NESCAC

[Another Mom]

Isn't Prep schools still the dominant contributor to the roosters of the elite programs?

I think so. Probably because prep schools recruit internationally. And prepare kids well academically. The prep school scene (at least in the Northeast) keeps shifting though! Former powerhouses like Berkshire and South Kent lost influential coaches, and maybe the school also deprioritized soccer.

On the other hand, Millbrook,  formerly TERRIBLE at soccer, now has a phenomenal African coach and is recruiting. And poof! They are crushing former rivals. And have d1-level players on the team, as well as d3.

[PaulNewman]

northman, thanks for your latest.  I'm curious about why Kenyon would have representation at the Bowdoin inauguration.  Is that typical for such events? Kenyon actually has a brand new Prez as well. I graduated from Davidson in '81 and I've been a Bowdoin fan since '82 when I did a year of grad school at BC before moving to Pittsburgh to continue grad school. As I noted very recently, Bowdoin was our first real college tour with our son who did not end up applying because we were pretty sure it was just a bit out of reach. Btw, you must have fancied that young woman quite a bit to go visit all the way out in Gambier, but few things more romantic than a stroll down Middle Path with your partner.

I do appreciate you hanging in there with me.  The odd thing last night is I actually did feel bad about my post to you (the only thing I felt bad about) and so as kind of a karma thing thought I kind of deserved the bizarre little double assault I incurred which almost seemed staged. 

[Recon]

Isn't Prep schools still the dominant contributor to the roosters of the elite programs?

In d3?  Perhaps yes, atleast in the NESCAC. My kid attended an ID camp a few years back and I met a gentleman on the sideline that had done a statistical analysis of NESCAC recruits. His son had received an offer from a Centennial Conference school but wanted to play in the NESCAC and coaches instructed him to take an extra year at a prep school. His analysis for a period of 3 years was that 55% of NESCAC recruits were prep school kids. I didn't fact check, and I have no idea if that's the same now, and it appears rosters have more international kids. However, this phenomenon is more focused on the east coast. I don't believe UAA schools, or many other conferences, recruit from prep schools as frequently. it's not the golden ticket to elite, but clearly significant.   

[LibbyMoore]

@anothermom I agree, it does seem like the prep school world provides an excellent portfolio for coaches to browse--low-hanging fruit!

Plus for those coaches who don't have their recruit class locked up by Sept 1 (many), prep schools attend many fall showcases to feature two years of recruiting classes. A recruiting assistant coach might be able to attend if needing to lay eyes on a player one more time for a current year offer and a great way to see juniors they have corresponded with. They even often play showcases on Sept Sundays, maximizing the chances of getting college coaches in person. I'm guessing the MLSNext fall opportunities are robust as well.

In New England and mid-Atlantic public school kids also playing club have to wait until November for their first showcase, so only juniors (and some sophomores) can really benefit from that unless a college is still looking hard in Nov.

[Freddyfud]

D3 (and arguably the rest of NCAA) soccer has improved compared to previous generations due to a deeper pool of talent.  Recruits are no longer competing against other Americans. They are competing against the world.  International players are filling roster spots which leaves less available for top American talent.  The standards of a "D1 player" have changed¹ with trickle down impacts.  Coaches who see and adapt to these changes will persevere.  Those who keep going back to the same well even just three years ago will likely miss out.   


1 "He's a D1 Player"...But Is He? - NCAA D1 Men's Soccer Data Analysis

[Hopkins92]

Like many of you (and I suspect the dozens and dozens of lurkers), I put a fair amount of time into coaching at the travel level. I had a partner in crime (coaching our respective daughters and sons together) and we would stay to watch the U17-18 games when we knew a good match was popping off. We coached together for about 10 years.

The last season we were coaching a tournament up in Germantown at the Soccerplex and a really good match up was on the books, so after our game we headed over. When I tell you these young men were playing a different game than we would see a decade earlier... It was pretty remarkable. 45 yard switches on a dime and the player receiving it isn't just trapping the ball, he's letting it bounce under his legs and flicking the ball down the line all while running full tilt.

We looked at each other and without saying it... "The game has change, man." Was all we really needed to say.

[camosfan]

The growth of the game in the USA is mind blowing, the difference in talent between the time I came here (1982) and now is just amazing.

[Brother Flounder]

Generally interested, most of your posts are about other users. If you have a different perspective *on soccer*, by all means share it. I appreciate the generally collegial nature of the board, and would encourage you to help keep it that way.

You find PN collegial? This Board is either him doing his thing, or people like you sadly pandering to him for his favor. It's disgusting.

Been awhile. I originally had a problem with PN a/k/a Salad Dressing for a few years.  He originally hated and frequently blasted the NESCAC on this forum.  This was despite Amherst and Tufts dominating DIII soccer for a few years.  He initially brought out the worst in NESCAC posters.  Over time, PN became more objective about the NESCAC and other schools.  If you cut through the bull****, PN can have some insightful things to say. So, not to say that he cares about me, but stay away from the barbs and you can learn some stuff from him... He definitely puts time into his research.

[OldMCGuy]

I agree with the improvement in talent over the years.  I played for Messiah from 1969 to 1973.  In those days, their recruiting was very sophisticated...if you had ever seen a socccer ball when you showed up at campus you were automatically on the team.  Headed to my 50th reunion this coming weekend. Haha!

[Brother Flounder]

Have fun, Old Guy!

[camosfan]

Con beats Amherst! 3-2

[Newenglander]

Conn - 3-2 all goals scored in the last 17 mins.......

[dacac]

Serpone looked quite riled up after the game... Sky is still blue

[BendIt007]

That was a crazy last 20 minutes!  Go Camels!

[PaulNewman]

Watched large chunks of this one....Conn looked better with far more possession in the 1st half and looked good when I started watching again after Amherst went up 1-0.

Credit to Conn and Reuben Burk.  Great bounceback from disappointing hangover season last year and also from losing arguably the two best field players in Conn history.

And yeah, after the game, didn't look like Serpone was delivering a Xmas card with Burk.