NESCAC

[Brother Flounder]

How would one describe Kenyon's style or type of play?

Wingtips or NCAC would probably know this....

We are in the quiet period.

Honestly, a homer fan is not the best person to get impressions from IMO.  Sort of like it's easier to know what someone else's issue are than your own.  Perceptions of one's own team often can be distorted.  The views of an opponent or neutral fan would likely be more credible.  I've also ironically seen Tufts LIVE exactly 1 more more time than I've seen Kenyon this year (zero).

In that vein, I may offer my thoughts on how to defeat Tufts at some point later today.

Saw both games this weekend and the earlier game versus Marietta. As I said after the Marietta game: when the front two lines stay connected they play the game beautifully. There were questions early on about replacing all four backs, for the most part Kenyon's backs have performed well.

Saturday's game was a test of patience as Westminster parked the bus and waited for a counter. I was hanging on the fence at the attacking end second half -the cross from Barnes was 10 feet in front of me. You did hear a little dissention among the Kenyon players - to be expected given Westminster's tactics.

Sunday's game against Chicago was not their finest moment. #11 (I was told he was UAA Newcomer of the Year) had his way against Kenyon's left back - creating multiple scoring chances. Chicago really should have had 3 goals min in the first half. Unfortunately a hard studs-in tackle(a foul was called) on #11's ankle hobbled him for the rest of the half. He did not start the second, came in and left within minutes 2nd half - tried to retape his ankle - did not return. That injury and the concussion suffered by #2 took two starters out for Chicago. Should be noted that all but 2 starters return for them and they have some good recruits coming - a very highly rated player from Cincinnati.

Just before Kenyon scored - Amolo got the ball in his half and was one on three - I said aloud," You better foul him now!" I repeated this twice - moments later they got the trying goal. The Chicago fans looked at me - I smiled and said - " I was trying to tell you what was going to happen!"

If you give Kenyon space - especially Amolo - they will hurt you. If you force them to play possession in their attacking end you may find success with counters. We saw that pacy wingers can get by the outside backs - and we saw that Kenyon is not opposed to hard fouls.

Thanks for the analysis Domino!

[PaulNewman]

blooter, you pretty much nailed it and hit basically every point I would make.  Bottom line is that Tufts is very good, very dangerous, and very confident in their chances regardless of opponent (a combination of the vibe that begins with and flows down from Shapiro and just excellent overall talent).  The game I saw was the Brandeis game and I thought Tufts was a little better although they were two teams clearly in the same class.  I'd guess out of 10 games Tufts would have a 5-3-2 advantage (with the caveat that I think Brandeis has gotten even better over the course of the season). 

What surprised me about Tufts given how possession-oriented they are with a reputation as somewhat of a finesse team, is that they can be very physical and even chippy when needed.  The Brandeis game struck me as very physical on both sides.  Majumder will get an extra shot or two in and Sullivan is a huge guy who seems to embrace an enforcer role.  Greenwood is more feisty than chippy but his presence adds to the feeling that an opponent is going to have a long day trying to handle the Jumbos.

The things I would underscore from what blooter wrote are the following....1) disrupt and know where Kayne is at all times and whenever he gets the ball anywhere from 40 yards in on the attacking side of the field prevent his access to delivering those killer through/slip passes just behind the defense; 2) make Patel play defense at left back (best natural left back in the country IMO BY FAR), be aware of him making a play anytime he has the ball, and limit his opportunities for in-swinging free kicks from anywhere inside his offensive half and corners; 3) do NOT allow Patel to have a swing at a bunch of free kicks and corners; 4) be aware that Tufts floods the midfield with five and tries to win the game in the middle two-thirds which leads to those Kayne and set piece opportunities; 5) do NOT fall asleep on Connor Brown, and Shapiro may move him back and forth from left and right sides to see where he can use his speed and aggressiveness with a favorable match-up; 6) make Tufts defend, put them under pressure, make the game a little chaotic, and in general keep them out a rythym; 7) go into the halftime break tied or with a lead which will allow the opponent to get a feel for Tufts' overall quality and what you are up against.

[PaulNewman]

One thing I will say is that I still have a hard time picturing these 2 teams facing off especially in Gambier, OH....the kind of intra-regional game many of us would love to see and hardly ever do.  Both teams are very similar in that they are re-built from last year's editions.  I am very confident that Kenyon, if healthy, and that's a big IF, would have given Tufts a heck of a game last year and an opponent a little different than any of the others Tufts faced.  I'll regret that that didn't happen for a long time.  I think that would have been a really, really good one.  They both lost about the same amount....Kenyon lost all of its back line, a couple of strongly contributing mids, and a couple of key reserves, and Tufts lost 2 CBs, Santos, Hoppenot, and some key subs.  These are different teams than last year but with strong returning cores and some new players stepping into big roles. 

[PaulNewman]

Any Messiah folks want to comment on Lycoming's chances with Amherst?

[Brother Flounder]

From Dominos analysis, it would appear that Connor Brown and Becharano use their speed to stretch and pressure the Kenyon midfield and outside backs. Tufts will have to pressure the back line. If this was turf that would be easier...and move the wings. It would be nice to play majumber and becharano together at times for extra pressure. Amolo must be marked at all times. Sullivan and Coleman have been stepping up big and must continue.

[Nutmeg]

I like the foregoing analysis. Usually, when u see NCAA or other general analysis it generally mentions leading scorers and goaltender save percentages.... No matter what people say, u can learn something on these boards!😉 Go NESCAC!

[Mr.Right]

Will Tufts be ready to go today?  Weather looks to be a nice sunny clear day with some wind and temps in the upper 40's. Tufts newspaper reviewed the past weekend and the players had some interesting quotes.

http://tuftsdaily.com/sports/2015/11/16/sullivan-brown-help-tufts-advance-sweet-16/

[wingtips2]

How would one describe Kenyon's style or type of play?

Wingtips or NCAC would probably know this....

Sorry I didn't see this earlier.
The others hit the nail on the head.
Can't underestimate how important Lowrie has been this year - he covers a lot of the mistakes made by the outside backs.
Tufts gave a good account of themselves today - cruel way to lose.

[Jump4Joy]

Only one NESCAC team left to cheer for.
Let's get the good vibes going, fellas.
Go Amherst!

[Nutmeg]

Who are the NESCAC all-Americans this year?

[Jump4Joy]

Breaking news: Amherst in Elite 8

[SoccerTroll]

Watched Tufts game. They seem to have kept ball in offensive half more than Kenyon. Just couldn't finish. Got goals on nice set pieces/corners. Tired legs at end so D couldn't get the late game clear. Could have gone either way. Tufts again showed Tourny experience and grit. SSweet 16 good result after so so end of season. Looking for them to do well next year.

[amh63]

Amherst plays Trinty University on Sunday.  Both teams had 2-0 wins.  Announcers mentioned that Trinity fans came to Hitchcock Field carrying a Texas Flag!

[Brother Flounder]

Amherst plays Trinty University on Sunday.  Both teams had 2-0 wins.  Announcers mentioned that Trinity fans came to Hitchcock Field carrying a Texas Flag!

Should be a war.....

[Nutmeg]

Who are the NESCAC all-Americans this year?

NPL
Odulate
Bull
Kayne
Majumder
Patel
Devlin...maybe
Conrad...maybe