NESCAC

[camosfan]

Yesterday, he called the player taking the PK "the kicker". Horrible to watch

what about all those "unforced errors"?

not knowing what the AR flag signal means.

[PaulNewman]

4, 5, or 6 teams for NESCAC? I'm guessing 5. Does Williams rank ahead of Hamilton?

Yes, yes they do stay ahead of Hamilton.

[nescac1]

Crazy fact of the day which I had forgotten: since 2003, Messiah has 9 titles, Nescac teams have 7, and the rest of D3 have only one collectively.  Messiah, insanely, has never lost in its 11 total title game appearances (1 shoot out victory).  No non-Nescac team has appeared in the title game since 2018.  I'm guessing that latter streak ends this year ... but who knows!

As for the tourney I expect Amherst, Midd, Bowdoin, Tufts and Williams to make it, in that order.  Williams I imagine is right on the bubble. 

[nescac1]

By all accounts Hamilton remains at the very edge of the bubble.  Conn losing certainly helped them.  But Western Conn failing to win its league tourney may have hurt them.  I think, ultimately, NESCAC gets 5 with Hamilton one of the very last left out, but certainly not inconceivable that they make it in. 

[Shooter McGavin]

By all accounts Hamilton remains at the very edge of the bubble.  Conn losing certainly helped them.  But Western Conn failing to win its league tourney may have hurt them.  I think, ultimately, NESCAC gets 5 with Hamilton one of the very last left out, but certainly not inconceivable that they make it in.

Hamilton on paper should be an easy at-large bid, but when you look at the body of work from start to finish, it's staggering the drop off they have had over the last month of the season. Are they deserving? I'd say no chance. But would I be shocked to see them get an at-large? Not at all.

[nescac1]

As expected five Nescac teams in, no Hamilton.  Also no Western Conn, they can't be thrilled.

Amherst, Bowdoin and Tufts together in a Nescac-heavy bracket.  Midd and Williams in other brackets.  Very tough draw for Williams, NYU and if they survive that, Messiah.  Amherst had a pretty clear draw as you'd expect for a top seed. 

[blooter442]

The last time Bowdoin hosted a tournament game, it was Middlebury in the Elite 8 in 2010, and I'm pretty sure I was in the crowd storming the field (the Polar Bears are my de facto second team).

(Those of a Panthers persuasion should look away)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VehlY0URGKc

Looks like it was recorded with a potato, but I can clearly remember watching that game. Bowdoin had most of the ball, Middlebury scored just after the break, Bowdoin knocked at the door the entire second half, hitting the woodwork and being foiled by a goalkeeper (actually) named Tim Cahill, whose hair was excoriated quite a bit throughout the day. He stood on his head, though, and looked like shutting out Bowdoin for the third game of the season (lost regular season 2-0 and lost at home in a NESCAC final shootout), but the Polar Bears equalized with around 10 left and the momentum completely swung, and there was only going to be one winner at that point. In fact, the winner was a rebound off of a free kick given with about 10 seconds left in the first OT, finished with 1 second on the clock — the sheer desire to win the second ball after the initial service makes the goal, which itself was the result of Bowdoin hitting the woodwork. One of the best tournament games I've seen. Will try to get there this weekend for at least one game.

[northman]

Great recollection, Blooter!  I was at that game as a parent of a junior starting at left back for Bowdoin.  I was standing with some other parents on the upper tier of the stands near the announcers...and I was pacing the entire time because of my nervousness and energy.  Bowdoin had "lost" the NESCAC tournament final in PKs to the same Middlebury team on the same field two weeks previously, and I remember being chagrined but also somewhat impressed that Middlebury broke out into a team song upon clinching the NESCAC title.

Fast forward two weeks.  Bowdoin had the edge in play, but had to score a late equalizer to force OT.  The stands and sidelines of the field were absolutely packed.  The first OT (back in the era of golden goal) was relatively evenly played, and then with seconds remaining, Bowdoin earned a free kick deep in Middlebury's end.  Forward Eddie Jones took the kick, it was headed out by a field player or punched out by the keeper, headed back in by a Bowdoin player, and then freshman (that's what they called them back then) forward Zack Dansseart volleyed the ball into the back of the net as the horn sounded.

The entire place erupted and the fans stormed the field.  I remember embracing my son and his teammates and everyone repeatedly saying "we're going to Texas!".  Bowdoin president and huge sports fan Barry Mills said it was the single most exciting sporting moment he had ever experienced.  And, with all admitted bias, it was indeed one of the most exciting sporting moments I'd experienced...even as a long time Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots and Liverpool fan.  I guess it's but one example of the magic that can happen in D3 soccer.

[PaulNewman]

Great recollection, Blooter!  I was at that game as a parent of a junior starting at left back for Bowdoin.  I was standing with some other parents on the upper tier of the stands near the announcers...and I was pacing the entire time because of my nervousness and energy.  Bowdoin had "lost" the NESCAC tournament final in PKs to the same Middlebury team on the same field two weeks previously, and I remember being chagrined but also somewhat impressed that Middlebury broke out into a team song upon clinching the NESCAC title.

Fast forward two weeks.  Bowdoin had the edge in play, but had to score a late equalizer to force OT.  The stands and sidelines of the field were absolutely packed.  The first OT (back in the era of golden goal) was relatively evenly played, and then with seconds remaining, Bowdoin earned a free kick deep in Middlebury's end.  Forward Eddie Jones took the kick, it was headed out by a field player or punched out by the keeper, headed back in by a Bowdoin player, and then freshman (that's what they called them back then) forward Zack Dansseart volleyed the ball into the back of the net as the horn sounded.

The entire place erupted and the fans stormed the field.  I remember embracing my son and his teammates and everyone repeatedly saying "we're going to Texas!".  Bowdoin president and huge sports fan Barry Mills said it was the single most exciting sporting moment he had ever experienced.  And, with all admitted bias, it was indeed one of the most exciting sporting moments I'd experienced...even as a long time Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots and Liverpool fan.  I guess it's but one example of the magic that can happen in D3 soccer.

That's beautiful.  And there's something in it that explains what draws me back every year.  It allows me to keep an attachment with all those similar kinds of moments that happen in all our kids' lives (not necessarily to compete with the level of ecstacy in your example) but in the moment something really profound happens.  I'm a diehard Celtics and UK bball fan (like cry after they lose and after they win too) but none of what I experienced as a rabid fan ever came close to the peak moments I've had with my children.

[Coach Jeff]

Great recollection, Blooter!  I was at that game as a parent of a junior starting at left back for Bowdoin.  I was standing with some other parents on the upper tier of the stands near the announcers...and I was pacing the entire time because of my nervousness and energy.  Bowdoin had "lost" the NESCAC tournament final in PKs to the same Middlebury team on the same field two weeks previously, and I remember being chagrined but also somewhat impressed that Middlebury broke out into a team song upon clinching the NESCAC title.

Fast forward two weeks.  Bowdoin had the edge in play, but had to score a late equalizer to force OT.  The stands and sidelines of the field were absolutely packed.  The first OT (back in the era of golden goal) was relatively evenly played, and then with seconds remaining, Bowdoin earned a free kick deep in Middlebury's end.  Forward Eddie Jones took the kick, it was headed out by a field player or punched out by the keeper, headed back in by a Bowdoin player, and then freshman (that's what they called them back then) forward Zack Dansseart volleyed the ball into the back of the net as the horn sounded.

The entire place erupted and the fans stormed the field.  I remember embracing my son and his teammates and everyone repeatedly saying "we're going to Texas!".  Bowdoin president and huge sports fan Barry Mills said it was the single most exciting sporting moment he had ever experienced.  And, with all admitted bias, it was indeed one of the most exciting sporting moments I'd experienced...even as a long time Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots and Liverpool fan.  I guess it's but one example of the magic that can happen in D3 soccer.

That's beautiful.  And there's something in it that explains what draws me back every year.  It allows me to keep an attachment with all those similar kinds of moments that happen in all our kids' lives (not necessarily to compete with the level of ecstacy in your example) but in the moment something really profound happens.  I'm a diehard Celtics and UK bball fan (like cry after they lose and after they win too) but none of what I experienced as a rabid fan ever came close to the peak moments I've had with my children.

Well said PN I agree totally with those moments that you share with your children can never be replaced....not sure about your B-Ball favorites though...

[northman]

I completely agree...you simply can't match the emotionality you experience when your own kids are triumphing and failing in their various athletic endeavors...

[Yankeesoccerdad]

I completely agree...you simply can't match the emotionality you experience when your own kids are triumphing and failing in their various athletic endeavors...

Blooter and Northman (True North), that must have been an amazing game!  The goal was so typical of the NESCAC—lots of players in a scrum in the box fighting to see who wants it more.

Agree about how special it is to watch your kid and their team play hard, compete, have success but also sometimes not.  I am always touched by parents of former players who attend games from time to time.  They remind us of how precious these experiences are.

I hope you make it to Pickard field this weekend.  Looks like the rain will stop Saturday morning.  Bowdoin was last in the tournament in 2017, before the current fifth year seniors joined the team.  Everyone is beyond excited to be in the dance and hosting.  Hopefully many more special moments are ahead!

[northman]

Yes, it'll be great to see a game or two on a genuine grass field.  Hopefully the rain won't be so heavy that it creates a quagmire...

And it will be interesting to see what the Babson team looks like.  They've had a pretty solid season thus far and should be very competitive.

[Viking]

NESCAC announced its conference awards today:

Player of the Year: Dylan Reid, Bowdoin
Rookie of the Year: Tyler Huck, Bowdoin
Coach of the Year: Scott Wiercinski, Bowdoin

All-NESCAC First Team

G - Michael Webber, Bowdoin, Sr
D - Nick Boardman, Williams, Sr
D - Ian Daly, Tufts, Sr
D - Dylan Reid, Bowdoin, Sr
M - Julian Juantorena, Bowdoin, Sr
M - Pandelis Margaronis, Hamilton, So
M - Steve Yeonas, Conn. College, Sr
F - Tife Agunloye, Bates, So
F - Augie Djerdjaj, Conn. College, Sr
F - Will Felitto, Williams, Sr
F - Ada Okorogheye, Amherst, Jr

All-NESCAC Second Team

G - Ben Diffley, Williams, Jr.
D - Ben Clark-Eden, Amherst, So
D - Sebastian Ghosh, Hamilton, So
D - Michael McFarlane, Middlebury, Sr
D - Evan O'Brien, Wesleyan, Jr.
M - Phillip Cubeddu, Wesleyan, Sr
M - Luke Peplowski, Hamilton, So
M - Alex Shahmirzadi, Amherst, Sr
M - Laurens ten Cate, Amherst, So
F - Fynn Hayton-Ruffner, Amherst, So
F - Jordan Saint-Louis, Middlebury, Jr
F - Alec Szwarcewicz, Bates, Sr

Before the chorus of quibbles starts, let's pause to celebrate one of the rarest phenomena in college sport: postseason awards that acknowledge great defensive play. Shout out to the voters for giving the conference player of the year award to a deserving center back. Reid is a beast. NESCAC does that more than most conferences (Tufts' Coleman was the last one, and that was only five years ago). But it goes deeper than that. Sure, they do the usual silly thing by putting forward four forwards on the first team, but then they almost make up for it by giving two of the first-time middie slots to 6s! Amazing. Margaronis and Juantorena are great, and like most CDMs, they seldom get the love they deserve. I'm also happy to see acknowledgment of one defender (Ghosh) and another former defender (Felitto) whose seasons were cut short by devastating injuries.

The sophomores above are a super group. If I'd been given a ballot, I'd have Clark-Eden on the first team; dude was impeccable every time I watched. You could put together a team with the Amherst and Hamilton sophomores that could win multiple NCAA championships. I wish we could have seen Hamilton's sophs unleashed in the NCAA tournament, where they'd be less hamstrung than they are by the style of play in NESCAC.

Congrats to all and good luck in the tournament.

[EnmoreCat]

I agree Viking, more power to the people who help stop the goals, it's much easier to win with a clean sheet.  I was pleased to see the strong Amherst representation, presumably selected in part to do the respective team's enforcing work.  I really haven't seen enough of the players to know the proper standouts, which I think does reflect the team focus to D3, which I love. 

All I would say is that I  simultaneously loved and feared Jordan St Louis and I wish he was graduating!  He was easily the smoothest mover I saw during my time there, Mammoths aside.