NESCAC

[Mr.Right]

Bowdoin at Conn ends 0-0. Bowdoin has 2 SOG all game and Conn not much better with 5 SOG all game...How many minutes could these two have gone without scoring? Conn better hope that Midd stay ranked as that looks to be their only win v a ranked team..Draws against Williams and Bowdoin will help. Bowdoin has wins v Midd and Williams. Bowdoin can still win the league with a win at Tufts on Tuesday as that would be a clinching Pool C if they can beat Tufts IMO.Big game

[blooter442]

Bowdoin at Conn ends 0-0. Bowdoin has 2 SOG all game and Conn not much better with 5 SOG all game...How many minutes could these two have gone without scoring? Conn better hope that Midd stay ranked as that looks to be their only win v a ranked team..Draws against Williams and Bowdoin will help. Bowdoin has wins v Midd and Williams. Bowdoin can still win the league with a win at Tufts on Tuesday as that would be a clinching Pool C if they can beat Tufts IMO.Big game

What is the first tiebreaker for the regular season championship if teams are level on points? Goal difference? Looking at the standings it looks like Tufts has 22 points and a GD of 12 while Bowdoin has a GD of 5, meaning Bowdoin would have to beat Tufts by quite a bit in order to win the league. Looks like the NESCAC tourney will be in Medfid if I'm correct.

On the subject of the game, it should be a good one and arguably Tufts' biggest test of the year. Tufts has not beat Bowdoin since 2013, but Bowdoin will be at Tufts' field where the Jumbos have not given up a goal this year. Something will have to give. I'm flying to Copenhagen that night (scored a $350 round trip, non-stop ticket), but with a 2:30 kickoff I might be able to make the game -- would like to see it.

[Mr.Right]

First tiebreaker is Head to Head..So with a win Bowdoin would get it.

2nd Tiebreaker is the # of wins..

I believe the 3rd tiebreaker which I like is your teams record v Top 4 teams in the league

[blooter442]

First tiebreaker is Head to Head..So with a win Bowdoin would get it.

2nd Tiebreaker is the # of wins..

I believe the 3rd tiebreaker which I like is your teams record v Top 4 teams in the league

Ah, interesting. Clearly I've been watching too much EPL in thinking it was goal difference.

[Mr.Right]

That's ok...We will call this futbol watching a very safe and solid addiction. Im in the club as well

[Ommadawn]

Tufts Brett Rojas has not played today..not sure if he is injured or what

No Braun either (I'll resist the temptation to state that the Jumbos were "all brains and no Braun today"--oops, I guess it slipped out anyway  ).

[Ommadawn]

Tufts gets it done again....
Tufts with a solid workmanlike effort today

This is an apt description of the entire season for the Jumbos.  They lack the technical proficiency of Messiah, the attacking potency of Chicago, and the lockdown defense of Calvin (despite the single goal against), but they seem to have the strategic plan and personnel needed to keep their opponents in check and do just enough on the offensive end to win games.  As suggested, Tuesday's match will provide a nice assessment of where Tufts is in relation their nemesis from the North.

[Brother Flounder]

Bowdoin at Conn ends 0-0. Bowdoin has 2 SOG all game and Conn not much better with 5 SOG all game...How many minutes could these two have gone without scoring? Conn better hope that Midd stay ranked as that looks to be their only win v a ranked team..Draws against Williams and Bowdoin will help. Bowdoin has wins v Midd and Williams. Bowdoin can still win the league with a win at Tufts on Tuesday as that would be a clinching Pool C if they can beat Tufts IMO.Big game

What is the first tiebreaker for the regular season championship if teams are level on points? Goal difference? Looking at the standings it looks like Tufts has 22 points and a GD of 12 while Bowdoin has a GD of 5, meaning Bowdoin would have to beat Tufts by quite a bit in order to win the league. Looks like the NESCAC tourney will be in Medfid if I'm correct.

On the subject of the game, it should be a good one and arguably Tufts' biggest test of the year. Tufts has not beat Bowdoin since 2013, but Bowdoin will be at Tufts' field where the Jumbos have not given up a goal this year. Something will have to give. I'm flying to Copenhagen that night (scored a $350 round trip, non-stop ticket), but with a 2:30 kickoff I might be able to make the game -- would like to see it.

Hope you make it to the game Bloots!  The problematic Bowdoin has been a thorn for the Jumbos. The Jumbos should be up for the game, to the extent there is any revenge factor.  Though, maybe they don't want to win, as losses to Bowdoin propelled them far into and sometimes on top in the NCAA tourney.. lol.

[Mr.Right]

Tufts gets it done again....
Tufts with a solid workmanlike effort today

This is an apt description of the entire season for the Jumbos.  They lack the technical proficiency of Messiah, the attacking potency of Chicago, and the lockdown defense of Calvin (despite the single goal against), but they seem to have the strategic plan and personnel needed to keep their opponents in check and do just enough on the offensive end to win games.  As suggested, Tuesday's match will provide a nice assessment of where Tufts is in relation their nemesis from the North.

I could e not described this Tufts team better myself...They created about as many dangerous chances all game as Williams did(which was not many) but found a way to get the goal they needed. I honestly have a hard time believing this current Bowdoin side will be able to break Tufts down at all...Set piece or bust

[blooter442]

Though, maybe they don't want to win, as losses to Bowdoin propelled them far into and sometimes on top in the NCAA tourney.. lol.

That was my tongue-in-cheek thought as well. It's kind of funny how getting bounced in the NESCAC quarters (at home, no less) has become the precursor to winning a national championship the last three years.

[PaulNewman]

Though, maybe they don't want to win, as losses to Bowdoin propelled them far into and sometimes on top in the NCAA tourney.. lol.

That was my tongue-in-cheek thought as well. It's kind of funny how getting bounced in the NESCAC quarters (at home, no less) has become the precursor to winning a national championship the last three years.

Bloots (otherwise known as D3soccer's International Man of Mystery....who always takes an exotic trip down the stretch of the D3 season),

Just want to underscore the lotteryesque nature of the above happening....RE: last 3 national champs losing in NESCAC quarters.  Another 100 years could go by and that would not happen.

[blooter442]

Bloots (otherwise known as D3soccer's International Man of Mystery....who always takes an exotic trip down the stretch of the D3 season),

Just want to underscore the lotteryesque nature of the above happening....RE: last 3 national champs losing in NESCAC quarters.  Another 100 years could go by and that would not happen.

I really wish I was exciting enough to be an international man of mystery, but I promise that I'm not -- I'm just really good at finding cheap flights, and the Norwegian 787-9 seems an awesome plane. Also, I've always wanted to see Denmark and maybe Sweden, as my only prior foray into Scandinavia was to Norway (rhyme was unintentional). Regardless, I agree that it's nothing more than coincidence, and I'd be surprised if it happened again this year.

[FourMoreYears]

First tiebreaker is Head to Head..So with a win Bowdoin would get it.

2nd Tiebreaker is the # of wins..

I believe the 3rd tiebreaker which I like is your teams record v Top 4 teams in the league

Ah, interesting. Clearly I've been watching too much EPL in thinking it was goal difference.

Tie Breaking Procedures

Ties will be broken as follows:

Head-to-head result (if teams play each other more than once during the regular season, the game that appears on the league schedule will be the game that is counted).

If teams tied during the regular season, or there is a 3-way or more tie, the following tie breaking procedure will be used:

Best record among tying teams, against one another (head-to-head).
Best conference winning percentage.
Most conference wins (in games that are part of the conference schedule and count toward league standings).
Comparison of results of conference games played against top 4 teams (including all teams at the 4th spot).
Comparison of results of conference games played against top 8 teams (including all teams at the 8th spot).
Comparison of results of conference games played against conference teams in rank order.
Comparisons shall be made one team at a time starting with the highest ranked team.
If the tie remains after comparing results against the highest ranked team, the results against the next team in rank order shall be used. This process is continued until a winner is determined.
Goal differential up to but not exceeding three goals for each conference game that is part of the conference schedule (e.g., if a team wins 1-0, the team's goal differential would be +1. If a team wins 2-1, goal differential would be +1. If a team wins 4-0, the goal differential would be +3).
Coin flip (or similar random action involving all tied teams).

[Bobcat1]

Good call by Mr. Right on the Bates/Midd game. It was an impressive response by Bates with their backs against the wall.  The seniors came through with big goals, but it was a complete team effort in what ultimately turned out to be a lopsided game. On a side note, we had great weather again which is rare in Maine for October.  However, it appears the string of good fortune is about over as the weather forecast looks ugly for Wednesday in Waterville (rain/wind). Bates comes in to the game with all the momentum, but Colby is back at home where they are 2-1-1 in conference play. I expect a tight defensive battle where a single goal could likely decide this one. There is no hiding the fact this is a play-in-game for the NESCAC tournament.

To follow up on the lack of offense in NESCAC topic from earlier this season, there have now been a total of 99 goals scored in 51 conference games to date. Eleven more goals would be needed in the final four conference games this week to reach the 2 goals per game mark for the season.  Although an improvement from the first half of the season, its still well down from last year.

[Mr.Right]

For Tuesday / Wednesday

Weather is going to play a huge factor in all of these games in New England on Tuesday and Wednesday..30 mph winds and heavy rain.

Bowdoin at Tufts---If Bowdoin wins they will be Nescac Regular Season Champions. I do not think the Nescac Regular Season Champion has ever missed out on the NCAA's even back between 2000-2003 when there were only 3 At-Large Bids for the NCAA's. Tufts needs only a draw to win it all. Everyone knows that Bowdoin has been a thorn in Tufts side the past couple years and have used those wins to propel them in the Nescac Tournament. My guess is that Shapiro will play straight up like Tufts has been playing all year but with an extra bit of caution defensively. IMO there is no need to worry against this Bowdoin side. Bowdoin will be unable to break down Tufts midfielders offensively and even if they do Tufts defenders will be up to the task. The only danger man going forward for Bowdoin is the Frosh Byrd as he can beat guys 1v1 and create scoring chances. As long as Tufts does not give away silly set pieces in their defensive 3rd they will keep Bowdoin off the scoreboard. Bowdoin has no reason to sit in defensively because they have atleast clinched 3rd Place but a win would get them the title. Yes a draw will help their Pool C chances but a win would clinch it..Bowdoin will never change under Wiercinski but they should go for it and not worry about opening themselves up to Tufts on the counter. They will not do that however and we will be stuck with a tedious game with both teams total SOG under 10. 0-0

Williams at Midd---I thought Williams played Tufts pretty well especially in the 1st Half. The 2nd Half not so much but unfortunately moral victories do not matter and they are stuck with what looks to be a season without any ranked wins and a couple of losses and draws. I am not sure that will be enough for a Pool C and if they beat Midd in this game I do not see how Midd will stay regionally ranked after that. As I have said all season Midd needs a major rebuild. They just do not have enough talent to compete like they have in the past. They do however play much better at Home and the weather will be bad so I think this game will be very tight. Williams has looked awful on the road this year but they still have a ton to play for especially Nescac seeding because if they ever lost this game they could be playing Amherst in a must win 1st round Nescac game. Williams is the better team but Midd is at home and with senior day and the weather I think they will hang in there. 1-1

Bates at Colby---Big game for Bates. This might be Flaherty's biggest game in his woeful 5 years at Bates. If they win they will get the #8 seed. A loss or draw and they will find themselves in a familiar position of missing the Nescac Playoffs for the 7th straight year. I did not catch the game but they demolished Middlebury at Home on Saturday which I saw coming. They have more going forward than Midd and enough in the back to deal with any Midd attack of which there looks to have been none. Colby only needs a draw and most likely Seabrook will be sitting compact and deep and taking no chances. IMO that is not the way to play this game. They should play Bates straight up and get a goal or 2 and than sit deep. Bury them from the outset as a win here could possibly vault Colby up to #6 seed and avoid Tufts and most likely Amherst. Colby has played well at home this year and have a significant height advantage over Bates. They should dominate them physically and in the air. You combine that with Clouse's long throws and Bates might have a tough time keeping Colby off the scoreboard. Both team are going to be jacked for this game but what team can stay calm, focused and composed to finish it out. Colby has not looked good their past 2 games but I do not think Seabrook bungles this chance. Colby 2-1

Wesleyan at Conn---Amherst just dominated Wesleyan physically on Saturday. Wesleyan did not put up much of a fight from what I saw. Their season is finished and Wheeler is going to have to recruit some more size and more physical players especially in the back to compete with the big boys. He also has always had a legit GK as the past few years Wesleyan's GK'ing situation has been awful. To many mistakes from their GK for a team that cannot afford to make mistakes back there. He needs a GK. Conn has played efficient workmanlike soccer all year. It is not the prettiest of soccer but very successful. They most likely will finish 4th in Nescac but a loss here and they could drop to #5 so they must get atleast a draw to assure themselves of a 1st round Home game. Wesleyan is mentally already done. Conn is just getting started...Conn 2-0

Amherst at Trinity---Trinity's season has been over for a while now. They have nothing to play for and have had not played in a week. Amherst with a win would get the #2 seed which could be valuable for them. Amherst under Serpone has basically owned Trinity under Pilger in this matchup. This game will be played under the lights in Hartford and is the last game for some of Trinity's decorated seniors. With a new AD being hired at Trinity, Pilger might find himself under some pressure if he does not start turning this program around. There is no reason for Trinity to have such limited talent. I think this game will get VERY chippy and there is no love lost between these two sides. Ref better have his cards ready as it could get pretty physical. I do not think Trinity is going to let Amherst just come into Hartford without a fight. Amherst will win the game but at what cost. Amherst 3-1