NESCAC

[blooter442]

Bowdoin proves to be Tufts' bogey team once again. (Interestingly enough, the NE column on D3soccer.com said as much, so if I haven't outed my identity already, head over there to see bloots' writing. )

Did anyone see the game? Sounds like it was a reasonably well-deserved victory for Bowdoin, although I would assume Tufts had most of the ball. Even more impressive is that Bowdoin got the W without Van Siclen in goal, although Safian was the Polar Bears' GK in 2014 before getting injured and did well enough.

[Brother Flounder]

Bowdoin proves to be Tufts' bogey team once again. (Interestingly enough, the NE column on D3soccer.com said as much, so if I haven't outed my identity already, head over there to see bloots' writing. )

Did anyone see the game? Sounds like it was a reasonably well-deserved victory for Bowdoin, although I would assume Tufts had most of the ball. Even more impressive is that Bowdoin got the W without Van Siclen in goal, although Safian was the Polar Bears' GK in 2014 before getting injured and did well enough.

Yep, also stated Bowdoin has been a thorn in Tufts side....

[Mr.Right]

BIG BIG wins for Bowdoin and Williams today....Massive losses for Midd and Tufts.....Midd is fading and their Pool C chances are REALLY fading. Both Williams and Midd are at 9-3-3 but Williams has the better SOS and both teams will have under .500 RvR as long as Conn stays ranked tomorrow. Rumor has it that Glaser WANTS to and is TRYING to play in Saturday's Quarterfinal and Midd desperately needs him. Most likely we will see a re-match of today's game with #3 Williams hosting #6 Midd....It will be very difficult to beat Midd twice in 1 week let alone 1 season. Williams dominated the game and played their best IMO since their loss to Amherst. Williams was up 1-0 but in the 75th minute Conrad hit an absolute beauty of a free kick that was easily heading into the goal to tie the game at 1-1 but Williams GK Alcorn made a tremendous save to preserve the lead and Williams tacked on 2 more on some nice possession to win the game 3-0.

As far as Bowdoin and Tufts they will now need deep runs in the Nescac tournament to get Pool C consideration and they both have it in them to do it. Problem is this is also looking like another rematch with #2 Tufts hosting #7 Bowdoin. I will repeat it is very difficult to beat a team twice in the same week.


Wednesday's Predictions:

Amherst v Trinity-----These two teams will meet tomorrow and then again on Saturday in the Nescac Quarters as Amherst will be the #1 Seed and Trinity the #8 seed. Amherst needs this game tomorrow more than Trinity so they can solidify NCAA hosting priorities. If I were Trinity I would rest some players and maybe give everyone a run especially the seniors as they must be in full GO mode on Saturday. Last year Trinity played very well in this end of the year contest drawing Amherst 1-1 in Hartford. This year in this particular game i expect Amherst to roll as there is no love lost between Pilger and Serpone. 3-0 Amherst

Wesleyan v Conn--- ---Conn MUST win this game to get the all important #5 seed and a rematch at Hamilton in the Nescac Quarters thing much from them bat they would feel pretty confident about. Rumor is Wesleyan will be playing all young players so I am not expecting much from them but they will want to prove to Wheeler they belong. Conn too much.   Conn 2-0

Bates v Colby-------This game means absolutely nothing except Bates could win the CBB. Either way I would hope both teams score goals in a meaningless game.  3-3 DRAW

[wizard]

Wednesday's Predictions:[/b]


Wesleyan v Conn--- ---Conn MUST win this game to get the all important #5 seed and a rematch at Hamilton in the Nescac Quarters thing much from them bat they would feel pretty confident about. Rumor is Wesleyan will be playing all young players so I am not expecting much from them but they will want to prove to Wheeler they belong. Conn too much.   Conn 2-0

Mr. Right - I've always loved your insight and have been more a lurker on the board that a contributor. My son still plays in the NESCAC and I find it hard to post objectively, so I avoid it. That being said, and I don't question Wesleyan's ability and right to play who they want, I was wondering about your opinion since I respect it. I am only asking your opinion - Since Wesleyan winning, losing or coming square in this game will have effects on the #2 through 7 teams quarterfinal match-ups, don't they have an ethical/sportsmanship responsibility to play out the game with their best available players?

Reminds me of the arguments when the Colts pulled Peyton out of the game and the Jets won a game they likely shouldn't have and got into the playoffs.

Just curious.

[nescac1]

Wizard, I don't see Wesleyan having any ethical obligation whatsoever, other than doing what is best for the program and the players.  Every NESCAC squad had its own opportunity on the playing field to secure its seeding.  Not saying Wesleyan should tank by any means, but with little to play for, what is best for the program is to get some young players who have worked hard and are the future of the program a chance to shine on the pitch. 

Big win for Williams vs. Midd, tough that they will likely have to do it again.  Scott MacDonald returned for the Ephs in that game after missing nearly the entire year with injury.  Andreu, however, did not play, presumably due to injury ... hopefully nothing serious as he is a key player for the Ephs.  I would like to think that one more win should get Williams a Pool C bid, with wins over Babson, Middlebury, and whoever they play Saturday, Hamilton and Trinity, and ties vs. Bowdoin and Endicott.  That is a pretty solid resume.  The Ephs' only three losses are all very high-quality losses: road losses to Amherst, Conn and Tufts, two of them by one goal. But the Ephs could really use one more strong result. 

If it's Midd vs. Williams, I imagine the Panthers will need to beat Williams and likely win at least one more game to secure a spot, in light of Midd's very weak non-conference schedule.  Tufts I would think is in with one more win, too. 

[letsGOswans!]

It's a shame Wesleyan has had the season they do. They play some great football and are one of the few teams to try and pass it.

This time around Conn should be liking their chances against Hamilton since their key players are healthy.

[Mr.Right]

It's a shame Wesleyan has had the season they do. They play some great football and are one of the few teams to try and pass it.

This time around Conn should be liking their chances against Hamilton since their key players are healthy.

Agree....Wesleyan is a definite Top 8 team but the loss to Trinity and Bates killed them

[Mr.Right]

Wednesday's Predictions:[/b]


Wesleyan v Conn--- ---Conn MUST win this game to get the all important #5 seed and a rematch at Hamilton in the Nescac Quarters thing much from them bat they would feel pretty confident about. Rumor is Wesleyan will be playing all young players so I am not expecting much from them but they will want to prove to Wheeler they belong. Conn too much.   Conn 2-0

Mr. Right - I've always loved your insight and have been more a lurker on the board that a contributor. My son still plays in the NESCAC and I find it hard to post objectively, so I avoid it. That being said, and I don't question Wesleyan's ability and right to play who they want, I was wondering about your opinion since I respect it. I am only asking your opinion - Since Wesleyan winning, losing or coming square in this game will have effects on the #2 through 7 teams quarterfinal match-ups, don't they have an ethical/sportsmanship responsibility to play out the game with their best available players?

Reminds me of the arguments when the Colts pulled Peyton out of the game and the Jets won a game they likely shouldn't have and got into the playoffs.

Just curious.

Wizard I have to agree with Nescac 1...You cannot rely on other teams to help / hurt you. It was Wesleyan's right to play whoever they felt like and frankly they played alot of their seniors anyway but he did start and play some "fresh" names

[Mr.Right]

And Bates loses to Colby 1-0 in both teams final game. That is 5 years under Stewart Flaherty and NOT 1 Nescac Playoff appearance. Not 1 Top 8 in his tenure. Even Seabrook at Colby has qualified once in 3 years. With a new AD coming to town I would guess Flaherty better get some results next year or it could be his final act. New AD's tend to want to put their own STAMP on failing sports teams at their school and since this job was never opened up to a National Search it wouldn't surprise me to see some pressure on Flaherty next year. Not all Bates sports teams are failing like Men's Soccer in fact they have some very successful ones right now.

[blooter442]

And Bates loses to Colby 1-0 in both teams final game. That is 5 years under Stewart Flaherty and NOT 1 Nescac Playoff appearance. Not 1 Top 8 in his tenure. Even Seabrook at Colby has qualified once in 3 years. With a new AD coming to town I would guess Flaherty better get some results next year or it could be his final act. New AD's tend to want to put their own STAMP on failing sports teams at their school and since this job was never opened up to a National Search it wouldn't surprise me to see some pressure on Flaherty next year. Not all Bates sports teams are failing like Men's Soccer in fact they have some very successful ones right now.

And to think I picked them as my dark horse team... 

[NewEngland]

Amherst v. Trinity
Tufts v. Bowdoin
Williams v. Middlebury
Hamilton v. Connecticut College

Out:
Colby
Bates
Wesleyan

My two big surprises here are Hamilton and Wesleyan. Wesleyan always seems to find a way and I believe this is the first time that they will miss the NESCAC playoffs.
Hamilton got some good results against the lower teams of the NESCAC, beating Bates, Trinity, Colby, Wesleyan and getting a win over a mid table Connecticut College team. That 4-5-6 seed is generally the teams that beat up on the lower teams and pick up one or two other results against the better sides. Winning those games is essential to making the playoffs. Fair play to them as I did not expect them to be hosting this year.

The league is so competitive. I can see Bowdoin and Middlebury as 7 and 6 seeds playing for the championship. I still think Amherst and Tufts are the class of the NESCAC but anything can happen in a playoff game. I'm looking forward to seeing how this plays out.

And my guesses since it will be impossible to predict:

Amherst v. Trinity - 3-0 Amherst
Tufts v. Bowdoin - 2-1 Tufts
Williams v. Middlebury - 1-1 Midd on PKs
Hamilton v. Connecticut College - 2-1 CC

[oldonionbag]

Pure class from Bowdoin's #27 on the first goal! What a strike - at any level.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3pcg11t24E

[Mr.Right]

Saturday's Nescac Quarterfinal Predictions:

Interestingly, 3 of the 4 games being played on Saturday are re-matches from Tuesday / Wednesday Regular Season Final Games:

#5 Conn at #4 Hamilton-------Hamilton won the regular season game 1-0 but did not have Devlin. Conn is DEAD last in Shots in Nescac games by about 20. They have a total of 84 Shots in 10 games which is horrific. They are the leaders in SH% at .155 which is good. They are also 3rd in the league in Corners which is helpful but it doesn't seem they are scoring many goals off of them. Hamilton is 3rd in the league with 126 Shots but almost dead last in Corners. Hamilton as predicted is starting to fade as the season comes to a close. Most people will pick Conn in this game and most people like this draw for Conn but Hamilton can be a tough place to play and win. I think Conn's GK has been a major liability the past few games and he will need to be on his toes. Their backline has been decent but nothing spectacular. I think this game ends in a draw and goes to Pk's.....1-1 DRAW, Hamilton wins 5-4 in PK's

#6 Midd at #3 Williams--------I thought Williams played VERY WELL on Tuesday in their 3-0 drubbing of Midd. That scoreline will not happen again IMO. This will be a 1 goal game and Midd desperately needs Glaser to come back in what could be his final game of his career. Not only has Midd been horrific scoring goals but they have leaked 6 goals in the past 2 games which is AWFUL. Their RB against Williams looked very slow and was getting burned and their CB's are not blazing fast either. Conrad will need to take this game over and try to nab one off a set piece which he is very good at taking. Williams GK Christian Alcorn has been playing very well of late saving a killer Conrad set piece on Tuesday. I believe I saw Moutenot leave the game with an ankle injury which would be a big loss for Williams on the flank. I think Midd takes the 2 1/2 hour drive down Route 7 pumped up and ready to go and as long as Midd's defense holds and Sydor starts playing like the best GK in the league they can shut Williasm midfield down. Williams LB Scatt McDonald who is a tough kid and good player finally came back from a 6 week injury and started but he doesn't look match fit yet so I would be going at him and testing him early. Midd's Goulart should be able to handle Williams RB Mercadante and CB Brandory Dory is still to me a big question mark back there. Williams' midfield with Bahr de-Stefano, Andreau and Sean Dory is very talented IMO. No idea where top recruit Tom Young has disappeared to but he seems to be in Sullivan's doghouse. He is a very smart and dangerous 1v1 player who has serious speed.   0-0 DRAW Midd PK's

#7 Bowdoin at #2 Tufts----Another rematch from Tuesday. Tufts leads Nescac Shots with almost 200 in 10 games which is a clip of almost 20 a game and VERY Impressive. They also lead the league with only 6GA in 10 games and 2 of them coming on Tuesday v Bowdoin. Those stats are hard to argue with. This is a game on the carpet that Tufts should have a big advantage over Bowdoin because Bowdoin rarely plays on turf. Bowdoin to me has been the "hottest" team in the league the past 2-3 weeks. They are playing typical Bowdoin futbol in late October and November. Solid defensively, good GK'ing, not making any mental mistakes and scoring when needed. They are going to be hard to break down but if Tufts scores 1st they will win the game. Bowdoin is at its best when they score first and "hold" serve with their defense. Everything is pointing in Tufts favor but I am going to predict a Bowdoin victory. 2-1 Bowdoin

#8 Trinity at #1 Amherst------It is very hard to imagine Amherst losing to Trinity an also losing for the 2nd year in a row in the Nescac Quarters losing hosting rights. Amherst has more depth, better players and a much  better defense. Trinity is going to have to play the best game of their season to win this. Murphy will have to get stuck in all game and Gimand will have to thread the needle and also get stuck in. Gimand does not play well against physical players and Amherst knows that. Trinity will need GK Quade to make BIG saves and their defense cannot make any mental mistakes. This is alot to ask for. Milbury is going to have to work his ass off tracking back if he loses the ball not walking back. Role players like Bruno, Steel, Cuervo Torrelo, Burns and Baker all need to play wih high intensity and non stop workrate. These are things that Trinity has struggled with in the past but MUST do it to win this game. They also need Frosh Henry Farr to shoot the ball. In fact Trinity should be shooting the ball as much as possible and going in for rebounds because Lee Owen is an average GK at best. Amherst should win the game 3-1 but I am going with an upset special. Trinity 2-1

[Mr.Right]

Pure class from Bowdoin's #27 on the first goal! What a strike - at any level.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3pcg11t24E

Excellent strike from Bowdoin's #27 Ely Spencer but an even great run by #17 Ben Ginzberg right at the Tufts defense. Tufts looked very lax on that play not tackling and allowing Ginzberg to do what he wanted. The goal was fantastic but Tufts lack of pressure on that play would have me VERY CONCERNED

[Brother Flounder]

#5 Conn at #4 Hamilton-------1-1 DRAW, Hamilton wins 5-4 in PK's  AGREE WITH MR. RIGHT.

#6 Midd at #3 Williams--------   1-0 Williams

Tufts-Bowdoin.  Tufts will score first forcing Bowdoin to change their defensive game plan. 2-0 Tufts

#8 Trinity at #1 Amherst------2-1 Amherst