NESCAC

[blooter442]

This is interesting, can u send a link to the article? Off topic I was wondering when the flux of Somali refugees that came to Lewiston at the turn of the century would actually help the soccer community up there. Also, it is past ED time so if he was hot on Dartmouth's list then he would already be heading there. My total guess is he would be fringe at Dartmouth and Bates most likely has to be pushing hard. I have never seen such a strange mix of schools that someone would be applying to. They all are very different in so many ways. usually kids clump a bunch of the same school together and maybe have one wildcard that they apply to.

http://www.pressherald.com/2015/12/06/boys-soccer-abdi-shariff-hassan-lewiston/

Well I think that the hometown factor could be big, but I really have a hard time believing that if he has options to go to a better soccer program and school that he wouldn't head there - apparently he is a good student, too. Make no mistake, Bates is a good school, but it is also very "average" as far as NESCACs go, both academically and athletically, and I think a place like Swarthmore is a significantly better school and is 3 years removed from a Sweet 16 appearance, while Bates has never made the NCAA Tournament and its best season in quite some time resulted in them going 7-6-3. Again, pure speculation, and from what I understand Bates is pushing very hard, but that if he is as gifted academically as the coach would indicate then he will likely have better options out there.

The Lewiston team this year was very legit as far as high school programs go. They pass the ball extremely well and their off-the-ball movement was very good. Very athletic and skilled. Based on what I saw, I think they would be competitive in D3, not top 25 or anything, but they'd win some games.

Re: talk of Midd. winning the whole thing next year: In my book, it would be a surprise of Tufts proportions if Midd were to win the whole thing. They did it in 2007 and that was a surprise, but don't see lightning striking twice. The one thing Midd has going for it is that it doesn't lose anyone except Deklan Robinson, and you can't underestimate the value of team chemistry. However, I don't see an exceptional amount of talent in that team: Sydor is very good, and Glaser and Conrad are very good, but aside from them I'm not wowed.

Some might say that Tufts won it out of nowhere, thus making a case for Midd to do so. Well, even in Tufts' case, while their win was surprising, they had some incredible talent — particularly Williams, Lee-Kramer, Kayne, Brown, Santos, and Hoppenot — and their average 2014 regular season was more of them failing to play to their potential more than anything. Someone made a comment about Tufts having A/A- talent that year, and I agree; meanwhile, I would give Midd a B+.

[PaulNewman]

Now that they have fully knocked down the door I think Amherst is going to be even more difficult to stop in the NESCAC.  Tufts will still be a strong contender, and Midd should be right in the mix.  I haven't checked to see how much Bowdoin and Wesleyan are losing, and a bounce-back season from Williams would make sense.  Perhaps the best test of conference's strength is how hard it is for a Conn Coll or Trinity to truly break into the top 4 or so in a year over year fashion.

[Mr.Right]

Excellent article...This kid has come a long way from a refugee camp. Love these stories...Also, has been Americanized a bit with the leggins and gloves. A good way to impress a college coach that you know is there watching you in a frigid cold game is to NOT wear gloves...Shows a touch of toughness that some coaches love.

[Jump4Joy]

This post adds nothing to the discussion, but I just had to say how happy I am for Amherst.
And I think it's cool that NESCAC is at the top for the second year.
Excellent league: intense rivalries, lots of talent, tremendous alumni loyalty. So fun.
Already looking forward to next year.
Also, I appreciate the thoughtful posts here, especially those that took the time to research stats, including historical stuff, and those that provided insightful analysis. That takes times and dedication.

[Bucket]

Congrats to the NESCAC players who earned All-American honors:

First Team: Deklan Robinson, Middlebury

Second Team: Nico Pascual-Leone, Amherst

Third Team: Patrick Devlin, Conn, and Thomas Bull, Amherst

http://nescac.org/sports/msoc/2015-16/releases/NSCAA_All-America_120415

[All NESCAC]

Congrats to the NESCAC players who earned All-American honors:

First Team: Deklan Robinson, Middlebury

Second Team: Nico Pascual-Leone, Amherst

Third Team: Patrick Devlin, Conn, and Thomas Bull, Amherst

http://nescac.org/sports/msoc/2015-16/releases/NSCAA_All-America_120415

Absolutely...Congratulations.

[blooter442]

Congrats to the NESCAC players who earned All-American honors:

First Team: Deklan Robinson, Middlebury

Second Team: Nico Pascual-Leone, Amherst

Third Team: Patrick Devlin, Conn, and Thomas Bull, Amherst

http://nescac.org/sports/msoc/2015-16/releases/NSCAA_All-America_120415

Saw the AA teams a week back, but did not realize that Robinson made the first team. Well done, and although Midd. only loses him next year he will have big shoes to fill. Still think NPL should have been first team, but I'll stop beating a dead horse beyond that. Bull was an AA selection, no question. Really happy to see Devlin got some recognition, I think within these boards he is very well-known but I feel like he is vastly underrated by the casual NESCAC observer, so glad to see that he was recognized.

[Mr.Right]

Very surprised to see Deklan Robinson 1st TEAM...To me he was a very good defender and the best pure header of the ball in Nescac but not a 1st Team'er..Maybe 3rd....To me he was more dangerous on set pieces for Midd in their attacking 3rd..Very good knack for getting his head on the ball and very good at creating enough space to do so.

[blooter442]

Very surprised to see Deklan Robinson 1st TEAM...To me he was a very good defender and the best pure header of the ball in Nescac but not a 1st Team'er..Maybe 3rd....To me he was more dangerous on set pieces for Midd in their attacking 3rd..Very good knack for getting his head on the ball and very good at creating enough space to do so.

Yeah, I think that was part of the shock on my part. Granted, I don't know a ton about Midd., but while I know he was a key player for them I was a bit confused about that. Certainly didn't realize that he was a defender first and foremost, I thought he was mostly an attacking set piece weapon.

[Jump4Joy]

Congratulations to Amherst's Justin Serpone on his national COY recognition.

http://athletics.amherst.edu/sports/msoc/2015-16/releases/20151215h1tj5o

[Bucket]

Re: talk of Midd. winning the whole thing next year: In my book, it would be a surprise of Tufts proportions if Midd were to win the whole thing. They did it in 2007 and that was a surprise, but don't see lightning striking twice. The one thing Midd has going for it is that it doesn't lose anyone except Deklan Robinson, and you can't underestimate the value of team chemistry. However, I don't see an exceptional amount of talent in that team: Sydor is very good, and Glaser and Conrad are very good, but aside from them I'm not wowed.

Some might say that Tufts won it out of nowhere, thus making a case for Midd to do so. Well, even in Tufts' case, while their win was surprising, they had some incredible talent — particularly Williams, Lee-Kramer, Kayne, Brown, Santos, and Hoppenot — and their average 2014 regular season was more of them failing to play to their potential more than anything. Someone made a comment about Tufts having A/A- talent that year, and I agree; meanwhile, I would give Midd a B+.

Daniel O'Grady, a freshman starter all year for the Panthers, will be one of Midd's all-time best. Just watch. And I have it on good authority that Midd is bringing in a handful of very creative playmakers next year.

Could be a magical year for Midd in 2016. But it's folly to predict national championships. Far too many variables. But it's gonna be a fun ride...

[Nutmeg]

Congrats to the NESCAC players who earned All-American honors:

First Team: Deklan Robinson, Middlebury

Second Team: Nico Pascual-Leone, Amherst

Third Team: Patrick Devlin, Conn, and Thomas Bull, Amherst

http://nescac.org/sports/msoc/2015-16/releases/NSCAA_All-America_120415

Saw the AA teams a week back, but did not realize that Robinson made the first team. Well done, and although Midd. only loses him next year he will have big shoes to fill. Still think NPL should have been first team, but I'll stop beating a dead horse beyond that. Bull was an AA selection, no question. Really happy to see Devlin got some recognition, I think within these boards he is very well-known but I feel like he is vastly underrated by the casual NESCAC observer, so glad to see that he was recognized.

Yes, NPL should have been on first team. Good for Devlin. He and Kayne were the best midfielders, even though they only scored 5 and 4 points each. Bloots, you also stated that Kayne deserved recognition. The casual NESCAC observer and outsiders who look at stats alone don't realize how good these 2 were. Both play great defense with many steals. Devlin is extremely scrappy. Kayne is more crafty and ambidextrous with fantastic vision. They were very fun too watch....

[blooter442]

Yes, NPL should have been on first team. Good for Devlin. He and Kayne were the best midfielders, even though they only scored 5 and 4 points each. Bloots, you also stated that Kayne deserved recognition. The casual NESCAC observer and outsiders who look at stats alone don't realize how good these 2 were. Both play great defense with many steals. Devlin is extremely scrappy. Kayne is more crafty and ambidextrous with fantastic vision. They were very fun too watch....

Correct, I do believe that Kayne would have been worthy of All-American, or at the very least All-New England. One of the best CMs in the country, even if his stats didn't show it this year, although I can see why he didn't get the recognition he deserves because of his stats this year (1g & 2a; last year had 6g & 7a.) Not saying it was justified, just that I can understand the logic.

Regardless, I think both Kayne and Devlin are AA-worthy players, and were the two best central midfielders in the NESCAC this year IMHO. I'd really like to see Conn. make a run next season for Devlin's sake.

[All NESCAC]

Yes, NPL should have been on first team. Good for Devlin. He and Kayne were the best midfielders, even though they only scored 5 and 4 points each. Bloots, you also stated that Kayne deserved recognition. The casual NESCAC observer and outsiders who look at stats alone don't realize how good these 2 were. Both play great defense with many steals. Devlin is extremely scrappy. Kayne is more crafty and ambidextrous with fantastic vision. They were very fun too watch....

Correct, I do believe that Kayne would have been worthy of All-American, or at the very least All-New England. One of the best CMs in the country, even if his stats didn't show it this year, although I can see why he didn't get the recognition he deserves because of his stats this year (1g & 2a; last year had 6g & 7a.) Not saying it was justified, just that I can understand the logic.

Regardless, I think both Kayne and Devlin are AA-worthy players, and were the two best central midfielders in the NESCAC this year IMHO. I'd really like to see Conn. make a run next season for Devlin's sake.

Agree with you Blooter442....would love to see the Camels make the NCAA's next year in Devlin's senior year as he will be very tough to replace, as will Kayne...both are fun to watch...really like Devlin's toughness and simple yet very effective footwork, and his motor...he never stops and he was playing "banged up" all year from pre-season nagging injury.

[Jump4Joy]

NESCAC COY split between coaches from Bowdoin (3-3-4 for #6 NESCAC seed; 11-4-4 [includes NESCAC and NCAA post-season]) and Middlebury (7-2-1 for #2 NESCAC seed; 13-2-2 [includes NESCAC post-season; did not qualify for NCAA post-season]). Bowdoin did win NESCAC tournament, but I believe NESCAC COY is based on regular season performance (?).

National COY to Amherst (9-0-1 for #1 NESCAC seed; 18-1-2 [includes NCAA post-season]).

Who got it right?

Note: Is it really true that this co-COY is Saward's second from NESCAC? Seems strange for a 31-year vet. Maybe the conference hasn't been awarding it for too long?