NESCAC

[laker4141]

As a self-proclaimed "goalie person"... I don't think I'd say he had no business coming out. But he needed to be a lot better with his footwork and decision-making there. Either he needed to drop back on his line with the cross (as you imply), or make a quicker decision to go for the ball. Slight hesitation and indecision led to him being a fraction late.

Not an easy play, to be fair.

Certainly a tough situation, most re-serve situations are. I agree, footwork and decision making. Seems he got caught in no man's land. When the ball was initially cleared, he didn't seem to scan to see what was back post, or retreat 1 or 2 steps to be able to see what was in front of him to his left and right.

All this said, he made 3 other outstanding saves in this game to keep them afloat. Thus, the life of a goalkeeper!

[PaulNewman]

Lol...I can accept that a foul wasn't called and a majority seem to agree. Yes, those plays and worse happen throughout a game. Those plays happen often in the middle of the field when two opposing players challenge for a header and you're not quite sure which direction a foul will be called or if one will be called at all. If I saw it correctly the same defender was boxing out Simon on the initial corner 5-6 yards or more from the near post. On the second ball in by Nuhu they were in a similar spot but the second time imo Simon moved the defender about 3 yards towards the near post, riding him out, and then elevated with hands on the defender's shoulders using the defender's body to rise up and over. If the defender had jumped or tried to jump his head would have landed in Simon's chest or chin.  Maybe no foul, or not enough to call one, but imo there is no question that an advantage was gained. The point about no loud or sustained protest by Wesleyan players or staff is well-taken, but the defender and I believe the GK did react as though they were wondering where the call was.  Btw, no one has addressed who is responsible for setting up the marking in those situations. Big CBs come up for corners and set pieces constantly so there must be some discussion about how to deal with the more obvious targets. Before responding again I watched the play several more times at .25 speed which I think helps to see where the defender and offensive player were as the second ball was being served in and just how far the kid got ridden out from where they were.

If a foul HAD been called would there have been a huge outcry? Maybe for Amherst given that they seem to get quite histrionic on almost every call or non-call against them. But I'm not sure a foul call would have seemed egregious for most teams.

And I hope folks aren't interpreting my comments as suggesting I would want a foul called on my team there. I wouldn't and wouldn't care at all if others thought it was. I am perfectly happy to walk away with a win. Another aspect of being a fan...whether the other team gets a fair shake or not is not my concern. Proof of a poor call certainly wouldn't make me vote to give the game back to the opponent.

[Kuiper]

Lol...I can accept that a foul wasn't called and a majority seem to agree. Yes, those plays and worse happen throughout a game. Those plays happen often in the middle of the field when two opposing players challenge for a header and you're not quite sure which direction a foul will be called or if one will be called at all. If I saw it correctly the same defender was boxing out Simon on the initial corner 5-6 yards or more from the near post. On the second ball in by Nuhu they were in a similar spot but the second time imo Simon moved the defender about 3 yards towards the near post, riding him out, and then elevated with hands on the defender's shoulders using the defender's body to rise up and over. If the defender had jumped or tried to jump his head would have landed in Simon's chest or chin.  Maybe no foul, or not enough to call one, but imo there is no question that an advantage was gained. The point about no loud or sustained protest by Wesleyan players or staff is well-taken, but the defender and I believe the GK did react as though they were wondering where the call was.  Btw, no one has addressed who is responsible for setting up the marking in those situations. Big CBs come up for corners and set pieces constantly so there must be some discussion about how to deal with the more obvious targets. Before responding again I watched the play several more times at .25 speed which I think helps to see where the defender and offensive player were as the second ball was being served in and just how far the kid got ridden out from where they were.

If a foul HAD been called would there have been a huge outcry? Maybe for Amherst given that they seem to get quite histrionic on almost every call or non-call against them. But I'm not sure a foul call would have seemed egregious for most teams.

And I hope folks aren't interpreting my comments as suggesting I would want a foul called on my team there. I wouldn't and wouldn't care at all if others thought it was. I am perfectly happy to walk away with a win. Another aspect of being a fan...whether the other team gets a fair shake or not is not my concern. Proof of a poor call certainly wouldn't make me vote to give the game back to the opponent.

As for who should set up the defense, the GK should definitely set his players up, including setting up the posts if desired, identify matchups, decide if he needs players back as bodyguards to free him up to go after the ball, call back any offensive players to cover overloads, and identify and get players to watch late runners and back post drifters.  All while keeping one eye on the ball in case they take a quick kick or look like they may be setting up for a short corner.  This is why you see pro GKs shout and point a lot before corners.  Some of this may have been covered in video sessions before the game if the opponent has set CK plays or tendencies, in which case the GK is doing a lot of reminding people of what to look for and where to be.

The field players, however, have to call out any switches if there is movement and players get blocked off (switches aren't really that common in D3, partly because there is mostly just chaos and not organized pick plays, but that's sometimes what happens when a 5'9" guy ends up on a 6'5" guy).

[EnmoreCat]

Gotta say PN, sounding quite familiar there! For NIL purposes, we prefer Enmore Kitten 😁.

[PaulNewman]

Gotta say PN, sounding quite familiar there! For NIL purposes, we prefer Enmore Kitten 😁.

A generous NIL package coupled with the elite Amherst education portends great things for the feline family.

EnmoreKitten has my official vote as an AA selection.  Outstanding player.

[pittsfieldpete]

While there hasn't been a huge break-out goal scoring game yet, Williams, which has lacked the finishing touch for years, finally seems to be moving in the right direction offensively.  Even with last year's leading scorer, Andrew Coelho, not playing this year (I assume injured), the Ephs seem to finally have some dudes who can finish plays in Lorcom Mitchell (in particular, he's scored with some impressive strikes in three of the last four games despite still playing only about half of games), Alex Bethencourt, Kellen Grace, and Spencer Mix, all of whom will be around for awhile.  The offensive stats aren't quite at elite levels yet but with a critical mass of young playmakers who will grow as a group, the future is very bright.  The Ephs also have a recruit coming in from NJ, the younger and bigger brother of a four-year Wesleyan starter, who scored 31 goals as a junior (in small-school soccer, but in NJ soccer that's still impressive).  If Coelho can return to form and the Ephs can get even more punch from next year's recruits, they may start to show some of the true offensive potency that has eluded them for years - even in the year they made it to the national title game on the strength of stingy defense. It's clear that Coach Siebert weathered a rocky bit of player retention early in his tenure and has done a stellar job with recruiting, and the team is growing deeper in talent as he brings more classes in. 

The Eph defense and defensive midfield led by Guiterrez, Labonski and Diffley is strong as always, so the question for THIS year will be, can the very young attacking bench unit, which has generated virtually all of the teams' goals, continue to grow into bigger roles as the season moves along and teams game plan against them.  Williams while still going very deep has started to tighten the rotation just a bit, which should help with continuity while still keeping guys fresh for the second half of games, when the Ephs clearly do their most damage - incredibly, 12 of the 15 Eph goals have come in the second half of play.   

On another note, that Amherst header goal certainly looked clean to me.  As others have said, when you have a skilled 6'5 guy against someone who looked around 8-9 inches shorter, it's just going to be no contest every time going up in the air. There is always going to be some physicality in the box and that wasn't a foul. 

Good to see Williams getting some attention here. After two tough losses early in the season--especially a last-minute heartbreaker to Tufts--the Ephs haven't lost in their last 8 games and have posted wins over ranked teams including Bowdoin, Cortland, and, most importantly, Amherst. Back line has been very tough to break through--just two goals allowed in those 8 games. Curious if they'll be ranked by USC this week.

[EnmoreCat]

Amherst 3  Emerson 0

Correspondent's Note: When referring to the "purple" in Amherst supporters' hearts, I am officially using "Mammoth Purple":

https://www.amherst.edu/news/communications/visual-identity-toolkit/colors

Many shades of purple exist, but my sole focus is on this one, unless otherwise noted.

I was suffering from jetlag, so being awake for what was a 5.30am Enmore kick off time was not at all difficult.  As noted previously, Emerson has had good results against NESCAC opposition thus far in 2024 and they came out in determined fashion in what I would describe as a stop-start game, (as was the consistency of my livestream for the entire 90 minutes sadly)  possibly not helped by what one of the Amherst Ultras described to me as quite windy conditions.  With one eye to the El Classico coming up against Tufts on Tuesday at The Billiard Table That Is Hitchcock Field, Coach did shuffle the pack.  In a first half of few chances, Amherst probably had the best just before half time, but failed to convert, so it was 0-0 and on the play, hard to argue with.

In the 52nd minute, Amherst was awarded a free kick around the edge of the area, which one of the Seniors was able to convert.  The stream by this stage was poor, so not precisely sure how it got through the wall, but it did and put the Mammoths into the lead.  Amherst started to take control and in the 76th minute, a penalty was correctly awarded, which one of the Sophomores converted quite calmly.  With just under ten minutes to go, the Lions keeper made a fine save off a corner, but not long after that, one of the Juniors clinically slotted one into the far right corner, for what I am pretty sure, was his first goal for the programme.

Emerson stuck to the task, but in the end, found it very difficult to enjoy much possession in the final third.  For those with purple in their hearts, I suspect most would be quite willing to trade one or two of today's goals for something similar on Tuesday, but an eventually comfortable win with another clean sheet (seventh in 2024) was most welcome.  Every game I have seen against Tufts has been tough and uncompromising and I expect Tuesday's fixture to be more of the same.  On form, the Jumbos have to go in as favourites, but it does present the Mammoths with a chance to make a statement. 

There were commentators this time, along with quite good camera work, so shout out to FloSports, but I am not sure whether the inconsistency of the livestream was their issue or mine.  Given the large number of viewers watching from south of the Equator, I think it's something they may need to address.  I did like the line from one of the callers when an Emerson defender cleared the ball out of Rotch Field and described it as "leaving the stadium", to which his colleague suggested that "stadium" was a reach. I am not sure whether today's game advanced the cause for a Massachusetts D3 Super League, but I am aware that Private Equity has been circling.   


Foul Count: Amherst 14 Emerson 19

[SKUD]

It is not flosports it is Emerson who on occasion provides a camera crew and student commentary cs their auto-cam on a pole.

All flosports is supposed to
do for the conference is assure a very very very bare minimum standard is met. Clark, Wheaton always fall short and sometimes Emerson is good and sometimes bad.

FloSports is only a platform for delivery and has nothing to do with
the production value.

[rdanie03]

As the Jumbos' broadcaster(yes, I know my voice is too high-pitched), I can say that that was an ugly win vs. Bates yesterday. If we play anywhere near that quality on Tuesday or Saturday, we will get run off the pitch. On the other hand, this team seemingly has a magic ability to pick up results, and 4 points this week guarantees them home-field advantage in the tourney. I guess all I can do is hope.

[College Soccer Observer]

Midd with a 2 win weekend, picking up wins over Colby (1-0) and previously unbeaten Babson (3-1).  The Colby game was a much more cagey affair, with the Mules sitting deep for long periods and absorbing pressure.  Gavin Randolph was on the receiving end of a crunching challenge from the Mules GK that sent him to the hospital overnight and will keep him out of action for the foreseeable future.  Today's game was much more open from Midd as the Panthers came out flying and took the lead on a Will Sawin goal in the 5th minute.  Babson GK Walker White stopped a pk later in the half and made some other nice saves to keep the margin at 1.  The Babos came out with a more attacking edge in the second half, registering 7 of their 10 shots and tying the game on a cross that was slotted home at the back post.  The Panthers had a number of good chances, including a Shane Farrell header that was somehow scooped off the line by White.  After laying siege to the Babson goal, the Panthers finally broke through when an Ari Klayman shot struck a defender and looped over a diving white to put Midd up 2-1 at 87:09.  Keegan Harder added the insurance goal 45 seconds later to finish off the contest.  Midd is now 10-0-2, with league contests at Tufts, at Bates, and home vs Williams to close the regular season.

[maineman]

Midd with a 2 win weekend, picking up wins over Colby (1-0) and previously unbeaten Babson (3-1).  The Colby game was a much more cagey affair, with the Mules sitting deep for long periods and absorbing pressure.  Gavin Randolph was on the receiving end of a crunching challenge from the Mules GK that sent him to the hospital overnight and will keep him out of action for the foreseeable future.  Today's game was much more open from Midd as the Panthers came out flying and took the lead on a Will Sawin goal in the 5th minute.  Babson GK Walker White stopped a pk later in the half and made some other nice saves to keep the margin at 1.  The Babos came out with a more attacking edge in the second half, registering 7 of their 10 shots and tying the game on a cross that was slotted home at the back post.  The Panthers had a number of good chances, including a Shane Farrell header that was somehow scooped off the line by White.  After laying siege to the Babson goal, the Panthers finally broke through when an Ari Klayman shot struck a defender and looped over a diving white to put Midd up 2-1 at 87:09.  Keegan Harder added the insurance goal 45 seconds later to finish off the contest.  Midd is now 10-0-2, with league contests at Tufts, at Bates, and home vs Williams to close the regular season.

d
Does anybody know what happened at the end of the Babson game?  The announcers indicated there was some sort of scuffle as the teams exchanged pleasantries after the game ended.

[SKUD]

As the Jumbos' broadcaster(yes, I know my voice is too high-pitched), I can say that that was an ugly win vs. Bates yesterday. If we play anywhere near that quality on Tuesday or Saturday, we will get run off the pitch. On the other hand, this team seemingly has a magic ability to pick up results, and 4 points this week guarantees them home-field advantage in the tourney. I guess all I can do is hope.

You are not a broadcaster you are a fan with a microphone.  If you want to be a broadcaster take some lessons from the Middlebury broadcaster.

[paclassic89]

Rude comment.  He's a student (I'm presuming), as all D3 sports commentators should be, and Tufts does a great job.  Chirping a student volunteer is pathetic. 

[College Soccer Observer]

Midd with a 2 win weekend, picking up wins over Colby (1-0) and previously unbeaten Babson (3-1).  The Colby game was a much more cagey affair, with the Mules sitting deep for long periods and absorbing pressure.  Gavin Randolph was on the receiving end of a crunching challenge from the Mules GK that sent him to the hospital overnight and will keep him out of action for the foreseeable future.  Today's game was much more open from Midd as the Panthers came out flying and took the lead on a Will Sawin goal in the 5th minute.  Babson GK Walker White stopped a pk later in the half and made some other nice saves to keep the margin at 1.  The Babos came out with a more attacking edge in the second half, registering 7 of their 10 shots and tying the game on a cross that was slotted home at the back post.  The Panthers had a number of good chances, including a Shane Farrell header that was somehow scooped off the line by White.  After laying siege to the Babson goal, the Panthers finally broke through when an Ari Klayman shot struck a defender and looped over a diving white to put Midd up 2-1 at 87:09.  Keegan Harder added the insurance goal 45 seconds later to finish off the contest.  Midd is now 10-0-2, with league contests at Tufts, at Bates, and home vs Williams to close the regular season.

d
Does anybody know what happened at the end of the Babson game?  The announcers indicated there was some sort of scuffle as the teams exchanged pleasantries after the game ended.

Allegation that a Babson player made an inappropriate remark to a Midd player.

[Middfan]

Midd with a 2 win weekend, picking up wins over Colby (1-0) and previously unbeaten Babson (3-1).  The Colby game was a much more cagey affair, with the Mules sitting deep for long periods and absorbing pressure.  Gavin Randolph was on the receiving end of a crunching challenge from the Mules GK that sent him to the hospital overnight and will keep him out of action for the foreseeable future.  Today's game was much more open from Midd as the Panthers came out flying and took the lead on a Will Sawin goal in the 5th minute.  Babson GK Walker White stopped a pk later in the half and made some other nice saves to keep the margin at 1.  The Babos came out with a more attacking edge in the second half, registering 7 of their 10 shots and tying the game on a cross that was slotted home at the back post.  The Panthers had a number of good chances, including a Shane Farrell header that was somehow scooped off the line by White.  After laying siege to the Babson goal, the Panthers finally broke through when an Ari Klayman shot struck a defender and looped over a diving white to put Midd up 2-1 at 87:09.  Keegan Harder added the insurance goal 45 seconds later to finish off the contest.  Midd is now 10-0-2, with league contests at Tufts, at Bates, and home vs Williams to close the regular season.

d
Does anybody know what happened at the end of the Babson game?  The announcers indicated there was some sort of scuffle as the teams exchanged pleasantries after the game ended.

Allegation that a Babson player made an inappropriate remark to a Midd player.

This "altercation" seemed like a small "dust-up" after what was a very high-paced and hard fought game after what, I felt, was a game with good sportsmanship exhibited.