NESCAC

[maineman]

I get a kick out of the NESCAC scoreboard.  I was scrolling ahead to see when and where the soccer semifinals were and low and behold on Dec 3 they have Bates vs Colby in football at 4 pm.  Also, just about any day you look at they have 0-5 Bowdoin playing Babson in Men's Lacrosse at 7 pm.  Ugh, can't they clean up this site?

[Mr.Right]

Tufts v Conn was a fantastic College Soccer game that I want to review first....

[Striker22]

Just hearing through my son's contacts that Mike Pilger has officially retired from Trinity.  Can anyone confirm?

[Striker22]

https://bantamsports.com/news/2021/11/23/trinity-mens-soccer-head-coach-mike-pilger-announces-retirement.aspx

Apologies folks.  I should have checked the website first.

End of an era at Trinity.  Onward and upward.

[camosfan]

https://bantamsports.com/news/2021/11/23/trinity-mens-soccer-head-coach-mike-pilger-announces-retirement.aspx

Apologies folks.  I should have checked the website first.

End of an era at Trinity.  Onward and upward.

Was talking to someone at the Tufts  v  Conn  game on Sunday and they expressed a desire to see some change at Trinity! Nice facilities,whish them well.

[Mr.Right]

https://bantamsports.com/news/2021/11/23/trinity-mens-soccer-head-coach-mike-pilger-announces-retirement.aspx

Apologies folks.  I should have checked the website first.

End of an era at Trinity.  Onward and upward.

Yea that is to bad and they had improved this year but it takes a couple years to turn the ship. I remember hearing about Pilger as a player when I was a little kid. One of the best strikers in New England in I think the early 80's. Very good striker and I noticed this year in warmups up at Williams he was laying off to the Trinity players to shoot and still had good touch on the ball. That job is I bet is going to attract a lot of attention.

[Mr.Right]

Conn at Tufts (Elite 8) Rubber Match:
What a College Soccer game. That was purposeful triangle attacking play from both teams. If Conn plays like that in 2 weeks they are going to be a very tough out. I thought that was one of Conn's best games of the year in terms of purpose of play and clinical finishing. Tshuma was giving Tufts defenders fits all game and his touch on the ball was on this game. Creus seemed to be all over the field and had a great game. Jaran and Djerdjaj were key in midfield cleanly and quickly switching fields to men that were then attacking vertically with pace. Tufts showed that they could play this type game as well and entertained like no other Tufts team in years without the winning. If you clean up some of the defensive mistakes the game could have gone 2-2 or 3-2. Tufts came out aggressive and on the front foot to start the game in their 3-5-2. I just assumed they would bunker in after grabbing a 2-1 lead but Conn did not allow it. Tufts #6 Enge had a golden opportunity late in the 1st Half in Conn's box but passed instead of shooting. That would have gave Tufts a 3-1 lead going into the Half. They then would have buckled down and sat deep but it was not to be and Conn got the equalizer.
Conn Starters / Formation:
Conn started in a 4-3-3. Three Midfielders stay central with the Wingers expected to run up and down the flanks. Conn used the same Starting Lineup as the Redlands game. LB #6 Horvath Diano, LCB #24 Kelesoglu, RCB #21 Dutkewych and RB #30 Doyle. Centrally #16 Lobo was holding with #8 Jaran linking and #14 Djerdjaj attacking. #9 Tshuma up top with #25 Yeonas at LW and #13 Scoffone at RW.

Conn Bench:
#4  Mendo     at RB
#5  Cerezo    at RCB
#7  Zane      at LB
#17 Creus     at LW / RW
#18 Marvel in Central Midfield / Striker
#19 Diane     at LW
#28 Pinyochon at RCB / Aroh tracer final 10 minutes.

Conn got a good contribution from its bench in this game. Creus was all over the field when he played. He gave them a Goal and 3 Assists. Cerezo was called on early at RCB as Dutkewych got sacked following the failed clearance when Tufts took a 2-1 lead. Marvel started the play that led to Conn leveling before the break with a beautiful chip to Creus. Then Marvel was asked to play as a target the last 15 minutes of the game as he had fresher legs. Mendo got some dangerous crosses into the box for a RB getting up and down the flank. Pinyochon was shadowing Aroh all over the field in the final 10 minutes. Zane and Diane added fresh legs off of the back to back.

Tufts Starters / Formation:
Tufts started in a 3-5-2. In the back they had LCB #25 Clivio, CB #22 Welsh and RCB #3 Daly. Three Central Midfielders were #6 Enge holding with #5 Aroh roaming and #13 Van Brewer in attack. #2 Gerken and #26 Campbell were wide left and right and #11 Cano with #19 Traynor up top.

Tufts Bench:
#4 Max Cook    for Gerken
#8 Woovin Shin for TVB 1st Half
#9 Max Jacobs  for Traynor
#10 Zach Seigelstein up top for Cano 1st Half
#14 Eric Ingersoll for Enge
#23 Ethan Feigin for Cook late 2nd Half

Tufts got some help from its bench but not quite the production that Conn got. Jacobs basically played the whole 2nd Half and showed real battle while bagging a Goal in the final game of his Jumbo career. Still though whatever injury he sustained has slowed him down but he gutted it out and made sure he was on that field. Shin was active 1st half with a nice thru ball or two. Still his clearance with 45 seconds left in the 1st Half absolutely killed the Bos. He had the ball at his feet with some time to properly clear the ball down to the corner. He instead just randomly blasts the thing "to the next zip code"(color guy) but barely past midfield where Conn gets the throw down and 25 seconds later the ball is in the back of the net. Shin will be a very important piece for Tufts in 2022 replacing TVB. His game is technical and probably playing in the wrong system but now he needs to get stronger on the ball so he can control the pace of play in midfield. Seigelstein got a run 1st Half and Feigin late in the 2nd Half when Tufts was desperate to score. Ingersoll had a good game off the bench for Enge. He is just as active as Enge but with better technique as he will be another key piece for them in 2022.

"The Rhombus of Play":
Double Triangles were spotted all over the field and that is the foundation of good attacking play in futbol. Always give the player with the ball at his feet various options of which to go left and right and at various distances. At the same time when Tshuma was checking back to the ball he had options also left and right. In other words do not stand still. Conn did this well all game and it showed perfectly on Conn's 4th Goal. Tufts also does this extremely well and a great example was a minute into the 2nd Half TVB finds a wide open Aroh in a perfect triangle with Daly and Welsh at midfield Aroh plays a give and go with Daly. Because of the perfect triangle Aroh spots his winger exactly at the time of his one-two with Daly. After receiving the ball back from Daly, Aroh drives a 20 yard no look ball on the carpet down the wing to Gibson Campbell. I think Aroh saw the play in his head before his winger did because the ball beat Campbell to the spot but no matter as Campbell beat Horvath Diano 1v1 and got a cross to the near post for an early sniff but only a sniff. Still great deception from Aroh. A great attacking team must be unpredictable, adaptable and obviously effective.

Best Vertical Play:
Both teams came out and looked to play vertical all game. Tufts was no slouch today but Conn was just a bit better in execution on the day. 2nd Half Kelesoglu a driven ball on the carpet to Jaran in midfield. Jaran one times a phenomenal ball down the wing for Creus who misplayed it in the end but what a ball by Jaran.

Lessons Learned:
1st half Clivio teaches Mendo that yes if you are skilled you can beat a guy 1v1 out wide or play a one-two to get inside but keep your head up or beware the hungry angry wolf CB that comes over and shoulder checks you off the ball. Mendo learned because three minutes later he cuts inside again but this time with his head up and makes a great run at goal.

Jumbocast:
The stream was flawless all weekend with zero interruptions / blackouts. Tufts SID brought in the "pinch hitter", the cream of his student PbP announcing crop. A consummate play by play announcer that could really have a future in sports broadcasting. Alas I would bet $100 instead he is probably going into Investment Banking. The most impressive thing was he was not a Soccer guy. Probably a Football / Basketball / Baseball Announcer but it did not matter because he was too smooth for the viewer to care. Anytime he was unsure he went right to Color and that transition was made whole. Color Guy has been doing the Soccer games for a couple years now and also did a great job. He knows this Tufts team inside out and that helps the viewer understand what the Jumbos are trying to do. The Frosh that normally calls the games was sacked and I have no idea why as he had been doing a fine job all year. He will be real good at calling Jumbo Men's Soccer in the future as he knows the game. While these kids get a tremendous introduction and experience in the field of broadcasting it kinda sucks if they are not paid for the games they work.

Official Scorer Screw-Up:
This season has been an Official Scorer calamity with mistakes made in every game I have seen played. The Tufts Official Scorer screwed up Conn's Starters as he forgot LCB Kelesoglu. How do you forget a starter? You are given the lineups 30 minutes before the kick. Also, his total minutes were more like 80 not the 37 that is official. Yea I know small potatoes but I need me accuracy. Damn It.

1st Half Goals:

Tufts#1:        "Never Mess with a Drooling Striker"
This all started off a Kelesoglu clear. It was an unnecessary 30 yard blast straight up into the air in his defensive 3rd and out of bounds. He had time to settle and clear properly but instead Tufts long thrower Daly would be given a chance to get one in the box. Daly's throw just misses the head of its target which is Aroh in the box. Aroh had Djerdjaj on his back and was also fronted on the play. Not one player from either side connected with a header so the ball is allowed to drop and Conn's Yeonas sticks a random foot out to try to get the ball out. Instead he plays a great ball across his own 18 which the salivating Tufts striker Cano spots. Cano throws a fake to create space and Conn's RB Doyle bites. Doyle over commits to the ball just as Cano gets to it and turns Doyle with a skillful touch then rips a left footed blast right over GK Maidenberg. 1-0 Tufts.

Conn #1:        "Big Response Oh It's Go Time"
An unnecessary trip from Aroh on Doyle in a dangerous area gives Jaran a chance to serve one in from about 30 yards from net. Tufts defender Daly lines up marking Tshuma but takes one final look at the AR and his line. Daly is still between his man and the goal but in that split second Tshuma is given an edge as both he and Jaran catch Daly napping. Jaran serves a vicious ball into Tshuma's path and Conn is level in the blink of an eye. 1-1

Tufts #2:        "A How To Video on Failed Clearances"
Conn CB Dutkewych a failed one timed clearance off of a distant Tufts shot in which Dutkewych puts a great shot on his own net. That shot forces his GK Maidenberg to show off his reflex prowess early as Tufts gets a CK out of it. Maybe the GK should have called Dutkewych off and catch it himself but a bang bang play. TVB a ball into the mixer that again was not cleared and left to bounce around before a blocked shot from Aroh eventually led to a Clivio rip with his left into the net. Tufts 2-1

Conn #2:         "Halftime Deflation 101"
Conn really did well all game with looking forward and then playing with purpose. They had excellent off ball running and this Goal was no exception. Conn's LW Creus makes a run to the right side of the field and now Tufts Gerken found himself marking two men. Marvel drops a perfect chip over the head of Gerken down the right flank. Creus gets control of the ball out wide and serves it to Djerdjaj who lays it back for a running Scoffone who rips it left footed into the top netting just underneath the crossbar with 20 seconds left in the Half. 2-2

Halftime-----

2nd Half Goals:

Conn #3:        "Uh-Oh Who Throwing First Punch Now"
Djerdjaj a quick switch of fields to Doyle who backheels to Creus. The ball is then played to Jaran off a good run which earned Conn a CK two minutes into the 2nd Half. Defensively for Tufts on the CK Traynor is within distance to Conn's CB Cerezo at the 18 but Creus is about 10 yards behind him with a sh*t eating grin on knowing he is free to roam. CK gets comes in and it is headed out by Aroh but not far enough. Cerezo gets to it at the 18 and tries to volley it but it is blocked by Traynor. The ball pops up right into a running Creus who controls it and calmly flicks it to himslef for a clean strike with an inside of the right volley. Pretty technical to be placing 25 yard volleys into the net while freeze footing Lauta. Conn 3-2

Conn #4          "Slippery Ball Deceptive Run and A Striker's Finish"
Creus receives the ball in his half of the field and starts running free right at the Tufts defense. Djerdjaj is running off ball with Creus to which Creus picks up on. Creus understands that Djerdjaj is about to make a run into the box and he wants the ball. This type of understanding only comes with their experience being teammates and one reading what the other is doing. Clivio begins to step up, Enge is running with Djerdjaj and Gerken is tracking backwards with a winger. As the Tufts line reads what is about to happen Welsh steps them up and Enge backs off tracking Djerdjaj but there is a breakdown in communication because Djerdjaj is allowed to cut forward onside and is played thru the Tufts line with a sick no look ball by Creus. Lauta came out of net and tried to cut Djerdjaj's angle off but Djerdjaj finished it. Conn 4-2

Conn #5          "Striker's Dagger"

Camera lost it so I could not tell who at midfield flicked the ball to Creus but Creus ended up in a 2v1 with Tshuma. He unselfishly drew the defender to him and then played his striker. Tshuma buried it for his 2nd Goal of the game. Creus was absolutely all over the field 2nd Half. Conn 5-2

Tufts#3          "Champs Not Done Yet"
Traynor checks and receives the ball. He plays Daly out wide on the right flank. Daly flicks it 10 yards in the air to beat a defender running at him recklessly and then gets the ball down with his chest. He easily beats LB Zane who only dangles a foot out and now Daly finds himself getting near the goaline and Cerezo closing in on him. Luckily for Daly Cerezo fails to tackle and instead sticks a foot in and misses which allows Daly full freedom to cross it to an open Max Jacobs who goes on to score the final goal of his career. Conn 5-3

Tufts #4         "Why Strikers Should Never Be Defending"
A scant two minutes later Ingersoll plays a ball looking for Traynor across the 18. Striker Zane who is now playing LB for Conn overplays it and misses the ball. Zane should of allowed Traynor to recieve it and slow him down while he waits for help from his CB. Instead Traynor collects with no one between him and the goal and fires a bullet past Maidenberg.  Conn 5-4

Game Balls:
#5 Aroh-He never gave up and kept working. A 90 minute player that will be missed.
#9 Tshuma-2 Goals and his touch was on as a constant threat throughout the match.
#17 Creus-This kid shows up in big games. 1 G 3 A 41min.GW'er v Colby 2 weeks ago.


-Ill have to get to Midd and Amherst when I get back over the wknd. Both Amherst and Conn players will now have super hyped up Thanksgivings knowing they are still playing especially Seniors. It is a great feeling.

[Bobcat1]

Tremendous recap. Really well done. Noticeably absent from the Tufts starting lineup was Paoletta. He has been an absolute force on the back line for Tufts since his sophomore year and clearly was missed in this rubber match against Conn. Congratulations to the Camels! They will be a very tough out in Greensboro.

[camosfan]

You are correct Bagio was the difference, guy has played all year with a number of different injuries but just could not make this game!

[Novacat]

Mr, Right - I was surprised you made no comment about the intentional handball in the first half that was clearly a "goal scoring opportunity" per the rules.  Probably should have been a red but refs rarely have the guts to enforce the call.  Conn committed a second intentional foul in the second half when Cano was pulled down from behind by two hands around the waist.  It was actually kind of a dumb foul because a defender was coming to aid.  It also could have been a red because it was not a soccer play but rather a complete intentional foul.  Besides these two dumb plays it was an incredible game.

[Hopkins92]

The handball was just weird, but not a red card. The pull down of Cano was not DoGSO, not a red.

[PaulNewman]

Mr, Right - I was surprised you made no comment about the intentional handball in the first half that was clearly a "goal scoring opportunity" per the rules.  Probably should have been a red but refs rarely have the guts to enforce the call.  Conn committed a second intentional foul in the second half when Cano was pulled down from behind by two hands around the waist.  It was actually kind of a dumb foul because a defender was coming to aid.  It also could have been a red because it was not a soccer play but rather a complete intentional foul.  Besides these two dumb plays it was an incredible game.

A guy spends 1.5-2 hours putting together a detailed, very neutral, insightful recap and this is how you chime in?

I understand, because this is what most of us do who really care about our teams, but are you absolutely sure a Conn fan could watch the entire game again and not find any questionable calls in Tufts' favor or bad luck plays for Conn that easily could have gone the other way?  Off the top of my head I remember a play late in the 2nd half when just outside the 18 Aroh very aggressively took out the legs of a Conn player with no apparent attempt to get the ball at all.  I think he got a yellow for that.  Could that have been a red?  Or a second yellow if he had been shown yellow for fouls earlier in the game?

[FBALLISLIFE]

Conn committed a second intentional foul in the second half when Cano was pulled down from behind by two hands around the waist.  It was actually kind of a dumb foul because a defender was coming to aid.  It also could have been a red because it was not a soccer play but rather a complete intentional foul.

Neither dumb, nor intentional equals red.

[Novacat]

Mr, Right - I was surprised you made no comment about the intentional handball in the first half that was clearly a "goal scoring opportunity" per the rules.  Probably should have been a red but refs rarely have the guts to enforce the call.  Conn committed a second intentional foul in the second half when Cano was pulled down from behind by two hands around the waist.  It was actually kind of a dumb foul because a defender was coming to aid.  It also could have been a red because it was not a soccer play but rather a complete intentional foul.  Besides these two dumb plays it was an incredible game.

A guy spends 1.5-2 hours putting together a detailed, very neutral, insightful recap and this is how you chime in?



I understand, because this is what most of us do who really care about our teams, but are you absolutely sure a Conn fan could watch the entire game again and not find any questionable calls in Tufts' favor or bad luck plays for Conn that easily could have gone the other way?  Off the top of my head I remember a play late in the 2nd half when just outside the 18 Aroh very aggressively took out the legs of a Conn player with no apparent attempt to get the ball at all.  I think he got a yellow for that.  Could that have been a red?  Or a second yellow if he had been shown yellow for fouls earlier in the game?

I agree that it was a great write up, just interested in his biased view on the handball.

I do think there is a big difference between an overly aggressive soccer play like the one you referenced from Aroh and a blatant 2 hand tackle from behind when you are doing nothing but intentionally stopping the play.

The point of my comments is that the referees rarely have the guts to make these type of calls.

[Novacat]

The handball was just weird, but not a red card. The pull down of Cano was not DoGSO, not a red.

seriously, not trying to be combative at all, but why do you think this was not a red? (a) not intentional (b) not a goal scoring opportunity or (c) refs never make that call so (a) and (b) do not matter