NESCAC

[blooter442]

Tufts goes down to its first defeat of the year at Amherst, 1-0.

Appeared to be a smash-and-grab after getting a goal off a throw-in (that, in my view, didn't touch any player). Even so, I did think that Tufts has been missing a finisher, and today seemed to be a good example of that -- the Jumbos created tons of opportunities, outshooting the Mammoths 22-8 (10-5 SOG) and hiting the bar but could not solve Hope-Gund, who notched an impressive 10 saves.

Even with Tufts' impressive start to this season, I did have Amherst as a slight favorite going into this one. Serpone gets big results when the chips are down, which is admittedly not that often, but he loves when his side is the underdog and today was another example of that. It will be interesting to see where the two teams go from here -- particularly Amherst and its battle with Rutgers-Newark tomorrow.

[PaulNewman]

The win should help Amherst and I'd surprised if they don't win tomorrow.

Tufts will be disappointed but not that much.  Losing on an own goal or equivalent AWAY to top NESCAC rival and powerhouse Amherst.  Almost a good loss if you can call anything that.  Remember this is the program that isn't bothered by losing 3 straight times in the NESCAC quarters.  Not even a NESCAC semi and yet two national titles.  No one would believe it if it wasn't true.  Forgot to check the foul totals.

Ah, 10-8 for Amherst on fouls.  Low for both teams.  4 yellows, two each team.

[Falconer]

Tufts goes down to its first defeat of the year at Amherst, 1-0.

Appeared to be a smash-and-grab after getting a goal off a throw-in (that, in my view, didn't touch any player).

I didn't see it, so I can't offer a second opinion. It stands officially as an own goal, which means that Tufts has yet to yield a real goal to an opponent this year. On the other hand, they've been shut out themselves twice already, consistent with your comment about needing a finisher.

[Jump4Joy]

Falconer,
I'm not sure I understand what you're saying by noting, "Tufts has yet to yield a real goal to an opponent this year." It sounds as if conceding only own goals is a strength. As a player, I always felt that giving up an own goal was worse than getting scored on directly.
Meanwhile, I bet Shapiro and Tufts remain unfazed by the loss and that Amherst responds to the win. Blooter is right to recall that Serpone gets his players up when he convinces them that they're underdogs (even when they're not).   

[Mr.Right]

I caught the Hamilton v Wesleyan game yesterday and thought it was a well played game. Not a ton of unnecessary hoofing and had a nice flow to it. This is rare in Nescac these days. Cac was right that Wesleyan was pressing well in their front 3rd but when they did get the ball back they would give it away a pass or 2 later. They need to play quicker to feet and instinctively know where their teammate will be for the next pass. I think they have a couple of players that rush and give the ball away way to much. Hamilton was impressive yesterday. I thought Wood and Schmidt had particularly good games up top for Hamilton, especially Wood. Those 2 up top along with Morris and the skilled Chapman attacking looked good. I am not sold on Hamilton's defense as I think Tufts could exploit them if they do not sit in a bit. Also, I have no clue how Hamilton's GK is as Wesleyan did not test him to much. I think Hamilton can get points from this game especially at home.
2-2

[Mr.Right]

I hate watching 2 games at once but i was a big fan of RUN last year especially on their turf. They disappointed at Amherst last year when Brandeis whipped them into oblivion to end their season on Amherst's grass. I have not seen them this year but if they have the same bunch as last year Amherst might overwhelm them physically. That said, Amherst is not nearly as good as they have been and if there was ever a game to catch Amherst it might be today. They will be on a high after yesterday's win and surely that game took a toll on them. Cannot predict since I have not seen RUN but will try to flip between games.

[Mr.Right]

Hamilton has come out of the gate pumped up and look at least until this point 15 minutes in just as good as Tufts.

[Mr.Right]

Tufts putting some pressure on now as a horrible giveaway by Hamilton's #11 CB Eli Lichtman made a horrible giveaway in Hamilton's third of the field that Tufts snagged and fed Rojas who was in on goal but over hit it.

[Mr.Right]

Tufts starting to pin Hamilton in its own half with constant pressure and consecutive corners. Hamilton looks vulnerable on corners and are having a hard time getting the ball now.

[Mr.Right]

Still 0-0 about the 60th minute Hamilton v Tufts...Tufts has had nothing dangerous to start the 2nd Half but Hamilton has given the ball away twice in their defensive 3rd but Tufts has not capitalized. They must stop doing that as Tufts eventually will. Tasker and Rojas have done nothing of note in this game and Braun has looked somewhat agile for a 6'4 200lb guy and nearly scored off of one of Hamilton's giveaway's.

[Mr.Right]

And Braun gets a strikers goal on a failed clearance by Hamilton. Shame because Hamilton has put in a very good effort so far but one lapse in concentration and Tufts took advantage

[SoccerMom_5]

Tufts starting to pin Hamilton in its own half with constant pressure and consecutive corners. Hamilton looks vulnerable on corners and are having a hard time getting the ball now.

I didnt have time today to even look at a game. But...

That is how Amherst looked all game yesterday.  Tufts was really dominating them on posession, and ball control, and Amherst just kept falling deeper and deeper under pressure.   
But...  if you cant score, you can't win.   So, there is the question for Tufts: can they finish?

I understand that they are 3-1-1 but... who have they played.  And... the big games they have played, left me unconvinced.  Based on what matches I have seen, I think they have dependent on their "front men" for the last several years, and now that they don't have quite the same front-man, they have a scoring problem.

And, going back to yesterday's game again: I didn't see anything impressive from Amherst either, that warrants the "credit" they are getting.  Someone on here said Serpone thought Bowdoin outplayed them (I only saw part of that match.)  Tufts certainly outplayed them yesterday. So they "won" but... I am not sure what that means, other than three points.
I mean:  Amherst beat Tufts on a (questionable) throw, and they beat Bowdoin on a (questionable) PK.   So... maybe Amherst is just lucky?  Or ... maybe they bide their time and can capitalize on those quirky situations., and in the NESCAC, that is enoigh.
But... noticed last year that the teams who count on a big "target man" upfront win when their target man has some skill and is more athletic than the defense of their opponent.  And, Tufts and Amherst both had that guy, who was technically acceptable and very strong and fast. 

And I thought that was why they both didn't get by Bowdoin, in the end, because Bowdoin seems to use the opposite strategy, and puts their more technical "fast" guys in the back.  Which, of course, this year seems to have left Bowdoin with a scoring problem.

Based on the games I have seen, there isn't really any team this year who I think is playing great "NESCAC offense"  and if something doesnt change, it is going to come down to beating teams with flawed backlines and on set pieces and/or lucky breaks in teams with solid back lines. 

Unfortunately, that leaves the teams who are playing decent soccer, but don't have a super-star forward or technically strong athletes in the back, but have a solid midfield, and play good team-soccer at the bottom of the pile.  I like the way Colby plays.  I cant imagine that they will beat Bowdoin, or Tufts, or Amherst.  But... I like the way they play soccer.   Is that the kind of team Hamilton is?  Or, is it hard to tell against Tufts?  Did Tufts wear them down, or did they find a weak spot, and then throw everything at it.  (I like Tasker for reading those things.) 

[Mr.Right]

Hamilton's big Alaskan tree Cerveny had a good chance in the 75th minute but was to slow with the ball at his feet and his shot was half whiffed and deflected to Tufts GK Johnson

[Mr.Right]

Tufts has been better 18 to 18 than Hamilton. Hamilton just lost focus for a split second and Tufts took advantage. That being said Hamilton did not have many dangerous chances at all today. Wood is quick but looks to be very right footed as Tufts has sat on his right foot and taken him out of this game. Tufts finished their chance but they are beatable for sure and I would be surprised to see them past a NCAA Sweet 16 this year.

[SoccerMom_5]

Tufts has been better 18 to 18 than Hamilton. Hamilton just lost focus for a split second and Tufts took advantage. That being said Hamilton did not have many dangerous chances at all today. Wood is quick but looks to be very right footed as Tufts has sat on his right foot and taken him out of this game. Tufts finished their chance but they are beatable for sure and I would be surprised to see them past a NCAA Sweet 16 this year.

Who do they have on Wood?