NESCAC

[All NESCAC]

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.)

That would be a shocker....but if so it would definitely push Tufts up in pre-season expectations having another quality experienced center back return.

[Mr.Right]

Not so fast..Kramer was a key piece for Tufts last year but 5th year seniors tend to not be as motivated as they once were. They decide to come back and they are ready to play but 3 weeks in sometimes they wonder what the heck they are still doing in school and are ready to get out in January and start work. I am not saying this will be the case but in my experience I have seen this happen on numerous occasions

[All NESCAC]

Not so fast..Kramer was a key piece for Tufts last year but 5th year seniors tend to not be as motivated as they once were. They decide to come back and they are ready to play but 3 weeks in sometimes they wonder what the heck they are still doing in school and are ready to get out in January and start work. I am not saying this will be the case but in my experience I have seen this happen on numerous occasions

Good points Mr. Right....and add in if he's just made the decision to come back now how much work did he put in this past Spring and Summer...time will tell, but questions abound.

[blooter442]

Good points Mr. Right....and add in if he's just made the decision to come back now how much work did he put in this past Spring and Summer...time will tell, but questions abound.

My guess is that decision would have been made last spring, probably before Tufts' commencement. Usually, returning to the sports field for another season is done on the premise that the student will march in the spring, but will have taken the spring semester off in the understanding that they will return for classes during the fall season (and officially receive their degree in December.)

[nescac1]

Blooter, at most NESCAC schools that is the case, but Tufts and Wesleyan have the advantages of hosting graduate programs, so players with eligibility remaining can graduate and then enroll in one of those program.  (I guess theoretically it could happen at Williams too, if any fifth-year student athlete was REALLY into art history!). 

[blooter442]

Blooter, at most NESCAC schools that is the case, but Tufts and Wesleyan have the advantages of hosting graduate programs, so players with eligibility remaining can graduate and then enroll in one of those program.  (I guess theoretically it could happen at Williams too, if any fifth-year student athlete was REALLY into art history!). 

Ah, yes, you're correct. I know there's a rule against such a thing in the Ivy League, but I didn't even think of that possibility existing in the NESCAC, although clearly it can.

[All NESCAC]

Blooter, at most NESCAC schools that is the case, but Tufts and Wesleyan have the advantages of hosting graduate programs, so players with eligibility remaining can graduate and then enroll in one of those program.  (I guess theoretically it could happen at Williams too, if any fifth-year student athlete was REALLY into art history!).

Good point Nescac1....also, you're right about Williams LOL they have 5 or 10 grad Art History students per year.

[Mr.Right]

Williams will be very much interested in this whole will he  / wont he play as a 5th year. Rashid missed all of 2014 and will be eligible to return in 2016 for a 5th year. My money say's he will return as he lives and dies futbol  but we will see

[PaulNewman]

Just scanned Wesleyan's roster.  I got a feeling the Cardinals are going to have a big year.

[WilltheMan]

I agree

[Corazon]

The pre-season rankings for both Massey and Bennett are out.  The NESCACs rank as follows (out of 410 D3 teams):

Massey
Tufts (1)
Amherst (8)
Bowdoin (16)
Williams (17)
Midd (20)
Wesleyan (21)
Conn (36)
Trinity (38)
Colby (42)
Hamilton (71)
Bates (104)

Bennett
Tufts (1)
Amherst (6)
Bowdoin (8)
Midd (19)
Williams (22)
Wesleyan (24)
Trinity (41)
Colby (44)
Conn (46)
Hamilton (47)
Bates 80

Board consensus (as of today)
1. Amherst
2. Middlebury
3. Tufts
4. Williams
5. Wesleyan
6. Bowdoin
7. Colby
8. Conn
9. Trinity
10. Bates
11. Hamilton

[nescac1]

Williams has its season preview posted.  A large first-year group of 12 players, although who knows how many will end up on the final roster vs. the JV.  Only five are listed by name, presumably those are the top-tier recruits. 

http://ephsports.williams.edu/sports/msoc/2015-16/releases/20150828qzy7vm

[Mr.Right]

Bowdoin posts its 2015 roster and I only see 6 Frosh. Jake Stenquist is an excellent player as he brings a level of toughness in midfield that Bowdoin will love. The 2 Canadians are unknowns to me but could be a possible surprise. I like this team and the way Wiercinski has started to put his stamp on the program. I predicted they would come in 4th in Nescac and I think they would have a chance at 3rd if they play very well. I am a big fan of Stevie Van Siclen in net and after his showing in last years Nescac tournament he proved why D1 teams wanted him. His 2 ACL's scared them off but if he can stay injury free I am expecting big things.

[Mr.Right]

Rumors persist that Colby is bringing in as many as 15 Frosh. I have not verified that but if that is the case expect sweeping roster changes. I have my doubts about the integrity of Seabrook(just a hunch) but he can coach and Colby looked more organized defensively last year than I have ever seen.

[Mr.Right]

Hamilton has a very friendly schedule to start the year. They lost a bunch of seniors from a very average team but lets not see if they can get off to a fast start and build confidence and momentum. Since 2011, when Hamilton re-joined Nescac they have really struggled. I believe they have only made the Nescac tournament once as the #8 seed and got hammered by Amherst that year. A couple more seasons of the same and coach Nizzi will most likely start feeling some heat if he has not already.