NESCAC 2014

[Becks]

HAMILTON

Team History

The following is conference-only; league ranking in parens.
2013 – 1-6-3 (8), GF: 5 (11), GA: 13 (7), GD: -8 (9), Coach: Gilligan
2012 – 5-4-1 (5), GF: 9 (8), GA: 10 (3), GD: -1 (5), Coach: Gilligan
2011 – 4-5-1 (6), GF: 9 (7), GA: 13 (6), GD: -4 (7), Coach: Gilligan

In Hamilton’s 3 seasons in the league, they’ve had 2 solid mid-table finishes, followed by one bottom 3 finish. Overall, their average finish has been 6.33.

2013 League Season

Hamilton’s 2013 season was clearly the worst of their 3 in NESCAC. The defense continued to be respectable, but their offensive production dropped from an OK 9 goals, to a league-worst 5 goals. As a result, they fell into 3-way tie for 8th and missed the NESCAC tournament by virtue of losing a tiebreaker with Colby.

Who Graduated/Who’s Returning

Hamilton is losing 4 seniors, 3 of whom were regular starters. The departing players contributed none of the team’s 5 league goals, and include Liz Gergenti (keeper), Lauren Brady, and Jacqueline Winter. 8 returning players were regular starters last year: Victoria Freeman (1 goal), Becca Reese (1 goal), Hannah Withiam, Bea Blackwell, Emily Foley, Kendall Daley (3 goals), Meg Alexander, and Halle Becker. Neither any of the departing players nor any of the returning players were first or second team all-NESCAC.

2014 Forecast

Hamilton returns 8 starters from last year’s team, including all of their offense, creating a good chance that their offensive production will rebound from last year’s league-low. Top 5 is probably a bit much to ask for. A finish in the 6-8 range is most likely.

[Becks]

MIDDLEBURY

Team History

The following is conference-only; league ranking in parens.
2013 – 8-1-1 (1), GF: 13 (6), GA: 5 (2), GD: +8 (3), Coach: Kim
2012 – 8-1-1 (1-tie), GF: 17 (3), GA: 4 (1), GD: +13 (2), Coach: Kim
2011 – 7-2-1 (2), GF: 16 (2), GA: 9 (4), GD: +7 (3), Coach: Kim
2010 – 4-3-2 (4), GF: 10 (6), GA: 12 (6), GD: -2 (7), Coach: Kim
2009 – 7-2-0 (3), GF: 18 (2), GA: 9 (5), GD: +9 (3), Coach: Kim
2008 – 6-3-0 (3), GF: 14 (4), GA: 8 (2), GD: +6 (3), Coach: Kim
2007 – 4-4-1 (6), GF: 22 (2), GA: 15 (7), GD: +7 (3), Coach: Kim
2006 – 6-2-1 (3), GF: 17 (3), GA: 7 (1), GD: +10 (2), Coach: Kim
2005 – 4-3-2 (6), GF: 11 (6), GA: 13 (6), GD: -2 (7), Coach: Kim
2004 – 7-0-2 (1), GF: 17 (1), GA: 4 (1), GD: +13 (1), Coach: Kim
2003 – 5-4-0 (6), GF: 15 (5), GA: 11 (5), GD: +4 (5), Coach: Boettcher
2002 – 4-2-3 (5), GF: 25 (1), GA: 15 (6), GD: +10 (3), Coach: Boettcher
2001 – 6-3-0 (2), GF: 22 (2), GA: 15 (6), GD: +7 (3), Coach: Boettcher
2000 – 8-1-0 (1), GF: 22 (2), GA: 3 (1), GD: +19 (1), Coach: Boettcher

Middlebury won the inaugural NESCAC season under Coach Boettcher and then declined a bit in her final 3 seasons. Coach Kim had immediate success in his debut season, but was unable to return to the top 2 for the next 6 seasons, as Midd bounced around between #3 and #6. In the past 3, however, Kim has brought Middlebury their most successful series of seasons, including #1 finishes in each of the past 2 years.

2013 League Season

Although Middlebury finished alone atop the league standings in 2013, stats-wise their season was a bit weaker then their 2012 season. The offense fell from #1 to #3, while the defense fell from #1 to #2. Their league-best record was a tribute to how well they did in 1-goal games (7 wins, 1 loss).

Who Graduated/Who's Returning

Middlebury is losing 6 seniors, 5 of whom were regular starters and the other a regular sub. The departing players contributed 6 of the team's 13 league goals (46%), and include Elizabeth Foody (keeper, 1st team all-NESCAC), Lindsay Kingston, Scarlett Kirk (2 goals, 1st team all-NESCAC), Julia Favorito (4 goals, NESCAC POY), Sarah Noble, and Melissa Garrett. 7 returning players were regular starters last year: Molly Parizeau, Sophia Kligler (1 goal), Moria Sloan (1 goal), Hannah Robinson (1 goal, 1st team all-NESCAC), Ali Omsberg, Carter Talgo, and Jamie Soroka (1 goal).

2014 Forecast

Middlebury is losing a lot of their top talent, including NESCAC POY Favorito, all-NESCAC first team keeper Foody, and 3-time all-NESCAC first team forward Kirk. They are sure to have some good players ready to step in, but losing that much talent will make it difficult for them to top the league for the 3d consecutive year. A finish anywhere from 1-6 is possible.

[Becks]

TRINITY

Team History

The following is conference-only; league ranking in parens.
2013 – 7-3-0 (4), GF: 15 (2), GA: 10 (5), GD: +5 (5), Coach: Smith
2012 – 3-7-0 (7), GF: 15 (4), GA: 17 (8), GD: -2 (6), Coach: Smith
2011 – 2-6-2 (9), GF: 9 (7), GA: 14 (7), GD: -5 (8), Coach: Smith
2010 – 4-3-2 (4), GF: 10 (6), GA: 8 (2), GD: +2 (4), Coach: Smith
2009 – 3-3-3 (4), GF: 10 (6), GA: 8 (4), GD: +2 (5), Coach: Smith
2008 – 4-5-0 (6), GF: 12 (6), GA: 13 (5), GD: -1 (3), Coach: Smith
2007 – 5-3-1 (6), GF: 6 (8), GA: 5 (2), GD: +1 (6), Coach: Smith
2006 – 0-8-1 (9), GF: 7 (10), GA: 24 (9), GD: -17 (10), Coach: Smith
2005 – 1-8-0 (10), GF: 8 (9), GA: 27 (10), GD: -19 (10), Coach: Smith
2004 – 3-6-0 (7), GF: 10 (8), GA: 18 (9), GD: -8 (9), Coach: Smith
2003 – 5-3-1 (5), GF: 13 (6), GA: 11 (5), GD: +2 (5), Coach: Smith
2002 – 3-4-2 (7), GF: 15 (6), GA: 19 (7), GD: -4 (7), Coach: Smith
2001 – 3-6-0 (7), GF: 10 (8), GA: 18 (8), GD: -8 (8), Coach: Smith
2000 – 1-7-1 (9), GF: 10 (7), GA: 27 (9), GD: -17 (9), Coach: Smith

Trinity’s NESCAC history is a bit a sine wave: starting near the league bottom, rising to 5th in 2003, then dropping back down to a new low of 10th in 2005, back up to 4th in 2009 and 2010, back down to 9th in 2011, and rebounding back to 4th last season. Probably more variability than any other team.

2013 League Season

2013 was Trinity’s best season ever in the league and a significant improvement over their 2012 season. The improvement was all about the defense, which improved from 17 GA to 10 GA.

Who Graduated/Who’s Returning

Trinity is remarkably only losing 1 senior (where did all the rest go?). And that senior did not score any goals in league play. All 11 starting players are returning, including Andi Nicholson (4 goals), Abby Lake (4 goals, 2d team all-NESCAC), Elise Dolan (3 goals, 3 assists, 1st team all-NESCAC) and Maggie Crowe (2d team all-NESCAC).

2014 Forecast

With all league starters and goal scorers (including 3 all-NESCAC players) returning, it is tempting to predict that Trinity will be even better next year. However, they were at their historical high last year and I have seen situations before where a team that returned all 11 starters were worse the following year. I’d be surprised if they are able to improve over their #4 league finish from last year, and would not be surprised if they dropped a spot or 2. A finish from 4-6 is most likely.

[Becks]

Updated incoming class list. New additions are in bold. New additions are from Amherst's roster page which now has added the incoming players, and also from the Global Premier Soccer (GPS) club site.

Amherst - So - Kim Greenberg - Wilmette, IL - FC United Select (not sure if she is a transfer or, if so, where from)
Amherst - Fr - Hannah Guzzi - Southborough, MA - GPS-Massachusetts (formerly MPS Renegades)
Amherst - Fr -Delancey King - Braintree, MA - Scorpions SC ECNL U18 - MF
Amherst - Fr -Meredith Manley - Potttown, PA - Penn Fusion ECNL U18 - M
Amherst - Fr - Alison Neveu - Thousand Oaks, CA - Real So Cal ECNL U18 - M
Bates - Fr - Sarah McCarthy - ? - East Meadow SC Dynamite NPL U18 - GK
Bowdoin - Fr - Rachel Stout - Lakeville, MN - Shattuck-St Mary’s Sabres U18 - GK
Conn - Fr - Aimee Manderlink - Ridgefield, CT - Yankee Utd U18
Conn - Fr - Michelle Medina - CT - Oakwood SC U18
Conn - Fr-  Nicole Medina - CT - Oakwood SC U18
Trinity - Fr- Alexa Barbaresi - CA - West Coast FC - D
Trinity - Fr- Maddie Snyder - Montclair, NJ - Match Fit ECNL U18 - M
Tufts  - Fr- Chandler Quintin - MA - Scorpions SC ECNL U18 - MF
Tufts - Fr- Emily Wilson - GPS-Milan (formerly Milan Boston)
Wesleyan - Fr- Samantha Ashley - New Canaan, CT - Connecticut FC ECNL U18 - M
Wesleyan - Fr-  Meghan Cunningham - Washington, DC - formerly on VSA Heat Blue U17 - M
Wesleyan - Fr- Ellie Dempsey - Stamford, CT - Connecticut FC ECNL U18 - M
Wesleyan - Fr- Meghan Hanan - Sammamish, WA - ISC/Arsenal? Crossfire? - GK
Wesleyan - Fr- Emma Seaman - Pacific Palisades, CA - Real So Cal ECNL U17 - F/M
Wesleyan - Fr- Elise Waller - Dallas, TX - Dallas Texans Red North '96 - M
Williams - Fr- Natasha Albaneze - Northport, NY - East Meadow SC ECNL U18 - F
Williams - Fr- Hanna Kaeser - Pelham, NY - Connecticut FC ECNL U18 - MF
Williams - Fr- Katherine Sands - Rye, NY - Connecticut FC ECNL U18 - DM
Williams - Fr- Jacqueline Simeone - Milton, MA - IMG Soccer Academy - D

[Becks]

TUFTS

Team History

The following is conference-only; league ranking in parens.
2013 – 5-5-0 (6), GF: 14 (3), GA: 14 (8), GD: +0 (6), Coach: Whiting
2012 – 2-6-2 (10), GF: 9 (8), GA: 13 (6), GD: -4 (7), Coach: Whiting
2011 – 5-3-2 (4), GF: 14 (4), GA: 8 (3), GD: +6 (4), Coach: Whiting
2010 – 6-1-2 (1), GF: 12 (5), GA: 4 (1), GD: +8 (2), Coach: Whiting
2009 – 4-4-1 (4), GF: 12 (4), GA: 6 (3), GD: +6 (5), Coach: Whiting
2008 – 5-4-0 (4), GF: 13 (5), GA: 10 (4), GD: +3 (4), Coach: Whiting
2007 – 7-2-0 (2), GF: 14 (4), GA: 7 (4), GD: +7 (2), Coach: Whiting
2006 – 6-1-2 (2), GF: 16 (4), GA: 9 (5), GD: +7 (4), Coach: Whiting
2005 – 6-2-1 (1-tie), GF: 15 (5), GA: 7 (1), GD: +8 (3), Coach: Whiting
2004 – 5-1-3 (3), GF: 15 (3), GA: 10 (3), GD: +5 (3), Coach: Whiting
2003 – 4-5-0 (7), GF: 13 (6), GA: 15 (7), GD: -2 (7), Coach: Whiting
2002 – 6-2-1 (1-tie), GF: 15 (6), GA: 8 (2), GD: +7 (3), Coach: Whiting
2001 – 5-4-0 (6), GF: 15 (5), GA: 13 (4), GD: +2 (5), Coach: Whiting
2000 – 7-2-0 (3), GF: 16 (4), GA: 9 (3), GD: +7 (4), Coach: Whiting

Tufts has consistently produced good, but not great teams. Despite the fact that they have topped the league table 3 times, they have never had a team that has won more than 7 league games, never had a team that ranked in the top 2 in goals scored, and never had the best GD in the league. Their consistency of offensive production has been particularly noteworthy: they have scored from 12-16 goals every year, with the exception of their 2012 season. Their defense has been more variable, ranging from 4-15 GA, and that’s what has determined whether they have a good season or not. Every year that their GA has been less than 13, they have finished 4th or better in the league; every year their GA has been 13 or higher, they have finished 6th or lower.

2013 League Season

2013 was a so-so season for Tufts. It was a significant rebound from their worst ever 2012 season, but still left them with their 3d lowest finish in the league. The offense picked up nicely to 14 GF, but the defense remained a problem and ranked only 8th in the league.

Who Graduated/Who’s Returning

Tufts graduated 6 players, including 3 regular starters and 1 regular sub. The departing players contributed 4 league goals (29%) and include Kristin Wright (starting keeper), Anya Kaufman (leading scorer with 4 goals, 2d team all-NESCAC), and Blair Brady (defender). 9 regular starters are returning, including Nikki Blank, Robin Estus (2 goals), Jess Capone, Alex Ferris (2 goals), Carla Kruyff (3 goals, 2d team all-NESCAC), Victoria Stoj, Nicole Campellone, Catharine Greer (1st team all-NESCAC) and Alexa Plus.

2014 Forecast

Tufts is losing their starting keeper as well as their leading scorer from last year, but return a lot of starters and 70% of their scoring. Last year was the first time Tufts had been out of the top 4 for 2 years in a row; they have a chance to get back there this year. A finish from 4-6 is most likely.

[amh63]

Becks.....have to thank you for your efforts.  Plus K!  Season approaching soon enough.   Amherst meets Middlebury in its first game !

[Becks]

Thanks, amh63. I'm definitely looking forward to finishing off my pre-season evaluations and getting into the playing season.

[Becks]

WESLEYAN

Team History

The following is conference-only; league ranking in parens.
2013 – 1-4-5 (7), GF: 7 (8), GA: 9 (4), GD: -2 (7), Coach: Meredith
2012 – 3-7-0 (7), GF: 9 (8), GA: 14 (6), GD: -5 (7), Coach: Meredith
2011 – 5-5-0 (5), GF: 13 (6), GA: 16 (8), GD: -3 (5), Coach: Meredith
2010 – 3-2-4 (6), GF: 13 (4), GA: 11 (5), GD: +2 (4), Coach: Meredith
2009 – 4-5-0 (6), GF: 9 (7), GA: 12 (6), GD: -3 (7), Coach: Meredith
2008 – 3-5-1 (7), GF: 7 (7), GA: 15 (7), GD: -8 (7), Coach: Meredith
2007 – 2-6-1 (7), GF: 8 (8), GA: 11 (5), GD: -3 (7), Coach: Meredith
2006 – 3-6-0 (8), GF: 9 (9), GA: 16 (6), GD: -7 (8), Coach: Meredith
2005 – 1-6-2 (8), GF: 7 (10), GA: 21 (8), GD: -14 (8), Coach: Meredith
2004 – 1-8-0 (10), GF: 6 (10), GA: 28 (10), GD: -22 (10), Coach: Meredith
2003 – 0-9-0 (10), GF: 4 (10), GA: 33 (10), GD: -29 (10), Coach: Wheeler
2002 – 0-8-1 (10), GF: 10 (9), GA: 32 (9), GD: -22 (9), Coach: Wheeler
2001 – 1-8-0 (10), GF: 8 (10), GA: 28 (10), GD: -20 (10), Coach: Wheeler
2000 – 0-8-1 (10), GF: 6 (10), GA: 32 (10), GD: -26 (10), Coach: Wheeler

Wes was the worst team in the league for its first 5 years. After a last place finish in Coach Meredith’s inaugural campaign in 2004, however, the team gradually rose to a certain measure of respectability, from 8th in 2005 and 2006, to 7th in 2007 and 2008, to 6th in 2009 and 2010, before topping out at 5th in 2011. Since then they have fallen back slightly, with two consecutive 7th place finishes. Statistically, their best 2 seasons were 2010 and 2011, when they finished with the 4th and 5th best GDs in the league, respectively. Overall, however, for the past 7 years, a 7th place finish is pretty much the average for them and, in fact, they have had the 7th best GD in 5 of those 7 years.

2013 League Season

2013 was a strange season for Wes. They had their fewest wins since 2005, but also their 2d fewest losses ever, and set a league record with 5 ties. The offense dropped off a bit, which is not surprising given the graduation of POY forward Laura Kurash, but the defense was Wes’s best ever.

Who Graduated/Who’s Returning

Wes graduated 4 players, including 2 regular starters. The graduating players did not contribute any goals but include the only players who started all 10 league games: Kerry Doyle (defender, 2d team all-FCIAC) and Hannah Knudson (defender). Wes’s pre-season roster also shows that 2 rising juniors are not playing this fall: Isabel Clements (a regular starter) and Victoria Matthew (2 goals). So, altogether, Wes is losing 3 starters and 2 goals (29%) from last year’s team. 10 regular starters are returning: Brynn Hansson, T. Daggett-Edenholm (1 goal), Katy Hardt, Clare Ashforth, Madeline Keane (1 goal), Carly Swenson, Hannah Stone, Sarah Sylla (2 goals), C. Gonzalez-Gandolfi, and Jessica Tollman (keeper).

2014 Forecast

Wes returns a lot of regular starters, but will need to plug holes in defense caused by the graduation of 2 starting defenders and will also need to find some way to generate at least a few more goals. Given Wes’s consistency in GD over the years and lack of huge roster changes, I don’t see their GD swinging wildly from last year, but a couple of goals either way could see them either moving up to 6th or dropping all the way down to 11.

[Becks]

WILLIAMS

Team History

The following is conference-only; league ranking in parens.
2013 – 7-2-1 (2), GF: 14 (3), GA: 5 (2), GD: +9 (1), Coach: Pinard
2012 – 8-1-1 (1-tie), GF: 18 (2), GA: 10 (3), GD: +8 (3), Coach: Pinard
2011 – 7-2-1 (2), GF: 15 (3), GA: 6 (2), GD: +9 (2), Coach: Pinard
2010 – 5-2-2 (2), GF: 19 (1), GA: 8 (2), GD: +11 (1), Coach: Pinard
2009 – 9-0-0 (1), GF: 28 (1), GA: 2 (1), GD: +26 (1), Coach: Pinard
2008 – 8-0-1 (1), GF: 19 (2), GA: 4 (1), GD: +15 (2), Coach: Pinard
2007 – 9-0-0 (1), GF: 26 (1), GA: 2 (1), GD: +24 (1), Coach: Pinard
2006 – 4-2-2 (4), GF: 16 (4), GA: 8 (3), GD: +8 (3), Coach: Pinard
2005 – 5-3-1 (4), GF: 11 (6), GA: 8 (2), GD: +3 (5), Coach: Pinard
2004 – 3-5-1 (6), GF: 14 (5), GA: 12 (6), GD: +2 (5), Coach: Pinard
2003 – 6-3-0 (2), GF: 23 (1), GA: 9 (2), GD: +14 (1), Coach: Pinard
2002 – 6-2-1 (1-tie), GF: 19 (3), GA: 5 (1), GD: +14 (1), Coach: Pinard
2001 – 9-0-0 (1), GF: 28 (1), GA: 11 (3), GD: +17 (1), Coach: Melendy
2000 – 4-5-0 (6), GF: 20 (3), GA: 11 (5), GD: +9 (3), Coach: Melendy

Williams was up and down in the first 7 years of the league. Winning the league in 2001 and 2002 but finishing in 6th in 2000 and 2004 and 4th in 2005 and 2006. Since 2007, however, they have consistently finished 1st or 2d in the league.

2013 League Season

Williams had a solid year in 2012. Their offensive production was off a bit – they scored their lowest number of goals since 2005 – but it was still respectably 3d best in the league. And their defense was excellent, allowing a mere 5 goals in 10 games.

Who Graduated/Who’s Returning

Williams graduated only 3 players, including 2 regular starters and 1 regular sub. The departing players did not contribute any goals but included starting defenders Hayley Cook (2d team all-NESCAC) and Carla Nicasio (1st team all-NESCAC). 9 regular starters are returning: Hannah Van Wetter (keeper), Crystal Lewin (2 goals), Alex McInturf, Hana Tomomzawa (1 goal), Audrey Thomas (leading scorer with 4 goals), Alison Magruder (1 goal), Mai Mtisuyama (1st team all-NESCAC), Lilly Wellenbach, and Hannah Levin.

2014 Forecast

Williams is one of the pre-season favorites to win the league this year. The loss of 2 all-NESCAC defenders may make it difficult for them to repeat their 5 GA 2013 season, but the return of all their league goal scorers suggests that any weakening in defense may be made up by increased offense. A finish anywhere from 1-4 is possible, but top 2 is most likely.

[Becks]

Bates Season Preview: http://athletics.bates.edu/sports/wsoc/2014-15/releases/201408210rftis

Wesleyan Season Preview: http://www.wesleyan.edu/athletics/news/2014/08/wsoccerpreview081314.html

[Becks]

Bennettrank.com's pre-season NESCAC rankings

NESCAC Rank (National D3 Rank) - School

1 (4) - Middlebury
2 (7) - Williams
3 (8) - Amherst
4 (21) - Bowdoin
5 (29) - Trinity
6 (36) - Tufts
7 (57) - Wesleyan
8 (59) - Hamilton
9 (91) - Colby
10 (128) - Bates
11 (131) - Conn

I think Bennettrank's pre-season rankings are based purely on the teams' performances over the last several years and do not consider how much talent the teams graduated. The only change I would necessarily make, however, is that I would put Williams over Middlebury.

[amh63]

Becks ....I agree with your pre-season thoughts....but have to state that preseason rankings are for fans hopes and sales, IMO.  I enjoy surprises and upsets.....and breakout performances of new players.
Better still, the discussions of pundits as they try to explain the mid season standings.

[Giggs]

Becks, great to see you back in full force!

[Becks]

Thanks, Giggsy. Between my daughter's 'CAC games and my son's HS games, it's going to be a busy fall.

[nescac1]

Nice job with your season previews, Becks!  Very objective -- I know you are a parent, but impossible to tell which school your daughter is affiliated with. 

I see that Williams has 32 players on its pre-season roster.  That has to be some sort of record, wow.  I'm sure that will be culled down a bit with a few playing JV, but even still, there is going to be a big fight for playing time in Billsville this year.