NESCAC

[blooter442]

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

After Midd's result against Wesleyan today, I think it is too. Having talked about Wesleyan and Midd as being in contention for NCAA bids, along with Tufts and obviously Amherst, I realized that I completely forgot about Conn, who is quietly 8-2-1. And that's not even counting Williams, who picked up a huge win at an RPI team who is still in the NSCAA top 10, which could do wonders for their confidence and could result in them closing the season out strong.

Here's what I think: assuming 2012 was any indication, if the two semi-finalists can play close games with the two finalists (either PKs or one-goal decisions), then I think they are both very well in with a shout for the selection show. That said, there have been a ton of parity and shocks nationwide this year, so it very well could be that some bids get sent elsewhere. We'll just have to see.

[PaulNewman]

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

After Midd's result against Wesleyan today, I think it is too. Having talked about Wesleyan and Midd as being in contention for NCAA bids, along with Tufts and obviously Amherst, I realized that I completely forgot about Conn, who is quietly 8-2-1. And that's not even counting Williams, who picked up a huge win at an RPI team who is still in the NSCAA top 10, which could do wonders for their confidence and could result in them closing the season out strong.

Here's what I think: assuming 2012 was any indication, if the two semi-finalists can play close games with the two finalists (either PKs or one-goal decisions), then I think they are both very well in with a shout for the selection show. That said, there have been a ton of parity and shocks nationwide this year, so it very well could be that some bids get sent elsewhere. We'll just have to see.

It's also possible because this doesn't appear to be a year where the NESCAC is going to lose bids like in the last couple of years to a RWU or Coast Guard, etc and also may benefit from the way the NEWMAC, Liberty and SUNYAC appear to be playing out.

[blooter442]

It's also possible because this doesn't appear to be a year where the NESCAC is going to lose bids like in the last couple of years to a RWU or Coast Guard, etc and also may benefit from the way the NEWMAC, Liberty and SUNYAC appear to be playing out.

That too. The CCC fluke in '13 came to be largely as a result of Gordon being nationally-ranked, RWU beating said Gordon team in the postseason, and then WNE beating Roger Williams and getting the AQ. If Gordon had won the conference as expected, you'd likely be looking at a one-bid league; even Roger Williams' wins over Babson and Wheaton wouldn't likely have gotten it to the big dance. Looking back, it's crazy how one upset played a huge role in changing the whole picture from being a one-bid league to suddenly being a three-bid league.

[D3soccerwatcher]

Current top 5 results of D3Soccer.com poll, with over 450 votes cast.  Not sure how these type of sentiments might translate to the possibility of 3+ national bids coming out of NESCAC?  Thoughts?

At the midpoint of the regular season, which men's conference has been the best (strongest, deepest, etc.) this year ?

Centennial (F&M, Haverford, Gettysburg, Dickinson, etc.) (82) - 18%

NCAC (Kenyon, Ohio Wesleyan, Denison, DePauw, etc.) (74) - 16%

NJAC (Montclair St., Rutgers-Camden, Kean, Rowan, etc.) (68) - 14%

UAA (Brandeis, Carnegie Mellon, Case Western, Washington U., etc.) (61) - 13%

NESCAC (Amherst, Tufts, Middlebury, Connecticut, etc.) (53) - 11%

[blooter442]

Given that we normally only get two days of NESCAC soccer in a weekend, I think most of us forgot about Babson at Bowdoin today.

Should be an interesting matchup. While Babson probably has had a slightly better season, having picked up some good results in tying RPI and beating UMass-Boston on their home patch, both teams are not where they would want to be at this point in the year (Babo is 7-4-1; Bowdoin 4-3-2.) Babson has lost at home to MIT and Wheaton, and Bowdoin fell at home to Williams. Both teams have come in for criticism on these boards, but I think that the craziest thing - and maybe this is just my own perception - is that each team, even with one less loss, would be talked about much more seriously. For example, a 5-2-2 Bowdoin team would be considered very much in the thick of the NESCAC, while an 8-3-1 Babson would be perceived in a similar light in the NEWMAC. That said, there's still a long way to go before the conference tournaments start, so both teams could make runs in their respective postseason tourneys.

Both teams seem to be having (some) trouble scoring goals - Bowdoin has 19 on the season, and Babson has 18. While Carlos is carrying the load so far, with six, it will be interesting to see if, up top, Kaplan will step up - I think he is a good player and got four goals last year, but I think we'll know a lot more about him w/his end-of-year stats. Bowdoin, meanwhile, has five players with two goals, and nine guys with one goal. It's tough to say whether that means that the spreading of the scoring is due to A. balance or B. happenstance. I'd be more inclined to say "balanced" if they had, say, five guys on four or five goals, but maybe I'm being too critical. Either way, having 14 different players on the scoresheet thus far this year is admittedly impressive.

Defensively, both teams are pretty tight at the back. Babson's game vs. ECSU aside, both teams have been "in" every game they've played. I think Van Siclen has suffered from a lack of protection this season - he is a good talent as we saw last year, and he'll only get better. Similarly, I think Donato is a great keeper and has been unfortunate with some of the goals he's given up this year. Expect this one to be a tight contest at the back, as it always seems to be.

Based on what I've seen of both teams this year, coupled with home-field advantage, I'd give the slight edge to Bowdoin, 1-0. That said, wouldn't be surprised if Babson snuck this one in OT like they did last year at home.

[blooter442]

Bowdoin and Babson tied at 1-1 early second half. Bowdoin definitely the stronger side throughout the first half, but Kaplan put Babo 1-0 up against the run of play. Bowdoin has definitely been dominant down the wings all game, though, and its persistence eventually paid off with Miller grabbing the equalizer from a low cross.

Blooter's daily trivial announcer complaint: Bowdoin's "shot...SCOREEEEEEEEE!!!!" announcer is on duty today, so maybe those with sensitive ears would be advised to mute.

[Mr.Right]

What is going on up there in Brunswick? Is Babson having a meltdown in 2nd Half?

[blooter442]

Bowdoin now up 3-1. Three goals in 12 minutes to overturn a 1-0 deficit. The Polar Bears just seem a lot more athletic and are good value for their lead, although two of Bowdoin's three goals have come from very preventable crosses - the other appeared to be a deflected shot, so a bit hard-luck on the Beavers. Assuming Bowdoin holds out, beating Babson by two clear goals will be a big win for their confidence - especially considering Babson has some good results this season.

[blooter442]

4-1! Keefe all alone in the middle and triples his goal output for the season. A far cry from my pre-game prediction of 1-0. I cannot believe Bowdoin has hit Babson for four, although to be fair none of them have been Donato's fault.

Crazy thing - the Beavers have actually outshot the Polar Bears 12-9.

[Mr.Right]

Sounds like Keefe showed up to play today. For Bowdoin to be truly successful they need him to be a beast on the middle and finish off crosses and rebounds. Sometimes he fades in and out of games.

[Ommadawn]

Blooter's daily trivial announcer complaint: Bowdoin's "shot...SCOREEEEEEEEE!!!!" announcer is on duty today, so maybe those with sensitive ears would be advised to mute.

I had not heard this fellow before, but I tuned in just in time for Bowdoin's third goal.  My kid happened to be in the room at the time and has taken to imitating said announcer incessantly.  I guess I should have taken Blooter's advice and muted the computer BEFORE tuning in 

[blooter442]

I had not heard this fellow before, but I tuned in just in time for Bowdoin's third goal.  My kid happened to be in the room at the time and has taken to imitating said announcer incessantly.  I guess I should have taken Blooter's advice and muted the computer BEFORE tuning in 

Oh man, that's brutal! Before the game, I realized that I hadn't heard him in a while on Bowdoin broadcasts (I've watched a couple this season) and thought they might have gone to someone else. Then the tying goal came along, and it was the confirmation that I was indeed wrong.

[NewEngland]

Conn is 3-4-1 in last 8 against Amherst so they have had a little bit of success against the Jeffs. I think a point today is essential.

[PaulNewman]

Amh 2 Conn 0

[D3soccerwatcher]

NESCAC Match of the day:
Tufts takes on upstart Gordon. Predictions?