2014 D3 Season: National Perspective

[Brother Flounder]

The giant-slayer goal finally emerges! Not great quality (Don't know where it came from... I was looking for their tournament highlights) but what a strike by Mr. Kayne.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GHHmKLtJ70

Even with the poor quality you can see what a great goal it was.  I am sure it was Tufts goal of the year and maybe the tournament's best goal.  Upper 90 with a side volley from about 25 yards out.....

[Brother Flounder]

"Knew the wingers were good, and the backs were strong, but was very impressed with the way their midfield both pressured and kept the ball."

I think the midfield is probably the unsung strength of Tufts. The NESCAC posters mentioned all year how well the Tufts midfield played, both offensively and defensively, and how well they moved the ball, and scored.  I really think Messiah, Tufts and Wheaton have the best midfields in the country, with Tufts and Messiah playing the "prettiest" soccer.

[Corazon]

J4J, seriously?  I haven't seen a lot of posts from NESCAC critics.  I can count the ones I've written over a period of months that could be viewed as negative on one hand -- one or two early on about Tufts, Bull's GK antics, and a couple recently in response to the NESCAC cheerleading about the NESCAC attitude.  There has been nothing that comes close to the NESCAC on NESCAC crime, regarding Bates and especially Amherst.  Seems that some of you would like to annex Amherst from the NESCAC.

Some of us likes Amherst just fine...perhaps if Tufts dominated for 4-5 more years, they'd be in the same boat

[Brother Flounder]

Soccer can be a strange game. At the start, looked like Wheaton would run away with it. Soccer gods are fickle. Tufts made good on chances while the Thunder did not until a bit too late.

Anyone else annoyed by the announcers who kept talking about how great Wheaton is--even when it was 4-2 with two mins remaining? With about a minute to go, they started praising Tufts.

Anyway: Go NESCAC!

Great point. Why did they have Wheaton's women's coach all second half? It took away from the game action and was not fair to the other team. I hope they  learn from this blunder.  Yes, he made some fair comments but to hear all second half about Wheaton's coach and players was a distraction and basically a disgrace...

[Nutmeg]

The giant-slayer goal finally emerges! Not great quality (Don't know where it came from... I was looking for their tournament highlights) but what a strike by Mr. Kayne.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GHHmKLtJ70

Yep, Thanks for posting....really wish for a better video of the goal...that was the Giant Slayer...

[D3soccerwatcher]

D3W: one of the barometers. For ONE of the strongest conferences. Never claimed to be THE best. Deep breaths.

I guess I would suggest that deep runs by more than one team from the conference on a regular basis would be ONE other barometer.

In this century, conference appearances in the NCAA Final 4 are as follows:
Middle Atlantic Conference - 12
NESCAC - 7

[Ommadawn]

Also, glad the interviews were well received.  All of the coaches, regardless of how the transcripts came across, were extremely classy and candid in answering all of the questions.  I'd expect all four programs to remain in the upper echelon of D3 so long as they keep those guys - or Wheaton someone similar - in the top spot.

I echo the thanks of others for conducting the interviews and distilling them into what you posted online.  The interviews gave great insight into the leaders of the Final Four teams and enhanced the viewing experience on Friday and Saturday.  Your efforts were very much appreciated!

[PaulNewman]

Doesn't it seem like ages ago that we were talking about Luther and Ohio Northern being snubbed?  When was the last Coast Guard reference?

BTW NESCAC fans, I realize nothing short of pure devotion will do (unless I join you in piling on Amherst, who, btw, still has one of the best 4-5 year records in D3 history)), but I did pay Tufts the highest compliment I've seen on this site....that they might well get another result against Messiah if they played again.

Big mistake above.  Meant John Carroll, not Ohio Northern.

Perennial teams still looking for the ultimate breakthrough -- Loras, Trinity, Amherst (and if the NESCAC is THAT good with those sterling SOS's then Amherst has got to ranked #2 behind Messiah over the past 5 years given the unbeaten streak that extended over 2-3 years and now at just 4 losses over 4 years).

Teams with very good seasons but with higher hopes and seasons ending in disappointment/bitter disappointment -- Kenyon, Brandeis, F&M, Calvin.

Team to watch under the radar -- Thomas More.

[oldonionbag]

D3W: one of the barometers. For ONE of the strongest conferences. Never claimed to be THE best. Deep breaths.

I guess I would suggest that deep runs by more than one team from the conference on a regular basis would be ONE other barometer.

In this century, conference appearances in the NCAA Final 4 are as follows:
Middle Atlantic Conference - 12
NESCAC - 7

I think you missed J4J's main point. Don't confuse a "conference" for one team (cough, cough Messiah). The depth of the NESCAC blows the depth of the Middle Atlantic out of the water. Not taking anything away from Messiah, as they are obviously the standard in d3 soccer, but of the MAC's 12 appearances in the final four, almost all (if not all, maybe Lycoming but can't remember) are from that one school.

Conversely, the NESCAC has had Amherst, Middlebury, Bowdoin, Williams, and Tufts all reach the final four (and that's just since 2007). Top to bottom, which I think is J4J's point, the NESCAC is undeniably better based on collective postseason achievements.

Was Messiah better than the five teams I named above? I'd say yes - except for Tufts (based on head to head this year, Tufts won). The NESCACs top five would most likely beat the MAC's top five with the exception of Messiah on a consistent basis. I would give each of the 5 NESCAC teams a 50-50 shot each game against Lycoming, and maybe thats even a bit too generous. If Lycoming played in the NESCAC, I'd have them finishing around #3 or #4 each year. And before you get defensive, keep in mind Tufts beat Messiah 1-0 this year, and Lycoming lost to Messiah 3-0, and then again 4-0...

Again, not taking away from the top programs of the MAC, but top to bottom, the NESCAC is deeper and tougher to play in, week in and week out.

[Saint of Old]

MVP (Most Valuable Poster)

Criteria: Knowledge, Wit, Personality, Passion, Alias

Would make a great poll question!!!

In no particular order:

1) NCAC ( Intelligent lad with great analysis, no bias toward Kenyon whatsoever ) 

2) Mr. Right (If confidence is the most important ingredient in soccer, the man is a born General) 

3) Flying falcon (KNOWLEDGE) 

4) Lapaz (Can we get  a bring back Lapaz  movement going? A bit passionate, but knows his stuff) 

5) RH (The man does not come around that often, but great job on interviews and thought out posts) 

[lastguyoffthebench]

Lycoming would be lucky to get one win vs the top 5 in the NESCAC.  1-3-1 is being generous.  Using SOS as a barometer, Lycoming didn't go out to play any strong programs (with the exception of Rochester) outside of the already watered down MACC.

[oldonionbag]

Pretty classy move by both programs here after the game. That's what it's about! Kudos.

(Last two pics)
http://athletics.wheaton.edu/galleries/?gallery=104

[Brother Flounder]

Pretty classy move by both programs here after the game. That's what it's about! Kudos.

(Last two pics)
http://athletics.wheaton.edu/galleries/?gallery=104

Yep, very classy.  Great photo and 2 very classy teams...

[PaulNewman]

Great year for the Mitsuyama brother/sister combo.  Rei at Kenyon All District Academic All American, 1st team NCAC, and just invited to Columbus Crew combine.  Mai at Williams All NESCAC, All Region, Final Four All Tournament, and nailed first PK for Williams in national title game.

[Mr.Right]

Mitsuyama is skilled but "soft". He is soft for D3, no chance he makes the Crew. Maybe a token invite?