NESCAC

[EnmoreCat]

Tufts 0 Amherst 1

Another early start and even though I was tired, I did feel for both sets of players and staffs that had to reassemble for a final only 24 hours or so after both playing seriously competitive games.  Of course, it's a first world problem and NESCAC has strict rules, but it does seem a shame to me that it does distract from the final in that both teams have already gone super hard the previous day.  Anyway, given all my other high level representations have had zero impact, I will just go with the flow.

I get the impression and I know my antipodean sensitivities are unreliable from time to time, but it feels like conference tournaments are valued mainly for automatic bids etc and that there are bigger fish to fry.  I have to say that I really like frying the NESCAC fish! I think it's a big deal, but I get others may not.

I reckon the semi-finals were better games, but of course, this one was tense.  Tufts are a very good team and having seen them in action not that long ago in the flesh, I was aware of the pace and skill with which they can move the ball.  They didn't disappoint and regularly challenged Amherst, but fortunately couldn't find a way through.  It wasn't all one way of course and the Tufts keeper had to make a pretty good save off a header off a set piece in the first half, but 0-0 felt fair at half time. 

Mention has already been made of one of the sophomores stepping up for what I think must have just about been his first start for the Mammoths and the best compliment I can give is that it looked like it was anything but that.  I will only whisper it, but it's a reminder of how Coach Serpone knows his players, but Amhater and Ammirer alike, already know that. 

Amherst's freshman forward (and I will say that next year the rest of the world will learn there is more than one in that class) again showed his quality when it was needed.  There was no earthly reason why he should have been able to propel the ball towards the goal from what looked a difficult situation, but he did.  If you don't buy a ticket, you can't win the raffle and the ball found it's way to the back of the net.  Amongst the Mammoths Nation, it gets remembered forever, that's all you really need to know.

Tufts took it in their stride and it was clear by the manner in which they played, they believed there was an equalizer possible, but aside from one particularly hairy moment, where the Amherst keeper stood strong after the seas had parted, it felt under a control of sorts.  That didn't mean that a ball might not sneak through, which on the balance of play, wouldn't have been unfair, but suddenly, the Mammoths have gotten out of the habit of conceding very late goals.

Irrespective of whatever happens over the balance of November, I am really pleased for the group of Amherst Seniors who are almost at the end of their journeys, that they got the chance to win one more trophy.  I think they are a fantastic group of young men.

It's hard to judge how good the top five of NESCAC are, other than to say that we know they are all competitive and have the capacity to go deep in the Tournament.  That's not the same as saying one of them will, but they all have game styles which when up & running, are hard to breakdown.  I do include Amherst in that mix, but am reluctant to call them a very good team, just yet, but given they defeated a very good team in the final, they are moving a step closer to that billing.

Foul Count (I am looking for a sponsor for this section now, as it is attracting attention I understand): Tufts 7 Amherst 14 (not that far off the season low 11 against Bates)

[northman]

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??

It would be tough to top Middlebury GK Brian Bush's dominant season in their national championship year of 2007.  And I'm not even a Midd fan...

https://athletics.middlebury.edu/sports/msoc/schedule/2007

[coach analytics]

I think Enmorecats write up is a very fair assessment of what I saw.  If you have read my posts in the past, you know that I am not at all a fan of the Amherst style but I certainly admire their commitment.  They have two very talented outside players in #4 and #23 and they do almost nothing from a possession perspective (i do not think i saw one play where a defender did anything except clear it and #3 is more center back then 6) except try to get it to them in isolated spots.  It actually is far more fun to watch than the years past teams that did not even try to do that.  I think Tufts had a good plan to try to minimize these chances with tighter coverage by #4 and #19 but a very special player made a very special play and that was the difference.

I am not a believer that refs often actually significantly influence the games outcome.  There are typically 10-20 critical plays in both the final thirds that determine the outcome and refs usually are not involved in many, if any, of these plays.

However I do think the ref on Sunday allowed Amherst's style.  They repeatedly fouled Tufts #19,  to the point that it looked like it was part of a broader strategy.  Many of their fouls are blatant hugs or holds which deserve warning if not yellows.  In both the final and the semifinal, very few yellows were shown despite obvious tactical and accumulating fouls. 

Interesting to see if this style is allowed during the NCAA tournament.  In last years game against MW, it was not and it cost Amherst dearly.

If there was VAR at this level, there would have been 5-6 PKs awarded from bear hugs on set pieces in the Conn -Amherst game.  Refs need to do a better job warning players through yellows and allow the great talent of these young men determine the game.

I expect long runs in the NCAAs for the 5 NESCAC teams.  I will do a NCAA tournament preview after the brackets come out, but I think the results from this season (notably Amhersts performance on the road over Montclair St) show that the NESCAC teams have a real shot.

[d4_Pace]

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??

Of course you can call him out. He screwed up. And i'm sure in the locker room he took ownership of the mistake and the team moved on. He's played great before and gotten credit for it and its fair to acknowledge when he messes up, just like any other player.

And the hyperbole here is a bit much, best NESCAC goalie ever is a tough sell when you've got guys from the last 5 years playing professionally.

[d4_Pace]

Forewarning to one Paul Newman because this post is gonna contain some of that NESCAC Elitism he hates, but I'm really hoping to get some of the NESCAC teams spread out into different quadrants for the bracket. I think this could be one of those years where the NESCAC teams run the table and only lose to each other. I just think the level of intensity these teams are able to bring, particularly utilizing their depth on the second game of a back to back is something 90% of other DIII teams aren't accustomed too. I would way rather play a higher ranked team that dominates their conference, than having to face one of the other NESCAC teams who already have so much familiarity.

[PaulNewman]

Forewarning to one Paul Newman because this post is gonna contain some of that NESCAC Elitism he hates, but I'm really hoping to get some of the NESCAC teams spread out into different quadrants for the bracket. I think this could be one of those years where the NESCAC teams run the table and only lose to each other. I just think the level of intensity these teams are able to bring, particularly utilizing their depth on the second game of a back to back is something 90% of other DIII teams aren't accustomed too. I would way rather play a higher ranked team that dominates their conference, than having to face one of the other NESCAC teams who already have so much familiarity.

Lol, you can tell what teams are doing well by the surges in posting by certain posters representing certain teams.

No worries, D4...and I hope you're right that NESCACs will have to play each other...nothing like NESCAC on NESCAC crime...

[d4_Pace]

I'm curious to see if the NESCAC tourney results will be enough to shake up the regional rankings. Who earns the hosting rights could be a significant factor.

[College Soccer Observer]

I'm curious to see if the NESCAC tourney results will be enough to shake up the regional rankings. Who earns the hosting rights could be a significant factor.

Amherst women have hosting priority and hearing that Conn has hotel issues due to events at neighboring Coast Guard academy

[Bucket]

I'm curious to see if the NESCAC tourney results will be enough to shake up the regional rankings. Who earns the hosting rights could be a significant factor.

As we know, though, when it comes to hosting, so many other factors go in to hosting rights, factors that could easily outweigh regional rankings.

One need look no further than the 18-0 Middlebury field hockey team (and five-time defending champion, not that that's a criteria) going on the road for its first NCAA Tournament games.

[camosfan]

Middlebury, Conn and or Tufts will host, some games, Amherst they say won't because their women team is hosting.

[camosfan]

Only 4 NESCAC teams?

[stlawus]

Bowdoin's early exit was costly.  They only had 1 RR win.  Oneonta was able to pick up an extra RR win against Brockport and get a big SOS bump by playing Cortland in the SUNYAC final.  Already had a higher SOS than Bowdoin.


As I commented, they just updated the regional rankings.  Oneonta finished with a .593 SOS and 2 RR wins. Bowdoin 1 RR win and a .569 SOS. 

[College Soccer Observer]

Feel for Bowdoin.  They certainly were not helped by the events in Lewiston.  WPI, Illinois Wesleyan, and other bid stealers may have hurt them.

[College Soccer Observer]

All Conference Awards announced.

https://nescac.com/news/2023/11/8/2023-nescac-mens-soccer-awards-announced.aspx

[EnmoreCat]

Thanks CSO, and congratulations to your son and of course, all other players selected.  Very pleased to see four Mammoths recognised also, it's great recognition.  They have had fine seasons and are all important reasons behind the success thus far.