NESCAC

[Mr.Right]

The Amherst v WNEC game will be interesting to follow. I think WNEC lost a great coach in Erin Sullivan and are still trying to find themselves. This game was DOMINATED by Amherst last year but I do not think they scored until the 75th minute to win it on a corner if I am not mistaken. I have not seen WNEC play this year but they did beat Gordon and had a wild game v Wheaton MA. I am not sure their style or formation. Either way Amherst just has to much talent to slip up in this one unless they are looking ahead to Midd. One thing about Serpone that I like is that he seems to have his guys ready TO PLAY every game. I like that.

I caught snippets of the Wheaton and Gordon games, but not enough to give an informed opinion or description of WNEU's play.  I do know that, as often happens when a new coach comes to town, a good number of players (including a couple of young starters) who played last year are no longer on the roster.  Coach O'Neill has a solid D3 background as a player at Middlebury and as a coach at Gettysburg in addition to his forays in D1 coaching.

This is quite true of coach Devin O'Neill however he is very lucky to have gotten that WNEC job. He had a perfect / cozy gig at Gettysburg for life if he wanted it but his ego got in the way and left to become an assistant at D1 Bradley University. He wanted to be a D1 Head Coach. Rumor has it he could not stand Head Coach Jim DeRose at Bradley University who quite frankly is a nightmare as he is very negative and coaches every play screaming and yelling. I believe he got out of there after a year or 2 and went to work for Sam Koch at UMASS. Unfortunately, Sam Koch(Colby graduate) passed away 2 years ago after battling a long illness. O'Neill was given the reigns at UMASS in August 2014 as interim Head Coach at UMASS. He then proceeded to go 3-15-1 or something disastrous like that with his OWN recruits and did not even get an interview for the job when it opened this winter. Fran O'Leary got it. Long story short he is very lucky to have gotten that WNEC job and return to college coaching. Let's see if he settles down and stays there for a while.

[Brother Flounder]

The Amherst v WNEC game will be interesting to follow. I think WNEC lost a great coach in Erin Sullivan and are still trying to find themselves. This game was DOMINATED by Amherst last year but I do not think they scored until the 75th minute to win it on a corner if I am not mistaken. I have not seen WNEC play this year but they did beat Gordon and had a wild game v Wheaton MA. I am not sure their style or formation. Either way Amherst just has to much talent to slip up in this one unless they are looking ahead to Midd. One thing about Serpone that I like is that he seems to have his guys ready TO PLAY every game. I like that.

I caught snippets of the Wheaton and Gordon games, but not enough to give an informed opinion or description of WNEU's play.  I do know that, as often happens when a new coach comes to town, a good number of players (including a couple of young starters) who played last year are no longer on the roster.  Coach O'Neill has a solid D3 background as a player at Middlebury and as a coach at Gettysburg in addition to his forays in D1 coaching.

This is quite true of coach Devin O'Neill however he is very lucky to have gotten that WNEC job. He had a perfect / cozy gig at Gettysburg for life if he wanted it but his ego got in the way and left to become an assistant at D1 Bradley University. He wanted to be a D1 Head Coach. Rumor has it he could not stand Head Coach Jim DeRose at Bradley University who quite frankly is a nightmare as he is very negative and coaches every play screaming and yelling. I believe he got out of there after a year or 2 and went to work for Sam Koch at UMASS. Unfortunately, Sam Koch(Colby graduate) passed away 2 years ago after battling a long illness. O'Neill was given the reigns at UMASS in August 2014 as interim Head Coach at UMASS. He then proceeded to go 3-15-1 or something disastrous like that with his OWN recruits and did not even get an interview for the job when it opened this winter. Fran O'Leary got it. Long story short he is very lucky to have gotten that WNEC job and return to college coaching. Let's see if he settles down and stays there for a while.

MR. RIGHT coming out with the 411!!!!!

[Soccer Balls]

Don't believe what Mr. Wrong says. 
Koch died just over a year ago and O'Neill filled in for a year after assisting Koch for 2.
He will do just fine at WNEC.
He's a Western Mass kid who played at Middlebury

[Mr.Right]

DID I NOT JUST EXPLAIN THAT IN MY POST??? You need to read posts before reacting

[Mr.Right]

Instead of just reacting to everything I post and complaining why not be part of a conversation and ADD something to the board...That might be asking to much of you though

[Bucket]

Amherst has a game today at 4:30 PM.  There will be a video cast.

Bucket...has your son been working as a ball boy at any of the games?

His first game running the sideline will be next week. He's very excited!

[Bucket]

The Amherst v WNEC game will be interesting to follow. I think WNEC lost a great coach in Erin Sullivan and are still trying to find themselves. This game was DOMINATED by Amherst last year but I do not think they scored until the 75th minute to win it on a corner if I am not mistaken. I have not seen WNEC play this year but they did beat Gordon and had a wild game v Wheaton MA. I am not sure their style or formation. Either way Amherst just has to much talent to slip up in this one unless they are looking ahead to Midd. One thing about Serpone that I like is that he seems to have his guys ready TO PLAY every game. I like that.

I caught snippets of the Wheaton and Gordon games, but not enough to give an informed opinion or description of WNEU's play.  I do know that, as often happens when a new coach comes to town, a good number of players (including a couple of young starters) who played last year are no longer on the roster.  Coach O'Neill has a solid D3 background as a player at Middlebury and as a coach at Gettysburg in addition to his forays in D1 coaching.

This is quite true of coach Devin O'Neill however he is very lucky to have gotten that WNEC job. He had a perfect / cozy gig at Gettysburg for life if he wanted it but his ego got in the way and left to become an assistant at D1 Bradley University. He wanted to be a D1 Head Coach. Rumor has it he could not stand Head Coach Jim DeRose at Bradley University who quite frankly is a nightmare as he is very negative and coaches every play screaming and yelling. I believe he got out of there after a year or 2 and went to work for Sam Koch at UMASS. Unfortunately, Sam Koch(Colby graduate) passed away 2 years ago after battling a long illness. O'Neill was given the reigns at UMASS in August 2014 as interim Head Coach at UMASS. He then proceeded to go 3-15-1 or something disastrous like that with his OWN recruits and did not even get an interview for the job when it opened this winter. Fran O'Leary got it. Long story short he is very lucky to have gotten that WNEC job and return to college coaching. Let's see if he settles down and stays there for a while.

I find it unfair to say that Devin's "ego" got in the way. He had an ambition to coach at the Division I level. How does that make someone egotistical, having a desire to compete at the top level (or "a" top level) of your profession?

[Mr.Right]

Ok...I agree maybe it was to strong / opinionated for people but if someone has a family and decides to leave a good job for a D1 Assistant job that maybe pays a little less, on the road way more, etc etc I guess I figured it was a bit of an ego thing. Point taken...However, the facts are the facts which was my point to begin with...Not a big thing, I wish Devin well at WNEC

[Off Pitch]

Saturday Nescac Predictions: Home team listed first.

Bowdoin v Wesleyan    1-0      Big game for both teams. Bowdoin is looking to get their 1st Nescac win and Wesleyan is opening Nescac play. Wesleyan looks very similar to their 2014 side. I thought their effort in their comeback win against Haverford was commendable. Bowdoin is a bit more athletic and has more speed on the flanks than Wesleyan. This game will be nip and tuck and either team will win this 1-0. Wesleyan is very organized defensively as usual but Bowdoin is also and I believe Bowdoin has 1 or 2 more weapons up front as well as a GK advantage. I love the Wesleyan frosh up front he just needs a little more experience before he takes off. I'll admit I like how both these teams have been built and groomed.

Trinity v Hamilton          2-0        If either of these teams want to vie for 7th or 8th place they NEED to win this game. I'll admit I have not seen Hamilton this year yet but their box scores and results paint a small picture of what they have done. As usual in the 11 years Pilger has been Head coach this team is a monster roller coaster ride. You never know how they will play. On their best day, they could be mid-table but on their worst day they look lethargic and uninterested. Trinity has some solid weapons going forward but their back 4 needs some work. From what I have seen, Trinity's GK has improved steadily and gives them a SOLID GK this year. Tobias and Savonen net one each and they take care of business at home.

Colby v Williams          0-0         Colby has had all week to prepare for their home opener. After their own Boston massacre this week-end I have a funny feeling they are going to BE UP for this one. I have no idea how they are going to score goals in Nescac and I do not think they will put much pressure on Williams in their attacking 3rd but maybe they can sneak one on a set piece. If Geoff Danilack is unavailable this weekend that will hurt Williams backline tremendously.  Like Skidmore, I believe Colby will be man marking Rashid all over the field which means someone else on Williams will need to pick it up and finish one. Williams will outshoot Colby 2:1 but they will not finish and this will end in a draw.

Tufts v Conn                 1-1         I was impressed with how Conn played Midd last weekend and felt they deserved a point from that game. Conn have a solid backbone except I feel in goal. Massive revenge game for Tufts, but Tufts has not really played anyone yet and in their last 2 games have had to sneak a goal or two to win. Tufts is always a tough place to play as they usually get a great and rowdy crowd. Like last year, Conn can get physical with Tufts skilled and talented midfield and muck the game up a bit to their advantage.

Amherst v Midd              0-1             This is the game of the weekend. This game was an absolute bloodbath last year and I expect the same. An 88th minute strike gave Amherst a draw up at Midd last year. Amherst has more skill than Midd on the flanks as Martin and Nico can beat guys 1v1. Sydor for Midd REALLY impressed me last week v Conn and if he plays like that every week Midd will be very tough to score on. Both teams are the most physical in Nescac so that battle is a wash and Amherst has more skill although I must admit I have not seen Amherst this year. I will be watching this game for sure. I have a hunch Conrad has a monster game and comes away with the GW goal. Amherst has sominated Midd the last 5 years as Midd has not won since 2010 when they beat Amherst during the year and in the NCAA's up at Bowdoin.  Midd also will have their talented but inexperienced freshman class available for the game.

Hamilton has only scored a grand total of 3 goals in their last 11 games.  This is simply not a team equipped to compete for 7th or 8th.  Trinity controls this game and takes some momentum to Tufts ... but falls short on Sunday in a competitive game.  Trinity will be in the top 8 at the end.

Middlebury will not be well served by their tune-up game with Green Mountain and will fall short at Amherst.  On the other hand, Wesleyan will benefit from their sojourn to Haverford and will prevail at Bowdoin if either team can manage to score.

Sometimes its not who you play but when you play them, and Colby will not be happy catching Williams after their Skidmore skid.  The Ephs will play with an edge and take care of business in Waterville.

Conn is simply no match for Tufts.  Conn has scored one goal in three outings (2 goals vs. Coast Guard were Coast Guard own goals), Conn will not score at Tufts.

[Ommadawn]

Ok...I agree maybe it was to strong / opinionated for people but if someone has a family and decides to leave a good job for a D1 Assistant job that maybe pays a little less, on the road way more, etc etc I guess I figured it was a bit of an ego thing. Point taken...However, the facts are the facts which was my point to begin with...Not a big thing, I wish Devin well at WNEC

Reading from his biography at WNEU (still getting used to the "U" part!), he left Gettysburg to be HEAD coach at East Carolina, where stayed for 4 years before moving to Bradley.  And, from what I understand, he DID get an interview for the UMass position and was a finalist for the job.

[Mr.Right]

Ok...I agree maybe it was to strong / opinionated for people but if someone has a family and decides to leave a good job for a D1 Assistant job that maybe pays a little less, on the road way more, etc etc I guess I figured it was a bit of an ego thing. Point taken...However, the facts are the facts which was my point to begin with...Not a big thing, I wish Devin well at WNEC

Reading from his biography at WNEU (still getting used to the "U" part!), he left Gettysburg to be HEAD coach at East Carolina, where stayed for 4 years before moving to Bradley.  And, from what I understand, he DID get an interview for the UMass position and was a finalist for the job.

You are correct he left to be a head coach at East Carolina, I forgot about that. It was a total disaster as he could not turn the program around. I also inquired to my sources and he did get a token interview but CERTAINLY WAS NOT A FINALIST.

[Mr.Right]

A HUGE congratulations to Stewart Flaherty for beating University of New England last night 6-0. Bowdoin beat them 7-0 earlier in the year but unlike Bates they took their starters out basically after halftime. I tuned in last night at about the 75th minute as was pleasantly surprised to see Bates up 6-0 and most of their starters still in the game. That is a class act.

A serious congrats to University of New England for their style of play. Former Colby and Bates assistant coach Peter Oestergaard does not have much talent on the field but he continues to emphasize playing attractive futbol. They try to play on the ground and to feet instead of whacking everything in sight which if they did they might have better results but this style is much more watchable and should be how college soccer is played. He tried to emphasize this at Colby, when he was there and it worked with fair results. I am rooting for them in conference play where they will try to keep up with Endicott, WNEC, Gordon and Nicholls.

[Mr.Right]

Just so there is no confusion this is Stewart Flaherty's 4th season at Bates and his combined Nescac record is:

5-21-5

He has never won more than 2 games in conference and already has 1 this year. Do people think Bates can get to 3 or 4 wins this year? Will they make the Top 8?

I say depending how they do against Trinity and Colby will determine if they get in the Top 8.

[Becks]

A HUGE congratulations to Stewart Flaherty for beating University of New England last night 6-0. Bowdoin beat them 7-0 earlier in the year but unlike Bates they took their starters out basically after halftime. I tuned in last night at about the 75th minute as was pleasantly surprised to see Bates up 6-0 and most of their starters still in the game. That is a class act.

This is sarcasm, right?

[FourMoreYears]

A HUGE congratulations to Stewart Flaherty for beating University of New England last night 6-0. Bowdoin beat them 7-0 earlier in the year but unlike Bates they took their starters out basically after halftime. I tuned in last night at about the 75th minute as was pleasantly surprised to see Bates up 6-0 and most of their starters still in the game. That is a class act.

This is sarcasm, right?

I'd bet my life on it. ;-)