NESCAC

[d4_Pace]

Well here's Middlebury chance to make the regional rankings irrelevant. I think beating Amherst shows that this team really shot themselves in the foot this season. They are far too talented for all the ties they've got. But a win today and it's all moot.

A rematch from the conference finals two years ago. Big difference is that that game was played on the turf at bello instead of the u13 sized cow patch at Amherst. Despite that, I think the game will be similar to the 2017 affair. A tight low scoring game where a late break through determines the winner.
Tufts 1-0 Tasker 84'

[BendIt007]

Great turn and finish by Braun!  Tuft 2 -1

[Bucket]

Hard fought championship game. Congrats to Tufts.

Now feeling confident about seeing the Panthers play on next week after reading prognostications on other boards. One reliable poster believes Midd will not only jump all three of Williams-Conn-WPI, but will be the second overall Pool C pick after Amherst at 1. (With the other NE teams following Midd as selections in rapid selection.) Even if the poster is off by a couple of picks—that is, the NE rankings don't quite shake out the way he thinks—Midd still seems safely in the field of 23 picks with the NE teams providing criteria far ahead of the rest of the field.

Fingers crossed.

[d4_Pace]

I do think Midd has a shot of sneaking in. But there is zero chance they are the number 2 pool C. That's gonna be F&M. Also still don't think they jump Conn but if they both get in we will never know.

[Bobcat1]

Does Tufts now leapfrog Amherst in the final regional rankings and secure home field the next two weekends (assuming they win their games)?

Amherst 14-1-2, Tufts 14-2-2. Tufts has stronger SOS and now has a massive 8 ranked wins - double that of Amherst.

[PaulNewman]

I do think Midd has a shot of sneaking in. But there is zero chance they are the number 2 pool C. That's gonna be F&M. Also still don't think they jump Conn but if they both get in we will never know.

Bucket misread the format of my post....not #2 overall but possibly #2 for NE...I grouped with Tufts because of final today, but in all honesty I personally would put Midd above Conn and Williams at this point and I am confident all three get in.

[TheAnonymousCommentator]

Exciting championship game. Thought both teams did well and probably a fair result although heartbreaking for Middlebury to have an under 2-minute goal by Tufts take the championship again (same as 2017). I've been impressed with Midd the entire tournament as they seem to have developed a mentality of "We're going to win because you're not going to score." It worked against Conn to take it to PKs and then at Amherst to hold off a late charge. You won't beat Midd at set-pieces and humping balls into the box- their average height from defensive midfielder to goalie seems to be a very solid 6'2. The way to beat them is to break them down by playing through them quickly before they can face you up but I think Tufts is one of maybe 2 or 3 teams in the country who can do that to a team like Midd. Tufts put on a pretty classic performance by playing the ball around, getting crosses in, and keeping the ball on the ground. I kind of thought Midd was going to take it all but Braun and the jumbos proved once again that they just know how to win.

Last point: Grady deserves to win ROY. He's been terrific backing up the best defense in the NESCAC and his save % (imo the best goalkeeper metric) beats Marcucci by .01.

[TheAnonymousCommentator]

Amherst, Tufts, Conn, Midd!

[Bucket]

Amherst, Tufts, Conn, Midd!

With Williams left on the table. Wondering how many rounds there were with Williams at the top of the NE? Makes me think Midd was one of the last in, as there was very little separating Midd and Williams. I get ranking Midd just above Williams in the region, but then if you're the national committee and you select the Panthers, you'd probably also select the Ephs next . . . unless there were no more picks!

Good luck to all teams in the Second Season!

[Mr.Right]

I will be the first to admit I did not see any of the Nescac Final except the highlights. Liverpool v Man City was not going to get passed over. I will say the only thing I can comment about is Braun's goal to win it. In that split second I saw a possible pro career overseas in a lower league. It was a fantastic everything....reception,turn and absolute missile all in about 3 seconds with a guy on his back. He is 6'5 and with that cast looks like the local repo man in Somerville.  I mean he does not even look like a reputable repo man, this dude looks bad ass like one of those independent contractor types. Anyway, I can be harsh on these big guys sometimes but that was a goal I see on ACCNetwork Men's Soccer.  Good stuff and to win the game no less....

I thought the Tufts/Williams Semi-Final was a solid game. Tough way to lose but if you are a Williams fan lately this is just another punch to the gut and by now we fans are just begging please not the ribs. I thought Tufts was the better team on the day in stretches but Williams held their own(cannot believe I just typed that) and actually had some decent chances of their own. Oberg was Williams best player on the day BY FAR. He was everywhere doing whatever he could to help Williams get on the board and keep Tufts off.  Zach Lane played a game like I frankly have not seen this year. He was Tufts man of the match easily even without the goal. Tasker was shut down all game and did nothing. Braun did not do much either and is obviously lacking fitness...He cannot play longer than 20 minutes effectively but when he is rested damn he is a handful. Actually, Bardong and the Frosh CB Holland did well with him. Personally, I was most impressed with Daly. That kid is a beast and just ate up anything near him all day.. Daly is pretty smooth player and does not get bothered by much. Williams was trying to attack Stern's side but even he had a decent game. Tufts back 4 is the best in the league. It is better than Midd's IMO.  Now Tufts GK I am not so sure about. One of these GK's that makes some great saves and then a complete head scratching error...That does not breed confidence..Still the depth is where its all at. Williams was fine up until about the 75th minute when some of them looked more spent than Tufts players. Shapiro rested about 5 starters at about the 60/65th minute and gave them a solid 10-15 minute break(including Braun). To me that is the difference..Tufts was fresh for the end of the game and OT and Williams was not. I thought Williams defended well and did not give Tufts to many dangerous looks. Possession easily favored Tufts 60/40 but they use possession more to wear out opponents willing to chase and not for progressing consistently down field for scoring looks. It can be tedious at times but the athleticism makes up for it live and I fully enjoyed the game even if played in the sandbox.

[Middlebury Dad]

Regarding the NESCAC final game:  First 30 minutes or so were cagey and fairly even.  Tufts turned up the heat for the rest of the half and only a couple of strong saves kept them off the board.  Tufts really dominated the first 10 minutes of second half and you could sense a goal was coming.  Well worked combination passing opened up the defense for a shot dead center from about 15 yards out.  Midd stabilized and was able to prevent further damage.  From about 20 minutes left until they got the equalizer on a shot from distance by Drazen, Midd had Tufts back on their heels.  Class finish from Braun for the game winner on a bullet that gave the keeper no chance with 2 minutes remaining. 

Some interesting tidbits on Midd season:

1. They have conceded 11 goals all year, 4 of them to Tufts in a pair of 2-1 losses.  In the other 16 games, including 2 vs Amherst, 2 vs Conn, and vs NCAA side WPI, they have given up a total of 7 goals.  Tufts is the only team to score more than one vs Midd, and they did it twice.

2. Midd opponents are only 1 of 4 on penalty kicks during games (the lone goal by Castleton vs Marco Kaper, while Ryan Grady has not conceded a goal on 3 pks -- 1 vs Norwich and 2 vs Tufts .  Kaper denied 3 of 6 pks in tiebreaker vs Conn in NESCAC quarters. 

3.  Midd has 9 clean sheets, but 4 of them came in 0-0 draws (vs. Wesleyan, Bowdoin, WPI, and Conn)

[TheAnonymousCommentator]

Thought I might make a prediction for NESCAC 1st team as that list is probably coming out soon.

GK: Marcucci
DEF: Paoletta
DEF: Daly
DEF: Robinson
MID: Lind
MID: Butera
MID: Tasker
FOR: Giammattei
FOR: Wood
FOR: Djerdjaj
FOR: Braun

POY: Giammattei
ROY: Grady
COY: Shapiro

Pretty standard guesses, don't think we'll see too many surprises. Defense is the most up in the air. Giammattei is a lock for POY.

[d4_Pace]

I think thats a pretty good list. I doubt Shapiro gets coach of the year given previous success. I could see it going to Elias, Sheikh, or maybe even Burk. 

Also don't think there will be that many Tufts and Amherst players. Amherst always gets left short a few because its ultimately a bit of popularity contest. They usually give spots to players from most of the teams, even if in reality they wouldn't start on the top teams but put up decent numbers as their teams top option.

[Ejay]

Gotta think Eckles from Hamilton will get his third 1st-team nod, no?

[d4_Pace]

Yes eckles is in. Once you make it all you've got to do is play in half the games are you're back on the team