NESCAC

[blooter442]

4-0 the final, not a good day for the Judges. I think d4's assessment of the recruiting playing a role in the old teams is mostly fair. The Brandeis teams of old were built around guys like Ocel/Soboff/Savonen/Lynch who were either being recruited by D1 programs or had been playing D1. They don't have anyone like that in the squad at the moment. However (and recognizing that 1 of the 3 seasons since 2017 wasn't played), I don't think it's that Margolis isn't a good recruiter, but perhaps Coven was just superlative in that area, which is what you have to be in order to attract those kinds of talents (even if the program had a few dormant periods between NCAA appearances in 1985 and 2012).

Was watching on-and-off, but saw the goals back. All the goals seemed to be predicated on simple mistakes. The way Cano cut inside so easily for the first goal was concerning, but it was far from just that goal – Tufts was just dominant in each department.

[d3commenter]

Tufts up 2-0 at half against Brandeis. Don't want to draw too many conclusions from one game, but Brandeis' talent level has fallen off to the point that I don't see this program being at the same level for a long time. I think a lot of the success was due to the recruiting of the departed coach. Tufts were playing their second and even third string guys to end the half and still dominating. This is a far cry from the old deis teams

I think this is the first time Brandeis has lost by more than 2 goals in over 10 years...safe to say they have fallen off dramtically.

[PaulNewman]

4-0 the final, not a good day for the Judges. I think d4's assessment of the recruiting playing a role in the old teams is mostly fair. The Brandeis teams of old were built around guys like Ocel/Soboff/Savonen/Lynch who were either being recruited by D1 programs or had been playing D1. They don't have anyone like that in the squad at the moment. However (and recognizing that 1 of the 3 seasons since 2017 wasn't played), I don't think it's that Margolis isn't a good recruiter, but perhaps Coven was just superlative in that area, which is what you have to be in order to attract those kinds of talents (even if the program had a few dormant periods between NCAA appearances in 1985 and 2012).

Was watching on-and-off, but saw the goals back. All the goals seemed to be predicated on simple mistakes. The way Cano cut inside so easily for the first goal was concerning, but it was far from just that goal – Tufts was just dominant in each department.

Interesting.  I always had the impression that Margolis was typically the one more involved with recruiting.  I'm certainly not a Brandeis expert but I can recall in the 2000s when Wheaton (MA) was considered the superior program.  Brandeis certainly had a very strong last decade with two Final Four appearances, but I would think that why those years were so good involved a number of variables (including getting a run of players from the same club team/summer programs....Ocel, Savonen, Lynch).  I also wouldn't draw conclusions from a handful of games or even a full season.  Brandeis is also an interesting school/program...similar academic quality to NESCACs in the same New England region, but not necessarily a peer or overlap with NESCACs.  I'd be curious to know what the overlaps are for Brandeis recruiting-wise (and I would think places like NYU and Rochester, and not just because they are fellow UAA institutions).

[blooter442]

Interesting.  I always had the impression that Margolis was typically the one more involved with recruiting. 

He definitely was, and I believe he was involved with the Bolts quite a bit – I don't mean to say that he wasn't. That being said, Coven had been around for a while, had a unique way of charming people, and an almost encyclopedic knowledge of former players and opponents. That is something that's pretty unique. (Even so, they had a number of years in the wilderness, so that's not to say it was perfect.)

Back to NESCAC matters: interesting to see that Middlebury downed Bowdoin today, sending the Polar Bears to their first loss.

[College Soccer Observer]

Middlebury 1 #11 Bowdoin 0
Midd started with Grady in goal, Nelson, O'Brien, McFarlane, and Pape in the back, Chae, Powers, and Sloan in the midfield, and Saint-Louis, Reid, and Barry up top. 

Agree with earlier thoughts on both the video quality, and the announcer.  This was a different announcer than normal for Midd games, and I have never seen the video this bad.  Noah Hannam and Raffi Barsamiam both made their first appearances of the year for Midd after battling injuries early on. 

Even game in the first half.  Midd continues to be dangerous on set pieces as they use their height to good effect, winning both first and second balls on free kicks and corners.  Saint-Louis continues to be a threat on the right flank as he has both skill and pace and uses them to take on defenders.

Midd goal by Saint-Louis after Bowdoin tried to play out of the back.  Jonah Roberts blocked a ball up the line, and the ball fell to Saint-Louis, who cut to the middle and ripped a shot from 25 yards out with his left foot than beat the keeper down low to the near post. 

Bowdoin really did have much doing forward in the second half. 

Same fixture in 2019 was 0-0.  Midd has turned two 0-0 draws from 2019 into conference wins in 2021.  Being able to find the net certainly helps!

[maineman]

Can any of the distinguished (or not) Midd alumnus buy then a new camera? I'm pretty sure my Motorola Razor generated a higher quality image.

Seriously. What an embarrassment. And the announcer is sleep-inducing. zzzzz

The equipment is owned and provided by NSN.

[d4_Pace]

Tufts up 4-1 at half against a Salem State they really have no business playing. You can count on them hearing about it for conceding a goal in a game like this. 

[OldNed]

63 degrees gametime for Colby at St. Joes, and there's a Colby player wearing gloves!?!? 

Colby is dominating the game in every aspect except for the score.  I didn't catch the St. Joe's goal, but it was totally against the run of play.  If St. Joe's wants to hold off Colby, they're going to need to make more passes out of the back and try to possess the ball a little bit.  Colby's high press is making that difficult and it seems like it's just a matter of time before Colby cashes in.  It's still 1-0 St. Joe's with 40 minutes left.

[OldNed]

St. Joe's scores off a free kick just outside the box with 3 minutes left to go up 3-2 on Colby. 

[Mr.Right]

Tufts up 4-1 at half against a Salem State they really have no business playing. You can count on them hearing about it for conceding a goal in a game like this.

haha......does this mean sprints or hills today?

[nescac1]

Williams HAS to have played one of the toughest if not the toughest schedule in the country so far, number one Tufts, and then Wesleyan (better than its record with losses to Midd and Tufts), RPI (pre-season top ten team, 4-1-1), Skidmore (5-1) and Babson (5-2, in the top 25 before Williams beat them).  Hopefully the Ephs benefit later in the season.  As always the top of NESCAC, Tufts, Midd, Amherst, maybe Bowdoin and Conn, looks loaded, so Williams will have to keep improving to pick up a few wins vs. that group. 

Ironically, Sullivan's last recruiting class looks like one of his best.  Felipe Gutierrez looks VERY good, certainly a top ROY contender, and Keel Brissett is, along with Song, one of the two most dangerous finishers on the team (as usual not an area of huge strength for Williams, but hopefully those two continue to grow over into the role over time and some other guys start to help out).  Zhang, Keleman, Huleatt and Michelson have all played a lot of minutes as well and generally seem to be playing more as the season progresses.  Among that group I think a good chance of seeing 4-5 three-year starters.  Only three seniors are playing and none are among the top 10 guys in minutes on the team, so there is long-term upside on the roster. 

[Mr.Right]

Nescac Predictions Week 3


Bowdoin at Wesleyan---- Wesleyan picked up its first Nescac Win v Trinity midweek with a goal by #8 Rubinstein in the 79th minute. This was the first quote from the Wesleyan recap "In a largely uneventful first half, neither side generated much offense as there was just six combined shots and just one was on-target in the opening 45 minutes". Both Wesleyan and Bowdoin usually take their time to feel out what the opponent is doing so the recap guy should be able to cut and paste. A hard low cross from #12 Zach Wheeler found Rubenstein who volleyed it with his left. Rubinstein is Wesleyan's most important attacking player but Frosh #10 Ruehlemann is starting to challenge him for that honor. The kid is quick and skilled and most importantly follows Rubinstein's lead and works hard. Wesleyan is still really young but they are hungry and come ready to play. They are not deep and the play falls off when the key starters are out of the game usually the last 15 minutes of the 1st Half. This is the time for Bowdoin to strike. Bowdoin has better depth, more size and attacking players that can finish. Most important is they are playing with confidence. Interesting to me is which team will be forced to adjust? Will Bowdoin use #4 Chaban and #5 Minseo Bae in starting roles to match Wesleyan's quickness in the middle of the field or will Wesleyan have to sacrifice their skill and speed players with more height like #7 Tucker Kelsch.        1-1



Middlebury at Hamilton-----I have not seen Hamilton play yet. They mix a balance of veterans and Frosh in the starting 11 and have proved scrappy enough that all of their games have been 1 goal games. Even with Amherst having a 30-8 Shots advanatge it sounds like Hamilton had a couple of golden opportunities at the end of the game that they could not capitalize on. The point is they find a way to hang around. Big fan of #8 Matt Jordan as he has played every minute of every game and is their leader. It looks like Hamilton does have #28 Greg Zimmerman back in the lineup as he adds size up top. Hamilton's wingbacks are going to get a workout as Midd brings #23 Jordan Saint-Louis wide right and #8 Brendan Barry wide left. Saint-Louis is on a tear with 4G and 3A in 5GP. He is athletic, fast, can finish and most impressively stays on the field. Along with the big striker #9 Brandon Reid and midfielder #10 Liam Sloan they are one of the more dangerous attacking teams in Nescac. Looks like #5 Barsamian is working his way back into the lineup as the Frosh #6 Chae has done well in his place. Midd GK #33 Ryan Grady already has 3 shutouts and would have been 4 had he not been subbed out of the opening game of the year. Midd is young on the backline as he likes the Frosh #32 O'Brien at CB and #25 Nelson at RB. Elias looks to be trying to figure out who would be the best fit for LB.  He was a CB so he understands how important it is to NOT substitute that triangle of communication with the GK and 2 CB's. At least that is my hunch. Midd has to much talent and confidence for Hamilton right now.       Midd 2-0



Amherst at Conn-----Big game here between two top teams in Nescac. I have not seen Amherst play yet. They have a ton of veterans back with the backline being led by #7 Kyle Kelly who really stepped up in 2019. You got #5 Bryce Johnson probably at RB and #8 Alex Shahmirzadi holding. Shahmirzadi brings a ton of energy to the midfield. Both #12 Felix Wu and #33 Gabe Gitler are back. It looks like #16 Sebastian Derby is still in midfield who also brings energy. Surprised #10 Ignacio Cubeddu has not cracked the lineup but this has got to be the most experienced team in Nescac. GK #1 Bernie White is back in net and has 3 shutouts in a row. #9 has been quiet so far this year but is probably getting marked tight and even doubled. His stats do show half of his rips have been on net so I would not be surprised to see some goals coming soon especially against an inexperienced but talented Conn backline and GK. Perfect field for Amherst as its nice and tight for their press and blast and run game.  Conn will not be able to possess as much in this game as Amherst will press those defenders to blast the ball away or risk giving it away in dangerous area of the field. Still Conn knows what's coming and is a team playing well themselves. Amherst played a game on Thursday so Conn has got to take advantage of heavy legs late in the game. This is when Conn needs #14 Djerdjaj to do some heavy lifting if they are going to beat Amherst for the first time in 10 years.      2-2




Trinity at Williams-----Both Trinity and Williams are coming off disappointing 0-1 losses midweek to Springfield for the former and Wesleyan for the latter. Both teams are looking for their first Nescac Wins. Williams plays in a 4-4-2. Trinity in a 4-3-3. Lately, Williams has been starting a Frosh #29 Zhang at LB who will stay high up the field when Williams has the ball. This means that Williams tries to use him in attack but to be able to do so the players need to 1. Look for him 2. Be able to switch the field quickly. This has not happened frequently enough for him to be effective. Boardman is the box to box midfielder, Gutierrez stays home more and #20 Usaki hangs high. Williams will press hard especially 1st Half so Trinity, who likes to build from the back, needs to be mindful and hit long balls when needed. Williams GK #1 Michael Davis left the Springfield game in the 37th minute after twisting his ankle walking backwards to his goalmouth. I have never seen that TBH so not sure who will be in net. Trinity is 1-4-0 but only 0-2-0 in Conf so there is still time to right the ship but they have a brutal October so it would behoove them to start sooner rather than later.      Williams 2-1



Tufts at Colby----Colby plays 7 of their next 8 games at Home. Tufts has been rolling right along. 2019 RB #3 Ian Daly has been moved up to the right flank and they had been using #22 Aidan Welsh at RB the last time I saw them. Colby has size all over the place and I fully expect them to park it this game and try their luck on the counter. Colby does not move it quick enough upfield for them to be effective breaking down Tufts BUT the size will give them some chances off of any set piece 60 yards from the goal or in. Aroh will be busy in the air. In the past this game has been real tight and I expect more of the same. I heard that Tufts has scooped up Milton Academy twins Luke and Gavin Randolph for next year.  Tufts 1-0




Bates at Brandeis----Brandeis I have not seen but 1 Goal in 6 Games gives one an idea on where the problem lies. Besides the Tufts 4-0 beatdown, Brandeis has had 1-0 or 0-0 scorelines. I still see a decent enough roster so maybe they are playing more defensively this year. Midweek game at Wheaton was cancelled due to a power outage. Does one need electricity to play soccer? Anyway, has Bates proven to be an enigma or maybe it was a one off against Conn College last weekend. If the Judges are truly struggling then Bates needs to score and score early because the longer you keep desperate teams in games the better chance you give them of getting out of their funk.    1-1

[d4_Pace]

Well after Tufts misses literally 3 empty nets inside the 6, Colby rips a shot top corner near post. Time to see how they respond to first real adversity this year.

[blooter442]

Brandeis 2-0 Bates. Have to say I feared for Brandeis going into this game given that Bates was coming in 4-1 and Brandeis 1-4-1 (having scored 1 goal), but the Judges were good value for the win. Put together some nice sequences in general. Bates came out a bit slow but grew into the game and could have sent it to OT before the dagger with a few minutes left. Still think the Bobcats will have a decent year, they've looked good aside from the Conn. College drubbing.

[blooter442]

Colby fails to take several chances to make it 2-0 – the Tufts GK made a really nice save on an effort with 10 minutes left – and now the Mules give up the equalizer with less than 4 minutes left. Too easy from the corner. 1-1 and momentum squarely with the Jumbos.