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D3soccer.com => Women's soccer => Topic started by: Giggs on August 30, 2016, 08:45:26 PM

Title: NESCAC 2016
Post by: Giggs on August 30, 2016, 08:45:26 PM
For anyone who wants to get involved.
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: Ocean 1 on September 07, 2016, 10:23:28 AM
A couple observations:

- First time in years I've seen such a close score between the two with Amherst taking the contest 2-0 over Mt. Holyoke. Has Holyoke strengthened or has Amhesrt weakened and/or at least still working out the kinks?

- Conn-Roger Williams should be an early test for Conn.

- Williams-Hamilton will be a solid test for Williams particularly...an away game at always tough Hamilton.
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: nescac1 on September 07, 2016, 05:34:14 PM
Seems likes Williams has the early-season injury bug: three of the Ephs' top playmakers, Thomas, Alvarado, and Swarr, did not see any action in the first half vs. Hamilton.  Also, Kirsche did not play a ton of minutes and maybe seems limited?  Williams is up 1-0 nonetheless, Hamilton controlled the first 15 minutes of the half but Williams settled in and dominated the rest.  The Ephs played loads of frosh, starting two and with three others seeing time of the bench.  The two frosh starters Alison Lu and Nkem Iregbulem both looked very dangerous attacking (Lu scored the lone goal and almost scored a second, but then she seemed to get banged up in a collision with the GK and had to leave the game) and both should see a lot of time this year even assuming (hoping!) the veterans' injuries are not long-term in nature. 

The Ephs' started last-year's backup keeper, I wonder if the two keepers will split the job as the Ephs traditionally do when they have two talented options.  The Ephs seem to be crazy deep this year but certainly miss their stars ... hopefully none of the (presumptive) injuries are serious! 
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: Ocean 1 on September 11, 2016, 04:52:12 PM
Williams started its season with a bang...beating Hamilton, Trinity and Skidmore...now 3-0-0. Offense looked like it was still getting itself synched-up, particularly with the First Years blending-in.

Having said that, what an impressive incoming class...generating 5 of 7 of the EPH's goals in total and some pretty good 'D' as well. In fact, the whole team was swarming on defense with pace and the two-platoon system continues to provide fresh legs when they need them.
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: nescac1 on September 12, 2016, 07:20:40 AM
The Williams frosh class looks impressive indeed.  I was worried how they would replace the current dynamite senior class.  But considering that Williams was playing without four key players (three of whom were all-NESCAC players last year, and three of whom are seniors) and still went 3-0, the future looks very bright.  Hopefully Palchek (I assume she is hurt since she didn't play at all in the first three games, although perhaps not because Barnhill is clearly a quality player in net as well), Thomas, Swarr and Alvarado are all suffering from only minor ailments and are able to work their way back to health.  When they do, the Ephs will be able to bring in waves of offensive threats up front, now that all the young players have already established themselves as deserving of playing time.   
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: Ocean 1 on September 20, 2016, 04:27:44 PM
Did Bennett Rankings goof this week...have Williams at #18?
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: The Saint on September 20, 2016, 08:36:28 PM
It also had Thomas More drop 4 places after 2 wins last week. It is this kind of unexplainable nonsense that makes me very wary of mathematical equations - questionable data used to establish the initial baseline.
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: 2xfaux on September 21, 2016, 04:52:50 PM
If Becks was still here he could explain this.  I miss Becks.

Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: Giggs on September 24, 2016, 08:10:31 AM
Hopefully Becks can make a guest appearance!

Most interesting development is Conn now in the NSCAA top twenty.  And they win over Middlebury was not usual.  Was the game a fluke, or is Conn much improved from where the program usually stands?
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: 2xfaux on October 03, 2016, 04:04:11 PM
Did all the NESCAC folks move to a more sophisticated place;  just kidding .....mostly.
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: Ocean 1 on October 04, 2016, 03:50:16 PM
Quote from: Giggs on September 24, 2016, 08:10:31 AM
Hopefully Becks can make a guest appearance!

Most interesting development is Conn now in the NSCAA top twenty.  And they win over Middlebury was not usual.  Was the game a fluke, or is Conn much improved from where the program usually stands?

Agree. Think Conn has improved surely. Outshot a good Williams team while only losing by a score of 1-0 at home. Defense was pretty good and they were very adept at crowding the box. Time will tell but they seem to be moving in the right direction.
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: Ocean 1 on October 16, 2016, 03:40:28 PM
Very hard to see a weakness in the Williams machine. Their offense has been picking-up speed and the defense is outstanding.
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: 2xfaux on November 08, 2016, 12:06:56 PM
Certainly was an entertaining tournament.  Williams, despite the PK loss, looks really good.  Amherst and Midd seem very OK.  I am glad Trinity got into the NCAA tournament.  The Trinity keeper was really amazing in both games.  Conn. 1-4-1 in their last 6 games?  Oh well.  I hope Williams and Hopkins meet in the Sectional.  That would be a very interesting game.
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: Ocean 1 on November 11, 2016, 04:11:18 PM
Agree on all counts!

Here are some of my prognostications on who should make Sectionals:

* Williams v JHU
* Messiah v Stevens
* Lynchburg v Chicago
* Wisconsin Whitewater v Pomona
* Trinity TX v Carnegie Mellon
* Washington v Hardin Simmons
* TCNJ v Conn
*William Smith v Amherst
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: Jump4Joy on November 12, 2016, 01:41:17 PM
Amherst looked convincing today.
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: Ocean 1 on November 14, 2016, 08:30:42 AM
3 NESCAC teams in the 3rd Round...pretty good showing!
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: 2xfaux on November 14, 2016, 04:05:37 PM
And perhaps two in the final four.  I wish I could make it to Williams this weekend.  I expect three great games.
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: Ocean 1 on November 14, 2016, 05:12:34 PM
Agree.

On the Williams Sectional...think Williams advances v JHU and Messiah advances v Midd. What a Sectional!
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: nescac1 on November 14, 2016, 05:28:50 PM
Great Sectional indeed.  JHU is on a major roll of late, crushing a host of quality teams over the past few weeks and led by a senior who has 25 (!) goals on the season.  JHU and Williams have a long history of dead-even games in the tourney.  Messiah of course is Messiah.  After a dominant scoring stretch in early October, the Ephs have struggled a bit to put the ball into the net over the past few weeks despite totally dominating games in all respects, and will need to stop hitting crossbars, missing penalties and fairly open goals, and so on, if they hope to survive a very tough sectional. 

The good news for the Ephs is that everyone finally seems to be healthy and the defense has been extraordinarily stout -- for the Ephs, the key is to settle in and focus quickly as they have sometimes lacked a bit of sharpness early in contests.  The Ephs defense has only given up ONE goal beyond the first half of games all season (and zero since September 10), which is just unreal, and of the six goals they have surrended in total, two have come in the first MINUTE of games.  Once they get into the flow, the Ephs are really a tough nut to crack, and the tremendous team depth helps wear opponents down. 

Midd is definitely the underdog in the sectional but could of course surprise. 

Amherst will be a serious underdog vs. William Smith but Amherst has been killing it of late so who knows. 
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: 2xfaux on November 16, 2016, 03:09:45 PM
Williamstown Accuweather tells me 60 with sun and clouds Saturday but 45 with heavy rain and snow on Sunday.  "Hey, that's no way to say goodbye."  Say it ain't so.
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: Jump4Joy on November 19, 2016, 03:39:45 PM
Amherst had the #1 up against it today. Sorry to see their run come to an end.
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: nescac1 on November 21, 2016, 11:05:23 AM
Tough end to an amazing three year run for the Ephs' incredible group of seniors -- Kirshe and Thomas finished as the number 1 and 2 all-time scorers for Williams, and of course had two championship game appearances and one national title in addition to this year's Elite 8.  Williams once again surrended an early goal, but then Messiah absolutely exploded late in the game with a crazy flurry of goals to salt it away.  They look like the favorite in the Final Four with William Smith losing. 

Despite losing a historically-good senior class, the future for the Ephs remains bright, as they return the (normally) very stingy entire starting defensive backfield and midfield unit and GK, save for one player (Wardlaw, who also had a great career).  Obviously, they lose a lot of firepower up front, but this year's dynamic frosh duo Scire and Lu -- who may end up challenging some of Kirshe and Thomas's records -- and last year's championship game hero Alvarado provide some optimism that the Ephs will still be able to knock the ball into the net.  All-NESCAC MF Maddie Swarr missed the entire year with an injury ... perhaps she will redshirt and return next year to give the Ephs' even more returning firepower on the attack. 
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: 2xfaux on November 21, 2016, 06:08:54 PM
I wish the weather would have been better in Williamstown this past weekend.  I have no idea if the results would have been different but the wind and snow....Oh well.  I would love to see Williams and Messiah play more often.  Messiah made the trip to Williams a couple of years ago for an early season game and I have always hoped Williams would find a way to get to Grantham. 
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: Ocean 1 on December 01, 2016, 03:58:53 PM
Johnny come lately here on commenting but very much doubt results would have changed due to weather. Messiah just had some unbelievable good luck (and well placed shots!).

Would also like to see these two square-off more frequently...would help both programs although both have a top-level SOS already.
Title: Re: NESCAC 2016
Post by: amh63 on November 10, 2019, 03:55:02 PM
Wow.....no post here for years!
In any case, Amherst won the Nescac championship today on Tufts' home field.  Amherst beat the host team Tufts yesterday 3-0. Today, Amherst the 4th seed beat Mid, the 2nd seed.  Several FYs' combined with veterans to return to the NCAA post season...pre season goals within reach ;).