NESCAC

[Bobcat1]

you can watch that replay over and over...Just an excellent effort by Bates today...Seabrook throws his clipboard in disgust..Tough loss for Colby and its seniors...Just a complete lack of focus for #18 Tower as he whiffed on a clearance in almost lackadaisical form. Colby losses a talented senior class but just a tough way to end their season...

I have watched it about 10 times. Its a tough situation with such little time on the clock. I fully understand the ball could have been cleared, but credit Kimpolo-Pene for having the composure to put back the rebound on the ground in a good spot.  I can't underscore how big a win this is for Bates!  With their backs against the wall and down to the final seconds of their season (career's for some of them) they found a way to get it done.  I fully expect they will ride this wave and show up ready to go on Saturday at Tufts.

[Mr.Right]

Jeez Conn gives up 2 goals to Wesleyan and Wesleyan had their backup GK in 2nd Half plus the boxscore shows tons of bench players getting minutes...Conn with a RvR of 1-1-4 are squarely on the bubble..The Midd at Conn game on Saturday could be a Play-In game as the loser's season will most likely be finished. The winner will grab another win v ranked.

Colby scorekeeper very generous with the Shot tallies today as I do not remember seeing Bates get 20 shots and 13 SOG but what do I know..

[Mr.Right]

you can watch that replay over and over...Just an excellent effort by Bates today...Seabrook throws his clipboard in disgust..Tough loss for Colby and its seniors...Just a complete lack of focus for #18 Tower as he whiffed on a clearance in almost lackadaisical form. Colby losses a talented senior class but just a tough way to end their season...

I have watched it about 10 times. Its a tough situation with such little time on the clock. I fully understand the ball could have been cleared, but credit Kimpolo-Pene for having the composure to put back the rebound on the ground in a good spot.  I can't underscore how big a win this is for Bates!  With their backs against the wall and down to the final seconds of their season (career's for some of them) they found a way to get it done.  I fully expect they will ride this wave and show up ready to go on Saturday at Tufts.

You are correct a VERY composed finish...I thought Watson should have finished his that gave Bates the game winning corner..Kimpolo-Pene had composure and Watson might of rushed a bit..it is interesting to see how players perform in tight, critical pressure situations...No matter for Watson as Bates gets it done and advances to its 1st Nescac Tournament since 2010..Congrats

[Mr.Right]

Not that it will make Colby feel any better but they only lose 5 seniors. Out of those 5 only 2 really will be big losses IMO. Chandler Smith and Avery Heilbron are 2 seniors that they will miss as they are both absolute leaders and work horses. They will not be easily replaceable but also not impossible either as that big Junior class will have a couple guys to step up and be their new leaders..Just a tough tough way to end your season as when you lose in OT and your whole season ends in a split second it is very hard to grasp. especially with only 30 seconds left...

[Mr.Right]

Hope-Gund gets the start in net for Amherst at Trinity tonight..Big game for Amherst as they need a win to get the #2 seed and play Hamilton on Saturday..A draw and they will be the #3 seed and play #6 Williams in the Quarters.

[Mr.Right]

20 minutes into Amherst at Trinity and it is scoreless..Amherst dominating play here but trinity's senior GK Zabala has made some nice saves. Trinity is not taking this game lightly as they are playing very hard and have good work rate tonight BUT they have just created nothing offensively as Amherst midfield is giving Trinity nothing.

[Mr.Right]

Amherst at Trinity is 0-0 at the Half..Ref is letting a lot go without any calls and if that continues things will get mighty chippy 2nd half. Amherst dominated the first part of the Half but it has been pretty even the second half of the 1st Half..Tough conditions to play in as it is down pouring in Hartford. Trinity is just lacking on their final pass as they are not giving their strikers any real good chances for solid shots. Other than that Trinity has been up to the task tonight. Guys like Savonen, Baker, Brazina and Bednarek are all working very hard tonight just to keep Trinity in the game. Very good workrate and that is all you can ask of a team that is officially finished after tonight. Amherst as usual also working very hard but when they went to their bench midway thru the 1st Half their play dropped off a bit. That might hurt them in November but I doubt Serpone will be subbing so freely in the NCAA's.

[Mr.Right]

Good God....Amherst gets on the  board 1st on a nice quick set piece that get crossed into the box and Trinity's GK Zabala miss judged and the ball went right by him and was finished nicely by Amherst McMillian...Trinity scores about a minute later on a nice long shot by Savonen that was initially saved by Hope-Gund but he dumped the ball right in front of him that Trinity's senior Brazina gobbled up and scored off the rebound...Very rainy wet night so GK's were always going to be in for a tough night but 2 Massive GK'ing errors lead to 2 goals..Amherst and Trinity knotted at 1-1 with about 30 minutes left..

[Mr.Right]

Fantastic....chaos predictably breaks out in Hartford as Serpone jawing back and forth with a Trinity assistant I think over a nasty foul by a Trinity player. Trinity bench got a red card as the assistant got ejected..Serpone not carded so whatever the Trinity assistant said got him the red...

[Mr.Right]

WOW Trinity's Senior Scott Brazina gets to a loose ball in the box as he was busting his butt and beat his man to the ball and cracks one off the crossbar...Brazina really playing well in his final game...Soph Henry Farr for Trinity showing he has some skill and 1v1 skills tonight. Where was he all year?


Still 1-1 about 15 minutes left....Trinity is all over Amherst the past 5 minutes...Trinity's crowd giving Amherst players and coaches a hard time and pumping their own players up..You love to see that as that is one thing that can give you a solid Home Field advantage..

[Mr.Right]

Stupid and unnecessary foul by Trinity just outside the box with about 10 minutes left and Amherst capitalizes. Amherst a fantastic free kick and the goal by Sebastian Derby on a flicked header off a dangerous ball. Nice goal and Amherst leads 2-1 10 min left

[Mr.Right]

2 minutes left in Hartford and chaos ERUPTS as Trinity GK Zabala gets a straight RED after a nasty foul by a Trinity player..Zabala went after 1 of Amherst players and Savonen gets a straight RED as well(did not see what he did)...Not really a classy way to end your career but hey what the hell...

So with 9 players on the field trinity got a set piece and a nice hit by Trinity gets blocked but a Trinity player gets the ball in the box off the rebound and cracks a nice hit that was heading for the back of the net but it was deflected by an Amherst defender to preserve the win. Trinity got a corner out of it but nothing dangerous off the corner and that was the ballgame.

Final in Hartford...2-1 Amherst...Really entertaining game especially with the weather and intensity by both teams...Trinity deserved at least a draw but there is a reason you are 4-10-1(1-8-1)...Great effort tonight by both teams especially Trinity with nothing but pride to play for. Still Pilger needs to hit the recruiting trail as there are some pieces possibly but you are losing Brazina, Bednarek and Savonen....

[Brother Flounder]

2 minutes left in Hartford and chaos ERUPTS as Trinity GK Zabala gets a straight RED after a nasty foul by a Trinity player..Zabala went after 1 of Amherst players and Savonen gets a straight RED as well(did not see what he did)...Not really a classy way to end your career but hey what the hell...

Final in Hartford...2-1 Amherst...Really entertaining game especially with the weather and intensity by both teams...Trinity deserved at least a draw but there is a reason you are 4-10-1(1-8-1)...Great effort tonight by both teams especially Trinity with nothing but pride to play for. Still Pilger needs to hit the recruiting trail as there are some pieces possibly but you are losing Brazina, Bednarek and Savonen....

I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out...

[stlawus]

2 minutes left in Hartford and chaos ERUPTS as Trinity GK Zabala gets a straight RED after a nasty foul by a Trinity player..Zabala went after 1 of Amherst players and Savonen gets a straight RED as well(did not see what he did)...Not really a classy way to end your career but hey what the hell...

Final in Hartford...2-1 Amherst...Really entertaining game especially with the weather and intensity by both teams...Trinity deserved at least a draw but there is a reason you are 4-10-1(1-8-1)...Great effort tonight by both teams especially Trinity with nothing but pride to play for. Still Pilger needs to hit the recruiting trail as there are some pieces possibly but you are losing Brazina, Bednarek and Savonen....

I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out...

Without even reading the previous posts I was 100% certain that Amherst was involved.  I don't doubt Serpone's passion and coaching abilities, but they are usually a common denominator in incidents like these..

Either way, I'm not sure what to think about the NESCAC tourney this year.  I really like this year's Bowdoin squad.

[Ommadawn]

Soccermom, glad you enjoyed my commentary. I am usually pretty restless during games and am up walking around — I got in 10,000 steps during the match yesterday — even ones where I have no dog in the fight, so it's a nice outlet. I would agree with your characterization of Bubb having a libero role, and I would say both center backs and their wingbacks stayed home for most of the match, although as Bobcat said McColl did get forward a few times and put a really nice service in which resulted in Bowdoin's biggest chance. Personally, I think that was the right approach, especially given Tufts' strength down the wings, particularly with Tasker.

All told, I think both teams would be happy with the draw. Curious to see who both teams will end up facing in this weekend's quarters.

I only saw the second half and over time periods, but I was surprised that Bowdoin didn't take more chances.  A win would have had a big upside and a loss wouldn't have hurt them.  Perhaps, given Van Siclen's proficiency in goal, their playoff mode will be to try to win without exposing themselves too much and prevail in PKs if necessary.