NESCAC

[Viking]

Wishing a happy Annoyingly Late NESCAC Opening Day to all those who celebrate. Patientia Vincit.

Now that all but one of the conference programs have released their 2023 rosters (looking at you, Colby), we can finally see which unconfirmed reports of newcomers are real. As usual, there are also a few names that may not have been reported here, I think, including Bernhardt at Bates, Elias at Bowdoin, Gonya at Amherst, Hauck at Hamilton, among others. Congrats especially to all walk-ons. So glad to see that walking on is still a possibility at some programs.

The bigger news, perhaps: absences on 2023 rosters. A few outgoing transfers had already been reported, such as 2022 starters Franco (from Colby to D1 Northeastern) and Lauta (from Tufts to D1 New Hampshire). What was only rumored before but now appears to be real is the retention hiccup at Williams, where at least six players who appeared in games as frosh, sophs, or juniors during the Ephs' NCAA runner-up season in 2022 are no longer listed, including two 2022 starters, Morriello and Rayhill. At Amherst, 2022 sophs and juniors Curtis, Fouché, and Raymond aren't on the 2023 roster. Hoping that none of the absences above are injury-related.

[Kuiper]

I was wondering about NESCAC schools' post-Labor Day start. Does it typically help or hurt?  Are they typically fresher then their opponents (eg Emerson is playing Bates today in their third game of the season, but it will be 3 games in 5 days) or still working out the kinks?  I know that they often play scrimmages against each other and Ivy League schools (although many of the Ivies start poorly), but scrimmages typically don't fully simulate game action because coaches often rotate a lot and tend to use them to stretch out player fitness.

Obviously, the fact that NESCAC schools tend to schedule weaker early non-conference opponents might makes this issue moot, but Wheaton at Williams, Emerson home to Bates or Oswego home to Hamilton, as well as Conn at Hartford (which doesn't have an early start either), could at least be competitive.

[Ted Lasso]

Feels like Christmas morning.

Looking forward to watching Midd and Amherst today. I think they have the best squads this year and are the favorites to win the 'cac. Tufts and Wes have some tough first games tomorrow so looking forward to those as well.

Going to be a fun season.

[PaulNewman]

Interesting that Bowdoin is almost always an afterthought.

For some reason I thought Yeonas had another year at Conn...missing him and Augie will definitely hurt but there's still a lot of talent for the Camels.

And Ted, credit to you for not presuming that screen name would be taken.

[Viking]

Wishing a happy Annoyingly Late NESCAC Opening Day to all those who celebrate. Patientia Vincit.

Now that all but one of the conference programs have released their 2023 rosters (looking at you, Colby), we can finally see which unconfirmed reports of newcomers are real. As usual, there are also a few names that may not have been reported here, I think, including Bernhardt at Bates, Elias at Bowdoin, Gonya at Amherst, Hauck at Hamilton, among others. Congrats especially to all walk-ons. So glad to see that walking on is still a possibility at some programs.

The bigger news, perhaps: absences on 2023 rosters. A few outgoing transfers had already been reported, such as 2022 starters Franco (from Colby to D1 Northeastern) and Lauta (from Tufts to D1 New Hampshire). What was only rumored before but now appears to be real is the retention hiccup at Williams, where at least six players who appeared in games as frosh, sophs, or juniors during the Ephs' NCAA runner-up season in 2022 are no longer listed, including two 2022 starters, Morriello and Rayhill. At Amherst, 2022 sophs and juniors Curtis, Fouché, and Raymond aren't on the 2023 roster. Hoping that none of the absences above are injury-related.

Colby's 2023 roster is up now.

I should have included Trinity and Wesleyan among the programs that seem to have notable non-retention, especially the latter. At least eight Wes guys who played in 2022 as non-seniors don't seem to be on the 2023 roster, including some who started a good number of games (e.g. Clarke, Hartzfeld, Hofstetter).

I also should have mentioned that the release of 2023 rosters means that we can finally see which high school class of 2019 players are returning to play this fall as super-seniors or grad students. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm seeing:

BOWDOIN: Braver, Juantorena, Selig
COLBY: Franklin, A. O'Brien
HAMILTON: Meyerowitz, Travers
TRINITY: Moran
TUFTS: Visnick, Shin, Traynor

Some big names in there, including at least one all-conference player.

[College Soccer Observer]

Midd:  Grady, Powers, Taylor, Charles

[College Soccer Observer]

Midd up 2-0 on Mount Saint Mary's after 10.  First goal on a pk by Jordan St. Louis after he was taken down in the area.  2nd goal Gavin Randolph from St. Louis on a play that started all the way from the back.  GK Grady and the three back interchanged passes mutilple times, inviting the forwards to press, and Midd then exploited the space all the way up the left flank.  3-0 after 14.  Long throw in flicked on in the box and Luke Madden got the second header on frame up and over the keeper.

Midd in a 3-5-2. 
Grady in Goal.
Nelson (Jr), Madden (Sr), Owen Davis (Fr) in the back.
Chae (Jr), Farrell (Jr), Payne (Jr) in central midd.  Nilsson (Jr) and Will Sawin (Fr) on the wings. 
St. Louis (Sr) and Randolph (So) up front.

[College Soccer Observer]

4-0 Midd after 25.  Madden his second on a header off a corner from Chae.

[upthepanthers]

11-1 final score. Given Middlebury kept creating chances with every player getting minutes looked fantastic. Was quite impressed with the ball movement, working it up the pitch and creating numerous chances. Lots of potential this year.

[Yankeesoccerdad]

Interesting that Bowdoin is almost always an afterthought.

I hear you!  Last year, Mr. Right predicted Bowdoin would miss the NESCAC playoffs.  The team came in first in the NESCAC regular season and made the elite 8, finishing 6th in the nation.  I think the team would have gone even farther but for the late season injury to NESCAC POY Dylan Reid.

I just saw the opening game against UNE, a 5-1 win.  Last year's team had an exceptional first year class, and they look to build on their strong debut season.  2022 rookie of the year Tyler Huck looks a little bigger and stronger but just as nimble and creative.  Felipe Rueda Duran was on fire tonight, scoring four goals.  Overall a strong season opening effort.

Friday the Polar Bears play Bates in what should be a tougher matchup.  Bates always plays Bowdoin tough and will be looking to avenge last year's 2-1 loss to Bowdoin.

The Bowdoin athletic field renovations remain a work in progress.  Apparently heavy rains over the summer caused construction delays.  For the moment, the men and women are sharing the same grass field.  The project looks to be great once completed, but for now there isn't much room for spectators.  I heard the new turf field will be ready in a week or so.  Unclear when the grass field bleachers will be reinstalled.

PS: The Bates website shows coach Rifkind had the interim tag removed.

[Kuiper]

Interesting that Bowdoin is almost always an afterthought.

I hear you!  Last year, Mr. Right predicted Bowdoin would miss the NESCAC playoffs.  The team came in first in the NESCAC regular season and made the elite 8, finishing 6th in the nation.  I think the team would have gone even farther but for the late season injury to NESCAC POY Dylan Reid.

I just saw the opening game against UNE, a 5-1 win.  Last year's team had an exceptional first year class, and they look to build on their strong debut season.  2022 rookie of the year Tyler Huck looks a little bigger and stronger but just as nimble and creative.  Felipe Rueda Duran was on fire tonight, scoring four goals.  Overall a strong season opening effort.

Friday the Polar Bears play Bates in what should be a tougher matchup.  Bates always plays Bowdoin tough and will be looking to avenge last year's 2-1 loss to Bowdoin.

The Bowdoin athletic field renovations remain a work in progress.  Apparently heavy rains over the summer caused construction delays.  For the moment, the men and women are sharing the same grass field.  The project looks to be great once completed, but for now there isn't much room for spectators.  I heard the new turf field will be ready in a week or so.  Unclear when the grass field bleachers will be reinstalled.

PS: The Bates website shows coach Rifkind had the interim tag removed.

That's great news and well-deserved for Noah Riskind!  I have no idea why Bates wouldn't at least put out a press release or a congratulatory Instagram post about it though.

[northman]

It probably serves Bowdoin well to fly under the NESCAC radar.  I watched last night's game online.  Turns out it was the first home night game in program history.  Having followed Bowdoin since before my son's arrival in 2006, I've always been struck by Bowdoin's general lack of an attacking threat over the years.  As Yankeesoccerdad mentioned, sophomores Tyler Huck and Felipe Rueda Duran are the real deal.  And based on what I've read and seen in videos, first years Kamar Burris-Khan and Jack Banks may also add some firepower.

I think the bigger challenge is how and to what extent Bowdoin is able to fill the big shoes and gloves of Dylan Reid and Michael Webber.  As Yankeesoccerdad indicated, Bates will be the first true test.

[nescac1]

After all the negative commentary on Williams nice to see them post a win in the opening game.  Still too early to say if last year's issues with finishing will continue, as Williams did pick up only one goal on a high number of shot attempts. 

While obviously not great that six players are not returning, of those, only Morriello looks like a really big loss (he was key to starting the team's offense through long throw-ins and with services).  The other five guys who chose not to return played a combined total of 39 minutes in the title game, so maybe some figured it just wasn't worth it given the playing time they were receiving. I do think the coach has earned the benefit of the doubt after taking the team, which had been moribund for years, to the national title game in his first year without an interim tag.  While obviously his coaching style is not for everyone, the players who do buy n have an insane work rate, which enabled Williams to defeat, frankly, some far more offensively talented teams in the post season. 

Regarding the Midd scrimmage, while I didn't see it, Midd is obviously looking very potent this year based on the pummeling they delivered in game one.  But also, this young Williams team with only three seniors (one of whom is a back-up goalie) may take some time to come together.  Every non-goalie on the roster saw action in a tight game vs. a usually-solid Wheaton team, I believe.  Two big first years started on what is now a massive back line (so very likely that unit had yet to gel in an early-fall scrimmage), seven of the top 16 guys by minutes played in game were first years (all seven played 30 minutes or more), and the goal and both assists came from first-years.  So Siebert is clearly bringing in the kind of players he wants for his system and the future (so long as he finds some goalies next year with only senior goalies on the roster now) does seem bright, even if there are bound to be some growing pains with such a young team.  But there does seem to be plenty of underclass talent and he's proven that he can maximize the talent on hand. 

Speaking of potential fifth-year guys, Ben Diffley has another year of eligibility after this one.  Would be great if he returned to Williams, though I imagine he could / will end up in D1 if he chooses to do a fifth year. 

[blooter442]

I watched last night's game online.  Turns out it was the first home night game in program history.

I wondered about that — figured those lights had to have been new. In hindsight, I remember the press coverage about the Bowdoin athletic project. I think it's great that they can host night games, even if the layout is still being somewhat ironed out. Also good that the Polar Bears will have a (soccer) turf option for the first time, I still think it's a shame that Whittier field is not passable for soccer but c'est la vie. Might try to get over to the Bates game on Friday, should be a good early-season test for both teams.

[NESCACfan100]

9/9/23

Amherst v Midd
1-1

Conn vs Tufts
1-0 Conn

Colby v Wes
2-2

Hamilton v Trinity
2-0 Hamilton