NESCAC 2012

[Ocean 1]

Batman and Robin combine to dismantle Williams. Seriously flawed gameplay/execution by the Ephs playing into what Midd likes to do best.  This is Midd's window of opportunity but Wesleyan will be a tough opponent and after making some adjustments played a great second half v. Midd when they met during the season. Should Midd advance loser of Amherst/Williams semi-final would appear to be in jeopardy of not receiving NCAA bid.

Two thoughts:

1. Let's not get too carried away here. No doubt Midd played a near perfect pressure game yesterday and the Ephs had some key defensive breakdowns. That happens in soccer as Midd can testify in its 1-0 loss to Conn this season. The fact that Midd has by far the highest percentage of Upperclassmen on its roster in NESCAC doesn't hurt either. Can you imagine if they don't win it all with this line-up?

2. If Williams-Amherst do in fact meet in the NESCAC semi's, doubtful that the loser will not make it in as an NCAA at-large pick. Logic is based on the current Regional Rankings (with one left to go) and the observation that conference round robin tournaments seem to have little influence at season-end on NCAA officials as they represent a small percentage of overall in-season play as an indicator of strength. Of course, when it comes to NCAA logic and rankings...who really knows.

[jc2]

Batman and Robin combine to dismantle Williams. Seriously flawed gameplay/execution by the Ephs playing into what Midd likes to do best.  This is Midd's window of opportunity but Wesleyan will be a tough opponent and after making some adjustments played a great second half v. Midd when they met during the season. Should Midd advance loser of Amherst/Williams semi-final would appear to be in jeopardy of not receiving NCAA bid.

Two thoughts:

1. Let's not get too carried away here. No doubt Midd played a near perfect pressure game yesterday and the Ephs had some key defensive breakdowns. That happens in soccer as Midd can testify in its 1-0 loss to Conn this season. The fact that Midd has by far the highest percentage of Upperclassmen on its roster in NESCAC doesn't hurt either. Can you imagine if they don't win it all with this line-up?
2. If Williams-Amherst do in fact meet in the NESCAC semi's, doubtful that the loser will not make it in as an NCAA at-large pick. Logic is based on the current Regional Rankings (with one left to go) and the observation that conference round robin tournaments seem to have little influence at season-end on NCAA officials as they represent a small percentage of overall in-season play as an indicator of strength. Of course, when it comes to NCAA logic and rankings...who really knows.

Could you elaborate on this? Is there a strong correlation between a team winning and the number of seniors on the roster? Are seniors on average better players than younger players? What if the seniors don't start or are not impact players? What about a strong recruiting class behind the seniors?

[amh63]

Still trying to figure out the Batman and Robin comment.  A bit of clarification is needed as I am a little slow here.  Jump4Joy just wanted  to know about Batman.....me the whole pair!

[Jump4Joy]

Amh63, my guess is that Machine54 is referring to Kirk and Favorito. Batman could be Kirk in that she gets the headlines with goals scored, but those who favor playmakers might cast Favorito as the Batman in that playmakers control the game. How's that for comic book analysis, Machine?

[frank uible]

May I play the Joker?

[Giggs]

Quick predictions.  Top three seeds "should" win handily. Would put Williams Conn closer, but with Williams losing last weekend I think Pinard will have them play hard at home and win 4-0.  Also think Amherst ends with a 3-0 win.  Mid I will take at 3-1 (someone has to score from the bottom three seeds).  Will take Bowdoin in a close 2-1 game primarily because they are at home, but would not  be surprised to see Hamilton win.  Good luck to everyone that has a child playing, enjoy watching them play while you can!

[amh63]

Amherst holds "serve" on a wet field today....beating Colby 1-0.

[deiscanton]

NESCAC Women's Quarterfinal Results-- Home team listed first

Middlebury 0, Wesleyan 2
Amherst 1, Colby 0
Williams 3, Conn College 0
Bowdoin 3, Hamilton 2

Middlebury should get one of the 21 Pool C's on Nov 5.

Wesleyan will need to win out next weekend to make it to the NCAAs as the automatic bid.

Defensive let down for Middlebury after their mid-week win at Williams?  Hard to believe that a team that outshoots Wesleyan 22-4 and has 8 attempts on target to Wesleyan's 3 SOGs would lose 2-0 in that fashion.

[Giggs]

IMO, Middlebury put itself on the bubble by losing, an early out does not help them. The selection committee does not always give two AQ's to the NESCAC. Also, I would not overlook Bowdoin.

[Jump4Joy]

Batman and Robin shut out of the bat cave? Wesleyan plays Mr. Freeze and puts the caped crusaders on ice. Holy Cardinals!

[machine54]

Not shocked that Wes pulled the upset. As noted in my earlier post (pre gotham city diversions) Wes made half time adjustments in their first game that shut down midd in the second half.  You stop batman and robin and take your chances that someone else beats you.  But where were the adjustments from Midd?  Midd's achilles heel all season has  been finishing in the attacking third. Lots of chances today as wes packed it in with the lead. Midd definitely on the fence in terms of the big dance - congrats to Wes

[Jump4Joy]

OK. Asking this question on the men's and women's thread:
What happens when Williamstown is hit with 2-3 inches of rain this week? Those fields are notorious for flooding, being next to a river and on the flood plain. Amherst hosts?

[amh63]

Jump4Joy......good question.  Any change of location would be made by as late as Thursday based on an evaluation of the fields and hopefully the concern of the teams.  Storm impact could last past Wednesday in the NW part of the state.....as well as the storm coming in from the west.

[Giggs]

Perhaps my memory is incorrect, but at some recent point in time when Williams' fields were unplayable the games were moved to MCLA.

[Ocean 1]

Yes...home games were moved to MCLA all last year after the last storm. Having said that, Williams also has a turf field assuming no scheduling conflicts with other home teams.