NESCAC

[Mr.Right]

They had it in them last year as a mediocre team at the end of the season to go on a dream run and the NCAA would welcome another one of those from the defending champs.

Not sure they were a mediocre team. Underachieving, yes. Inconsistent, yes. But with the talent they had, players like Santos, Williams, Lee-Kramer, and Hoppenot, I would say they were one of the best teams in the nation on paper. However, it is about results, and in that respect I would say they could have been labeled "mediocre."

Their striker always gets ball with back to goal and then has to do something, but no one up with him to do it with.

I agree with this. Hoppenot last year got his ball with back to goal all the time, but he usually had outlets to pass to in Santos and Brown. This year, Majumder has often been isolated when he's gotten the ball, and has been forced to go unlock the defense by himself. I still maintain that Majumder is a superior striker to what Hoppenot was, but he needs some help.

This is all very true for Tufts between the differences of this year and last year. The biggest difference is not having the end of season form that Gus Santos had last year. He and Brown for that matter were using speed and skill to beat guys 1v1 and dragging over defenders to free up others to score. Majumder is a better natural striker than Hoppenot but Hoppenot worked harder tracking back and pressing. Tufts is not pressing like they were last year, most likely because they would become WAY more exposed but it is not as entertaining to watch.

[Brother Flounder]

Good student newspaper article on Tufts soccer loss to Bowdoin. Shapiro is a class act.  The seniors of last year and this year definitely brought Tufts back to the forefront.

http://tuftsdaily.com/sports/2015/11/02/tufts-falls-bowdoin-nescac-quarters/

[blooter442]

Shapiro is a class act.

Agree with this 100%. Whether you read his comments in defeat or after they won the national championship, he's always fair, objective, and incredibly respectful. Even though they're not my team, I have huge respect for the Tufts program and a significant amount of that is due to Shapiro's demeanor both at and away from the field. A lot of coaches would do well to learn from him.

[Bucket]

Shapiro is a class act.

Agree with this 100%. Whether you read his comments in defeat or after they won the national championship, he's always fair, objective, and incredibly respectful. Even though they're not my team, I have huge respect for the Tufts program and a significant amount of that is due to Shapiro's demeanor both at and away from the field. A lot of coaches would do well to learn from him.

He's a Midd alum, so of course he's a class act. 

[All NESCAC]

Shapiro is a class act.

Agree with this 100%. Whether you read his comments in defeat or after they won the national championship, he's always fair, objective, and incredibly respectful. Even though they're not my team, I have huge respect for the Tufts program and a significant amount of that is due to Shapiro's demeanor both at and away from the field. A lot of coaches would do well to learn from him.

He's a Midd alum, so of course he's a class act. 

Shapiro is a class act to his team, parents and opposing teams....seen it on a couple of occasions....wish more of the coaches has his people skills.

If Conn, Bowdoin or Wesleyan wins the NESCAC AQ tournament....who gets left out of the NCAA?

[blooter442]

If Conn, Bowdoin or Wesleyan wins the NESCAC AQ tournament....who gets left out of the NCAA?

Could go either way between Tufts and Midd, but I'd say Tufts would probably be out. Tufts was ranked 3rd in the NE RRs to Middlebury's 4th, but that was before Tufts went 0-1-1 against Bowdoin at home. Then again, Tufts does have a superior RvR and better SOS, as well as the head-to-head matchup, so you could make a case for them. However, if Midd wins the NESCAC according to plan, then Tufts will 99% get that second bid. And there is still the possibility that the committee could give out three Pool C's to the NESCAC, although I doubt it.

[Mr.Right]

AGAIN....Tufts and Nescac are separate entities now. Just because if Conn wins the AQ it doesn't mean either Midd or Tufts would be in or out. Tufts is now up against all regions bubble teams. The only effect Tufts will feel and other bubble teams will feel across the nation is if MIT loses in their tournament. Multiply that by all the other teams in all the other regions that get upset and now the leftovers are where Tufts will be with the leftovers. Read Shapiro's quote, even he understands this. It all depends on other teams in other regions.

[Fiveminutesfolks]

If Conn, Bowdoin or Wesleyan wins the NESCAC AQ tournament....who gets left out of the NCAA?

Could go either way between Tufts and Midd, but I'd say Tufts would probably be out. Tufts was ranked 3rd in the NE RRs to Middlebury's 4th, but that was before Tufts went 0-1-1 against Bowdoin at home. Then again, Tufts does have a superior RvR and better SOS, as well as the head-to-head matchup, so you could make a case for them. However, if Midd wins the NESCAC according to plan, then Tufts will 99% get that second bid. And there is still the possibility that the committee could give out three Pool C's to the NESCAC, although I doubt it.

Even if Midd loses on Saturday I have a very hard time believing they would leave out a team that is 13-2-2 in place of a 9-4-3. Regardless of SOS and head-to-head it just wouldn't make sense. Particularly since Midd got left out last year. That being said, I think both teams deserve a bid if Midd doesn't get the AQ.

Predictions for this weekend? I'm thinking Middlebury has an advantage due to their squad strength, form and the pitch - but it could be a tricky match up vs. Bowdoin who they have had a shaky record against in recent years. Conn hasn't beat Midd on the other hand in a very long time. But the match against Wesleyan should be exciting as clashes between the Panthers and the Cardinals usually are.

My guesses:

Conn 2 - Bowdoin 1
Midd 3 - Wesleyan 1

Midd 2- Conn 0

[Brother Flounder]

If Conn, Bowdoin or Wesleyan wins the NESCAC AQ tournament....who gets left out of the NCAA?

Could go either way between Tufts and Midd, but I'd say Tufts would probably be out. Tufts was ranked 3rd in the NE RRs to Middlebury's 4th, but that was before Tufts went 0-1-1 against Bowdoin at home. Then again, Tufts does have a superior RvR and better SOS, as well as the head-to-head matchup, so you could make a case for them. However, if Midd wins the NESCAC according to plan, then Tufts will 99% get that second bid. And there is still the possibility that the committee could give out three Pool C's to the NESCAC, although I doubt it.

Even if Midd loses on Saturday I have a very hard time believing they would leave out a team that is 13-2-2 in place of a 9-4-3. Regardless of SOS and head-to-head it just wouldn't make sense. Particularly since Midd got left out last year. That being said, I think both teams deserve a bid if Midd doesn't get the AQ.

Predictions for this weekend? I'm thinking Middlebury has an advantage due to their squad strength, form and the pitch - but it could be a tricky match up vs. Bowdoin who they have had a shaky record against in recent years. Conn hasn't beat Midd on the other hand in a very long time. But the match against Wesleyan should be exciting as clashes between the Panthers and the Cardinals usually are.

My guesses:

Conn 2 - Bowdoin 1
Midd 3 - Wesleyan 1

Midd 2- Conn 0

Yep, but that 9-4-3 team beat Middlebury....

[Mr.Right]

HA....Midd scoring 5 goals this week-end...FAT CHANCE

[Fiveminutesfolks]

If Conn, Bowdoin or Wesleyan wins the NESCAC AQ tournament....who gets left out of the NCAA?

Could go either way between Tufts and Midd, but I'd say Tufts would probably be out. Tufts was ranked 3rd in the NE RRs to Middlebury's 4th, but that was before Tufts went 0-1-1 against Bowdoin at home. Then again, Tufts does have a superior RvR and better SOS, as well as the head-to-head matchup, so you could make a case for them. However, if Midd wins the NESCAC according to plan, then Tufts will 99% get that second bid. And there is still the possibility that the committee could give out three Pool C's to the NESCAC, although I doubt it.

Even if Midd loses on Saturday I have a very hard time believing they would leave out a team that is 13-2-2 in place of a 9-4-3. Regardless of SOS and head-to-head it just wouldn't make sense. Particularly since Midd got left out last year. That being said, I think both teams deserve a bid if Midd doesn't get the AQ.

Predictions for this weekend? I'm thinking Middlebury has an advantage due to their squad strength, form and the pitch - but it could be a tricky match up vs. Bowdoin who they have had a shaky record against in recent years. Conn hasn't beat Midd on the other hand in a very long time. But the match against Wesleyan should be exciting as clashes between the Panthers and the Cardinals usually are.

My guesses:

Conn 2 - Bowdoin 1
Midd 3 - Wesleyan 1

Midd 2- Conn 0

Yep, but that 9-4-3 team beat Middlebury....

Yeah of course, but that's not really how the selection process works. You honestly think that given their respective resumes a >10 win team would get in over a 13 win team? Give me one similar example in the history of the NCAA selection process in any division...

[blooter442]

Yeah of course, but that's not really how the selection process works. You honestly think that given their respective resumes a >10 win team would get in over a 13 win team? Give me one similar example in the history of the NCAA selection process in any division...

Well Rochester, pretty much every year Except this one. Hyperbole, I know, but Rochester has benefited from some very questionable selections in the past with eight, nine wins.

But I do think you're right. Would be tough to take a 9-4-3 side over a 13+ win team.

[Bucket]

HA....Midd scoring 5 goals this week-end...FAT CHANCE

They did last weekend...and only needed one game to do it.

[PaulNewman]

I think it's safe to conclude at this point that our friend BF is gonna vote that Tufts should get in regardless of any results or comparisons .

[Brother Flounder]

I think it's safe to conclude at this point that our friend BF is gonna vote that Tufts should get in regardless of any results or comparisons .

Even if they were 4-9-3!!!