NESCAC

[PaulNewman]

Just got back to NJ from Middlebury, was a great weekend say 3 very good game, like the maturing of our Jumbos!

Agreed. Fun three games. Unlucky result for the Jumbos today—may have been among the best games they played all season—and they are well positioned for a deep tournament run. They can be so clinical while not being thrown off stride by the physicality of Amherst.

Amherst is back to being Amherst—really tough to beat this time of year. Playing today without Cubbedu (who also missed the semifinal) and Clark-Eden makes today's win all the more impressive. Was really impressed with the sophomore CB Street, who filled in admirably for the missing co-captain. NuHu's run and goal against Tufts was jaw-dropping. Yes, there was discussion and disagreement on whether his hit was a truly stunning diagonal semi-deke up and over the keeper or an mis-hit cross, but no matter. It found the net. And what was mesmerizing was his run, beating the first defender and then splitting two more before launching the shot/cross.

As mentioned earlier this year, a team's health can be paramount come November. Amherst has had some knocks (see above) but has played through it, and Midd will have to do the same if the Panthers are to make a deep run this month. Losing Shane Farrell mid-season was a blow, but the Panthers' depth filled in nicely. William O'Brien's absence the past few games has been more acutely felt, I think. Others far smarter than I have astutely noticed that a big difference between the 2022 and 2023 Panthers squads has been O'Brien's play this year. If he's unable to go, Midd will have to find a way to replace a key component of what has made them successful this year. I have no doubt that they can (and will?), though. Sometimes a loss—especially a club's first—as painful as it may be on one's home turf in a championship environment is all that is needed to spark a resurgence.

As to the 4th team this weekend? Conn seemed utterly out of its depth—outplayed, outcoached, and outclassed against Amherst. Though highly regarded by the formula that ranks regional teams, the Camels seem like a paper tiger to me.

This was a fantastic post until the end.

The formula that ranks regional teams?  How about the test that is the NESCAC conference itself?  Yesterday was Conn's first loss.  They've played the same teams.  Outcoached?  What's your basis for that?

[Bucket]

Are you sure fan? didn't he miss a regular season game due to suspension? or was that an accumulation of yellows?

What the Camel parent is not admitting—and is masking with his disingenuous pap—is that Kelesoglu was red carded in a game last year and was suspended for the following match.

So, two years in a row . . .

[College Soccer Observer]

Conn's official stats list #24 Kelesoglu with one red and one yellow for the season.

[Bucket]

Just got back to NJ from Middlebury, was a great weekend say 3 very good game, like the maturing of our Jumbos!

Agreed. Fun three games. Unlucky result for the Jumbos today—may have been among the best games they played all season—and they are well positioned for a deep tournament run. They can be so clinical while not being thrown off stride by the physicality of Amherst.

Amherst is back to being Amherst—really tough to beat this time of year. Playing today without Cubbedu (who also missed the semifinal) and Clark-Eden makes today's win all the more impressive. Was really impressed with the sophomore CB Street, who filled in admirably for the missing co-captain. NuHu's run and goal against Tufts was jaw-dropping. Yes, there was discussion and disagreement on whether his hit was a truly stunning diagonal semi-deke up and over the keeper or an mis-hit cross, but no matter. It found the net. And what was mesmerizing was his run, beating the first defender and then splitting two more before launching the shot/cross.

As mentioned earlier this year, a team's health can be paramount come November. Amherst has had some knocks (see above) but has played through it, and Midd will have to do the same if the Panthers are to make a deep run this month. Losing Shane Farrell mid-season was a blow, but the Panthers' depth filled in nicely. William O'Brien's absence the past few games has been more acutely felt, I think. Others far smarter than I have astutely noticed that a big difference between the 2022 and 2023 Panthers squads has been O'Brien's play this year. If he's unable to go, Midd will have to find a way to replace a key component of what has made them successful this year. I have no doubt that they can (and will?), though. Sometimes a loss—especially a club's first—as painful as it may be on one's home turf in a championship environment is all that is needed to spark a resurgence.

As to the 4th team this weekend? Conn seemed utterly out of its depth—outplayed, outcoached, and outclassed against Amherst. Though highly regarded by the formula that ranks regional teams, the Camels seem like a paper tiger to me.

This was a fantastic post until the end.

The formula that ranks regional teams?  How about the test that is the NESCAC conference itself?  Yesterday was Conn's first loss.  They've played the same teams.  Outcoached?  What's your basis for that?

Yes, they finished third in the NESCAC. And I felt the 4th and 5th teams were better. NCAA formula, however, had them tops in the region. Thus my comment. As for the coaching this weekend—my first-hand observation, observing the Mammoth coaching staff constantly adjusting tactics and employing strategic substitutions, while Ruben basically did very little in-game other then complain.

[camosfan]

Conn has a lot of talent, while that can be a good thing, it can also present challenges, like having the right line up, using the right subs.

[PaulNewman]

Amidst all of this Amherst and Conn Coll focus it's easy to forget that the same two teams played each other in the 2021 national title game all the way down to PKs... and a fair number of players from those teams are still playing.

And of course Tufts and Amherst played in the title match just prior in 2019.

Not trying to make any particular point, but it's interesting to think about....as the tensions rise.

[camosfan]

The teams are so equal it is amazing, it is not meaningful to wish for one particular opponent because on any given day any of the top 5 NESCAC can beat you.

[Bucket]

Amid the hoopla of championship weekend, I'd be remiss to not call attention to this weekend's induction of Dave Saward into the Middlebury Athletics Hall of Fame. Such a well-deserved honor for one of the greats of the college game. Further, his legacy lives on with three of the top five conference teams coached by former Saward players.

Cheers to Coach Saward!

[Newenglander]

Just got back to NJ from Middlebury, was a great weekend say 3 very good game, like the maturing of our Jumbos!

Agreed. Fun three games. Unlucky result for the Jumbos today—may have been among the best games they played all season—and they are well positioned for a deep tournament run. They can be so clinical while not being thrown off stride by the physicality of Amherst.

Amherst is back to being Amherst—really tough to beat this time of year. Playing today without Cubbedu (who also missed the semifinal) and Clark-Eden makes today's win all the more impressive. Was really impressed with the sophomore CB Street, who filled in admirably for the missing co-captain. NuHu's run and goal against Tufts was jaw-dropping. Yes, there was discussion and disagreement on whether his hit was a truly stunning diagonal semi-deke up and over the keeper or an mis-hit cross, but no matter. It found the net. And what was mesmerizing was his run, beating the first defender and then splitting two more before launching the shot/cross.

As mentioned earlier this year, a team's health can be paramount come November. Amherst has had some knocks (see above) but has played through it, and Midd will have to do the same if the Panthers are to make a deep run this month. Losing Shane Farrell mid-season was a blow, but the Panthers' depth filled in nicely. William O'Brien's absence the past few games has been more acutely felt, I think. Others far smarter than I have astutely noticed that a big difference between the 2022 and 2023 Panthers squads has been O'Brien's play this year. If he's unable to go, Midd will have to find a way to replace a key component of what has made them successful this year. I have no doubt that they can (and will?), though. Sometimes a loss—especially a club's first—as painful as it may be on one's home turf in a championship environment is all that is needed to spark a resurgence.

As to the 4th team this weekend? Conn seemed utterly out of its depth—outplayed, outcoached, and outclassed against Amherst. Though highly regarded by the formula that ranks regional teams, the Camels seem like a paper tiger to me.

This was a fantastic post until the end.

The formula that ranks regional teams?  How about the test that is the NESCAC conference itself?  Yesterday was Conn's first loss.  They've played the same teams.  Outcoached?  What's your basis for that?

Yes, they finished third in the NESCAC. And I felt the 4th and 5th teams were better. NCAA formula, however, had them tops in the region. Thus my comment. As for the coaching this weekend—my first-hand observation, observing the Mammoth coaching staff constantly adjusting tactics and employing strategic substitutions, while Ruben basically did very little in-game other then complain.

clear troll - the team that tied middlebury and tufts and beat Amherst in the last match where the 20 fouls actually came with 5 or 6 cards which may have kept the game in control - that Conn team?

Substitutions? You mean the 5 subs Amherst played for a total of 150 mins vs 8 for Conn- more nonsense.

As far as complaining - more rose colored glasses - Serpone was working over the room/4th official all game and Burk was pretty reserved until after the match (which I may not always be able to say)

[Bucket]

Just got back to NJ from Middlebury, was a great weekend say 3 very good game, like the maturing of our Jumbos!

Agreed. Fun three games. Unlucky result for the Jumbos today—may have been among the best games they played all season—and they are well positioned for a deep tournament run. They can be so clinical while not being thrown off stride by the physicality of Amherst.

Amherst is back to being Amherst—really tough to beat this time of year. Playing today without Cubbedu (who also missed the semifinal) and Clark-Eden makes today's win all the more impressive. Was really impressed with the sophomore CB Street, who filled in admirably for the missing co-captain. NuHu's run and goal against Tufts was jaw-dropping. Yes, there was discussion and disagreement on whether his hit was a truly stunning diagonal semi-deke up and over the keeper or an mis-hit cross, but no matter. It found the net. And what was mesmerizing was his run, beating the first defender and then splitting two more before launching the shot/cross.

As mentioned earlier this year, a team's health can be paramount come November. Amherst has had some knocks (see above) but has played through it, and Midd will have to do the same if the Panthers are to make a deep run this month. Losing Shane Farrell mid-season was a blow, but the Panthers' depth filled in nicely. William O'Brien's absence the past few games has been more acutely felt, I think. Others far smarter than I have astutely noticed that a big difference between the 2022 and 2023 Panthers squads has been O'Brien's play this year. If he's unable to go, Midd will have to find a way to replace a key component of what has made them successful this year. I have no doubt that they can (and will?), though. Sometimes a loss—especially a club's first—as painful as it may be on one's home turf in a championship environment is all that is needed to spark a resurgence.

As to the 4th team this weekend? Conn seemed utterly out of its depth—outplayed, outcoached, and outclassed against Amherst. Though highly regarded by the formula that ranks regional teams, the Camels seem like a paper tiger to me.

This was a fantastic post until the end.

The formula that ranks regional teams?  How about the test that is the NESCAC conference itself?  Yesterday was Conn's first loss.  They've played the same teams.  Outcoached?  What's your basis for that?

Yes, they finished third in the NESCAC. And I felt the 4th and 5th teams were better. NCAA formula, however, had them tops in the region. Thus my comment. As for the coaching this weekend—my first-hand observation, observing the Mammoth coaching staff constantly adjusting tactics and employing strategic substitutions, while Ruben basically did very little in-game other then complain.

clear troll - the team that tied middlebury and tufts and beat Amherst in the last match where the 20 fouls actually came with 5 or 6 cards which may have kept the game in control - that Conn team?

Substitutions? You mean the 5 subs Amherst played for a total of 150 mins vs 8 for Conn- more nonsense.

As far as complaining - more rose colored glasses - Serpone was working over the room/4th official all game and Burk was pretty reserved until after the match (which I may not always be able to say)

Yes. That Conn team finished 3rd in the conference. Facts.

Are you relying solely on a stat sheet for the sub information? Or how they were used, who was substituted and why, and how tactics were shifted.

As I said, Conn was outcoached, outplayed, and outclassed.

[Newenglander]

Just got back to NJ from Middlebury, was a great weekend say 3 very good game, like the maturing of our Jumbos!

Agreed. Fun three games. Unlucky result for the Jumbos today—may have been among the best games they played all season—and they are well positioned for a deep tournament run. They can be so clinical while not being thrown off stride by the physicality of Amherst.

Amherst is back to being Amherst—really tough to beat this time of year. Playing today without Cubbedu (who also missed the semifinal) and Clark-Eden makes today's win all the more impressive. Was really impressed with the sophomore CB Street, who filled in admirably for the missing co-captain. NuHu's run and goal against Tufts was jaw-dropping. Yes, there was discussion and disagreement on whether his hit was a truly stunning diagonal semi-deke up and over the keeper or an mis-hit cross, but no matter. It found the net. And what was mesmerizing was his run, beating the first defender and then splitting two more before launching the shot/cross.

As mentioned earlier this year, a team's health can be paramount come November. Amherst has had some knocks (see above) but has played through it, and Midd will have to do the same if the Panthers are to make a deep run this month. Losing Shane Farrell mid-season was a blow, but the Panthers' depth filled in nicely. William O'Brien's absence the past few games has been more acutely felt, I think. Others far smarter than I have astutely noticed that a big difference between the 2022 and 2023 Panthers squads has been O'Brien's play this year. If he's unable to go, Midd will have to find a way to replace a key component of what has made them successful this year. I have no doubt that they can (and will?), though. Sometimes a loss—especially a club's first—as painful as it may be on one's home turf in a championship environment is all that is needed to spark a resurgence.

As to the 4th team this weekend? Conn seemed utterly out of its depth—outplayed, outcoached, and outclassed against Amherst. Though highly regarded by the formula that ranks regional teams, the Camels seem like a paper tiger to me.

This was a fantastic post until the end.

The formula that ranks regional teams?  How about the test that is the NESCAC conference itself?  Yesterday was Conn's first loss.  They've played the same teams.  Outcoached?  What's your basis for that?

Yes, they finished third in the NESCAC. And I felt the 4th and 5th teams were better. NCAA formula, however, had them tops in the region. Thus my comment. As for the coaching this weekend—my first-hand observation, observing the Mammoth coaching staff constantly adjusting tactics and employing strategic substitutions, while Ruben basically did very little in-game other then complain.

clear troll - the team that tied middlebury and tufts and beat Amherst in the last match where the 20 fouls actually came with 5 or 6 cards which may have kept the game in control - that Conn team?

Substitutions? You mean the 5 subs Amherst played for a total of 150 mins vs 8 for Conn- more nonsense.

As far as complaining - more rose colored glasses - Serpone was working over the room/4th official all game and Burk was pretty reserved until after the match (which I may not always be able to say)

Yes. That Conn team finished 3rd in the conference. Facts.

Are you relying solely on a stat sheet for the sub information? Or how they were used, who was substituted and why, and how tactics were shifted.

As I said, Conn was outcoached, outplayed, and outclassed.

I was at the game - not sure all the brilliant tactical/sub changes Amherst made - resting Nuhu and Adi and dropping thr 6 ft 8 player to defend the box?  Seems pretty logical. They played their game like they do every game. Didnt seem like a master class

[FanofNescac]

Bucket - your dislike for the camels is obvious.. Saying that Conn placed 3rd but that they are worse than the 4th and 5th team is a statement that you may believe, but no one else stands with you.

Take some ownership over your own team. The reality is Middlebury finished 1st and lost at home in front of all the  fans. Your team wasn't ready at all, as seen in Grady's error in the first 5 minutes. You haven't won a big game in the past 5 years. 2019 (nescac final loss) 2021 loss to Tufts nescac semi final. 2021 loss to Amherst in elite 8. 2022 loss to Amherst nescac semi-final.

You are praising a team for getting 1st place in the regular season? Congrats. The Conn team that you speak against has players who have not only placed 1st in a regular season, but they won a National Title. Middlebury's loss Saturday is what everyone expected. Out of the 4 teams this weekend, midd was the biggest disappointment.

[paclassic89]

[College Soccer Observer]

Bucket - your dislike for the camels is obvious.. Saying that Conn placed 3rd but that they are worse than the 4th and 5th team is a statement that you may believe, but no one else stands with you.

Take some ownership over your own team. The reality is Middlebury finished 1st and lost at home in front of all the  fans. Your team wasn't ready at all, as seen in Grady's error in the first 5 minutes. You haven't won a big game in the past 5 years. 2019 (nescac final loss) 2021 loss to Tufts nescac semi final. 2021 loss to Amherst in elite 8. 2022 loss to Amherst nescac semi-final.

You are praising a team for getting 1st place in the regular season? Congrats. The Conn team that you speak against has players who have not only placed 1st in a regular season, but they won a National Title. Middlebury's loss Saturday is what everyone expected. Out of the 4 teams this weekend, midd was the biggest disappointment.

Can we dial back the mutual animosity?  Credit to Tufts--they won on Saturday and Midd was not at their best.  Perhaps some of that was due to the Jumbos play on the day.  But to say that a team that has finished in the top 4 of the league table the last three seasons (4th, 4th, and 1st) has not won a big game is absurd.  How does a program make 6 NCAA tournaments in a row, including advancing to the elite 8 in 2021 without winning a big game?  Has Midd won a trophy in that span--no.  On the other hand, they did not drop to 8th place and fail to make the NCAAs last year either.  Both Midd and Conn are excellent teams. 

[SierraFD3soccer]

Take some ownership over your own team. The reality is Middlebury finished 1st and lost at home in front of all the  fans. Your team wasn't ready at all, as seen in Grady's error in the first 5 minutes. You haven't won a big game in the past 5 years. 2019 (nescac final loss) 2021 loss to Tufts nescac semi final. 2021 loss to Amherst in elite 8. 2022 loss to Amherst nescac semi-final.

Whoa, calling out a keeper that makes a mistake in a game they lost 2-1??  That is crazy. Not cool.  As a senior, he's going to have to live with that for the rest of his life thinking that losing was some how his fault. Do you realize that in his four years he has started every game (76 so far) and has only allowed 43 goals (career .56 goal against) and a .858 save percentage. Remember that is over 4 years!! Perhaps the best keeper NESCAC has seen or at least in recent history. Most likely the best keeper Middlebury every had. But for this keeper, I would speculate that Middlebury would not have a factor or competitive in 3 of his four years.

How about hundreds of chances taken by strikers who take shots that are not on frame or goes gently into the keeper hands??? What about the coach who got the tactics wrong or did not substitute the right combination of players? Or the wrong player taking a free kick or not having a player on the field who takes the best free kicks??