NESCAC

[EnmoreCat]

Tufts 1 Amherst 3

Firstly, a special congratulations to some extended Amherst family in attendance today, who were visiting from Maine and just after the final whistle, heard they had just become grandparents for the first time.  Hopefully there is a Budding Mammoths freshman for 2042, the planning starts now!

Probably the best perspective on today's victory was that Amherst hadn't won at Tufts since 2012, which reminds just how successful the Jumbo's programme has been over a lengthy period, as there have been outstanding Mammoths teams over that time.

Amherst had a shaky start and Tufts were by far the better team early and unhappily, for this correspondent at least, deserved to take the lead.  A pacy run down the right hand side ended with a dangerous ball across the Mammoths' six yard line and was successfully steered in. 

A couple of Amherst substitutions helped change the game and one of the entrants advanced into the Jumbos' box and was readying to shoot and got clipped from behind.  It was just the sort of decisive run the team needed.  One of the co-captains calmly dispatched the penalty and it was game on.  I think from then on, Amherst assumed control, but Tufts also looked quite dangerous on the break, but was well held by the Mammoths' defence.

Half time, 1-1 and Amherst started the second one better and was pushing the Jumbos back.  Again, it all wasn't one way traffic and the white shirts showed more than once, some skilful movement.
They were having issues with the hard running from Amherst however and the repeated entries into their penalty area.  Off one of these moments, the ball found its way over the line and the fact that it was put against, "Team", was probably an apt way to identify it, as it was the entire group that made it happen.

The third goal was a delight, one of the freshmen was put into space down the middle with a field bisecting pass and proceeded to take the ball inside the area and clinically made it 3-1.  I was so excited I thought I might have fractured a rib, I was whooping it up that much.

Amherst did play a lower block after that, which on a warm day in Medford, did make sense and Tufts had a number of high quality shots.  Fortunately, Amherst had a keeper at the top of his game and he made a number of fine saves which ensured that it remained 3-1.

I will leave others to determine what today's result may/may not mean, but given the previous history at Bello Field (another excellent place to watch at by the way, plus they sold food and drinks! I used to live on sausage sizzles on game day in Sydney) one could be excused for fearing the worst at 1-0 down, but the Mammoths displayed some intestinal fortitude which should give them considerable confidence.

Great to meet a lot of alums today, it's clearly a game that means a lot to a lot of people, plus the 4-1 women's result was outstanding also.

Foul count: Tufts 20 Amherst 19 - I haven't checked, but that might be a NESCAC season high.

[camosfan]

congrats! was trying to see if I could pick you out but no success.

[EnmoreCat]

Thanks Camosfan, I was being a little noisy in the bleachers in a small enclave of Mammoths Ultras.  Good luck for the rest of the season.

[camosfan]

Tufts 1 Amherst 3

Firstly, a special congratulations to some extended Amherst family in attendance today, who were visiting from Maine and just after the final whistle, heard they had just become grandparents for the first time.  Hopefully there is a Budding Mammoths freshman for 2042, the planning starts now!

Probably the best perspective on today's victory was that Amherst hadn't won at Tufts since 2012, which reminds just how successful the Jumbo's programme has been over a lengthy period, as there have been outstanding Mammoths teams over that time.

Amherst had a shaky start and Tufts were by far the better team early and unhappily, for this correspondent at least, deserved to take the lead.  A pacy run down the right hand side ended with a dangerous ball across the Mammoths' six yard line and was successfully steered in. 

A couple of Amherst substitutions helped change the game and one of the entrants advanced into the Jumbos' box and was readying to shoot and got clipped from behind.  It was just the sort of decisive run the team needed.  One of the co-captains calmly dispatched the penalty and it was game on.  I think from then on, Amherst assumed control, but Tufts also looked quite dangerous on the break, but was well held by the Mammoths' defence.

Half time, 1-1 and Amherst started the second one better and was pushing the Jumbos back.  Again, it all wasn't one way traffic and the white shirts showed more than once, some skilful movement.
They were having issues with the hard running from Amherst however and the repeated entries into their penalty area. Off one of these moments, the ball found its way over the line and the fact that it was put against, "Team", was probably an apt way to identify it, as it was the entire group that made it happen.

The third goal was a delight, one of the freshmen was put into space down the middle with a field bisecting pass and proceeded to take the ball inside the area and clinically made it 3-1.  I was so excited I thought I might have fractured a rib, I was whooping it up that much.

Amherst did play a lower block after that, which on a warm day in Medford, did make sense and Tufts had a number of high quality shots.  Fortunately, Amherst had a keeper at the top of his game and he made a number of fine saves which ensured that it remained 3-1.

I will leave others to determine what today's result may/may not mean, but given the previous history at Bello Field (another excellent place to watch at by the way, plus they sold food and drinks! I used to live on sausage sizzles on game day in Sydney) one could be excused for fearing the worst at 1-0 down, but the Mammoths displayed some intestinal fortitude which should give them considerable confidence.

Great to meet a lot of alums today, it's clearly a game that means a lot to a lot of people, plus the 4-1 women's result was outstanding also.

Foul count: Tufts 20 Amherst 19 - I haven't checked, but that might be a NESCAC season high.

[camosfan]

the "team goal" was an own goal score by Tufts.

[EnmoreCat]

Thanks Camosfan, I did get it, but in the 45 plus years I have been involved in soccer, in one way or another, I had never seen that term used to describe an OG.  Not saying it's right or wrong, but it felt accurate as it had been a period of Mammoths pressure that led up to it.

[College Soccer Observer]

Middlebury 1 Endicott 0.  Was impressed by Endicott.  I believe they will be the class of the CCC.  Totally unnecessary foul in the box by Endicott in 74th minute leads to a pk, which was converted by St. Louis.  Grady had only a couple of saves to make, but controlled his penalty area well, especially on a corner kick by Endicott in the last 30 seconds.  Midd now 4-0-1 with a NESCAC doubleheader vs Bowdoin and Bates at home this weekend.

[NESCACfan100]

Middlebury 1 Endicott 0.  Was impressed by Endicott.  I believe they will be the class of the CCC.  Totally unnecessary foul in the box by Endicott in 74th minute leads to a pk, which was converted by St. Louis.  Grady had only a couple of saves to make, but controlled his penalty area well, especially on a corner kick by Endicott in the last 30 seconds.  Midd now 4-0-1 with a NESCAC doubleheader vs Bowdoin and Bates at home this weekend.

Expected Midd to have a more dominate result today.

[camosfan]

Don't read too much from a midweek game , when they have a weekend of back-to-back games. Coach has to manage the squad work load.

[EnmoreCat]

Amherst 1 WPI 0

The third consecutive Amherst 1-0 win against WPI and one which meant the Mammoths are now undefeated in five.  A second game in three days did mean a shuffling of the pack, with a tricky Bates/Colby double header next weekend.

Many in here may find it difficult to believe, but Amherst was in a passing mood tonight, with long spells in possession.  The only disappointing aspect, in the first half at least, was the failure to be just that bit more clinical in the box.  Just before half time, WPI had a couple of very dangerous free kicks, but fortunately, for Amherst at least, there was no damage.  0-0 at half time.

It wasn't that long into the second half when a penetrating cross was dispatched with serious power and whilst the WPI keeper had already made a couple of fine saves and interventions, there was no stopping this one.  It felt like WPI's game changed a little after that, they were becoming more direct, which I suspect, suited the Amherst defence. Amherst was playing more on the break and did have chances, but appeared content to keep the ball and in the end professionally closed it out for a 1-0 win, representing a second clean sheet.  WPI was a hard working team and never gave up.  They had a good turnout too, for a Tuesday evening.  I did sense for the first time on my trip, some evening chill in the air, fortunately my final two games are afternoon ones at the billiards table that is Hitchcock Field.

Foul count: Amherst 16 WPI 13 - great to be back in the winners' circle after the Tufts upset from last week.  Amazingly, the box score indicated no yellow cards to either side.

[maineman]

Middlebury 1 Endicott 0.  Was impressed by Endicott.  I believe they will be the class of the CCC.  Totally unnecessary foul in the box by Endicott in 74th minute leads to a pk, which was converted by St. Louis.  Grady had only a couple of saves to make, but controlled his penalty area well, especially on a corner kick by Endicott in the last 30 seconds.  Midd now 4-0-1 with a NESCAC doubleheader vs Bowdoin and Bates at home this weekend.

Expected Midd to have a more dominate result today.

With the differential Midd had on corners and shots, I would have expected more than one in the back of the net.  But very few of them were on net.  EC was very talented, I agree!

[coach analytics]

NESCAC Strikers

For my next topic I am going to show an analysis of the productivity of NESCAC strikers during the 2022 season.

I am sure that most of you would agree that the productivity of the #9 is vital to success but also can be quite elusive.   Even at the USMNT level, the US struggles to find that #9 that has the full skill set to make a difference on the field.

Instead of just looking at pure scoring production, I am looking at the ability to create shots, which is obviously directly related to scoring production.  Since it is so, so difficult to produce goals at the NESCAC level and easy to analyze who is having success, the limited data makes it hard to predict who is truly making a difference and putting their team in position to have a chance. 

Certainly to be in a position to create shots, one has to have three qualities.  You need to be athletic to battle the strong centerbacks in the NESCAC, maybe the strongest position in the league.  You must be technically savvy to create that special play to create space for yourself or beat a player 1v1.  An under appreciated quality that one must have is a high IQ to see the space, see how the play is developing, see where the ball is going and making the great runs.  Many, many players have one or even two of these qualities but few have all three.

In seeing NESCAC soccer over the years, there have been many elite strikers but I point out 4 that had elite shooting production (as well as scoring production) that set the standard.  Not surprising German Giamatti in 2019 set the standard with a remarkable mid 6s for shots per 90 minutes which is basically double what the most elite striker did in 2022.

As you can see from the following chart, Amherst, Bates, Conn, Hamilton and Williams saw elite productivity from their striker or striker group in conference play in 2022.  Williams will need to replace one of their strikers in 2023 and Bates will need to find a replacement as their striker graduated and they are off to a slow start.

Colby and Bowdoin had moderate performance from their graduating senior strikers but saw elite productivity from talented wing players to increase their production. Each of these two teams is seeing some new faces in the positions step up and produce. Colby's freshman #7 is producing early at an elite clip.

Tufts went with a two headed striker committee approach and had very good production in non conference but a considerable drop off in conference. Their production was boosted by a talented, deep midfield.  Tufts is off to strong start and #12 has upped his production.

Middlebury had similar approach and poor production in conference but, like Tufts, is blessed with talented outside players and midfielders to pick up the slack.

Wesleyan's strength was in their midfield and their two headed striker approach did not produce at the level needed to move into the top half of the league. Good news is that #20 has upped his production to the 3.0 level in the first four games, showing some real upside.

It is really hard to understand Trinity's approach.  At least 3 players split time in the striker spot with very poor overall results.  #19 and #20 produced at an acceptable level and #20 at an elite level in conference play in limited minutes.  However #21, logging the most minutes, produced only 1 shot in 258 conference minutes.  This level of shot production was a full 60% less than the worst of the other 17 players. It's no wonder that Trinity is having such a tough time finding the net when they cannot generate shots from the middle players.  Fortunately they saw decent production from outside players and talented attacking midfielder and #28 is showing some upside.


                           
                         Overall              Conference      
Team   Player #   Shots   Min   Shots/90      Shots   Min   Shots/90
                           
Amhert   28      35   1198   2.63                       15   571   2.36
Bates   24      34   1026   2.98                       17   668   2.29
Bowdoin   21      39   1095   3.21                        9   518   1.56
Colby   9      17   810   1.89                       12   606   1.78
Conn           9      18   505   3.21                        8   336   2.14
Hamilton   9      36   882   3.67                       18   506   3.20
Middlebury20      24   1250   1.73                        7   672   0.94
Middlebury14      16   1042   1.38                       10   579   1.55
Trinity   19      10   449   2.00                         6   205   2.63
Trinity   20      9   380   2.13                         5   137   3.28
Trinity   21      2   414   0.43                         1   258   0.35
Tufts           12      18   546   2.97                         3   225   1.20
Tufts           26      18   461   3.51                         5   296   1.52
Williams   13      15   560   2.41                         9   345   2.35
Williams   7      34   1283   2.39                       17   571   2.68
Wesleyan   20      19   834   2.05                        8   535   1.35
Wesleyan   9      17   916   1.67                        9   589   1.38
                           
                           
Giamatti 2019      119   1595   6.71               54   741   6.56
Giamatti 2021      93   1712   4.89               34   745   4.11
Cody Savonen 2017   62   1192   4.68               34   864   3.54
Greg Conrad 2015   70   1274   4.95               38   824   4.15
Adam Glazer 2014   61   1360   4.04               30   800   3.38

Sorry for the poor formatting but it does not copy well from my sheet....hopefully you get the point.

[Moose]

From the previous message Conn College has the best attacking players in the 'Cac! Creus is unstoppable and Scaffone is simply unfair to gaurd. The NESCAC is screwed once the Camels start rolling!

[PaulNewman]

From the previous message Conn College has the best attacking players in the 'Cac! Creus is unstoppable and Scaffone is simply unfair to gaurd. The NESCAC is screwed once the Camels start rolling!

When 15 minutes of fame is 5 seconds.  Will probably never hear from "Moose" again.

[SimpleCoach]

From the previous message Conn College has the best attacking players in the 'Cac! Creus is unstoppable and Scaffone is simply unfair to gaurd. The NESCAC is screwed once the Camels start rolling!

When 15 minutes of fame is 5 seconds.  Will probably never hear from "Moose" again.

Hardly knew him...

SC.