NESCAC

[SoccerMom_5]

I was struck by the rapidly declining angle of the sun at this time of year, which cast growing shadows on the field as a 2:30 p.m. game progressed.  Van Siclen was huge today.  Colby impressed me in the last 25 minutes...but to be fair I think that was partly due to Bowdoin protecting a one goal lead somewhat nervously.  It's always easy for a spectator to say, but protecting a one goal lead nervously and defensively is not always the best solution...some calm and composed possession can really help...

Yep ... that's exactly what I thought about it also.  I did note that Van Siclen was shading his eyes.  And really thought Bowdoin was dominating play (until they decided to pack it in...)

[SoccerMom_5]

Colby looks to be a little flat today

I have been watching a lot of Colby.  I like them.  But... they are at their best when they are playing a slower and more deliberate posession game.   I think that against a full-bore, break-neck pace, they forfeit some of that deliberation.  Bowdoin likes a much faster game, and they transition and attack at an almost frenetic pace.
I thought that Colby might have trouble with that, unless they found a way to slow the pace of the game.  Colby's strength is through the middle...and, had they controlled the pace, I would be a little worried for Bowdoin.  But... the Bowdoin coach adjusted brilliantly with moving Ward.  Bowdoin was managed exactly right in the middle today, I thought.  Ward manages so well.  His organization really prevented the Bowdoin midfield -- which has a tendency towards the tempestuous -- from devolving into the uncontrolled maelstrom it can become.    There was more intentional play, without relinquishing that Bowdoin preferred pace. And Colby didn't really show well against that pace.

Til the end.  About halfway through the second half, Bowdoin seemed to decide to just "pack it in"  -- then Colby took control. 

They slowed the game back down to their pace and... I thought Bowdoin got lucky just to hang on.     

Watching at the end, it is little wonder that Bowdoin's defense gets so nervous late in the game.  "Packing it in" is a defensive nightmare!   And...  I will never understand Bowdoin's logic of packing ten men in the box.  It has happened in every game i have seen them play, so it must be part of their game plan...  but it never goes well for them, so it just baffles me...     

Anyway, I like Colby and hope they get a berth.  I like Bowdoin, too... but they sure get in their own way, unnecessarily, don't they?

[truenorth]

Good observations SoccerMom.  I'm harkening back to Mr. Right's opinion that Tufts is the class of the league so far.  Having allowed only one goal, it's hard to argue with that.  I think Bowdoin and Amherst are in the next tier, and Colby is one of the teams who are right behind them.  However, as recent history has shown, anything can and probably will happen during the NESCAC tournament.

[NESCAC11]

1 hour until game time in the very crucial match between Williams and Hamilton. If Williams wins they jump into 5th place in NESCAC with 2 games left. Both teams are reluctant to play until Mr. Right makes a prediction.

[Mr.Right]

LOL...Yes a HUGE game indeed. Williams still has a shot(albeit a long shot) to get into the Top 4 in Nescac if they win out or finish 2-0-1. With a win Hamilton will clinch a playoff berth but they easily will qualify IMO. The only thing that would make me nervous is Bates owning the tiebreaker. Williams looks like a different team when playing at home than on the road. They have looked much crisper at home and more dangerous. This will be Williams 3rd game in 5 days and Hamilton is coming off two seven hour bus rides going to Brunswick and back plus today's 3 hour drive to Williamstown so something has to give. Hamilton is coming off a very big win at Bowdoin and Williams a disappointing draw at Wesleyan but a total domination of Babson on Sunday. Hamilton is playing very well of late as they are 3-1-1 in their last 5 games against solid competition(Amherst, Tufts, Bowdoin and Wesleyan). I only caught the 2nd half of their game at Bowdoin but they did not look as good as they had looked at home v Amherst and Wesleyan and frankly even the loss to Tufts the game was dead even. I think this game will be very even with both teams generating dangerous chances. It will come down to who makes the fewest mistakes and who can keep mentally focused for 90 minutes. I think Williams wins this game 2-1 with Sean Dory snagging the winner.

[NESCAC11]

Hamilton defensive back just cleared a header off the goal line that was headed into the net. One thing to watch is that Hamilton chose to defend in front of their bench in the second half. No team in recent memory has chosen that side for the second half because the sun will be absolutely brutal by 4pm. This could be a big factor.

[Mr.Right]

Hamilton needs to WAKE up as they have come out flat and they are on their heels with Williams already having some chances. Both teams are giving the ball away at will as so far a sloppy game

[blooter442]

1-0 Williams...nice run and shot by Sisco-Tolomeo. Hamilton caught napping and Sisco kept with it. Gritty finish.

[blooter442]

2-0! Hirsch. 2 in 2:08.

[blooter442]

Another defensive mistake by Hamilton. Certainly good pressure from Williams, but the Continentals have to do better.

In the context of Sisco's dad coming to most games, the announcer says, "Yeah, you know the Eph parents aren't afraid to share their minds with the official. Ever." Mr.Right, how long of a drive is that from Northern NJ? My dad's friend from childhood -- who still lives in his hometown -- has a son who plays football at Springfield and he says it's about 2 1/2 hours to there, which isn't bad at all, but I imagine Williams being up in the Berkshires is quite a bit longer. Sisco is from two towns over so it's probably about the same drive to wherever in MA.

[NESCAC11]

Hamilton needs to WAKE up as they have come out flat and they are on their heels with Williams already having some chances. Both teams are giving the ball away at will as so far a sloppy game

They're not awake yet. 2 quick goals by Williams. a quick shot by Sisco-Tolomeo breaking through 2 defenders and an opportunistic interception of a back pass to the GK by Eric Hirsch has Williams in good shape.

[NESCAC11]

2-0! Hirsch. 2 in 2:08.

Both of Hirsch's parents are professors at Williams.

[Mr.Right]

Williams goes up 1-0 on a harmless long ball with 2 Hamilton CB's v 1 Williams striker. Sisco was the Williams striker and he takes advantage of a careless mistake by #11 Eli Lichtman who went for the ball off the hop and WHIFFED. Sisco used his speed to snag the ball beat the 2 CB's and slide it past Hamilton's GK. 1-0 Williams. Those are the careless mistakes i was referring to in my prediction. Just a ball that any defender let alone a CB should be able to clear. If I am correct #11 Lichtman cost Hamilton with a mistake v Tufts. I could be wrong but I know he did cost his team in another game this year. I did not like the way Hamilton came out of the gates today...Very flat footed...

2-0 Williams on another SLOPPY play by a Hamilton defender...#17 Kastilahn VERY LAZY playing a back pass to his GK that he barely touched and Williams midfielder Hirsch running very hard and gets to the ball and slides it past Hamilton GK....

The color commentator I am not a fan of but he is correct in saying Williams is the fittest team in Nescac. They are running very hard and just plain outworking Hamilton today. Hamilton looks plain AWFUL today..Bates better take notice because 2 wins could get them in if hamilton continues to play like this..2 mistakes that 14 year olds do not make...Disappointing if I am a Continentals fan

[Mr.Right]

Easily Williams most complete Half of the year. They dominated. They look very good so far in this game. Hamilton's Perry Nizzi I am sure LIT into his troops at Halftime. He can be a screamer.  Now can Williams come out 2nd Half and keep their foot on the pedal or does Hamilton decide to show up 2nd Half?

[Mr.Right]

Another defensive mistake by Hamilton. Certainly good pressure from Williams, but the Continentals have to do better.

In the context of Sisco's dad coming to most games, the announcer says, "Yeah, you know the Eph parents aren't afraid to share their minds with the official. Ever." Mr.Right, how long of a drive is that from Northern NJ? My dad's friend from childhood -- who still lives in his hometown -- has a son who plays football at Springfield and he says it's about 2 1/2 hours to there, which isn't bad at all, but I imagine Williams being up in the Berkshires is quite a bit longer. Sisco is from two towns over so it's probably about the same drive to wherever in MA.

Easily a 4 hour drive...Color commentator drives me mad...It would be like me commentating on a hockey game.