NESCAC

[NEsoccerfan]

Wesleyan advances past Midd on PK's to get to the Nescac Final to play the winner of Bowdoin / Conn. Midd will get a Pool C with the draw. Wesleyan's 3rd Kicker missed but the ref gave him a mulligan I am guessing because Sydor jumped early. Definitely controversial.

Controversial is an understatement. Referee didn't call it; Linesman ruled he was off his line. Late flag, too. Midd bench obviously livid. Wes bench laughing in disbelief. Both coaches said they'd never seen anything like it. Linesman told Saward after the game that he'd be sleeping just fine tonight. Unreal scene.

(watching on the stream so I can't comment on specifics) but for what it's worth, that is the AR's call to make, that's why he is on the goal line. Again I'm speculating but usually referee crews go over signals for situations like this (I.E. If keeper steps early, the AR moves his flag from the left hand to the right to signal a retake). Obviously raising the flag is one pretty common way to do this, but maybe he re raised his flag late because the Center Ref missed the original signal? And better for the AR to process for the extra second to make sure he gets it right. Again, only watched on the stream, but I'm predisposed to believe the guy who was on the line and watching the line

Honestly, as I was watching that very kick I thought to myself wow he certainly took a big jump forward right before the kick was struck. Although it is rarely called and I agree that the ref seemed to take issue with middlebury's goalie staring down the opposition, it appeared to be the right call for me.

[Mr.Right]

Yes but that would be a travesty if the ref called that for spite..Which I do not believe happened but still it was most certainly controversial

[dacac]

This is a really disappointing effort by Conn today. Bowdoin is just suffocating them today.

Yep, that's what happens when you give up early goals to a team with a great defense. Conn gave it a go in the 2nd half but Bowdoin's backline locked down and Conn was only able to generate half chances. Leon had a good opportunity early on in the 2nd half, but that's about all Conn could muster.

[Mr.Right]

If Bowdoin can find a goal or 2 each game their season is going to continue a few more weeks. Win or lose they are getting In and likely will jump Tufts and maybe even Midd. If MIT and UMASS Boston get the AQ's then Nescac has a chance for 3 Pool C's.

[blooter442]

This is quite the setup. So Tufts pretty much has to root for Bowdoin, MIT, and UMASS-Boston to all win tomorrow to have any chance? (Fun fact: Bowdoin's record is 9-3-4; Tufts 9-4-3.)

[Mr.Right]

Tufts does have the 2nd best SOS in the country but they are sweating for sure. If Wesleyan wins there is no way Nescac gets 4 Pool C's. Amherst, Midd, Bowdoin, Tufts. 3 Pool C's are definite IMO but 4 is a stretch and Tufts will be the one left out especially with Midd drawing today. A loss might of had them sweating also.

[Bucket]

If Bowdoin can find a goal or 2 each game their season is going to continue a few more weeks. Win or lose they are getting In and likely will jump Tufts and maybe even Midd. If MIT and UMASS Boston get the AQ's then Nescac has a chance for 3 Pool C's.

I think the only way Bowdoin can jump Midd is if the Polar Bears tie Wes and lose in PKs (thus not earning the AQ). Even then, I'm not sure it would happen.

[PaulNewman]

Bowdoin must be the definition of efficient.  4 shots, 2 goals.

[Nutmeg]

Tufts does have the 2nd best SOS in the country but they are sweating for sure. If Wesleyan wins there is no way Nescac gets 4 Pool C's. Amherst, Midd, Bowdoin, Tufts. 3 Pool C's are definite IMO but 4 is a stretch and Tufts will be the one left out especially with Midd drawing today. A loss might of had them sweating also.

What about the fact tha Tufts beat Middlebury? Given that and their way harder schedule could they squeeze out Middlebury?

[Nutmeg]

Bowdoin must be the definition of efficient.  4 shots, 2 goals.

It was even worse when they beat Tufts... That's how they do it

[Bucket]

Tufts does have the 2nd best SOS in the country but they are sweating for sure. If Wesleyan wins there is no way Nescac gets 4 Pool C's. Amherst, Midd, Bowdoin, Tufts. 3 Pool C's are definite IMO but 4 is a stretch and Tufts will be the one left out especially with Midd drawing today. A loss might of had them sweating also.

What about the fact tha Tufts beat Middlebury? Given that and their way harder schedule could they squeeze out Middlebury?

Tufts was one place behind Midd in this week's regional rankings. Does a tie result (PK loss) in the semifinals drop them below Tufts, who was idle? That's what we're asking here. Hard to move a team down with a tie or a team up when they were idle. But it could happen.

[blooter442]

What about the fact tha Tufts beat Middlebury? Given that and their way harder schedule could they squeeze out Middlebury?

Don't think so. Tufts did have a much harder schedule, to be fair to Midd, they're 13-2-2 to Tufts' 9-4-3, and they advanced one round further in the NESCAC tournament than did the Jumbos. That said, you never know, and I recently advocated that Tufts should get in - however, they only have themselves to blame if they don't.

This will have to be one of the most unpredictable selection shows ever.

[PaulNewman]

Might come down to whether MIT can get their AQ.

[Mr.Right]

UMASS Boston helps everyone out with their AQ. I think MIT will also get the AQ as they are a much better team than Babson. Babson is going to be sitting 10 deep you can be sure of that which might frustrate MIT but it will not matter.

[blooter442]

Might come down to whether MIT can get their AQ.

And even then, the big question is will they go four teams deep in the NESCAC? They did three years ago when Tufts took an undefeated Williams team to PKs and Wesleyan lost 1-0 to an undefeated Amherst, but the committee might feel differently this year especially considering, in addition to their good-but-not-great record, Tufts was knocked out in the quarters.