NESCAC 2015

2xfaux · November 18, 2015, 04:39:53 PM

It is a HIPAA issue. I am glad Ms.Thomas is on the mend. Her presence, even on a limited basis, makes Williams way more imposing.

nescac1 · November 18, 2015, 04:44:40 PM

I wonder if it truly is a HIPAA issue since we hear reporting routinely regarding the details of D1 athletes' injuries -- and there should be no difference in terms of how the law is applied, based on level of play. I think it's more likely just a matter of league-wide / institutional policy. In all events, good luck to the Ephs in a very tough sectional!

2xfaux · November 18, 2015, 04:54:07 PM

I would imagine some D-1 athletes sign a waiver of some kind but I really don't know.

Ocean 1 · November 19, 2015, 11:17:46 AM

This Sectional for Williams is quite challenging. Assuming they get past Stevens (which they should), William Smith will be a handful.

nescac1 · November 22, 2015, 04:17:15 PM

Congrats to Williams on squeaking by William Smith in a shootout! FY GK Olivia Barnhill came on for the shootout and stoned all three shooters she faced (one hit the crossbar, but still, that's incredible). Audrey Thomas started for the first time in weeks and scored the Ephs' only goal. Two straight years in the Final Four, go Ephs!

nescac1 · November 23, 2015, 09:52:59 AM

Should be an interesting Final Four. Centre was not heralded coming into the NCAA tourney but had a dominating run (in the weakest quarter, but still) to the Final Four. It seems like Centre has a very, very dynamic scorer up front, so the Ephs will need to account for her. I like that they have nearly two weeks to prepare, and also for Thomas to continue getting her match fitness back. Speaking of dominating in the tourney, Messiah will be the overwhelming favorite in the Final Four, they look absolutely loaded and have a long history of tourney success. Still, anything can happen and there are clearly four very strong teams remaining.

Ocean 1 · November 23, 2015, 02:57:24 PM

Quote from: nescac1 on November 22, 2015, 04:17:15 PM
Congrats to Williams on squeaking by William Smith in a shootout! FY GK Olivia Barnhill came on for the shootout and stoned all three shooters she faced (one hit the crossbar, but still, that's incredible). Audrey Thomas started for the first time in weeks and scored the Ephs' only goal. Two straight years in the Final Four, go Ephs!

Agree Nescac 1...an unbelievable accomplishment. Thomas back from injury and scores the most dramatic goal of the season with Barnhill, a Frosh, stopping 3 Pk's to send her team into the Final 4. Doesn't get much more compelling than that!

Go NESCAC! Go Ephs!!

All NESCAC · November 23, 2015, 04:44:15 PM

Quote from: nescac1 on November 22, 2015, 04:17:15 PM
Congrats to Williams on squeaking by William Smith in a shootout! FY GK Olivia Barnhill came on for the shootout and stoned all three shooters she faced (one hit the crossbar, but still, that's incredible). Audrey Thomas started for the first time in weeks and scored the Ephs' only goal. Two straight years in the Final Four, go Ephs!

Go Lady Ephs! Go NESCAC!

Ocean 1 · November 24, 2015, 09:10:16 AM

Stat...since at least 2000, no NESCAC team has appeared in the NCAA Final 4 two years in a row except Williams (2014, 2015). They also appeared in 2008 making it 3 out of 7 years.

Can somebody verify and/or contribute perspective on the earlier years?

nescac1 · November 24, 2015, 12:02:41 PM

Women's soccer is one of only two team sports in which NESCAC teams are eligible in which NESCAC has yet to win a national title (NESCAC has won in field hockey, men's soccer, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's ice hockey, men's and women's lacrosse, baseball, softball, but not in volleyball or football). Volleyball may never happen as NESCAC has never come close.

NESCAC teams have, however, come very close in soccer on multiple occasions: Amherst made the semis in 1996, Williams made the semis in 1999, Tufts made the title game in 2000 as did Amherst in 2001, and Tufts, Midd and Williams all appeared in the Final Four since that time (including Williams' very-near-miss last year). But no one has ever made it twice before, and Williams is the only team with more than two semifinal appearances, total.

Ocean 1 · December 02, 2015, 08:09:16 AM

Think the Ephs will get past Centre and face Messiah in the Final. Needless to say, a huge challenge!

Ocean 1 · December 04, 2015, 02:58:48 PM

Quote from: Ocean 1 on December 02, 2015, 08:09:16 AM
Think the Ephs will get past Centre and face Messiah in the Final. Needless to say, a huge challenge!

Officially retracting the previous quote...now believe the Ephs will meet Washington U in the finals!

What a performance by Crist!

jaybird44 · December 04, 2015, 03:27:47 PM

Crist was sublime in goal. Had big saves before the PK round too--especially the diving stop to prevent a partial breakaway from producing a Messiah goal. Has played tremendous all season.

Megan Nicklay was like a bouncer that let no one behind the velvet rope. Her defending was sensational, as was the rest of the Bears' backs today.

Total team effort that was superb...well done Bears!! Good luck in the national championship game!

Ocean 1 · December 04, 2015, 05:30:37 PM

The Williams EPHS...and the beat goes on!

nescac1 · December 05, 2015, 04:40:54 PM

Congrats to the Ephs on a well-deserved national title capping off a truly sensational two-year run. Three wins and a tie in Final Four play is amazing, as is only one total goal allowed in those games. The Ephs aren't done yet as the star-studded Junior class is back for one more run. This team has been amazingly resilient and clutch all year, and it paid off with a true team win: three goals on the weekend none of which came from their two superstar strikers.