

Hey everyone...

Excited for a big season here

Decided to take a stab at this prediction thing:

1. Amherst - Good Lord (Jeff) this might be the most stacked Amherst team ever
2. Williams - Don't underestimate how much a new coach can invigorate a program
3. Middlebury - Four 1st-team All-NESCAC players coming back
4. Tufts - Just lost a big senior class but they'll be dangerous
5. Wes - Was impressed with their younger players last year
6. Everybody else

[letsGOswans!]

Tufts will finish top two.

Defense - both their starting fullbacks return. They have rising sophomores who can fill in the void left by Williams and Kramer.

Midfield - their three starting center mids, Pinheiro, Halliday, and Kayne, are returning. They also have depth.

Forwards - yes, santos and hoppenot are big losses, but they have strong freshman who came off the bench last year. don't forget about Brown. Very good, crafty player who has been a starter the last few years. Majumder impressed me with his play and I think he can do what hoppenot did for this tufts team last year.

I think some of you forget how good of a team Tufts is at moving the ball....
Don't forget the way tufts plays isn't over reliant on players making "special plays." They are a true team, with everyone playing a role on both sides of the ball. They are very hard to break down which was the key to their success last year. I've heard they have strong freshman coming in. That coupled with returning players who I'm sure are eager for repeat success after tasting it last year makes them dangerous.   

[Nutmeg]

Tufts will finish top two.

Defense - both their starting fullbacks return. They have rising sophomores who can fill in the void left by Williams and Kramer.

Midfield - their three starting center mids, Pinheiro, Halliday, and Kayne, are returning. They also have depth.

Forwards - yes, santos and hoppenot are big losses, but they have strong freshman who came off the bench last year. don't forget about Brown. Very good, crafty player who has been a starter the last few years. Majumder impressed me with his play and I think he can do what hoppenot did for this tufts team last year.

I think some of you forget how good of a team Tufts is at moving the ball....
Don't forget the way tufts plays isn't over reliant on players making "special plays." They are a true team, with everyone playing a role on both sides of the ball. They are very hard to break down which was the key to their success last year. I've heard they have strong freshman coming in. That coupled with returning players who I'm sure are eager for repeat success after tasting it last year makes them dangerous.

We all know how hard it is to repeat. This applies to the Jumbos. Their midfield will make them very good and consistent. Kayne is a 4 year starter with excellent vision and passing skills. Brown is very fast and pinheiro and Holliday are good holders. As stated above, the midfield moves the ball very well, and they play good defense.  Goaltending is excellent. The defense should be very good but may take a few games to get chemistry. Majunder had a good ncaa tourney but we'll have to see if that continues.  Result....top 3

[D3soccerwatcher]

I think the real question isn't "Where will Tufts finish in the conference?", but rather "Will NESCAC produce a true national championship contender, and who will that be?"

[Mr.Right]

Mr. Right - I'd love to see your 1-11 picks for the league.

Also, is Williams keeping all of the assistants from last year?  Have you heard how Rashid is coming along in his recovery?

Rashid is doing quite well and had a very successful summer season. Williams will need him to score goals this year unlike 2012 and 2013 he will need to score 7-8 goals minimum.

Williams assistants are as follows. Sullivan will keep Cece and has hired a former SLU assistant as his 2nd man. Demeo retired with Russo and Huffman was let go.

[Mr.Right]

As with most college teams never underestimate the loss of not just senior talent but senior leaders. When Williams lost Matt Ratajczak after there 2012 Final 4 run they lost the heart and soul of the program. That was leader they are currently still searching for. They also had a nice 2013 Final 4 run but it was beginning to show late that year the loss of real leadership and it totally blew up in Russo's last year in 2014. So in Williams case the graduation of 9 seniors and a coaching change might help next year.

Tufts and Amherst will lose considerable talent and also key leaders. They both have very impressive frosh coming in but do they have capable leaders to guide them thru. We will see.

Without explanations I give you my 1-11

1. Tufts
2. Amherst
3. Williams
4. Bowdoin
5. Midd
6. Wesleyan
7. Conn
8. Colby
9. Trinity
10. Hamilton
11. Bates

[Corazon]

Thanks. I think Williams will miss DeMeo's experience more than they realize. I've heard he did a lot on the scouting and tactics behind the scenes.

[NESCACsoccerguy]

Hey lads,

Quick question for the NESCAC fans here before the preseason begins. I was watching an English U17 Academy game the other day and it got me thinking - Would a NESCAC all star team beat a U16/U17/U18 English Academy team? Curious and excited to hear some thoughts on this topic.

[All NESCAC]

Hey lads,

Quick question for the NESCAC fans here before the preseason begins. I was watching an English U17 Academy game the other day and it got me thinking - Would a NESCAC all star team beat a U16/U17/U18 English Academy team? Curious and excited to hear some thoughts on this topic.

I've only seen 1 UK Academy team play and they were good, but 21 and 22 year olds vs 16 and 17 year olds is a big difference from a physical standpoint....and do not underestimate the physicality factor (or as we in NESCAC land like to say "the Amherst factor"...meant as a compliment).  Just my opinion on a very theoretical question.

[jknezek]

Hey lads,

Quick question for the NESCAC fans here before the preseason begins. I was watching an English U17 Academy game the other day and it got me thinking - Would a NESCAC all star team beat a U16/U17/U18 English Academy team? Curious and excited to hear some thoughts on this topic.

I'm thinking the Academy kids would have more skill, but the age and development difference would be too great. On the other hand, if you played with 3 subs instead of NCAA rules, it's possible the college kids would drop before the Academy kids... However, if you took one of the under 21 Academy teams I think they steamroll D1 teams.

[NEPitch62]

Word on the street is that Peter Kramer may be back for his 5th year at Tufts.  If true, this immediately improves their back four with the loss of only Sam Williams (yes, All-American Sam Williams.)