NESCAC

[rdanie03]

I'd suggest that Middlebury's Luke Madden is a strong contender for DPOY.  That back 3, with O'Brien and Nelson, is as solid as they get.
[/quote]

Madden has that dominant sweeper role not really seen by center-backs at this level. However, Tufts' defense has been the best in the league, and the NESCAC pretty consistently gives DPOY to the best defensive player on the best defensive team.

[College Soccer Observer]

Tufts starting back four is the best this year and this is both as a unit and individually. Number 13 from Middlebury is the only defender up there with that group.

And yet both teams have allowed the same amount of goals and Middlebury has allowed fewer shots.  The argument is not the quality of individual players, it is the collective efficacy of the group.

[College Soccer Observer]

I'd suggest that Middlebury's Luke Madden is a strong contender for DPOY.  That back 3, with O'Brien and Nelson, is as solid as they get.

Madden has that dominant sweeper role not really seen by center-backs at this level. However, Tufts' defense has been the best in the league, and the NESCAC pretty consistently gives DPOY to the best defensive player on the best defensive team.
[/quote]
The defensive POY award is only 1 year old, so not sure there is a track record on this.  Last year it went to a goalkeeper.

[Newenglander]

Tufts starting back four is the best this year and this is both as a unit and individually. Number 13 from Middlebury is the only defender up there with that group.

Not sure what this is being based on? I'd say very fine margins - both defenses gave up 6 goals with pretty much the same schedules......Massey defense rankings  are identical. Amherst with 7 GA....Conn had 5 until the final game of the season...All top 5 in Massey defense rankings. Lots of good units and individuals out there.

[D3Reporter]

Regardless of who wins DPOY, these Midd and Tufts defenses have been phenomenal this year, tied at No. 4 nationally for GAA despite SOS. Hoping we'll see these teams clash at least once more this year.

I watch more of the Jumbos than the Panthers, so I'll add a bit more on them. One of the things that has really stood out to me about this defensive group is just how deep it is. They really have five guys that have all performed well and have gotten significant minutes in that back four. The full group is so talented that out of the additional guys, one has become a starting winger with other injuries and two more get important minutes at winger and a 8/10 role (particularly when the Jumbos are up a goal in big-time games). That doesn't even mention that they realistically have three top-tier CDMs who in my mind would each start on almost any team in the country. With the injuries they've had, this has allowed them to stay strong there.

[boomer]

Tufts starting back four is the best this year and this is both as a unit and individually. Number 13 from Middlebury is the only defender up there with that group.

Not sure what this is being based on? I'd say very fine margins - both defenses gave up 6 goals with pretty much the same schedules......Massey defense rankings  are identical. Amherst with 7 GA....Conn had 5 until the final game of the season...All top 5 in Massey defense rankings. Lots of good units and individuals out there.

Yeah I agree, the initial post was a lazy one

[boomer]

Regardless of who wins DPOY, these Midd and Tufts defenses have been phenomenal this year, tied at No. 4 nationally for GAA despite SOS. Hoping we'll see these teams clash at least once more this year.

I watch more of the Jumbos than the Panthers, so I'll add a bit more on them. One of the things that has really stood out to me about this defensive group is just how deep it is. They really have five guys that have all performed well and have gotten significant minutes in that back four. The full group is so talented that out of the additional guys, one has become a starting winger with other injuries and two more get important minutes at winger and a 8/10 role (particularly when the Jumbos are up a goal in big-time games). That doesn't even mention that they realistically have three top-tier CDMs who in my mind would each start on almost any team in the country. With the injuries they've had, this has allowed them to stay strong there.

That's fair, but I think all of these things are also true of Midd.  Which is why they are both in the top three lol.

Hopefully they will get to play each other again.

[D3Reporter]

Regardless of who wins DPOY, these Midd and Tufts defenses have been phenomenal this year, tied at No. 4 nationally for GAA despite SOS. Hoping we'll see these teams clash at least once more this year.

I watch more of the Jumbos than the Panthers, so I'll add a bit more on them. One of the things that has really stood out to me about this defensive group is just how deep it is. They really have five guys that have all performed well and have gotten significant minutes in that back four. The full group is so talented that out of the additional guys, one has become a starting winger with other injuries and two more get important minutes at winger and a 8/10 role (particularly when the Jumbos are up a goal in big-time games). That doesn't even mention that they realistically have three top-tier CDMs who in my mind would each start on almost any team in the country. With the injuries they've had, this has allowed them to stay strong there.

That's fair, but I think all of these things are also true of Midd.  Which is why they are both in the top three lol.

Hopefully they will get to play each other again.

Yes, definitely possible. Didn't mean it as a Tufts is this, Midd is not. I just can speak more on the specifics for Tufts, so wanted to provide that context.

[maineman]

Does anybody know the status of Gavin Randolph and Antonio Cosentino on the Midd injury list?

[Bucket]

Does anybody know the status of Gavin Randolph and Antonio Cosentino on the Midd injury list?

It looked like Cosentino broke his ankle, so his season is done. And I understand that Randolph's injury requires weeks of recovery; not sure if that would allow him to be back on the pitch for the NCAA tournament.

[flyingdutchman]

I think the comparison is a similar one when comparing goals against, shots against, etc, between the Middlebury and Tufts backlines. A player from both teams is fully deserving of the Defensive POTY award, and I believe it will come down to Luke Madden or Max Clivio. A first team All American vs a second team All American is as close as it gets, and they are both leaders of two outstanding backlines. I believe it's one of these two, and from what I've watched, I would prefer Clivio.

[laker4141]

Midd's Keagan Harder all but secured ROTY yesterday with his Joe Braun-esque goal against the purple team. Anyone willing to argue that?

I'd say Lorcan Mitchell from Williams has a strong case. 6 goals, 4 in league with a couple assists. Wouldn't be surprised if it was one of these two guys. Both deserving

[Futbolguy]

I agree. I would also say that Nuhu should be the POTY and that Nik Antic will very likely win DPOY

Did you see Antic against Bowdoin.  Not  great goal.  But he has been solid this season

Tufts starting back four is the best this year and this is both as a unit and individually. Number 13 from Middlebury is the only defender up there with that group.

Dont sleep on Will O'Brien for Midd.  He is as solid as you get.

[laker4141]

Tufts starting back four is the best this year and this is both as a unit and individually. Number 13 from Middlebury is the only defender up there with that group.

And yet both teams have allowed the same amount of goals and Middlebury has allowed fewer shots.  The argument is not the quality of individual players, it is the collective efficacy of the group.

Then Amherst is certainly in this conversation as well. 1 more goal conceded in league (5), conceding 30+ less shots than both Tufts/Midd.

[NescacUltra]

Some great playoff match-ups this year! Looking forward to watching this accomplished Middlebury defensive unit against Hamilton, who have no shortage of sharp attacking players.