NESCAC

[d4_Pace]

#1, the most dangerous seed in (Nescac) soccer

[PaulNewman]

I realize there aren't many blowouts in the NESCAC but Williams has not lost a game all year by more than one goal, most 1-0.  Might be their turn to win a big close one.

[maineman]

I realize there aren't many blowouts in the NESCAC but Williams has not lost a game all year by more than one goal, most 1-0.  Might be their turn to win a big close one.

So if we are talking about what team with home field is most likely to lose in the Q-final, then would you put  Conn College on the top of the list?  Or would it be Midd?  They prevailed over Wesleyan at home 3-1, although early in the season.  How about Tufts who recently tied Bowdoin on the road.  Amherst topped Colby 2-0 at home.  Who are the underdogs most likely to advance?

[Mr.Right]

Nescac Predictions Quarters

Wesleyan---10-3-2 (5-3-2) #5
Midd-------10-3-2 (5-3-2) #4

Wesleyan at Midd---This game was a minute away from being in Middletown however Midd's Frosh CM #30 Shane Farrell's golden goal at Williams in the 109th minute turned the tables. These two teams met about 2 months ago and Midd Won the game 3-1 with 2 goals coming off of corners. The team that does not advance from this game will definitely be sweating it out for an NCAA bid. I see both teams being pretty cautious in this game taking advantage of any chances they get. Wes CB #24 Porte did not play v Conn midweek and their other CB #5 Evan O'Brien left the game in the 2nd Half. O'Brien looks to be a walking band-aid right now but Wesleyan need him and his 6'2 frame playing on their backline. He competes hard and while certainly not the fastest he is positioned correctly and reads the game well to make up for the lack of pace. Midd's backline has been solid all year led by #15 RCB McFarlane. The Frosh LCB #32 Williams O'Brien(not related) has done well this year and is a real solid header of the ball. Elias has Frosh #25 Nelson at RB and used another Frosh #19 Lund at LB instead of #16 Pape at Williams. He has the wheels and skill to get up and down the field if Midd ever wanted to give him the green light too risk it for the biscuit. Conn's holding midd #16 Lobo did a very good job staying with and shutting down Wes #10 Ruehlemann midweek and Midd will need to do the same. Any time Ruehlemann got his feet on the ball he was marked tight. That should free up others if Midd man marks him all over the field. Midd's striker #9 Reid could be the difference maker as Wesleyan will be challenged to mark him well. Midd wide guys like #23 Saint-Louis and #8 Barry will be going up against Wes Senior LB #6 Wallick and RB #14 Mason Davisson. Wes has also been using at RB #3 Max Hofstetter. Wheeler used #7 Kelsch as a CB when O'Brien left the field and he did a fine job in relief but he is usually in midfield. Middlebury have only given up 2 Goals all year at Home and have an advantage with the turf but Wes has played on turf all week because the Conn game was played on their football field. This game will come down too who wants it more. Does Wes have the guts to go up to Middlebury and take it to them? Can Midd score a couple goals early and completely let the air out of Wesleyan's proverbial tire?  Or does this have PK's written all over it?    Midd 1-0

Williams---7-6-2 (3-5-2) #8
Conn------12-3-0 (8-2-0) #1

Williams at Conn----Conn are coming off winning their first Nescac Regular Season title as all their hardwork has been paying off. Still they must understand they are not completely respected by other Nescac's yet. I am sure Williams is much happier having to play Conn than say Amherst or Tufts. I am also sure Colby would have rather travelled to Conn than Amherst. Only winning can fix that mindset. You want your opponent to fear having to come play you in your own den as that gives you an advantage before the ball is even kicked. Conn won the regular season match 1-0 at Home. Rewatching the game showed that Conn was pretty good at breaking the Williams press. Their final pass in the attacking 3rd was lacking in the game but they succeeded on playing out of the back and got some chances off of it by breaking the press and eventually scoring the game winner. Conn also has really started to hunt the ball with #18 Marvel and #16 Lobo busting in central midfield. To me all this pressing wastes valuable energy from your key attacking players. Mixing it up would keep your opponent off balance and save energy for your key attacking players. Williams has a very hard time creating its own shot and their best 1v1 player #9 Petrik cannot get on the field. I would attack with 5 and use Petrik sitting behind #7 Song or #16 Brissett in a 4-1-4-1 and / or move #3 Foehl into an attacking midfielder role instead of wingback. If you attack with 5 then you will force Conn to not only defend more than it wants too but it will also keep them off the ball. If you instead decide to sit in Conn will dominate possession and eventually break you down. Williams played hard v Midd in the midweek regular season finale but created only 2-3 dangerous chances in 110 minutes. They looked anemic in attack and if that is replicated on Saturday they will lose the game. Conn does have some injury problems and Williams have nothing to lose but Conn's bench is more than capable of stepping up. Conn 2-1



Bowdoin----9-4-2 (4-4-2) #6
Tufts-----10-1-3 (6-1-3) #3


Bowdoin at Tufts-----This game ended in a 1-1 Draw just a couple days ago. I was not able to catch the game but it must have been fun to play in the rain and wind at your back. The boxscore for Tufts shows defender #4 Max Cook starting and LB #26 Campbell missing the match. Tufts did have their striker #9 Jacobs back in the lineup as that will help to alleviate the pressure on #11 Cano to score in every match. That looks to be the only real significant change after the loss to the Camels at least on paper. Bowdoin will be happy to let Tufts possess the ball and then pounce on them in their own half. Looks like key CB #3 Reid is still out so they must have #12 Donlan and #6 Selig at CB.  I think Tufts is going to start having a real difficult time breaking down defense's starting with this game. If you do not have top 1v1 players and are not quickly transitioning in attack when getting the ball it makes it real difficult to score especially against a well organized defense like Bowdoin. That said Tufts is well organized itself on defense and still hunt the ball well so their opponents will struggle as well. Tufts did have a 12-4 SOG advantage at Bowdoin so at least in that game it looks like they were getting more scoring opportunities. I would have my quickest defensive pest man marking #5 Aroh wherever he goes in my half of the field. He is now co-leader in Goals for Tufts along with #11 Cano with 6 Goals. Thing is Cano has only 1 Goal in his last 9 Games so Aroh becomes even more important. Bowdoin is regionally ranked #6 behind both Middlebury and Wesleyan and clearly on the wrong side of the bubble. They lost to both Midd and Wes which will hurt them but they also beat Amherst and Conn which neither Wes or Midd could do. Their 5 weak non-conference games certainly dragged down the SOS and OWP. I do not think Nescac will get 5 At-large bids for the NCAA's. I think 4 is pushing it as well but very possible so if Bowdoin could advance in this game I think they would knock off the loser of the Midd/Wes match.  0-0 Tufts in PK's



Colby--------7-7-1 (4-5-1) #7
Amherst-----12-2-1 (7-2-1) #2


Colby at Amherst----Amherst beat Colby 2-0 last weekend. Amherst felt Coby was a weak enough opponent to sit their star striker #9 and start all their Seniors while not worrying about losing. Colby should take serious offense to that and really bust all game. Having watched Colby I would not have taken them so lightly as they are a good team. I had watched the 1st Half and thought Colby looked organized defensively and were working a perfect game plan until Amherst scored with 1 minute left in the Half. A deflating goal for sure but Colby has a tendency to drop their heads and stop giving their all after their opponent scores a goal. One goal even a two goal deficit can be made up with max effort. #23 Okorogheye used his wheels to burn Colby's RB as he dribbled the ball to the goaline while moving toward goal. He then fed the ball across the goalmouth and was easily finished by #3 ten Cate. Looking at Colby's boxscore at Bates I am guessing that they must have had #20 Wood and #10 Lemire as wingbacks unless #26 O'Brien was at LB? Hard to tell but Lemire is usually a winger. Colby have the depth to compete with Amherst but do they have the guts to go to Amherst and deal with maybe a setback or two during the game and keep battling thru it and fighting to advance.  3-2 Amherst

[Mr.Right]

I realize there aren't many blowouts in the NESCAC but Williams has not lost a game all year by more than one goal, most 1-0.  Might be their turn to win a big close one.

They need to become more interested in attacking than defending. They have become predictable in the attacking 3rd but hey they might get a goal off their press?  We will see....#6 Boardman or "Boardo" as his buddies call him has been solid all year in midfield and maybe the Frosh #26 Gutierrez can use his skill to create or finish on a game winner. Williams will need both in central midfield to step it up to beat Conn.

[Mr.Right]

What the heck is that dog doing behind the Bowdoin net?  And why do parents bring dogs to soccer games?  At the Tufts-Amh game some guy brought his dog right up into the bleachers.

They bring the dog because some of these parents are travelling some serious miles to get to these games. Who is going to watch it? Plus the dog is a part of the "famiglia" and also a fantastic icebreaker. The problem arises when we have dog v dog matchups in the crowd which is usually accompanied by hysterical barking in different tones. I will never forget a dog getting loose on the field of a Williams game in the 90's and no one could get it. 2-3 minutes of chase and play for the dog but man the head ball coach was a flippin'. The owner had left it tied up while going to grab food and did not even realize his own dog was on the field. When he went to get it the thing almost took his hand off...it was hilarious

[Mr.Right]

Statman Dave

Conference Games only(10 Games)


Individual Goals Leaders
1 German Giammattei(Amherst)          5
2 Calvin Aroh(Tufts)                            5
3 Ethan Franco(Colby)                        4
4  Rye Jaran(Conn. College)                4
5 Owen Keleher(Bates)                       3
6 Shane Farrell(Middlebury)                3
7 Dane Harmaty(Wesleyan)                3
8 Josh Rubin(Colby)                           3

Assists
1   Ada Okorogheye (Amherst)           5
2   Drake Byrd (Bowdoin)                   4
3   Ignacio Cubeddu (Amherst)            3
4   Wallick, Nick (Wesleyan)                3
5   Harmaty, Dane (Wesleyan)              3
6   Paul Hawkins (Colby)                      3
7   Rye Jaran (Conn. College)               3

SOG
1   German Giammattei (Amherst)    15
2   Jordan Saint-Louis (Middlebury)   14
3   MT Tshuma (Conn. College)         12
4   Sean Traynor (Tufts)                   11
5   Nick Boardman (Williams)            11
6   Ethan Franco (Colby)                   11
7   Drake Byrd (Bowdoin)                 9
8   Brandon Reid (Middlebury)             9
9   Nathan Song (Williams)                9
10   Augie Djerdjaj (Conn. College)     9
11   Steve Yeonas (Conn. College)      9

Points:
1   German Giammattei (Amherst)   10   5   2   12   1.20
2   Rye Jaran (Conn. College)            8   4   3   11   1.38
3   Calvin Aroh (Tufts)                      10   5   0   10   1.00
4   Dane Harmaty (Wesleyan)           10   3   3   9   .90
5   Ethan Franco (Colby)                   10   4   1   9   .90
6   Drake Byrd (Bowdoin)                 10   2   4   8   .80
7   Owen Keleher (Bates)                     9   3   1   7   .78
8   Ada Okorogheye (Amherst)           10   1   5   7   .70
9   Josh Rubin (Colby)                       10   3   1   7   .70

[PaulNewman]

What the heck is that dog doing behind the Bowdoin net?  And why do parents bring dogs to soccer games?  At the Tufts-Amh game some guy brought his dog right up into the bleachers.

They bring the dog because some of these parents are travelling some serious miles to get to these games. Who is going to watch it? Plus the dog is a part of the "famiglia" and also a fantastic icebreaker. The problem arises when we have dog v dog matchups in the crowd which is usually accompanied by hysterical barking in different tones. I will never forget a dog getting loose on the field of a Williams game in the 90's and no one could get it. 2-3 minutes of chase and play for the dog but man the head ball coach was a flippin'. The owner had left it tied up while going to grab food and did not even realize his own dog was on the field. When he went to get it the thing almost took his hand off...it was hilarious

LOL.  Nothing says your kid is starting CDM or COM at Bowdoin or Midd more than a gorgeous Akita, Norwegian Elkhound, or my fave, a Samoyed next to a corner flag or behind a net.  Quintessentially NESCACian.

Of course in fairness dogs of all varieties are part of youth, club, and apparently college soccer.  You can tell a lot about who you're playing on a given day based on the vehicles in the parking lot and whether you see a Bishon Frise, anything in the Terrier-group, or one of those tiny, yippee, fits in a dress shirt pocket things versus a couple of Rottweilers.

[jknezek]

What the heck is that dog doing behind the Bowdoin net?  And why do parents bring dogs to soccer games?  At the Tufts-Amh game some guy brought his dog right up into the bleachers.

They bring the dog because some of these parents are travelling some serious miles to get to these games. Who is going to watch it? Plus the dog is a part of the "famiglia" and also a fantastic icebreaker. The problem arises when we have dog v dog matchups in the crowd which is usually accompanied by hysterical barking in different tones. I will never forget a dog getting loose on the field of a Williams game in the 90's and no one could get it. 2-3 minutes of chase and play for the dog but man the head ball coach was a flippin'. The owner had left it tied up while going to grab food and did not even realize his own dog was on the field. When he went to get it the thing almost took his hand off...it was hilarious

LOL.  Nothing says your kid is starting CDM or COM at Bowdoin or Midd more than a gorgeous Akita, Norwegian Elkhound, or my fave, a Samoyed next to a corner flag or behind a net.  Quintessentially NESCACian.

Of course in fairness dogs of all varieties are part of youth, club, and apparently college soccer.  You can tell a lot about who you're playing on a given day based on the vehicles in the parking lot and whether you see a Bishon Frise, anything in the Terrier-group, or one of those tiny, yippee, fits in a dress shirt pocket things versus a couple of Rottweilers.

Quote of the week so far. +K and completely true.

[Hopkins92]

As someone that attended a "lax school" this also tracks for that sport. You see at least 2 or 3 Labs at Homewood on any given lax day. At least.

[hiyasoccer]

Tufts gets a big and fortunate early goal on a Bowdoin GK mistake. Medium-Long flighted free kick from the Tufts left side, maybe 40-45 yards(?) floated over the keeper's head and in. Unfortunately didn't make it up to Boston so I'm on live stream, but seems like there is a decent bit of wind in that direction. Still, a tough start for the PBears who have been pretty good since.

[hiyasoccer]

Checked on the Midd vs. Wesleyan game to see a classic bit of NESCAC play and refereeing. Reid gets in behind the defense on a long ball and is tripped up just inside the box by the only Wes defender in the same zip code. Ref calls a PK after consulting with his sideline ref, which I think was right but it was tough to tell from the camera's and center ref's angle. Now for the NESCAC bit - no card given to the defender on a clear last man foul.

Reid take the PK low and to hit right, hits it reasonably well. Wes keeper makes a phenomenal save getting off his line and down quickly, doing enough with the rebound.

[maineman]

Checked on the Midd vs. Wesleyan game to see a classic bit of NESCAC play and refereeing. Reid gets in behind the defense on a long ball and is tripped up just inside the box by the only Wes defender in the same zip code. Ref calls a PK after consulting with his sideline ref, which I think was right but it was tough to tell from the camera's and center ref's angle. Now for the NESCAC bit - no card given to the defender on a clear last man foul.

Reid take the PK low and to hit right, hits it reasonably well. Wes keeper makes a phenomenal save getting off his line and down quickly, doing enough with the rebound.

Does anybody know if you win a NESCAC playoff game that goes to PKs, does that count as a tie for both teams in NCAA stats or is it a win and a loss for the respective teams?

[deiscanton]

Checked on the Midd vs. Wesleyan game to see a classic bit of NESCAC play and refereeing. Reid gets in behind the defense on a long ball and is tripped up just inside the box by the only Wes defender in the same zip code. Ref calls a PK after consulting with his sideline ref, which I think was right but it was tough to tell from the camera's and center ref's angle. Now for the NESCAC bit - no card given to the defender on a clear last man foul.

Reid take the PK low and to hit right, hits it reasonably well. Wes keeper makes a phenomenal save getting off his line and down quickly, doing enough with the rebound.

Does anybody knowi f you win a NESCAC playoff game that goes to PKs, does that count as a tie for both teams in NCAA stats or is it a win and a loss for the respective teams?

It is a tie for both teams in NCAA stats.   The only exception is if the game happens to be the NCAA DIII national championship title game, if I recall correctly.

[hiyasoccer]

I've glanced at the Wes vs. Midd game like 5 times and every time there is some crazy s##t happening. Now in first OT a great move by Midd down the left leads to a cut back cross to a wide open midfielder who is stuff at point blank by the Wes keeper, who has made 3+ great saves in the culmulative 10 minutes I've watched. The shooter and defender trailing him collide with the goal post and knock it back hockey style, so the ref blows the whistle, but the Wes keeper had gotten up again and bravely punched the ball away from the goal mouth where it was sittinng.