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Messages - 1970s NESCAC Player

#1
Men's soccer / Re: 2023 NCAA Tournament
November 20, 2023, 05:42:05 PM
Quote from: SierraFD3soccer on November 20, 2023, 05:32:39 PM
Quote from: Kuiper on November 20, 2023, 04:34:11 PM

I'll offer a few of my "probably only of interest to me" observations about Washington College, which seems to be the biggest underdog of the Final Four and therefore the most suitable for my kind of Region X-style posts.  Plus, there's an admirable Southern California angle to Washington College's coaching staff that is worth spotlighting given the, ahem, somewhat negative view on the Boards of the coaching staff of at least one of the other participants in this year's Final Four.

Washington College assistant coach Ryan Shera lived in the Southern California area prior to the pandemic, coaching youth soccer.  For awhile, he was the soccer director for Yalla Academy, which was a soccer, tutoring, and college program for refugee children that existed at the time in El Cajon, CA.  It was started by someone from Lebanon, but it served refugee kids from all over, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Mexico, Guatemala, Sudan, Ethiopia, Liberia, and the Philippines.  He got some national attention for his work there:

https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/20162547/yalla-non-profit-academy-el-cajon-supports-refugee-families-soccer

Incidentally, the last photo and description in the ESPN story is of a Sudanese refugee named Akuar Yamun, who Yalla's founder saw playing soccer in the park and encouraged his father to bring him to Yalla for soccer and tutoring to help him get a chance to go to college (his father was one of the "Lost Boys" from South Sudan who Akuar said walked 1,000 miles to Ethiopa to escape the Civil War).  In a feel good update on Akuar, he went on to play club at Nomads and just finished his freshman year as a 6'5" defender at San Diego City College in case anyone is looking for a community college transfer in a year or so - https://www.sdcityknights.com/sports/msoc/2023-24/roster; https://x.com/sdcityknights/status/1705455515722260529?s=20)

Here's an interview Shera did with a local station about the program (rocking a hairstyle that I'm sure his current players would love to see!).

https://www.kpbs.org/news/midday-edition/2015/08/26/one-youth-soccer-league-san-diego-college-goal

Here's an interview that Shera did with Simple Coach (with a much more conservative hair style)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KymkA31Mzuk

It's also interesting to note that Head Coach Roy Dunshee and Asst Coach Shera both have law degrees.  Shera still practices law as well, serving as general counsel for his family's business.  I don't know if there are any other soccer programs in the country with two lawyers on the coaching staff.  It would be interesting to see what the player contracts in the Washington College program look like!

And, if you want to extend the Law connection further with Washington College, the team's leading scorer this year was Ben Strine.  Ben's brother James, a volunteer assistant coach on this year's team, was the co-leading scorer on the 2021 team that made it to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.

https://www.washcoll.edu/live/news/strine-brothers.php

How does that relate to law?  Their father, Leo Strine, is the former Chancellor of the Delaware Court of Chancery (the most important business law court in the country because most public corporations are incorporated in Delaware) and the former Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court.

Adding something as well, Roy Dunshee got his start head coaching in high school soccer and made the jump to college. He coached at my son's HS, Severna Park (a public HS), for several years before my son's time, but his asst coach took over and has had equal success at the HS.  Further, Roy ran Coerver for Maryland (https://www.coerverunited.com/) which he gave up to Sev. Park's now head coach. Don't know why they left that out of bio. So he has a unusual story, but not as much as his asst. coach.  You might say that he is not the usual head college coach.  Also a really, really stand up guy.  Simple Coach's interview is exactly the way he is.

Roy's son goes to St. Mary's College of Maryland (actually a small honors state college in St. Mary's County, southern Maryland) and they went to the NCAAs this year.  Lost in the first round to John Carroll.

Another Mom, you may have not made the connection, but W&L has a freshman from Severna Park, Brad Dulin, who left a MLS Next program to play his senior year for HS soccer.  He played for a program that started its upswing because of Dunshee.  Last year, his team lost in the state finals after a great run to the finals. Also, the SP girls just finished winning the state title and were undefeated while being coached by another Coerver coach when Dunshee ran the program.

You could say that Roy Dunshee has a coaching tree.  Maybe not in college, but in other ways. FYI, Coerver is profitable and don't think any of these coaches will make the jump like Roy did.

As for the Dunshee coaching tree, it does extend to college.  His 2015 captain at WC, Chris Koch, is the son of legendary UMass coach Sam Koch, a teammate of mine at Colby in the 1970s.  Chris went on to assist at WC and is now the assistant at Stevens, which went to the Final Four last year.
#2
Quote from: College Soccer Observer on October 25, 2023, 09:57:37 AM
Quote from: Newenglander on October 25, 2023, 09:51:30 AM
Quote from: College Soccer Observer on October 24, 2023, 11:35:21 PM
Jumping over from the NESCAC thread for a moment.  Conn College and Middlebury both managed to navigate the NESCAC slate without a loss.  Conn had 5 wins and 5 ties, while Middlebury had 7 wins and 3 ties.  Middlebury finishes the regular season at 11-0-4, scoring 40 goals and only giving up 8.  They have only trailed for a total of 15 minutes all season (against Amherset in their first conference game before equalizing).  The Panthers have balanced scoring, with Jordan Saint-Louis with 8, Gavin Randolph with 6, and Tyler Payne with 5, and Colin Duggan and Luke Madden with 3 each.  The Panther defense has been rock solid, with 7 shutouts over their last 9 games.  Since giving up two goals to Vassar off corner kicks, Midd has been lights out winning headballs in the box, as evidenced by Tufts having 13 corners last weekend and generating nothing from them.  The Panthers have secured  hosting rights as long as they are alive in the NESCAC tournament, and will surely have a pool C bid awating them if they do not capture the automatic bid.  Midd will be a tough out for anyone in the postseason.
Written as if Middlebury wasn't getting any love/appreciation on these posts..........only nit I can pick is almost 30% of the goal total came from an 11-1 out of conference drubbing ;)
Fair point.  Just wanting to give them their due outside of the NESCAC thread.  When a team that is a perennial playoff contender has their best season in 25 years and has not lost a game, I think they warrant a mention in the bigger picture.

Midd won the 2007 national championship, so not quite their best season in 25 years (although this take is not based on regular season results).
#3
Men's soccer / Re: Liberty League
October 25, 2023, 10:30:19 AM
Quote from: kevdog on October 25, 2023, 09:28:21 AM
I would have never thought in my wildest dreams that Union could finish 2nd and Vassar might not even make the league tournament but here we are.

As some long-time posters may be aware, Union was a perennial top 3 LL squad from approx. 2005-2013, with a league title, an NCAA appearance, multiple LL finals appearances, many all conference players, and at least one AA.  In only two years, Coach Brown has done a commendable job recruiting, upgrading the SOS, and reestablishing a winning culture.  Union is a very attractive school with many fine athletic programs, including D-1 hockey (2014 NCAA Champions), so it is only appropriate that they re-join the top of the LL.
#4
Men's soccer / Re: SimpleCoach D3 Soccer YouTube Channel
September 14, 2023, 03:10:52 PM
Quote from: PaulNewman on September 14, 2023, 03:04:40 PM
Quote from: Hopkins92 on September 14, 2023, 02:59:57 PM
Richie episode is one of my favorite single shows of all time.

(Went with my wife to Chicago a couple of weekends ago... Al's Beef, Lou Malnati's and a Chicago dog from Relish. Touristy? Yes. Also delicious!!)

I enjoyed the Richie episode more....a much easier drink.  And he was phenomenal.  That said, the acting performance by JLC in 6 was next, next level..and imo the filming of the frenetic long scene with her extraordinary.

Have to chime in that "The Bear" is probably the best show I've seen since "The Wire."  Fantastic acting, great cast(s).  Jeremy Allen White's career continues a meteoric rise following his portrayal of "Lip" on "Shameless."
#5
Men's soccer / Re: Liberty League
August 01, 2023, 04:23:57 PM
Quote from: deutschfan on July 26, 2023, 06:47:01 PM
Nice to see the board ramping up early with some new SLU contributors as if there weren't enough already! :)  Clarkson is now competing with Union and Bard for the scheduling the most cupcakes.  It is quite a perplexing strategy.  It means the school has to win the automatic bid to the NCAA tourney or they never get there.  It is also means that your recruits know they are going to a school that will never make a national impact thereby causing quality players to look elsewhere.  In contrast to Clarkson's schedule I am tres impressed with Coach Hood's fixtures at Vassar.  West Conn who should have made the tourney last year, Brandeis in Waltham, Montclair on the road, and, in the middle of league, a home invite to Middlebury.  All of these schools should be in the mix for bids next year.  My guess is that one of the ways you keep your 5th years around is by setting a challenging schedule involving travel and some storied programs.

You should check Union's schedule this year; it's actually a fair upgrade from recent seasons.
#6
Men's soccer / Re: NESCAC
December 29, 2022, 04:26:47 PM
Quote from: Another Mom on December 29, 2022, 06:46:51 AM
No, no essays!! The coach will tell you well in advance. But you will need an unofficial transcript,  SAT/ACT score(s), some schools want a one page resume (the coach will give you a template).

Coaches will want to see the transcript  and board scores themselves before the preread so they can know the player is in range for acceptance. In other words, they aren't going to offer a preread to a kid who has no chance of passing, that would be a waste of a preread spot, and coaches do not have unlimited prereads.

Use and number of pre-reads may vary widely from school to school in NESCAC, although I agree that no essays would be required for a pre-read.  In addition to items listed above by Another Mom, it may be necessary to provide the academic profile for the prospect's HS, so that the college can understand the level/difficulty of courses appearing on the transcript.
#7
Men's soccer / Re: NESCAC
September 13, 2022, 12:55:51 PM
Congrats, Mr. Right, on another excellent post and for finding Justin Grillo.  Seems like a very interesting and thoughtful guy.
#8
Men's soccer / Re: Liberty League
August 28, 2022, 02:53:03 PM
Quote from: Saint of Old on August 28, 2022, 07:57:11 AM

I obviously have a team close to the border close to my heart, but really want the LL to get more respect as a whole.

I think as a league we are way better than we get credit for.
RPI just had a deep run, Hobart had one just a few seasons ago.
Vassar is always there or thereabouts and SLU is usually dancing.

Unfortunately this seems to be a 1 bid league for a while when realistically and in fairness the league should have 2 teams at minimum dancing like our Brothers in the SUNYAC.

I understand that it is about SOS/Head to Head/ Streaks at the end of season/record against winning teams/Many other variables, but it seems the league does not get the respect it deserves.

Agree that the league is underrated and should get at least two teams to the NCAA tournament annually.
#9
Men's soccer / Re: 2022 NCAA Soccer Rule Changes
March 17, 2022, 02:06:27 PM
Have to agree totally with PN on this one.  No re-entry for D3 soccer is inconsistent with the whole concept of athletics in that division for all the reasons PN identified . . .  Does anyone know if the proposed changes are limited to D1?  The link did not appear to indicate the changes would apply across all divisions.
#10
Quote from: PaulNewman on September 22, 2021, 10:08:20 AM
Quote from: Mr.Right on September 22, 2021, 09:22:47 AM
Quote from: PaulNewman on September 21, 2021, 01:21:14 PM
Why does the USC bother with polls?

MCLA, 1-4, and fresh off a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of......Husson, I'm guessing for the first time in the history of the program has jumped into the RV category.

And I hope F&M had some Dramamine before their free fall from #2 all the way down to #24 within a week after one loss.

Agreed...but MCLA(or North Adams State) were a decent program in the late 1970's and 1980's and made a couple of NCAA Final Four's in the 1970's. Admissions became much harder for athletics when the school switched "names" and raised standards. Men's Hockey was dumped in the early 2000's. The President wanted a different direction in the mid 1990's and looking back he was right because believe me the city of North Adams, MA has benefitted. Of course, Mass Moca and the mayor should be congratulated. Damn that mayor was a horse's ass but he bullied, pushed and prodded to use eminent domain as a threat or sadly a reality. MCLA also started purchasing more land, buildings, etc. Moving historical house after historical house to fit their every need. Sorry a little off track.

That is interesting.  I would have never guessed that MCLA (or North Adams State) had been anywhere near a Final Four even 50 years ago.

Look up Tony Crescitelli.  One of the greatest ever to play in D3.  He went to North Adams State.
#11
Men's soccer / Re: Covid Impacts on Upcoming Season
September 25, 2020, 01:40:31 PM
Colby's efforts to control COVID was featured on September 22 during the PBS News Hour:  https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-maines-colby-college-is-striving-to-keep-covid-19-under-control.
#12
Men's soccer / Re: NESCAC
June 30, 2020, 12:14:17 PM
Quote from: PaulNewman on June 30, 2020, 10:52:44 AM
Unfortunate timing, but I wanted to congratulate Colby folks and fans on the grand opening of their new athletics center which no doubt has toppled Kenyon (and whoever else would be in the running) for #1 D3 athletics complex in the country.  My son came within a hair of going to Colby, and while Kenyon ended up being absolutely the right place for him athletically and academically, I have maintained an interest in and affection for Colby.  IMO Colby always has been an extremely attractive, well-respected school (and perhaps my favorite among NESCACs), but over the last decade Colby has invested heavily under strong and innovative leadership to rocket into the rarefied air of the top 12-15 LACs.  Scroll down the page of the link below and you can see pics of the new facility.

https://gocolbymules.com/landing/index

Thanks for the kind words PN.  Colby's current leadership has absolutely been transformative, from dramatically more competitive admissions rates to continued remarkable improvements (like the new Athletics Center) in the physical plant.  For the Class of 2024, there were nearly 14,000 applicants and approximately 9% were admitted.  In the 2020 US News Liberal Arts College rankings, Colby sits at #11, just behind Bowdoin and Middlebury (with Williams and Amherst #1 and 2, respectively).  Today Colby posted its plan to return to campus for the Fall:  https://www.colby.edu/president/2020/06/30/official-notice-the-plan-for-returning-to-campus/.  Fall sports programs have not been finally defined, but clearly they will look much different.
#13
Men's soccer / Re: NESCAC
November 25, 2019, 01:46:38 PM
Quote from: PaulNewman on November 25, 2019, 01:40:27 PM
Conn is going to hold the #3 spot in your head but no where else on the planet.  Enjoy the delusion.

I came out of retirement to give a +K for this one!
#14
Men's soccer / Re: NESCAC
August 30, 2019, 04:42:42 PM
Quote from: PaulNewman on August 30, 2019, 01:02:46 PM
1970s, is the Colby roster correct???  Only FIVE upperclassmen to go with a slew of frosh?  I was wondering how Colby would fare coming off their amazing postseason run.

The roster posted as of today (8/30/19) consists of the remaining/non-graduating players from the 2018-19 roster (all from the Classes of 2020-2022).  This year's team just reported three days ago (NESCAC rules), and the full 2019-20 roster (including new freshmen members of the Class of 2023) won't be posted until next week at the earliest.  I believe that there will be 8-10 frosh in addition to the current list.  I believe twelve seniors, including 8 or 9 starters, graduated from last year's team.  Hopefully, Colby is entering a new phase of reload rather than rebuild, but we will see.
#15
Men's soccer / Re: Coaching Carousel
May 17, 2019, 10:25:50 AM
Quote from: soccerfan111 on May 17, 2019, 07:40:12 AM
What is going on at Conn? It has been months since the job was posted but there has been no mention of Murphy's exit or of a new coach being hired.

Have wondered this myself.  D3Soccer has not even listed the job as an opening on its Coaching Carousel.