NESCAC

[Saint_Dad]

I agree with Hopkins92.  Amherst is so talented that they don't "need" to play as if they are the inferior team.  They can easily keep the ball moving, using their excellent midfield players rather than skipping over them much of the time, while still launching balls into the box to create opportunities.  I also agree with camosfan.  I rarely see a player get a yellow card for continuously fouling, or for what should be other yellow card infractions for that matter.  This reffing encourages rougher play, more fouling, and more kick and run play. 

[Freddyfud]

A tactical foul is an agreement or understanding among three parties: the offending player, the receiving player and the ref.  If any party violates the agreement all bets are off and it is no longer tactical. Understand it is idealistic for three parties to consistently agree on a split second decision in the heat of battle in any circumstances.  And as I said before poor execution should be expected at an amateur level which makes the agreement even more challenging.  But when done properly it should be acknowledged for what it was and the game moves on to the next phase, with apparently one exception in the NCAA. 

By coincidence one of the NCAA points of emphasis for the current year issued 2 months ago is "Stopping a Promising Attack or SPA." ^* What is interesting here is the last sentence, "If the official plays the advantage for a SPA offense for which a caution would have been issued had play been stopped, the player should not be cautioned."  Not cautioning even after an advantage seems to be the opposite of what I see at other levels--perhaps FIFA is different.  If a card isn't issued due to advantage played, I can see this maybe getting out of hand.  But based on this overall point of emphasis referees should be punishing SPA defined as "player's ability to exploit speed, space and attacking options."  Maybe some referees didn't get this email.

IMO cautioning for foul accumulation is different from tactical foul/SPA.

* NCAA Soccer Points of Emphasis, 2023 Season

[Hopkins92]

amHurst awarded a total of 10 yellow cards in last two games, including 6 today against Conn College ... longstanding thug style of direct play.

@Enmore Cat will be shocked that I am defending Amherst.  The Mammoths commit a lot of fouls.  This is by design.  They are physical, and they press.  Of the cards against them in the Conn game, most were for tactical fouls.  When Amherst faces a counter attack where they feel the do not have enough numbers behind the ball, they take a page from Pep Guardiola's coaching book and immediately foul.  These were not disgusting challenges that endangered players.  They were fairly run of the mill tactical fouls.  Neutral observers may not like it, but Amherst is willing to accept these yellows as the cost of doing business.

This is a REALLY good point, and something you have to basically be "wise" enough to just sort of accept and not ascribe... I dunno... evil thoughts to?

Here's the thing, and why it gets so much run in NESCAC discussions... Those tactics are usually reserved for teams that don't have the talent to match up. That's why it's so jarring and his been a point of contention for so long. You are choosing to foul when you have the talent to let the game flow a bit more.

But, to your, point... That's aesthetics for many of us and when it comes to players/alums/parents it's a very low hanging fruit/easy to ignite conflagration.

Agree this is a very good point.  Can't speak to past discussions on here and have never watched a NESCAC game.  But like it or not tactical fouls are part of the game now, dark art or otherwise.  I don't agree it is a reflection of talent--if done properly without risk of injury it should be accepted as a good play for any team.

We know amateurs are certainly watching the pros as examples where this happens just like any sport.  Look at the tactical fouls in the NBA for example (other than Laimbeer?) For amateurs it should be understood the tactical foul is still being learned so mistakes in judgement will be made.

But I can see how frequency or other abuses can affect perception.  Perhaps there is a risk a hold up foul is no longer tactical if it appears to be egregious or even part of team strategy.

This is very close to the complaint I used to voice after many Messiah games, but chose to put a sock in it since I was being perceived as making unduly biased comments. I wasn't.

I've never objected to deliberate fouling, as long as the officials were on top of it and issuing yellows without hesitation. It's such a common strategy against Messiah, but when the fouls aren't being called it unfairly favors their opponents. Unfairly. It's no different from calling fouls on one team and not the other. In the NBA, it was common practice to play "hack a Shaq," since he was such a miserable foul shooter. That was fine. NBA refs called the fouls, the offending team scattered them around to keep men out of foul trouble, and they actually EXPECTED the fouls to be called as part of their strategy. In soccer, it seems, coaches are hoping the fouls WON'T be called. When they aren't, it nearly always favors the Falcons' opponents. That's part of what happened in the game vs PSU two days ago, but I didn't mention it b/c I knew it would be taken as pure bellyaching. In fact, PSU received just two yellows when there should have been at least half a dozen. That might have forced them to back off a bit, re-balancing the playing field.

I remember attending the national final in Glassboro, NJ, in 2000--the Falcons' first title. The Profs were awfully good, but not as quick or fast as Messiah--and a Jersey team (obviously). They fouled intentionally from the start. When Falcon players went flying past, they grabbed them. However, those officials were not going to be played. There were two quick yellows, both fully deserved. A fan got up and yelled, "Whaddya think this is, a girls' game?" The Profs decided they had to play futbol, not football, and the rest of the way it was a terrific game, with both teams being dangerous and playing their best soccer. In the post-game interviews, Brandt was asked about those early calls. His reply: fouls are fouls. They're supposed to be called."

Exactly. I've never had a complaint against the teams that foul strategically. I'll always have a complaint against the officials that don't call them. It changes the game, unfairly, no less than choosing not to call back a goal that was offsides.

Not to get too far afield, but this is very similar to being a USMNT fan when they play just about everyone* in CONCACAF. Especially this current generation/iteration of US players. And it goes quadruple when you focus in on how they "defend" Pulisic. The problem for the rest of the region is that the iteration of this team PRIOR to this squad... You could absolutely foul Pulisic constantly and disrupt the team. Now? Good luck. We have 5 or 6 other guys in the attacking third that are equally as dangerous.

* - Canada, Mexico... And sometimes Jamaica and Costa Rica... try to play us straight up, for the most part. MEX gets ugly when we are winning, but that's not tactical, it's their reaction to constantly losing to us when 20 years ago we were massive underdogs.

[College Soccer Observer]

A tactical foul is an agreement or understanding among three parties: the offending player, the receiving player and the ref.  If any party violates the agreement all bets are off and it is no longer tactical. Understand it is idealistic for three parties to consistently agree on a split second decision in the heat of battle in any circumstances.  And as I said before poor execution should be expected at an amateur level which makes the agreement even more challenging.  But when done properly it should be acknowledged for what it was and the game moves on to the next phase, with apparently one exception in the NCAA. 

By coincidence one of the NCAA points of emphasis for the current year issued 2 months ago is "Stopping a Promising Attack or SPA." ^* What is interesting here is the last sentence, "If the official plays the advantage for a SPA offense for which a caution would have been issued had play been stopped, the player should not be cautioned."  Not cautioning even after an advantage seems to be the opposite of what I see at other levels--perhaps FIFA is different.  If a card isn't issued due to advantage played, I can see this maybe getting out of hand.  But based on this overall point of emphasis referees should be punishing SPA defined as "player's ability to exploit speed, space and attacking options."  Maybe some referees didn't get this email.

IMO cautioning for foul accumulation is different from tactical foul/SPA.

* NCAA Soccer Points of Emphasis, 2023 Season

The NCAA guidance is consistent with FIFA in this regard.  If the referee allows the advantage, they are indicating that they still believe that the team has the opportunity for a promising attack.  Because the foul has not taken that away, there is no caution.  Now if the foul itself is reckless, the referee can and should still come back and give a caution when the ball goes out of play. 

[Freddyfud]

A tactical foul is an agreement or understanding among three parties: the offending player, the receiving player and the ref.  If any party violates the agreement all bets are off and it is no longer tactical. Understand it is idealistic for three parties to consistently agree on a split second decision in the heat of battle in any circumstances.  And as I said before poor execution should be expected at an amateur level which makes the agreement even more challenging.  But when done properly it should be acknowledged for what it was and the game moves on to the next phase, with apparently one exception in the NCAA. 

By coincidence one of the NCAA points of emphasis for the current year issued 2 months ago is "Stopping a Promising Attack or SPA." ^* What is interesting here is the last sentence, "If the official plays the advantage for a SPA offense for which a caution would have been issued had play been stopped, the player should not be cautioned."  Not cautioning even after an advantage seems to be the opposite of what I see at other levels--perhaps FIFA is different.  If a card isn't issued due to advantage played, I can see this maybe getting out of hand.  But based on this overall point of emphasis referees should be punishing SPA defined as "player's ability to exploit speed, space and attacking options."  Maybe some referees didn't get this email.

IMO cautioning for foul accumulation is different from tactical foul/SPA.

* NCAA Soccer Points of Emphasis, 2023 Season

The NCAA guidance is consistent with FIFA in this regard.  If the referee allows the advantage, they are indicating that they still believe that the team has the opportunity for a promising attack.  Because the foul has not taken that away, there is no caution.  Now if the foul itself is reckless, the referee can and should still come back and give a caution when the ball goes out of play.

That makes sense then.  Thank you.  So advantage is the exception in all cases, except when it is reckless.  It just seems more often than not a card is shown.

[Kuiper]

I'm sure NESCAC followers can provide more color on this game, but heck of an ending for Bowdoin.  Kind of a Manchester United Scott McTomminay game feel to it, with Bowdoin down 2-1 to Trinity with a couple of minutes to go and Bowdoin ties it up in the 89th and then wins it 22 seconds later on a PK in the 90th.

[paclassic89]

PK call seemed incredibly soft from the streaming camera angle

[PaulNewman]

That's as brutal as it gets for Trinity.  Not sure how they recover from that one.  In the minute just prior to Bowdoin equalizing Trinity came within inches of going up 3-1 with under 3 min left.  Then an unnecessary foul leads to free kick that results in equalizer and then Polar Bears get a PK under 30 seconds.  Miserable bus ride back to Hartford.

[Dustin_Patrón]

Middlebury retains the highly coveted Colby Cup this year after a 1-0 edging of the Mules. Freshman, Colin Dugan, puts in his bid for knee slide of the season after finishing off a peach from Kyle Nilsson in the 43rd minute. Looked to be a 12-14 foot slide on the slick surface. It was sloppy out there but the Panthers seemed to like that.

Not trying to bury the guy, but I'm not sure what sport the Colby announcer thinks he's watching. Every pass is a shot and throw ins are corner kicks if they're in the opposing team's half. Great enthusiasm though.

[College Soccer Observer]

Chaos reigns in the NESCAC.  Amherst scores off a long throw with 22 seconds left converted by Son of @EnmoreCat to pull out a 1-1 draw at Wesleyan.  Williams and Conn split the points in New London.  Bowdoin somehow turned a 2-1 deficit with less than 2 minutes left into a 3-2 win.  First goal was a scramble off a free kick call by the AR that looked very soft.  Second goal was a pk called with 53 seconds left where it looked to me that the defender won the ball and Rueda-Duran flopped.  Trinity picked up several yellows and a red arguing the call.  Middlebury's goal at Colby was a gorgeous cross from Kyle Nilsson turned in by Colin Duggan, the first year who was now scored 3 goals in conference (tying goal vs Amherst, insurance vs Wesleyan, and game winner today).  Midd had some other good chances, but could not convert.  Best chances that did not come off was a Rabona cross from Will Sawin that just went over the head of an onrushing Panther attacker.

[Yankeesoccerdad]

Bowdoin 3—Trinity 2

Wild game as other have noted.   The game was played on the new turf field in a steady rain.  I thought Bowdoin played better in the first half but it ended 0-0.  Trinity twice had a lead in the second half and it definitely felt like they were capable of pulling it out.  I watched live so didn't have the benefit of video replay.  While I felt Bowdoin was lucky to come away with the win, I had a different take than CSO.  The 2-2 equalizer goal came off a classic NESCAC scrum.  The penalty was definitely controversial and easily could not have been called.  It certainly didn't look like a flop.  I did hear a lot of "You can't call a foul like that in the last minute!" 

Both goalkeepers had excellent games with great saves.  Rueda-Duran continuing his hot season.

Tomorrow will be interesting as Bowdoin hosts Amherst.

[northman]

I watched the entire game online.  I'm saving my in-person viewing for tomorrow's Bowdoin v Amherst game in better weather.  I will say that Trinity was very much in the game, and their two goals were well taken.  From the comfort of a computer screen, it appeared to me that the foul on Rueda Duran in the box was legitimate.  He's a great flopper, but I think it was a legitimate foul.

I certainly understand Trinity's outrage and disappointment...but drawing multiple yellows and reds on the pitch, on the bench, and on the coaching staff isn't going to accomplish a whole lot...

[EnmoreCat]

Wesleyan 1 Amherst 1

Correspondent's Note: The player previously known as Son of EnmoreCat will now be referred to as EnmoreKitten (apologies CSO - you weren't to know of the behind-the-scenes re-branding discussions (neither was I!), but I do acknowledge your acknowledgement), about as aggressive a label as you could imagine for a NESCAC central defender.

I am sure some will feel differently, but games played inside athletic tracks leave me a little cold.  I completely understand the reasons for today's change and having watched EnmoreKitten play for almost four seasons here at a similar venue, I have gotten used to it, but nothing quite beats being up close, particularly at TBTTIHF.  Gripe over.

Having watched SC's illuminating interview with the Landmark Conference Commissioner, I was thinking that had they been watching, FloSports might have taken a zero off any potential NESCAC offer after what was a pretty dire first half.  There was a re-shuffling of the Amherst deck ahead of what YSD has already identified as a very big game tomorrow and I thought it was even, but not in a particularly interesting way.  Amherst possibly had the better chances but the Cardinals seemed to handle things reasonably comfortably.

Things livened up in the second half (and apologies if my chronology is out) and the Wesleyan keeper made one superb save off one of the Amherst senior's header on goal.  The Cardinals did have some chances on the back of some Amherst defensive lapses which fortunately came to nothing.  With 16 to go, Wesleyan were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area and not for the first time in recent games, Amherst spectators got to "ammire" another very well taken opposition goal.  On balance at that stage, I was hard-pressed to suggest it was anything other than an almost fair result and it was just going to be a case of whether the Mammoths would be able to claw it back (or tusk it I guess).

Whilst there were many NESCAC games last season that finished in less-than-vibrant, but hard fought draws, this season has seen more goals given up late and of course, Amherst has been on the receiving end.  As has already been documented, but I am quite happy to reiterate, with under a minute to go, a long throw from one of the seniors, found the head of EnmoreKitten, who skilfully flicked it on for one of his Junior teammates, who proceeded to gleefully dispatch it past the Wesleyan keeper.  I think I woke up our neighbours' dog with my shriek of joy in downtown Enmore (wearing my DUSC T-shirt now as it happens, whilst I type) and that was that.  I know exactly how the Cardinals players and supporters will feel as the Amherst ones have felt exactly the same in two of the last three games.

The Bowdoin/Amherst game tomorrow promises to be a cracker and certainly gives both teams a chance to re-ignite their respective seasons.  In my first psychological parry ahead of it, I would suggest that the Polar Bears start favourite and that the humble team from Western MA will need to be close to their best to get a result.

Foul Count: Wesleyan 9 Amherst 17

[Yankeesoccerdad]

Bowdoin 0 --- Amherst 1

I think Enmore Cat is letting me go first.

Tough loss for the Polar Bears.  First half ended 0-0 and it seemed like we were headed for a tie, like last year.  The game felt very even to me, and I thought Bowdoin played well, especially considering the significant size disadvantage.  Unlike the last few years, Bowdoin has only one player over 6'2" and it seems half the Amherst starting XI are over that threshold.  Amherst scored the lone goal in the second half off of a shot off the post that went directly to an Amherst player who knocked it in the goal.  I was surprised to see the box score at the end of the game and the degree to which Amherst had the advantage in shots and SOG.  It certainly felt more even than those numbers suggest.

I know from talking to Amherst supporters they think the team has not been as dominant as expected this season.  The team I saw today looked strong and complete.  I think they played their normal starting squad, which hadn't be deployed the last few games, including the loss to Conn and tie to Wesleyan.

Somehow, Bowdoin won the foul count 13-10, although Amherst won the yellow card count 2-1. 

The game was low on the "antic" score, with the exception of a couple of players who did deep growls after the final whistle and flexed at the Bowdoin supporters along the sideline.

Despite the loss, Bowdoin has four games remaining and plenty of opportunity to add points and move up the standings.  Next week they travel to Hamilton.

I am hoping the teams meet again at least one more time.

[EnmoreCat]

Bowdoin 0 Amherst 1

Yankeesoccerdad was there, whereas I had to try and watch whilst at work so I am quite happy to defer to him on the evenness of the game and checking out the history, since 2010 only two games between the Polar Bears and the Mammoths have been decided by more than a one goal margin.  The 2023 game at Pickard Field continued the tradition of tight affairs.  Based on what I saw, I wouldn't describe it as a cagey affair, but one where both teams had opportunities.  The big moments that I saw were where Bowdoin hit the cross bar and where Amherst scored after a shot had hit the post.  It's always a game of centimetres (2.54 of those makes an inch) and of course, just that bit of good fortune.

I appreciate the kind words from YSD about the Mammoths and there is little doubt that the teams match up pretty evenly.  The Polar Bears are adept at moving the ball from defence to attack quickly and with skill and have players that are capable of doing special things.  This was their first loss for the season and I don't necessarily see too many more ahead for them and they are definitely in the top tier of NESCAC MSOC, which of course means that they are part of the national conversation.

Amherst has a break before taking on NJAC powerhouse Montclair State next Sunday.  Massey rates the Mammoths' SOS as second highest in D3 and the Red Hawks fixture is consistent with that schedule.  It's a great opportunity to get some insight into relativities.

I can't really comment on the deep growls and flexing, but what I did see at the end was a generally quite convivial atmosphere in the middle of the field at least.  There was a fair representation of Downtown United alumni on both sides today and it's a positive reflection on the programme there, that there were many players at the top end of D3 who were on display in this game.  YSD mentioned the foul count, I think it might be the Mammoths' lowest number for the season.  I will leave others to continue with the alternative narrative, which is increasingly not being supported by data.

One sour note for this correspondent at least, was the quality of the commentary.  I had to roll back the film on multiple occasions to see what were described as penalty incidents which were no more than normal tackles.  Not knowing/understanding the rules is one thing, but this particular commentator's inability to pronounce Amherst surnames was infuriating and for some of my colleagues who were also watching the coverage, embarrassing.  To help out future callers:

https://athletics.amherst.edu/sports/mens-soccer/roster

There is an ear symbol next to each players' name.  My son is quite good at saying his...