NESCAC

[PaulNewman]

This cracked me up.  I am not an Amherst critic by any means.  One of the top 5 D3 programs over the past decade.  But, just like with Calvin, I find these post-games comments so, so interesting.

"I couldn't be more proud of our guys. It's funny, two weeks ago the narrative was that "Amherst was down this year", etc.  We've got a long way to go but two top-10 wins in 48 hours should calm people down," said head coach Justin Serpone. "We started five first-years each day this weekend and we lost 7 starters from a year ago – it was always going to take some time. The goal is to be better in October than we were in September and I firmly believe this team has its best soccer ahead of them."

The "narrative"?  What narrative? On Facebook?  On D3soccer.com?   Response to blooter?  Mr.Right? Falconer? ECSU alum? 

As silly as this sounds, and maybe it's just me, but this goes to show that coaches and players follow this website pretty earnestly.  Consistent with what blooter reported from the Tufts field a week or so ago.  Very serious stuff, D3 soccer.

[blooter442]

This cracked me up.  I am not an Amherst critic by any means.  One of the top 5 D3 programs over the past decade.  But, just like with Calvin, I find these post-games comments so, so interesting.

"I couldn't be more proud of our guys. It's funny, two weeks ago the narrative was that "Amherst was down this year", etc.  We've got a long way to go but two top-10 wins in 48 hours should calm people down," said head coach Justin Serpone. "We started five first-years each day this weekend and we lost 7 starters from a year ago – it was always going to take some time. The goal is to be better in October than we were in September and I firmly believe this team has its best soccer ahead of them."

The "narrative"?  What narrative? On Facebook?  On D3soccer.com?   Response to blooter?  Mr.Right? Falconer? ECSU alum? 

As silly as this sounds, and maybe it's just me, but this goes to show that coaches and players follow this website pretty earnestly.  Consistent with what blooter reported from the Tufts field a week or so ago.  Very serious stuff, D3 soccer.

Haha well the only thing blooter (yes, I enjoy talking about myself in the third person) has said about the quality of Amherst as a side in the last month was "Amherst aren't the dominant side they used to be, although I do think Serpone's system will ensure that they stay competitive." So even if it was a criticism, it was balanced with a compliment. Definitely don't think I said that they were "down," just that they weren't going to romp through everyone as in years past. I know that your question, PN, wasn't aimed particularly at me, but I just had to laugh at the thought of such a "narrative" existing.

Either way, pretty interesting to have drawn that assertion. Serpone is usually very magnanimous in his post-game quotes win, lose, or draw, but perhaps he hasn't been in this position during his tenure at Amherst, as the last time Amherst lost a game in September was 2009. I do think he would have been justified in having a chip on his shoulder, although perhaps not as much as it appears this time -- I got a chuckle out of the use of "calm people down."

[HooksLeft]

Seems to have been a lengthy stoppage in Amherst-RUN -- both benches got yellows and Ajayi got a red for Amherst. Two feisty teams can sure generate fireworks (to be clear, I said feisty, not dirty).

Update: Amherst wins it with 2:05 left in the first OT. Big weekend for Serpone and his charges.

Hey all, been a long time since I've posted so I'd like to begin by saying thank you to everyone who keeps the chain going while the rest of us watch from the sidelines. Even though I'm now a handful of years out of school I still find this board to be a fantastic extension of the on-the-field excitement.

That being said, I have chosen to break my silence for an absolutely heart-breaking reason. As some of you may or may not know, today's game between Amherst and Rutgers-Newark was packed with drama but marred by racism that has become all too prevalent in today's society. Before I attempt to recap the specific events, I want to mention that I wasn't there and I was unable to stream the game. What I have to say is based on what I've heard from those in attendance. Therefore I apologize if I describe anything incorrectly. I welcome anyone with more information to let their voice be heard because I think this topic goes far beyond sports rivalries.

Fikayo Ajayi, a great player and even better person, was called a ni**** by one of the RUN players in the first few minutes of OT. His response, and justifiably so in my opinion, was to confront the RUN player with pointed language of his own (F bombs, etc.), which led to a scuffle and a yellow card for Fikayo and the deplorable RUN player. The referee did not hear the original insult from the RUN player but had heard the response from Fikayo, which led the RUN coach to suggest that Fikayo was the only one deserving of a yellow card. After everyone had been calmed down the game was allowed to continue and moments later Fikayo received a second yellow and was sent off. I'm not sure what the second offense was for but I imagine emotions were still running extremely high. Thankfully karma prevailed and soon Amherst was able to net the game winner, sending RUN home with nothing but a huge loss.

Now... I HOPE we can all agree that what the RUN player did was terrible... that should be a given. However, what I want to address are two things that bubbled to the surface following the game.
1) is that the referee later claimed to the Amherst coaching staff that he believed Fikayo had made up the insult. That it had never occurred. To this I have to say ARE YOU F***ING KIDDING ME. Why would someone make that up? Short answer - they wouldn't. And even if the referee is ignorant enough to believe that the insult was fabricated, WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT TO HIS COACH!!!! If you didn't hear it then I can understand that you would be hesitant to dish out punishment purely based on the opposing players reaction, but for me a ref suggesting that the player made it up is NEVER appropriate.
2) The RUN coach not only complained about his player receiving a yellow, but he was bold enough to suggest that the player would not have said such a thing because he was hispanic and went to church on a weekly basis. THIS. IS. ABSURD. Suggesting someone can't be racist because they are also a minority? That they are immune to accusations of racism because they worship a higher power on a weekly basis? This is ignorance at its finest. I understand that a coach is inclined to protect and defend his players but for me racism is where respectable coach's need to draw the line. If you are a collegiate soccer coach then your job should revolve around two things: winning as many soccer games as possible and grooming your student athletes to become the best person they can be. If todays events was any indication I would say that RUN is failing miserably at the latter.

I don't post this to start a debate and I don't plan to reply to any thread that stems from this post. All I would like to do is make sure that things like this do not go unnoticed. Everyone should be held accountable for their actions and I hope that the Rutgers-Newark players and staff are held accountable for theirs.

[truenorth]

[/quote]

TrueNorth,

I agree with you that its not fruitful to make comparisons from prior seasons to current seasons, because yes, each season stands on its own.  But... you then go on to say "there's a ton of love for U Chicago and their attack right now...but it all comes down to how a team performs in tournament time".  IMHO, it almost sounds as if you ARE comparing Chicagos early exit last year with this years team and how they may perform come tournament time.  You are right on saying a combination of health, momentum and luck determine how a team performs come tournament time when all else is equal.
[/quote]

Actually I wasn't comparing Chicago's performance this season to their performance of last season, as I hadn't done any research to see how they fared last season (they must have done pretty well).  I was alluding to some of the posts I saw on the UAA and National Perspective threads that sound highly impressed with Chicago, and have apparently already anointed them as the prohibitive favorites to win the tournament this year...

[stillwatching]

Seems to have been a lengthy stoppage in Amherst-RUN -- both benches got yellows and Ajayi got a red for Amherst. Two feisty teams can sure generate fireworks (to be clear, I said feisty, not dirty).

Update: Amherst wins it with 2:05 left in the first OT. Big weekend for Serpone and his charges.

Fikayo Ajayi, a great player and even better person, was called a ni**** by one of the RUN players in the first few minutes of OT. His response, and justifiably so in my opinion, was to confront the RUN player with pointed language of his own (F bombs, etc.), which led to a scuffle and a yellow card for Fikayo and the deplorable RUN player. The referee did not hear the original insult from the RUN player but had heard the response from Fikayo, which led the RUN coach to suggest that Fikayo was the only one deserving of a yellow card. After everyone had been calmed down the game was allowed to continue and moments later Fikayo received a second yellow and was sent off. I'm not sure what the second offense was for but I imagine emotions were still running extremely high. Thankfully karma prevailed and soon Amherst was able to net the game winner, sending RUN home with nothing but a huge loss.

Now... I HOPE we can all agree that what the RUN player did was terrible... that should be a given. However, what I want to address are two things that bubbled to the surface following the game.
1) is that the referee later claimed to the Amherst coaching staff that he believed Fikayo had made up the insult. That it had never occurred. To this I have to say ARE YOU F***ING KIDDING ME. Why would someone make that up? Short answer - they wouldn't. And even if the referee is ignorant enough to believe that the insult was fabricated, WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT TO HIS COACH!!!! If you didn't hear it then I can understand that you would be hesitant to dish out punishment purely based on the opposing players reaction, but for me a ref suggesting that the player made it up is NEVER appropriate.
2) The RUN coach not only complained about his player receiving a yellow, but he was bold enough to suggest that the player would not have said such a thing because he was hispanic and went to church on a weekly basis. THIS. IS. ABSURD. Suggesting someone can't be racist because they are also a minority? That they are immune to accusations of racism because they worship a higher power on a weekly basis? This is ignorance at its finest. I understand that a coach is inclined to protect and defend his players but for me racism is where respectable coach's need to draw the line. If you are a collegiate soccer coach then your job should revolve around two things: winning as many soccer games as possible and grooming your student athletes to become the best person they can be. If todays events was any indication I would say that RUN is failing miserably at the latter.

I don't post this to start a debate and I don't plan to reply to any thread that stems from this post. All I would like to do is make sure that things like this do not go unnoticed. Everyone should be held accountable for their actions and I hope that the Rutgers-Newark players and staff are held accountable for theirs.

Completely deplorable. 

My son is a bench player for one of the D3 Massachusetts State Universities.  They played a much weaker opponent last week, and my son got the start!  As they were walking off at the half, all 5'8" of my son is beefing with the largest kid on the opposing team (easily 6'3").  After the game I asked him what it was all about.  Apparently, this young man called the Center Ref the n-word, and my son told him it was not OK, and invited him his bench to meet the rest of his team (full of kids from the Caribbean, Central & South America, African American kids, and African kids).   

For the record, we are white, and he grew up in pretty vanilla small town.  In his graduating class of 140, there were exactly 10 kids of color (one of whom happens to be one of his best friends). 

[PaulNewman]

This cracked me up.  I am not an Amherst critic by any means.  One of the top 5 D3 programs over the past decade.  But, just like with Calvin, I find these post-games comments so, so interesting.

"I couldn't be more proud of our guys. It's funny, two weeks ago the narrative was that "Amherst was down this year", etc.  We've got a long way to go but two top-10 wins in 48 hours should calm people down," said head coach Justin Serpone. "We started five first-years each day this weekend and we lost 7 starters from a year ago – it was always going to take some time. The goal is to be better in October than we were in September and I firmly believe this team has its best soccer ahead of them."

The "narrative"?  What narrative? On Facebook?  On D3soccer.com?   Response to blooter?  Mr.Right? Falconer? ECSU alum? 

As silly as this sounds, and maybe it's just me, but this goes to show that coaches and players follow this website pretty earnestly.  Consistent with what blooter reported from the Tufts field a week or so ago.  Very serious stuff, D3 soccer.

Haha well the only thing blooter (yes, I enjoy talking about myself in the third person) has said about the quality of Amherst as a side in the last month was "Amherst aren't the dominant side they used to be, although I do think Serpone's system will ensure that they stay competitive." So even if it was a criticism, it was balanced with a compliment. Definitely don't think I said that they were "down," just that they weren't going to romp through everyone as in years past. I know that your question, PN, wasn't aimed particularly at me, but I just had to laugh at the thought of such a "narrative" existing.

Either way, pretty interesting to have drawn that assertion. Serpone is usually very magnanimous in his post-game quotes win, lose, or draw, but perhaps he hasn't been in this position during his tenure at Amherst, as the last time Amherst lost a game in September was 2009. I do think he would have been justified in having a chip on his shoulder, although perhaps not as much as it appears this time -- I got a chuckle out of the use of "calm people down."

blooter, have you calm downed yet?  Feeling relieved?  I actually had no idea what you in particular wrote, or anyone else.  I thought maybe he was talking about Bob Ryan's new column on D3soccer in the Globe.  The latest feature article in SI.  Or maybe that blistering early season assessment in NESCAC Monthly.

[blooter442]

Actually I wasn't comparing Chicago's performance this season to their performance of last season, as I hadn't done any research to see how they fared last season (they must have done pretty well).  I was alluding to some of the posts I saw on the UAA and National Perspective threads that sound highly impressed with Chicago, and have apparently already anointed them as the prohibitive favorites to win the tournament this year...

I think they first need to get to the Final 4 before we can talk of them winning it all, as evidenced by them failing to get out of their quadrant of the bracket. That said, I do think they will repeat in the UAA.

blooter, have you calm downed yet?  Feeling relieved?  I actually had no idea what you in particular wrote, or anyone else.  I thought maybe he was talking about Bob Ryan's new column on D3soccer in the Globe.  The latest feature article in SI.  Or maybe that blistering early season assessment in NESCAC Monthly.

https://youtu.be/4v1ICQK7WpY?t=30s

(From one of the few decent Adam Sandler movies, IMHO.)

[PaulNewman]

blooter, you're the best. 

As we speak, there are Fire Blooter protests taking over the bucolic Amherst campus.  The higher ups with D3soccer.com have taken the matter under advisement.  I interpret all of that as just a confirmation of your longstanding commitment to fair and balanced journalism.

[blooter442]

blooter, you're the best. 

As we speak, there are Fire Blooter protests taking over the bucolic Amherst campus.  The higher ups with D3soccer.com have taken the matter under advisement.  I interpret all of that as just a confirmation of your longstanding commitment to fair and balanced journalism.

Where is the laughing emoji?! I guess this will do. To be fired means that I'd have to be hired, which means I'd be getting paid...I'd like to know where my withheld paychecks went!

As far as being "fair and balanced," I do appreciate that but another news outlet has stolen that tagline...rhymes with "Fox News"...and it doesn't seem that it holds much weight there (sorry, sorry, no place for politics, I know, couldn't resist).

[PaulNewman]

blooter, you're the best. 

As we speak, there are Fire Blooter protests taking over the bucolic Amherst campus.  The higher ups with D3soccer.com have taken the matter under advisement.  I interpret all of that as just a confirmation of your longstanding commitment to fair and balanced journalism.

Where is the laughing emoji?! I guess this will do. To be fired means that I'd have to be hired, which means I'd be getting paid...I'd like to know where my withheld paychecks went!

As far as being "fair and balanced," I do appreciate that but another news outlet has stolen that tagline...rhymes with "Fox News"...and it doesn't seem that it holds much weight there (sorry, sorry, no place for politics, I know, couldn't resist).

Careful now....or someone will be tweeting about you...THAT you can believe 

[blooter442]

Careful now....or someone will be tweeting about you...THAT you can believe 

http://gph.is/1WWG6G7

Uh oh...looks like you were right: http://bit.ly/2g53GPQ

Alright, I'm done.

On another note, curious to see where Middlebury ends up. They are now 6-3, with a late OG getting them by Plymouth State yesterday, and already have losses to Bowdoin, Conn., and Colby. They do have an impressive 1-0 victory at Amherst -- the Mammoths' only loss so far -- but face a difficult weekend trip to Tufts. Curious to know what their SoS will end up being like...I definitely don't have enough time to do the OWP+OOWP math but it does look similar to years past in terms of difficulty.

[Mr.Right]

Couple things....

As far as the Serpone quote it is very well possible he is talking about a narrative from his peers and the overall gossip from players and coaches around New England and not D3soccer.com. These coaches can be like catty housewives always chit chatting about other teams, players and coaches. Also, coaches are always talking sometimes on a daily basis getting scouting reports and other information. Like any industry word gets around however it only matters with whom do you trust for your information.

As far as Tufts goes I will say ONCE AGAIN that they are NOT an ELITE 8 side. No disrespect but they are not even close to being on par with their their 2014 side let alone 2015 and 2016. I still say their 2015 side was more talented than 2016. Anyway, those sides had more pure talent than 2017 Tufts no matter what the records were at any part of the season. I have no doubt they are the best team in Nescac right now and will host at least for the 1st/2nd round but like every other Nescac side they have no pure goal scorer. No one they can rely on for a goal that they will need in an NCAA tournament game. Braun is decent but he is no Majumder. In fact this Tufts side reminds me of a poor man's 2007 Middlebury that won the NCAA tournament except Middlebury had Ftorek up top to get them the goals when they needed it or to get other defenders attention to free up his teammates and get them space. That Middlebury side was as tight as a Snare drum defensively. While Tufts has only let in 1 goal I see some holes and weaknesses that good teams can exploit especially in the NCAA's. Also, they are platooning GK's but Mieth seems to be getting the nod when they are playing more difficult sides(i.e. Nescac sides). To me this is strange. Why does Shapiro feel the need to play the senior Johnson in net? Is it because he is a senior? If Mieth is the better GK then why play Johnson at all? On the surface the GK's look like they are getting along and this position Shapiro has put them in is making both play better and rising to the challenge. In reality, it can cause massive confusion, over thinking, forcing the issue and being scared of making that one big mistake that will get their ass on the bench for good. Also, when the NCAA's come around or even the Nescac tournament Shapiro will be forced to make a decision on 1 GK. I highly doubt they will be platooning in NCAA games. That would be unheard of unless someone could give me an example of that happening. Why not make the decision now? Are they really that even? ..Look at Serpone, he has gone with the Frosh over the Senior in net and for good reason as Owen can be a hot mess in net but Serpone was willing to give him that chance. He must have seen something on video in the 1st Half of the Williams game because we have not seen Owen since. Will we see him against New England College on Wednesday? Maybe but if we do all that will be is a token start, almost a slap in the face to the senior that is why I would bet money we see the Frosh the rest of the season...I know I got off topic but if Tufts is going to go anywhere in the NCAA's they are going to need someone to score a goal to win a game and I do not see anyone on any Nescac side this year that can do that. Do we really think they can go 2-3 games in the NCAA's without conceding? No and have we seen either of their GK's on PK's? Nope..If Tufts advances they are going to have to win in PK"s maybe even starting in the 2nd round.

[Bobcat1]

Well, if the coaches and players are following the message boards, its certainly clear Mr. Right has given Tufts (and several of the NESCAC teams for that matter) plenty of Bulletin Board material the past couple years... He seems to know how their defense can be exploited, yet they have conceded what... two goals since the start of the 2016 NCAA Tournament and they have probably played at least eight top 25 teams in those 15 games.  They go on the road this past week for 3 conference games in less than 120 hours and finish the trip 2-1-0. Just for kicks, I checked to see how the 2015 team did on the same trip...0-2-1.

Anyway, I give Serpone and his players a lot of credit for developing and executing on a game plan to win at home against Tufts. So what if the field was only 65 yards wide and they let Tufts knock it around and rack up 20 plus shots. It sounds like Amherst played to their strengths: defense, the long ball, and set plays. They got the fortunate bounce off the throw in and capitalized. In the end, its about the the result and Amherst needed this game. Kudos to the Mammoths.

Regarding Trinity at Bates, I will say it was a entertaining game despite no goals. Also, it was a very even game. Opoku for Bates and Savonen for Trinity were the best players on the field for their respective teams - not a huge surprise. They both had a number of shots and quality chances. Montanaro made a great stop on Savonen late in regulation and Trinity played one off the line early in the first OT.  Merchant wasn't really able to generate a ton, and I think he only had 1 shot. Its a tough result for Bates, but they were fortunate with the other ties that occurred around the league. IMO they still have a decent shot to make the NESCAC tournament. They should get the offense going against MMA tomorrow night.

Finally a shout out to Colby for a quality road win at Midd.

[Mr.Right]

You do not seem to understand that Tufts is racking up shutouts against Nescac teams THAT CANNOT SCORE FRIGGIN GOALS...Give me a legit striker this year?

[PaulNewman]

It becomes much more realistic when you actually envision a team against possible opponents in Rd of 32 and Sweet 16 games.  Who is going to put them out?  The NEWMAC champ?  Endicott?  Gettysburg?  Once you get past 3-4 and at most 5-6 teams, who would Tufts not be favored against?  And I personally would not bet against versus Chicago, Calvin, Messiah, Rowan, Lycoming, Trinity, etc.  Again, they were predicted to be out by the Sweet 16 LAST YEAR.  Maybe no striker but a lot of guys who can score and certainly a lot of guys who can get them one goal off a set piece or scrum given their physical advantages.