NESCAC

Buddham · October 04, 2019, 10:26:00 AM

Are any of the NESCAC fields and "crowds" all that intimidating? We can't be talking Beyond Thunderdome...I can't even see a ref crew getting intimidated at a D1 stadium (with sparsely filled seats making it maybe even less impressive what with all the echoes). Someone who's worked their way up to the collegiate ranks has been battle-tested if not scarred by the youth soccer scene plenty.

I'll be amongst the first to bemoan a bad call, but I haven't seen refs exhibit bias. They might be incompetent and blind, but they're wretched to both sides equally.

Another Mom · October 05, 2019, 03:36:51 PM

Watching the second half of the Williams-Colby game -- I'm enjoying this soccer much more than the Amherst-Middlebury game. *Much* more passing to feet and little of the pointless ping ponging headers of that game. I get it, Amherst is very successful with its style of play, but that doesn't mean I can't prefer Williams' style.

blooter442 · October 05, 2019, 03:47:42 PM

Quote from: Another Mom on October 05, 2019, 03:36:51 PM
Watching the second half of the Williams-Colby game -- I'm enjoying this soccer much more than the Amherst-Middlebury game. *Much* more passing to feet and little of the pointless ping ponging headers of that game. I get it, Amherst is very successful with its style of play, but that doesn't mean I can't prefer Williams' style.

To be fair to Amherst, Midd. has historically played a similar style, so they are partially culpable as well for that game. That said, Colby likes to play direct on the break but they seem to do a better job playing balls to feet than some other direct sides.

Another Mom · October 05, 2019, 03:55:31 PM

Agreed, I thought Middlebury played the same way Amherst did.

Mr.Right · October 07, 2019, 10:20:49 AM

Bates with another huge showing this weekend wrapping up 6/6 pts in Lewiston with a 1-0 win over Midd and a 2-0 win over lowly Trinity. 2 games 2 more shutouts which is now 5 shutouts already this year which has to be a record this early in the year for Bates
At 7-2-1, this side has been compared to the 2018 Colby side but I think this Bates side is better with more depth and are just as organized. I was not shocked at all with the Bates victory not just because of how well they are playing but also historically Midd has really struggled in this matchup. Bates has been Midd's bugaboo for years even during Bates most desperate years. At 7-2-1 and sitting in 4th place in Nescac and owning a couple tie-breakers already they are sitting pretty. Their remaining schedule is in their favor with only a match at Amherst posing a problem...If they keep this level of concentration and focus up this team will find itself nearing Pool C consideration. However, before Colby's amazing Nescac Championship run they had a resume just like this Bates side and managed to collapse to end the regular season. Point is Bates has a long way to go.

Bobcat1 · October 07, 2019, 10:27:02 AM

A big 6 points for the Bobcats this weekend. They are rugged and absolutely bought in, especially at home on the new sod inside the track. Can't remember the last time Bates sat 4th in the table this late in the season, but they will be a tough out down the stretch. At Wes this coming weekend, really important game for both teams. Bates only has one conference home game left - Amherst on the 26th...

blooter442 · October 08, 2019, 03:56:46 PM

Babson 1-0 up on Tufts about halfway through the first half...surely they can't hold out.

...can they?

blooter442 · October 08, 2019, 03:58:51 PM

2-0!

Brother Flounder · October 08, 2019, 03:59:45 PM

Quote from: blooter442 on October 08, 2019, 03:58:51 PM
2-0!

BLOOTS... You're ruining my work day!

blooter442 · October 08, 2019, 04:03:30 PM

Quote from: Brother Flounder on October 08, 2019, 03:59:45 PM
BLOOTS... You're ruining my work day!

Crazy enough, this is the first time Tufts has trailed 2-0 since losing by that scoreline at Brandeis in September 2014.

(I swear, I didn't know that would be the case when I looked back!)

Brother Flounder · October 08, 2019, 04:04:27 PM

Quote from: blooter442 on October 08, 2019, 04:03:30 PM
Quote from: Brother Flounder on October 08, 2019, 03:59:45 PM
BLOOTS... You're ruining my work day!

Crazy enough, this is the first time Tufts has trailed 2-0 since losing by that scoreline at Brandeis in September 2014.

(I swear, I didn't know that would be the case when I looked back!)

I remember that game!

blooter442 · October 08, 2019, 04:37:16 PM

Babson up 2-0 on Tufts and while Tufts has looked slightly sharper in possession the Beavers are definitely up for this. If Tufts gets one in the first 5 or 10 of the second half then I think the Jumbos will at least get out of the 90 with a draw (and maybe win in OT). If Babson can hold them out that initial stretch I think they'll have a great chance.

Quote from: Brother Flounder on October 08, 2019, 04:04:27 PM
I remember that game!

Me too. It was the game that got me on the boards.

Quote from: Mr.Right on October 07, 2019, 10:20:49 AM
Bates with another huge showing this weekend wrapping up 6/6 pts in Lewiston with a 1-0 win over Midd and a 2-0 win over lowly Trinity. 2 games 2 more shutouts which is now 5 shutouts already this year which has to be a record this early in the year for Bates
At 7-2-1, this side has been compared to the 2018 Colby side but I think this Bates side is better with more depth and are just as organized. I was not shocked at all with the Bates victory not just because of how well they are playing but also historically Midd has really struggled in this matchup. Bates has been Midd's bugaboo for years even during Bates most desperate years. At 7-2-1 and sitting in 4th place in Nescac and owning a couple tie-breakers already they are sitting pretty. Their remaining schedule is in their favor with only a match at Amherst posing a problem...If they keep this level of concentration and focus up this team will find itself nearing Pool C consideration. However, before Colby's amazing Nescac Championship run they had a resume just like this Bates side and managed to collapse to end the regular season. Point is Bates has a long way to go.

I would agree with this generally, I was really impressed with them when I saw them play Tufts. Funny enough I went to my local high school turf to kick around on Sunday and there was a guy walking around the track — we got talking after he mentioned he watched the Bates-Middlebury game the day before (he started the conversation). Turns out it was Sheikh's father who was up to watch a couple of games. Nice guy. I think it is a bit much to ask them to get a result with Amherst but they competed really well with Tufts and were about 5 minutes from a draw...could have even snuck a win with one shot off the bar although would have been a bit of a smash-and-grab. Still, they can play.

blooter442 · October 08, 2019, 04:41:07 PM

Just saw the first goal. The left-sided CB in that back 3 — Raphael, I think it was — misjudged the cross, missed his header, and Crompton snuck in behind and headed it home. Second goal was a broken play finished off with a powerful shot inside the box.

blooter442 · October 08, 2019, 04:46:17 PM

Hard to believe this is the same Babson side that lost 3-0 at home to Williams a couple of weeks back.

blooter442 · October 08, 2019, 04:50:45 PM

Babson almost goes 3-0 up...Tufts threw people forward on a corner, the Beavers got out and played a really nice break through Collins, who played the ball across to a runner on the left. Unfortunately for Babson, there was a foul whistled in the sequence, and while someone put the ball into the net, the whistle was long up.