NESCAC 2013

[Giggs]

Not to be flip, but if Amherst was not able to show some offense against Mt. Holyoke then they would really be in trouble. 

[amh63]

Griggs ...true...but some of the former Seven Sister schools can have strong programs.
Somewhere in my memory bank tells me that this is a make- up game of sorts.  Someone help me!
I remember a past game that just fell short of the required minimum time of 80 minutes...to count.  Amherst was ahead 6-0 at the 75 min. mark and the game was stopped due to weather.  I thought it was a game against Mt. Holyoke ...but the schedule does not show the delayed game and the writeup does not mention anything.   

[Ocean 1]

Griggs ...true...but some of the former Seven Sister schools can have strong programs.
Somewhere in my memory bank tells me that this is a make- up game of sorts.  Someone help me!
I remember a past game that just fell short of the required minimum time of 80 minutes...to count.  Amherst was ahead 6-0 at the 75 min. mark and the game was stopped due to weather.  I thought it was a game against Mt. Holyoke ...but the schedule does not show the delayed game and the writeup does not mention anything.

You are correct amh63...game was a make-up after cancellation on September 11th due to lightning when Amherst was leading and heading toward a big shutout.

[Jump4Joy]

Yes, the Jeffs scored a total of 10 goals against their little sister, but only 4 will go down in the record books. The Jeffs have been a bit cold in their finishing in league, but they remain hot in creating legit scoring chances. Hopefully, as they continue to gel and become less predictable (multiple scoring threats, unlike some others in the league), they'll find the back of the net more often. Might be tough today if they can't shake their bus legs after traveling to Hamilton, but Amherst should be the better team today.

More interesting will probably be the Tufts/Middlebury and Trinity/Bowdoin matches. Can Middlebury hold off Tufts' physicality, which will match up well against Mid's favorite threat, Kirk? Probably a one-goal game--perhaps an OT adventure today. Will Bowdoin be able to take undefeated Trinity into unchartered waters of defeat? Both teams are well-organized on D: could be a defensive battle, leading to a 0-0 tie.

[GUBFL]

Was at the Bowdoin/Trinity game today and frankly was disappointed as I was expecting a real battle.  Trinity started very strong in the first 15 or 20 minutes, but the Bowdoin D held.  Bowdoin's first goal seemed to take a lot of the steam out of Trinity and after the second goal it almost seemed as if Trinity didn't want to play any more.  Bowdoin played a very strong game and seemed to get stronger as the game went on, they should be congratulated for a great effort on the road!  Trinity, I expected more, and if I was their coach I would have been very disappointed by their effort.  Trinity has had a great year so far, but they might not be quite as good as people first thought.  Bowdoin still has the very strong defense, but they are improving offensively.

[amh63]

Amherst wins at home today against ECSU 4-1.  It was 3-0 at the half and 4-0 with about 15 minutes to go.  M. Kim scores 2 goals, in in each half.  Good game to insert many FY players in to gain game experience and to see how different combinations work.  Amherst returns to conference play this weekend against Colby in Maine.

[Jump4Joy]

Game of the week: Trinity at Middlebury. On a roll with a big win over Williams as major push down the hill, Trinity tripped up against Bowdoin last week, probably starting an uphill battle with Mid and Amherst in their way as they try to hold on to their top spot. I'm guessing Mid will hand Trin their second loss.
Other games this weekend look fairly predictable: But that's why they play! GL to all.

[Jump4Joy]

OK. I'm answering myself (it's lonely here): Mid handled Trin as predicted.
Interesting that Wesleyan took Williams to OT. Anyone see the game?

[Ocean 1]

OK. I'm answering myself (it's lonely here): Mid handled Trin as predicted.
Interesting that Wesleyan took Williams to OT. Anyone see the game?

Didn't see Williams vs. Wesleyan but did see Williams vs. Bowdoin which was a gem. The young Ephs appear to be picking-up steam with 2 back-to-back wins on the road this weekend. They basically dominated the first-half of play and controlled the second as well.

[Becks]

Interesting that Wesleyan took Williams to OT. Anyone see the game?

Didn't see the game, but Wes D and keeper seem very good. However, they have no offense this year with the graduation of Laura Kurash.

[GUBFL]

Saw both Bowdoin games.  Hamilton was better than I was expecting making Bowdoin work very hard to pull out the victory.  Wonder if the effort on Sat took something out of the team Sun as they did not look good against Williams.  The Williams woman did something no once else has really done this year, break down that defense, score some early goals and make Bowdoin play from behind which is not their strength.  I thought the key moment in the game was a very nice save by the Williams keeper about 10 minutes into the second half.  If Bowdoin had scored there may have been a different game.  Still all credit to Williams, nice effort.

Predictions for home field in the tournament: Midddlebury, Amherst, Williams and Bowdoin?

[Ocean 1]

Saw both Bowdoin games.  Hamilton was better than I was expecting making Bowdoin work very hard to pull out the victory.  Wonder if the effort on Sat took something out of the team Sun as they did not look good against Williams.  The Williams woman did something no once else has really done this year, break down that defense, score some early goals and make Bowdoin play from behind which is not their strength.  I thought the key moment in the game was a very nice save by the Williams keeper about 10 minutes into the second half.  If Bowdoin had scored there may have been a different game.  Still all credit to Williams, nice effort.

Predictions for home field in the tournament: Midddlebury, Amherst, Williams and Bowdoin?

Home field advantage for the NESCAC tournament is based on seeding. Following are crystal ball thoughts about seeds:

#1 - Williams
#2 - Middlebury
#3 - Amherst
#4 - Trinity
#5 - Bowdoin
#6 - #8 - Pick 'em

In this respect, the 4 highest seeded teams will host Quarterfinals. Logic behind seeding finish:

* Williams: with 4 NESCAC games remaining (3/4 home games) they run the table to finish with 25 points and the #1 seed.

* Middlebury: with 3 games left (1/3 home games), they win 2 more games to finish with 24 pts. and the #2 seed.

* Amherst: with 3 games left (1/3 home games), they win all games to finish with 23 pts. and the #3 seed.

* Trinity: with 3 games left (1/3 home games), they win 2 more games to finish with 21 pts. and the #4 seed.

* Bowdoin: with 3 games left (1/3 home games), they win 2 more games to finish with 19 pts. and the #5 seed.

[Jump4Joy]

Amherst makes it interesting by tying Wesleyan (!) yesterday. Need to win out to have hopes of finishing in top 4 and hosting quarterfinals. Trinity could act as spoiler for Jeffs? Middlebury v Williams and Tufts v Bowdoin the other two most interesting contests remaining. Coming down to the wire now...

[GUBFL]

Bowdoin did not have a great game at Conn College, thought they were the better team but Conn worked very hard and made it a much more exciting game than I was expecting.  Bowdoin goalie got hurt with 20 minutes to go in the game, hopefully nothing serious.

Agree with Jump4Joy, looks like home field in the tournament will come down to the results of 3 games, Middlebury v Williams, Bowdoin v Tufts and Amherst v Trinity.  Never know what will happen in the NESCAC, but if I had to guess, right now I would pick Middlebury, Bowdoin and Amherst to win.

[nescac1]

The Ephs' highly-regarded frosh trio of Katie Wardlaw, Kristi Kirshe, and Audrey Thomas have combined for 10 of the Ephs' 20 goals so far, despite Kirshe missing three games with an injury.  They are also 4th, 2nd, and 3rd in shots, respectively, for the Ephs.  In a few years they could really be an offensive force.  (The Williams senior class has, collectively, no goals and only one assist so far this year, so the future for Williams is certainly bright in general).