NESCAC

[Ommadawn]

Yeah right these coaches just do not change. It is very frustrating to watch. Actually if you look at the Nescac matchups I think Midd has the best chance to get to the Sweet 16 of either of those 3 IF THEY PLAY like they did yesterday. The Midd v Stevens match will be played on turf. I have not seen Stevens this year so it is hard to say and they have a new coach so i do not know how they play but their results have been mediocre at best.

Oddly enough, I have seen both of these teams in action, both online and in person.  My impression is that Middlebury is better in every respect than Stevens and should win 2-0 or 3-0 if they play straight up.

[Flying Weasel]

NEW ENGLAND REGION - NCAA REGIONAL RANKINGS - November 06, 2017

Rank	School	. Div. III . Record	. Div. III . SOS	. R-v-R .	. Overall . Record	. Prev. . Rank
1.	Tufts	15-1-2	0.613	4-1-2	15-1-2	1
2.	Amherst	11-3-2	0.621	4-1-1	11-3-2	2
3.	Brandeis	13-4-0	0.622	4-4-0	13-4-0	3
4.	Springfield	14-1-2	0.566	5-0-0	14-1-2	4
5.	Middlebury	12-6-0	0.627	4-4-0	12-6-0	6
6.	Connecticut College	9-3-4	0.605	2-2-3	9-3-4	7
7.	Bowdoin	10-4-3	0.593	2-3-3	10-4-3	5
8.	Johnson and Wales	15-2-2	0.524	1-1-0	15-2-2	--
9.	Williams	8-3-5	0.600	0-3-3	8-3-5	8
10.	Endicott	13-4-3	0.533	1-2-1	13-4-3	10
11.	St. Joseph's (Maine)	18-0-1	0.499	2-0-0	18-0-1	--
12.	Gordon	13-6-1	0.544	0-3-1	13-6-1	12

[SoccerMom_5]

...Interesting look because Midd let Bowdoin possess all they wanted in their half until they crossed midfield.

Again... it always does seem like we have not watched the same games, even though I know that we both saw this one.

Midd did not keep Bowdoin below midfield. At all.  "Bowdoin-love" aside, that is objectively not the case, as evidenced by stats alone, even if I had not seen the game and realized that Midd did not "contain" Bowdoin in that game in anyway at all.

Bowdoin took 7 shots and had 3 corners in regulation.That is a very reasonable amount of offense. And that does not include some of the really screwy "shots" that didn't get close enough to the goal to even be tallied as a shot.   

So... as I have said all along:  Bowdoin's backline controls the look of Bowdoin's posession game.  Where the backline decides to play is where Bowdoin will possess. And when they decide to go, I have not seen anyone contain them. They "bunkered in" increasingly as the game went on... but  Midd did not contain them to below the midfield.   Bowdoin took seven shots and three corners in regulation time.  Especially considering how long it can take Bowdoin to pull the trigger, those stats indicate Bowdoin spent a reasonable amount of time in the attacking third. 
I dont deny that the Bowdoin backline sets their pace and controls possession.  And, they "bunker in" far too often for their own good. 
But the implcations of Midd "letting" Bowdoin possess "until they crossed midfield" are contradicted by the stats.  Plus... I saw the game.  And Midd - while they had some good moments, and a great second OT and definitely played like theu wanted to win, while Bowdoin looked like they just did not want to lose.

So... congrats to Midd on the win, of course.  They played like they wanted to win, and they deserved to win.
But... Midd did NOT contain the Bowdoin attack to below midfield. The midfield struggled in that game, and .. I am sure  and the backline chose to hold the ball at that time.

[Off Pitch]

...Interesting look because Midd let Bowdoin possess all they wanted in their half until they crossed midfield.

And when they decide to go, I have not seen anyone contain them.

Just a general observation - Bowdoin has scored exactly 1 goal in their last 4 games.  Contrary to your assertion, it would seem that everyone is containing them. 

[truenorth]

Yes, it all comes down to whether the ball gets put into the net.  Bowdoin has not put the ball into the net in recent games, despite having at least their share of quality chances vs. the competition in those games.

The slate is clean for each of the teams who are now in the NCAA tourney.  Teams like Bowdoin could very well end their scoring droughts and gain some momentum (or not).  Teams like Tufts and St. Joe's could very well give up their first goals of the season (or not).

But I don't think that recent history is always a reliable predictor of what will happen in the tournament games.

[blooter442]

The slate is clean for each of the teams who are now in the NCAA tourney.  Teams like Bowdoin could very well end their scoring droughts and gain some momentum (or not).  Teams like Tufts and St. Joe's could very well give up their first goals of the season (or not).

But I don't think that recent history is always a reliable predictor of what will happen in the tournament games.

I agree 100%, truenorth, and this is why I try to never be overconfident in one-and-done scenarios like NCAAs, regardless of how much of an advantage I think a given team has over another. As the adage goes, "it's a new season," and any number of things can happen that do or do not resemble past occurrences.

[Mr.Right]

...Interesting look because Midd let Bowdoin possess all they wanted in their half until they crossed midfield.

Again... it always does seem like we have not watched the same games, even though I know that we both saw this one.

Midd did not keep Bowdoin below midfield. At all.  "Bowdoin-love" aside, that is objectively not the case, as evidenced by stats alone, even if I had not seen the game and realized that Midd did not "contain" Bowdoin in that game in anyway at all.

Bowdoin took 7 shots and had 3 corners in regulation.That is a very reasonable amount of offense. And that does not include some of the really screwy "shots" that didn't get close enough to the goal to even be tallied as a shot.   

So... as I have said all along:  Bowdoin's backline controls the look of Bowdoin's posession game.  Where the backline decides to play is where Bowdoin will possess. And when they decide to go, I have not seen anyone contain them. They "bunkered in" increasingly as the game went on... but  Midd did not contain them to below the midfield.   Bowdoin took seven shots and three corners in regulation time.  Especially considering how long it can take Bowdoin to pull the trigger, those stats indicate Bowdoin spent a reasonable amount of time in the attacking third. 
I dont deny that the Bowdoin backline sets their pace and controls possession.  And, they "bunker in" far too often for their own good. 
But the implcations of Midd "letting" Bowdoin possess "until they crossed midfield" are contradicted by the stats.  Plus... I saw the game.  And Midd - while they had some good moments, and a great second OT and definitely played like theu wanted to win, while Bowdoin looked like they just did not want to lose.

So... congrats to Midd on the win, course. 
But... Midd did NOT contain the Bowdoin attack to below midfield. The midfield struggled in that game, and .. I am sure  and the backline chose to hold the ball at that time.

I have no idea what my initial point has to do with all this rambling. All I said was that in the Bowdoin v Midd match Midd was not pressing them or in clearer terms Midd was letting them do whatever they wanted until they hit midfield. To me this was interesting because the next day Midd came out and pressed Tufts to some success. Thats all...Nothing to do with corners and shots or who had more of the play or whatever. Honestly, I fell asleep in the middle of the 2nd Half so maybe the game changed BUT I remember maybe 1 scoring chance for each side before I nodded. It was just a tedious, cautious affair that I thought I had forgotten until now.

[SoccerMom_5]

...Interesting look because Midd let Bowdoin possess all they wanted in their half until they crossed midfield.

And when they decide to go, I have not seen anyone contain them.

Just a general observation - Bowdoin has scored exactly 1 goal in their last 4 games.  Contrary to your assertion, it would seem that everyone is containing them.

They also scored only one goal in the game in which they took 30 shots.  They have a finishing problem. They can miss an open goal. 
Their dearth of goals is a finishing problem, not a possession one.
They attack. They shoot.  They just can't finish.

Mr. Right likes lots of goals, so... he does not care for Bowdoin so much. Obviously, I disagree.   I don't go to soccer games hoping for manic shoot-outs. I think you can have a very interesting game, with no goals at all.  So, I find Bowdoin's team to be pretty interesting. 

Bowdoins back line usually is the determining factor where (and how) they are going to play.  And i have not seen anyone able to contain them in any game I have watched.  They have cut everyone up.  The Bowdoin scoring issues are that their offense can't finish, and they frequently employ an overly-defensive strategy in high-stakes games.
But none of those teams have "contained" them.

[SoccerMom_5]

...Interesting look because Midd let Bowdoin possess all they wanted in their half until they crossed midfield.

Again... it always does seem like we have not watched the same games, even though I know that we both saw this one.

Midd did not keep Bowdoin below midfield. At all.  "Bowdoin-love" aside, that is objectively not the case, as evidenced by stats alone, even if I had not seen the game and realized that Midd did not "contain" Bowdoin in that game in anyway at all.

Bowdoin took 7 shots and had 3 corners in regulation.That is a very reasonable amount of offense. And that does not include some of the really screwy "shots" that didn't get close enough to the goal to even be tallied as a shot.   

So... as I have said all along:  Bowdoin's backline controls the look of Bowdoin's posession game.  Where the backline decides to play is where Bowdoin will possess. And when they decide to go, I have not seen anyone contain them. They "bunkered in" increasingly as the game went on... but  Midd did not contain them to below the midfield.   Bowdoin took seven shots and three corners in regulation time.  Especially considering how long it can take Bowdoin to pull the trigger, those stats indicate Bowdoin spent a reasonable amount of time in the attacking third. 
I dont deny that the Bowdoin backline sets their pace and controls possession.  And, they "bunker in" far too often for their own good. 
But the implcations of Midd "letting" Bowdoin possess "until they crossed midfield" are contradicted by the stats.  Plus... I saw the game.  And Midd - while they had some good moments, and a great second OT and definitely played like theu wanted to win, while Bowdoin looked like they just did not want to lose.

So... congrats to Midd on the win, course. 
But... Midd did NOT contain the Bowdoin attack to below midfield. The midfield struggled in that game, and .. I am sure  and the backline chose to hold the ball at that time.

I have no idea what my initial point has to do with all this rambling. All I said was that in the Bowdoin v Midd match Midd was not pressing them or in clearer terms Midd was letting them do whatever they wanted until they hit midfield. To me this was interesting because the next day Midd came out and pressed Tufts to some success. Thats all...Nothing to do with corners and shots or who had more of the play or whatever. Honestly, I fell asleep in the middle of the 2nd Half so maybe the game changed BUT I remember maybe 1 scoring chance for each side before I nodded. It was just a tedious, cautious affair that I thought I had forgotten until now.

What you said was that Midd" let Bowdoin possess all they wanted until they crossed midfield."   
My inference: you thought Midd was containing and/or dispossessing them above midfield. But ... Bowdoin possessed all over the field.  So...

But I guess I am the one "rambling..."  Ok.  Lol.

[SoccerMom_5]

Yes, it all comes down to whether the ball gets put into the net.
...
But I don't think that recent history is always a reliable predictor of what will happen in the tournament games.

Well, I think Bowdoin has a lot of talented and smart players.  And I have quite liked Bowdoin's creative approach to compensating for some of their undeniable weak points. And I kept hoping that they would get all the pieces put together before their season was over.
But... at this point.... if they start scoring, it will be a triumph of hope over experience.
I'll keep my fingers crossed with you, TrueNorth.  I hope that they give us a chance to see them play a really great game.  I haven't looked for the times yet, but if there is a link, I will be watching.

[SoccerMom_5]

RUN #7 on the flank will be causing havoc all game for McColl but better to have McColl on him than the other wingback who is a bit of a liability. When McColl overlaps than Ellsworth will have to drop and deal with him and he is not a good enough 1v1 defender

If he is that good, then McColl will not go as high or as often.  Also Ellsworth hasnt been playing LOM.  It has been Oliver starting and Byrd relieving.  Oliver holds his own on D. Byrd less so.  Which pulls Morant out of the middle.  So... that definitely is a problem, if he is that good and McColl plays high all game.



The Bowdoin v RUN matchup will be VERY interesting. I think Bowdoin players will get over confident about an hour or two before the match when they see the size advantage they have especially when they see RUN 5'6 GK. That will be their 1st mistake because RUN has plenty of skill and play fast two touch futbol and will be able to do that on Brandeis turf.

Is RUN technically proficient? I can't seem to find video that tells much in that regard.
Bowdoin likes two-touch also, and they have a number of players who are reasonably technically proficient.     
Technical proficiency matters a lot on turf.
As does wind.  Does anyone know the forecast for that area?

Also -- I am going to guess that college soccer players are not judging the other team by the size of the players. Messi is 5'7"  How big you are is not related to how good you are at soccer.


The 2nd mistake will be Wiercinski starting Morant and Niang in midfield. He should push both up top


At least we agree on Niang.   I'd leave Morant in the middle as long as he doesn't start chasing like he did against Midd. If he can hold the midfield and distribute like he did against Colby...that is what Bowdoin has lacked all season.
I'd leave Masterson sit and bring on MacPherron.   


so that will draw over Bubb or Ward and leave their best player #11 all 5'6 of him DeSouza against possibly 1 CB. 


If #11 is all that, then Bubb will have been assigned to him.  When Bowdoin plays a team with a very strong forward, they have Bubb man-mark.    That strategy can help or hurt.  He smothers his man, which can be effective. (For example, watch the NESCAC finals game at Tufts last year.  Tufts has full tape on youtube.)   but...  that also eliminates the libero role they ask him to play.  Bowdoin often needs his involvement to help jumpstart offense and keep the midfield organized. 
Nonetheless:.: If #11 is really all that,  Bubb will be assigned to man-
him. Which keeps Ward tied down, too, as he is required to stay closer to man the middle.

This will cause the whole team to sit back. And sitting back often doesn't  work out for Bowdoin, as we know.


The "hold on for PKs" approach is a disaster for Bowdoin. (Worked out great for Midd, though. )   

If Bowdoin doesn't play-like-they-want-o-win in regulation, then they probably will lose... and if they do that, they will deserve to lose.

[truenorth]

The Bowdoin v RUN matchup will be VERY interesting. I think Bowdoin players will get over confident about an hour or two before the match when they see the size advantage they have especially when they see RUN 5'6 GK. That will be their 1st mistake because RUN has plenty of skill and play fast two touch futbol and will be able to do that on Brandeis turf.

Is RUN technically proficient? I can't seem to find video that tells much in that regard.
Bowdoin likes two-touch also, and they have a number of players who are reasonably technically proficient.     
Technical proficiency matters a lot on turf.
As does wind.  Does anyone know the forecast for that area?

Also -- I am going to guess that college soccer players are not judging the other team by the size of the players. Messi is 5'7"  How big you are is not related to how good you are at soccer.

The weather forecast for New England over the weekend is for colder than normal temps.  Highs will struggle to get to 40.  Winds are going to be strong from Thursday into Friday, but they will have subsided by Saturday.  So I don't see weather being a big factor in these games.

Although Bowdoin would prefer to play on grass, they are reasonably accustomed to playing on turf.  Bowdoin has a brand new turf field for football and lacrosse, which presumably the soccer teams can gain occasional access to for training if needed.

From the comments, I'm surmising RUN plays on a turf field at home?

[blooter442]

Although Bowdoin would prefer to play on grass, they are reasonably accustomed to playing on turf.  Bowdoin has a brand new turf field for football and lacrosse, which presumably the soccer teams can gain occasional access to for training if needed.

I know you said it's "brand new" -- when did that happen? I grew up in neighboring Freeport and was on the track team at FHS. Since we didn't have a track in town at the time (one is under construction now!), we had track practices at the Magee-Samuelson Track at Whittier Field, and the field was very much grass -- this is back in 2008-10. I've been around the area numerous times since, and have even watched a few Bowdoin soccer games at Pickard Field, but I admittedly haven't seen Whittier Field. I also remember lacrosse being played on the field hockey carpet (not really a turf) adjacent to the field house, so I'm guessing lacrosse moved?

Edit: WOW! Checked the Bowdoin Athletics website -- that looks a world of difference. The old grandstand looks kind of anachronistic next to that field, although I do think it's a nice touch. I only saw football and lacrosse lines, but maybe Bowdoin puts down soccer lines in order to have occasional turf games (a la Bates)? Then again, there are no lights IIRC, so night games would be off the table until that were to change.

From the comments, I'm surmising RUN plays on a turf field at home?

Indeed.

[Bucket]

Can someone just go ahead and create a Bowdoin message board?

[1970s NESCAC Player]

WOW! Checked the Bowdoin Athletics website -- that looks a world of difference. The old grandstand looks kind of anachronistic next to that field, although I do think it's a nice touch.

The NESCAC Futility Bowl will be waged on that field on Saturday as 0-8 Colby football visits 0-8 Bowdoin football.