NESCAC

[Mr.Right]

I think some of us were a little blinded hoping for Colby to be a surprise.  I'm not sure their best player would even make the roster of the top 4-5 NESCAC teams.
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I cannot agree with this as Colby has a couple players like Vogel and Chandler Smith I would take on my roster. 19 Frosh withstanding and the 6'5, 6'8, 6'7 players recruited are interesting to me. If these guys were that good they would be in D1. This tells me they are a step or 2 slow or not that skilled. When you are relying on your goalie from last year to start at striker last night that raised my eyebrows. Seabrook is a good coach and they are very well organized defensively but every year we ask the same question....WHO AND HOW WILL THEY SCORE GOALS.

[madzillagd]

Frustrating that NSN seems to take 2 weeks every year to get their act together on these webcasts.  Seems like the first couple of games always have problems.  Great way to start the year for the Ephs.

[Mr.Right]

I think it was just the Williams game as the Midd and Hamilton games on NSN are fine.

[Mr.Right]

Good God...Hamilton cannot afford to lose 1-0 at home to Oswego St. Time will tell and lets see if they can take advantage of a Bates 8 hour road trip on Saturday and bounce back. If not things are going to start getting hot for Perry Nizzi. Since 2006 we have seen the Goodings forced out of Amherst, Lessig nudged from Conn, Purgavie re-assigned at Bates, Ferrigno fired at Tufts, Serdgenian re-assigned at Colby. This is in a 8 year time period. For Nescac and D3 soccer that is quite alot. Parents and kids are having more say in these decisions than ever before and it is getting to be getting stressful / pressure. Fun for outside observers like myself but I am not a fan of alums / parents getting in an AD's ear about these decisions. I guess I am just old school.

[PaulNewman]

Midd with only 1 goal so far deep into 2nd half with Norwich.

[nescac1]

Congrats to Erin Sullivan on an impressive start to his coaching career as the Ephs beat a top-five team 2-0!   Both goals coming from Sisco-Tolomeo who has been projected as a break-out player.  Good to see Rashid back in the starting lineup although I'm sure it will take a few games to work off the rust, and hopefully the Ephs are cautious with him at first. 

[Mr. Soccer8]

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.

Seems like NESCAC got some great freshman classes this year. I watched the Bowdoin-Tufts exhibition game this past weekend and Bowdoin's freshmen were quite impressive, left back #21, Matty McColl, in particular. He's a physical presence on the pitch: tall, fast, and an aggressive tackler. He started and played all 120 minutes (went into overtime) and easily controlled the Tufts wingers for most of the game. Apparently from BC, Canada obviously not much was known about this kid, but he's going to make an impact on Bowdoin's team this year with his strong defending and ability to go forward and take players on in the flank. Tufts had some impressive freshman as well, one of notice was #18 Jarod Glover. Extremely fast and shifty in the midfield, and also scored the game-winning goal in overtime. Definitely two players to watch this season.

[blooter442]

Anyone know what the scoop is/was with C. Savonen? There were rumblings that he was done at/expelled from Trinity, but based on what I've heard he seemed to have smartened up, is playing again, and is back among the goals. He's got great talent and arguably made more of an impact than his brother did as a freshman, and we all know how good his brother turned out to be. Would be a huge boost for Trinity if they can keep him in the lineup for the next two years.

[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.

Seems like NESCAC got some great freshman classes this year. I watched the Bowdoin-Tufts exhibition game this past weekend and Bowdoin's freshmen were quite impressive, left back #21, Matty McColl, in particular. He's a physical presence on the pitch: tall, fast, and an aggressive tackler. He started and played all 120 minutes (went into overtime) and easily controlled the Tufts wingers for most of the game. Apparently from BC, Canada obviously not much was known about this kid, but he's going to make an impact on Bowdoin's team this year with his strong defending and ability to go forward and take players on in the flank. Tufts had some impressive freshman as well, one of notice was #18 Jarod Glover. Extremely fast and shifty in the midfield, and also scored the game-winning goal in overtime. Definitely two players to watch this season.

Bowdoin lost 3 key players to graduation last year. Eric Goitia, Sam White and Tom Henshall. Looking at last years Conference stats ONLY these 3 accounted for 8 of the 12 goals scored in Nescac play. That would cause alarm for some people, but not myself. I believe Bowdoin can replace these guys and not drop off from my prediction of 3rd/4th place in Nescac.

Bowdoin at Amherst has to be the Nescac game of the week. Amherst will be looking for revenge from last year's Nescac Final and Bowdoin will be looking to get a great win for their resume. More on predictions later......

[PaulNewman]

Amherst 2 Bowdoin 1
Midd 2 Conn Coll 2
Tufts 5 Colby 0
Bates 2 Hamilton 1
Williams 3 Trinity 1
Wesleyan 2 Haverford 2

[FourMoreYears]

Anyone know what the scoop is/was with C. Savonen? There were rumblings that he was done at/expelled from Trinity, but based on what I've heard he seemed to have smartened up, is playing again, and is back among the goals. He's got great talent and arguably made more of an impact than his brother did as a freshman, and we all know how good his brother turned out to be. Would be a huge boost for Trinity if they can keep him in the lineup for the next two years.

Here's the Reader's Digest version:  He got into some trouble, was disciplined by Trinity, hopefully learned his lesson, decided to return to Trinity, is on the team, likes his teammates, and is off to a great start (3 goals in 2 games albeit non-conference opponents). 

[Mr.Right]

Amherst v Bowdoin       0-0     Bowdoin is out to prove that 2014 was no fluke and I believe they matchup with Amherst this year better than ever. I believe Nescac is wide open this year and any of 5 teams could win it.

Midd v Conn                 1-1       Midd will not have frosh for this game due to an orientation thing they do every year which has got to drive the coaches NUTS.  Conrad nets one on set piece and Devlin snags one back.

Hamilton v Bates          1-0     I believe Hamilton bounces back and gets a much needed Nescac win. This game means VERY MUCH to both teams as a win here will help either to sneak into the Nescac play-offs as the #8 seed. I do not see either team qualifying and would be a quick exit for either if they snuck in.

Trinity v Williams          2-1  Trinity has been a thorn in Williams side for the past 7-8 years, especially at home. Williams looked very motivated and in form against Oneonta. I am still not convinced of Williams midfield defending.  Trinity coach Pilger always has some great set piece's and I believe Bednarek will catch Williams napping to win it.

Tufts v Colby                 1-0  Tufts will most definitely not score 5 goals against Colby, I believe they will struggle a bit to get 1 or 2. Colby will be organized enough to keep Tufts at bay but will generate few if any chances of their own. Tufts looked very impressive and in-form against Endicott and they will dominate possession and come away with the W in this one.

Haverford v Wesleyan     0-1 This is an unknown for me as I do not know much about Haverford yet this year. Wesleyan will slog it out and play how Wesleyan always plays. Cowie-Haskell or the Frosh will sneak one in to win it.

[blooter442]

Amherst 1-0 Bowdoin
Midd 2-1 Conn
Hamilton 0-0 Bates
Trinity 2-1 Williams
Tufts 2-0 Colby
Haverford 1-1 Wesleyan

[PaulNewman]

Mr.Right, first of all, with the exception of the talent level at Colby and a predicted scoreline, let me say that so far I have agreed with all of your posts down to the last details.  Of course you may end being "right" on Colby vs Tufts as well but is Colby's goal to lose every game 0-1?  If Tufts can score 4 against Wheaton and 3 against OWU I think they can score a few against the Mules.  First home game after a national title, good players competing for playing time, and an opponent with a ton of new, young kids who may be overwhelmed by the quality of Tufts.  I'd be more confident about Colby keeping this close if this was the final 3rd of the season.  Of course if it's 2-0 or 3-0 at the half and Tufts is leading 17-1 in shots then Shapiro may just empty the bench which could limit the scoreline.

[Mr.Right]

I think you misunderstood...We just agree to disagree on that prediction. I wasn't attacking your opinion just using yours to bolster my argument. After watching Colby play extremely UGLY futbol all year last year and sitting 10 deep when needed I just have a hunch Tufts might get frustrated breaking them down.