NESCAC

[Mr.Right]

0-0 In 1st Half between Midd and Wes in a predicted slug fest stuck in midfield.  Both teams trying to go over the top but Midd looks so much bigger and athletic than Wesleyan and have taken that frosh right out of the game. Gruner doing a nice job defending Conrad so far.  Wesleyan keeps trying to attack in the air and they will not win this game doing that against Midd. You will just be playing into their wheelhouse.

[Mr.Right]

Midd absolutely MUST win this game v Wesleyan as their only possible win vs a ranked team is Conn this year. We talked in August how their schedule leaves them vulnerable if they do not beat the Top 3 Nescac teams as that is their only chance at getting wins v ranked. Also, nothing on their schedule that is left after today even resembles a ranked team.

I know you'll want to play this close to the vest at least until Williams can get to 9-4-1 or 8-4-2, BUT, the Ephs do have a chance with Wes, Tufts and Midd still on the schedule and potential ranked Endicott and Babson. 

Let's compare next to Midd and Conn.  Williams has wins over Oneonta, RPI and Bowdoin (probably won't be ranked but still good win) and a tie with Conn.  Midd's best results are ONLY a win over Conn and a tie with Bowdoin.  That's it although we'll see if they pick up another good win today.  Conn's best results are a win over ECSU and a draw with Williams.  Midd has by far the easiest schedule after today, but with some very low SOS teams and final game at home with Williams which COULD be huge one.  Conn has tough games left and so does Williams, but that also represents opportunity for the Ephs.  IF Midd doesn't get a result today I might well favor Williams to land ahead of Midd and Conn, at least in terms of overall resume.  Of course Wes also would slide back to the pack if they don't get a result today.

A NCAA tourney with Williams in it is a better NCAA tournament than without.

I don't need to play it close to the vest..Williams is unlucky for sure this year with 3 losses in 2 OT but they do not look right. Rashid is too isolated out on the flank and does not touch the ball enough. Sisco is not living up to his potential and they just cannot score goals. They also lose concentration at crucial times on defense and weaker teams have taken advantage. They just look flat and do not play a full 90. The one positive is GK Alcorn in net has looked excellent this year.They will not beat Tufts but I think they will bring Endicott back down to earth on Tuesday who BTW had like 6-7 straight shutouts before yesterday.

[Mr.Right]

Of course now Wesleyan goes up 1-0 on Midd off a set piece from midfield after a stupid foul by Glaser and Cowie-Haskell flicked it in the net. Earlier, Martinez-Puiz and Kafina had a nice combo and dangerous near post shot from Puiz that was nicely saved by Midd. Midd HAS NOTHING right now and look dangerously close to getting shutout this week-end

[PaulNewman]

Midd absolutely MUST win this game v Wesleyan as their only possible win vs a ranked team is Conn this year. We talked in August how their schedule leaves them vulnerable if they do not beat the Top 3 Nescac teams as that is their only chance at getting wins v ranked. Also, nothing on their schedule that is left after today even resembles a ranked team.

I know you'll want to play this close to the vest at least until Williams can get to 9-4-1 or 8-4-2, BUT, the Ephs do have a chance with Wes, Tufts and Midd still on the schedule and potential ranked Endicott and Babson. 

Let's compare next to Midd and Conn.  Williams has wins over Oneonta, RPI and Bowdoin (probably won't be ranked but still good win) and a tie with Conn.  Midd's best results are ONLY a win over Conn and a tie with Bowdoin.  That's it although we'll see if they pick up another good win today.  Conn's best results are a win over ECSU and a draw with Williams.  Midd has by far the easiest schedule after today, but with some very low SOS teams and final game at home with Williams which COULD be huge one.  Conn has tough games left and so does Williams, but that also represents opportunity for the Ephs.  IF Midd doesn't get a result today I might well favor Williams to land ahead of Midd and Conn, at least in terms of overall resume.  Of course Wes also would slide back to the pack if they don't get a result today.

A NCAA tourney with Williams in it is a better NCAA tournament than without.

I don't need to play it close to the vest..Williams is unlucky for sure this year with 3 losses in 2 OT but they do not look right. Rashid is too isolated out on the flank and does not touch the ball enough. Sisco is not living up to his potential and they just cannot score goals. They also lose concentration at crucial times on defense and weaker teams have taken advantage. They just look flat and do not play a full 90. The one positive is GK Alcorn in net has looked excellent this year.They will not beat Tufts but I think they will bring Endicott back down to earth on Tuesday who BTW had like 6-7 straight shutouts before yesterday.

Just sayin'.  Even with all you noted Williams is very much alive to fight for a 3rd or 4th NESCAC bid and will be a tough out in the NESCAC tourney.

[PaulNewman]

Mr.Right, where does NSN get these 50 year old semi-professional announcers?  They do a good job, although as I write this I don't knoww if Wes is a NSN school.  Sounds like same guy who did games for Williams.

[blooter442]

Mr.Right, where does NSN get these 50 year old semi-professional announcers?  They do a good job, although as I write this I don't knoww if Wes is a NSN school.  Sounds like same guy who did games for Williams.

I mostly agree, but whoever does the Bowdoin games is awful. Super monotone and then "shot...SCOREEEEEEE!" in the most obnoxious hockey announcer voice you could ever hear. The Hamilton announcer last week was awful, too, even worse than the Bowdoin guy.

Anyway, Midd ties it up 1-1 completely against the run of play. O'Grady with a nice strike. Wes had been dominating all half but, as they say, "it only takes one." Finely poised, this.

[Mr.Right]

No clue but they are professional. NSN video has disappointed of late but is usually pretty reliable. I think the announcers are like refs in that they do it as a 2nd profession

[blooter442]

WOW. Conrad, who has been very quiet all game, puts Midd 2-1 up with 10 left. A smash-and-grab from Wesleyan's standpoint, but they had chances to go 2 up and didn't put them away. Wes more dominant, Midd has been more clinical.

[Mr.Right]

Agreed...Wheeler is not going to be happy after this game

[PaulNewman]

Double agreed.  Wes may be seriously regretting this game come selection day.

[Mr.Right]

Exciting finish with Cowie-Haskell almost snagging the tying goal off his head. I think Wes is still ok but now a showdown between Conn and Wes looms with the loser most likely done.Wesleyan also is going to need to beat or go 2-0-1 against Conn, Williams and Amherst which will be daunting but something that can be done. They looked much better in the 2nd Half

[PaulNewman]

Exciting finish with Cowie-Haskell almost snagging the tying goal off his head. I think Wes is still ok but now a showdown between Conn and Wes looms with the loser most likely done.

But first they get Williams next Saturday.  Getting interesting.  May all come down to who can get to NESCAC semis and the final.

[blooter442]

Even with all of the crazy happenings, is it still realistic to see both semi-finalists and finalists getting bids? I still see the NESCAC as a three-bid league (AQ + 2 AL). I suppose it all depends on how the semi-finals pan out - for example, in '12 Wes played Amherst close in a 1-0 loss, while Tufts took Williams to PKs before losing, hence the four bids.

[PaulNewman]

Very tough loss for Wesleyan.  Looked at stats and Wes led in shots 19 to 11 and corners a mind-boggling 11 to 1.

[Nutmeg]

Even with all of the crazy happenings, is it still realistic to see both semi-finalists and finalists getting bids? I still see the NESCAC as a three-bid league (AQ + 2 AL). I suppose it all depends on how the semi-finals pan out - for example, in '12 Wes played Amherst close in a 1-0 loss, while Tufts took Williams to PKs before losing, hence the four bids.

Yes, I think it's possible....