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Messages - All NESCAC

#1
Quote from: nescac1 on November 12, 2017, 04:54:47 AM
After watching a good chunk of the game, my heroes of the day for the Ephs:

Maimaron (obviously)

Adam Regensburg: went out in style, making several critical, very difficult catches and converting the huge faked punt (more on that later). 

Chris Hattar and Sam Gowen: the Eph senior DT tackle duo have won the battle in the trenches most of the year, and yesterday was no exception.  The Ephs' rushing defense was typically stout, and Amherst's elite rushing attack had very few running lanes, as those two dudes held strong in the middle.  They also combined for a sack and forced fumble.  I never in a million years would have given the Ephs the edge in the trenches vs Amherst but in the trenches is where the game was won.

An aside: DT is by far the biggest question mark on next year's squad. Those two guys are both top-flight starters and the Ephs also graduate their top two back-ups, including Lloyd Campbell who had a great, unsung senior year.  There are no guys who seem like natural DTs returning, so a combo of position switches, guys bulking up, and likely some frosh will have to fill in those holes.  It helps that the second level of the defense figures to be much improved, with the top four LBs and top five DBs — four of whom, combined, were frosh — all returning.  But the veteran DT group, who were the core of this year's D, will be tough to replace. 

Ryan Pruss: the Ephs' seldom-used second tight end got the bulk of action at TB, and he was a workhorse, at times limping around back there but soldiering on.  The Ephs were hurt all year by injuries at TB, so this may have been in part by necessity, but it ended up being a brilliant move.  He picked up 50 very tough, physical yards, putting a beating on the defense with each yard he gained.  He served as a one-man wrecking crew for Maimaron to run behind. And he did a great job keeping blitzers / LBs running free — a big issue in recent weeks — off Maimaron in the passing game.  For a guy mostly new to that role to have that kind of impact in such a big situation is amazing.  Hopefully the Ephs add some more TB depth in recruiting to help Dozier out next year.  But I do expect Williams to keep defenses off balance by mixing in Pruss as a different sort of look going forward. 

The coaching staff: the fake punt was the ballsiest call I've ever seen.  Up 14 with the ball deep in your own territory, on 4th and nine?  Had it failed, the staff would have been crucified.  But it was also, oddly, about as safe a fake punt as you will see.  It was Regensburg's only carry of the year and especially in that situation no one would ever expect it.  He's got tremendous speed, rare for a punter.  And it looked to me like he may have had an option to punt it away if things looked dicey after rolling out.  Brilliant call that they were obviously waiting all season to unleash.  Also, the double reverse flea flicker — using not one but TWO tight ends to handle the ball — was brilliantly executed by all involved in a key situation.  Both of those plays ultimately led to Ephs TDs in a game where every point was critical. 

One Mammoth shout-out: Craig Carmilani was awesome for Amherst in his last game, single-handedly making it a contest late.  Neither of these squads was remotely senior-dominated, but it was, appropriately, several seniors (Foy also for Amherst) who made a big impact for both. 

Midd does seem to have yet another great gunslinger in its arsenal.  Williams and Amherst should both be much-improved next year.  Midd and Trinity will just keep on rolling as both bring back loads of key dudes and tremendous systems.  Tufts loses some great defenders but has pretty much the whole offense back.  Of the top tier, Wesleyan loses the most but returns enough to be right in the mix again.  Even Hamilton looks like a team on the rise.   Gonna be fun!
Great points and observations of the Ephs vs Amherst game.  Truly an instant classic of the Biggest Little Game.  Coach Raymond and his staff have done an amazing job turning the football program and culture around in such a short period of time.  Truly 1 to 2 years ahead of time for most Eph fans.  Of course having Maimaron certainly does help.  Maimaron was truly spectacular as was Regansburg.  Maimaron's composure even after the pick 6 was amazing for a frosh.  Williams use of the up-tempo/racecar offense had Amherst off balance for the entire first half.  Gutsy call on the fake punt.  Amherst seniors Foye and Carmilani both played tremendous in 2nd half in the comeback, but have to salute the way the young Ephs kept their cool and found a way to win.  Go Ephs!
#2
Men's soccer / Re: NESCAC
November 06, 2017, 02:06:49 PM
Quote from: letsGOswans! on November 06, 2017, 01:47:28 PM
Wow! What a great surprise. Don't underestimate my Camels boys :) no Nescac team will want to play us !!!

Nes ac is definitely worthy of 4 bids though, especially considering last 3 champs were from our conference. Congrats to all!

Wow 5 from Nescac in the tournament.  Congratulations Conn Camels!!!!  Go NESCAC!!!
#3
Men's soccer / Re: NESCAC
February 23, 2017, 04:49:50 PM
Quote from: injured_nescac_player on February 15, 2017, 04:29:04 PM
Hey guys,

I just wanted to share what one of our guys wrote about NESCAC soccer (he's a player in it). It's an absolutely hilarious satire about NESCAC soccer, and I still chuckle when I read it. takeplug is a site that (a former player, still in college, had to stop because of several knee surgeries) was just founded a couple days ago. Hope you take a read, you'll be missing out if you don't!

https://www.takeplug.com/writing-1/2017/2/14/would-paul-pogba-make-it-in-the-nescac

Cheers.

Now that is funny.
#4
Spot on Nescac1..."the defectors" need to watch out...look what happened in Billsville....god forbid a NESCAC school has a successful run in Football....they may reduce the number of the Athletic Scholarships or worse actually make the football players go to class and graduate or actually become a contributing member of society....this tilting at the athletic windmills goes back decades in the NESCAC....it amazed me back then and continues today. 
#5
Men's soccer / Re: New England Soccer Discussion
December 09, 2016, 02:30:58 PM
Quote from: blooter442 on December 09, 2016, 12:48:35 PM
Quote from: PaulNewman on December 09, 2016, 11:56:05 AM
I'll chime in as well.  Kind of hard to wrap one's head around how special and unique it is to have a 44 year career at one place, whether in D3 soccer or really in any area in life.  This last half-decade or so at Brandeis really could not have gone any better in terms of Coven putting his final signature on his career.  And he always as far as I can tell has given Margolis tremendous credit for the program resurgence and for re-energizing and influencing him.  It does seem that he is beloved by his players and that he does not take that for granted.  And to have Brandeis now among the most elite soccer programs in the country is quite the accomplishment.  Brandeis obviously is right smack in the middle of NESCAC-land.  In general, I wouldn't consider Brandeis a competitor with NESCAC schools as Brandeis would seem to attract a different kind of student.  I think of Brandeis (and Holy Cross) as the two New England schools similar in academic reputation to the NESCACs but not necessarily big overlaps with them.  Brandeis is well-known for being 50% or more Jewish and also for having a proud history of focusing on social justice.  I've always thought of Brandeis as a place that attracts and nurtures students who truly want to make a difference in the world.  All that said, I think in recent years Coven and Margolis have been able to get some players that either could have gone to NESCACs or where NESCACs have dropped the ball and missed out.  At any rate, a huge congratulations to Coach Coven.

Well said. In my opinion, the Holy Cross parallel is a very good one, and one I had never thought of before. One interesting thing is that – while the 50%+ Jewish student body was true historically – it is now less than 50% if I am correct. It's certainly getting more diverse every year.

In terms of non-athletic admissions, Brandeis competes with a few NESCACs, mostly Colby, Bates, Conn. etc. I don't think that Brandeis is competitive with Williams/Amherst/Middlebury/Bowdoin/etc., but I would say it is quite competitive with the other NESCACs: I myself chose Brandeis over Conn. College, although I think I would have been happy at Conn., and I know of at least two kids off the top of my head who chose Brandeis over Colby. I even know one kid who chose Brandeis over Bowdoin, although I think that is certainly the exception and not the norm. This is not meant to be a brag piece, but just to illustrate a bit about Brandeis' admissions alongside those of the NESCACs.

Most importantly, I think you do well to recognize that Coven has indeed credited Margolis time and time again with transforming the program. He even said after his 500 win that he would "not be standing here today if it wasn't for Gabe Margolis." Whether that means particularly that Margolis helped save his job or he wouldn't have reached 500 wins, I don't know, but he certainly recognizes the role that Gabe has had in Brandeis soccer this past decade.

Congratulations Coach Coven on an absolutely tremendous career.  I got to know him first through club soccer and then when he recruited my son....yes he was still writing those hand written notes to recruits back in 2010 and 2011.  Great guy who told it like it was...no bs...his former players love him...he and Coach Margolis have done a tremendous job with the Brandeis program over the last 8 years both on the field and especially recruiting in Massachusetts...congratulations and good luck with your next adventure!
#6
Men's soccer / Re: 2016 D3 Season: NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
December 05, 2016, 12:48:53 PM
Quote from: letsGOswans! on December 02, 2016, 02:55:44 PM
Is this a joke? 8 forwards? Lol that Nescac only has 3 players. Regardless of my bias, Devlin should be a first team all American. Hopefully other sites do a better job.

Spot on letsGOswans....looks even better now that another NESCAC has won the D3 Championship....congratulations Tufts Jumbos....Devlin should be 1st team no question.
#7
Quote from: PolarCat on December 03, 2016, 07:13:25 PM
NECN is broadcasting the Mass High School Super Bowls, and Williams commit Bobby Maimaron and his Duxbury teammates are on right now.  At halftime, Duxbury leads Shrewsbury 20-7.  Maimaron is very, very good (2 passing TD's and one beautiful rushing TD).  His favorite receiver #1 Ryan Reagan is truly outstanding.  Definitely a D1 caliber receiver.

Second half should be starting soon.

Maimaron and Duxbury looked pretty good on Saturday.  Let's hope he can get on the field early in his Williams career.  Go EPHS!
#8
Men's soccer / Re: NESCAC
October 28, 2016, 04:48:48 PM
Quote from: oldonionbag on October 27, 2016, 02:15:27 PM
Hamilton  1-2 Conn...Devlin scores in OT to knock off the surprise team of the CAC.
Williams 1-1 Midd...hard fought battle, Midd thru on PKs to keep faint Pool C alive.
Tufts 2 - 1 Bowdoin...similar to Tuesday, but lightning doesn't strike twice. Becherano with the late winner.
Amherst 3-1 Trinity...Amherst dispatches Trinity fairly easily, but give up a soft one.

I think OldOnionBag has this spot on....Conn wins in rematch as both Devlin and Manoogian get to play vs Hamilton this time.....Midd finds a way as the Ephs cannot get their offense started in this one.....Tufts won't let Bowdoin do it twice in a season to them....and Amherst will overwhelm Trinity as the Lord Jeff's (sorry but they will always be the Lord Jeff's) continue on their way to the NECAC Tournament Title.
#9
Men's soccer / Re: NESCAC
October 20, 2016, 10:40:53 AM
Quote from: dacac on October 18, 2016, 09:54:46 AM
Quote from: Jump4Joy on October 17, 2016, 08:01:41 PM
With all due respect, I'm waiting for the POY contender to make game-changing impact in tough games.
Hard to emerge as POY without being a consistent game changer in contests against the top of one's league.
Who are the other contenders this year?

On Saturday, Tufts had one player follow Devlin around the entire game. Even when he was nowhere near the ball, Tufts had a player right next to him. When he received the ball, 2/3 guys were on him instantaneously. Despite all this focus on him, he still had a great game. He created nearly all of Conn's opportunities and, as usual, was the best player on the field. NESCAC teams know how Conn plays and make defending Devlin their focal point. They're waiting for another conn player to beat them, unfortunately, no one has stepped up. Better teams with more attacking options and depth can't be defended like teams are defending Conn. If you look at the top forwards and attacking midfielders of the past, they've always had at least 1, and usually more than 1 great attacking option playing alongside them. Devlin does not, and as a result opposing teams are able to focus in on him more so than other top players.

Despite Conn's shortcomings, Devlin's impact this season has been incredible. Over the past few years, I can't recall a player as technically & athletically gifted and as competitive as he is. In my opinion, he's the best and most impactful player NESCAC player I've seen in a while.

Spot on.  it's awful hard to create the offense and score the goal....every Butch Cassidy needs a Sundance...and Devlin doesn't have the other players around him when playing against the top talent teams in the league this year.  Devlin was tremendous last year and he has raised his level of play even higher this season.  He could have gone to a number of Top D1 teams, but CHOSE Conn and it is quite evident from his play that he is a D1 talent dominating in THE top D3 league.  That said while there is no clear cut dominate team this season Amherst, once again, appears to be the best of the bunch as they continue to get it done game after game which continues to be a very impressive run  of soccer year after year.
#10
Men's soccer / Re: NESCAC
October 17, 2016, 02:07:02 PM
Quote from: letsGOswans! on October 16, 2016, 09:51:38 PM
Tufts did not impress me in their win against Conn yesterday. Compared to previous Tufts teams they are inferior technically and far less imposing physically. I can see Tufts advancing to the second or third round of the tournament because the rest of the league is down this year, but Mr. Right is spot on when he says Tufts is VERY beatable.

Agree with Swans....watched Conn v Tufts--tale of 2 halves--Tufts controlled in first half, but Conn dominated in 2nd half, and but for a couple of great saves by Tufts keeper Tufts would have lost.  This Tufts squad is the weakest in the past 4 years by a big margin....they did not impress....got the Win, but not impressed.  That said Devlin for Conn continues to shine he is POY going away.
#11
Men's soccer / Re: NESCAC
September 22, 2016, 12:56:15 PM
Quote from: Mr.Right on September 21, 2016, 10:55:08 AM
Quote from: All NESCAC on September 21, 2016, 10:15:46 AM
Quote from: Nutmeg on September 20, 2016, 08:09:47 PM
Quote from: Off Pitch on September 20, 2016, 08:04:44 PM
Conn beats Coast Guard 1-0 in a game in which Devlin received a red card at 55:44.  Coast Guard had received two yellows in the preceding minute, so I would imagine things got interesting for a while in New London.   Conn only out-shot CG 7-6.   Pretty sure this means Devlin misses Saturday's game at Hamilton. 

Did anyone see this game?

7-6 shots? A real snooze fest.  That red card will hurt his team...




Watched a good chunk of the game....Conn controlled the game....typical Conn/Coast Guard game--a battle royal of a heated rivalry of schools literally across the street from one another with bodies slamming all over the field.  Never pretty when these two schools play.  Losing Devlin (the best CM and player in the league IMHO) is a killer, but Conn has some confidence going.  Manoogian and Lockwood and the back line with Summers are all playing well.




Was it a straight red? What happened? Coast Guard is typically VERY fit and will run all day and usually have decent GK'ing. Their 2-0 result against Babson turned my head for sure.
Straight Red, but literally within seconds of two straight yellow cards on Coast Guard.  Devlin has always had a "bite" to him when he or one of his teammates has been wronged/hit/clipped....boys will be boys.  conn handled the game quite well playing Coast Guard with only 10 players for the last 35 minutes. 
#12
Men's soccer / Re: NESCAC
September 21, 2016, 10:15:46 AM
Quote from: Nutmeg on September 20, 2016, 08:09:47 PM
Quote from: Off Pitch on September 20, 2016, 08:04:44 PM
Conn beats Coast Guard 1-0 in a game in which Devlin received a red card at 55:44.  Coast Guard had received two yellows in the preceding minute, so I would imagine things got interesting for a while in New London.   Conn only out-shot CG 7-6.   Pretty sure this means Devlin misses Saturday's game at Hamilton. 

Did anyone see this game?

7-6 shots? A real snooze fest.  That red card will hurt his team...

Watched a good chunk of the game....Conn controlled the game....typical Conn/Coast Guard game--a battle royal of a heated rivalry of schools literally across the street from one another with bodies slamming all over the field.  Never pretty when these two schools play.  Losing Devlin (the best CM and player in the league IMHO) is a killer, but Conn has some confidence going.  Manoogian and Lockwood and the back line with Summers are all playing well.
#13
Quote from: Mr.Right on July 14, 2016, 07:08:18 PM
Middlebury will contend to win Nescac in 2016 and to go deep in the NCAA's... NCAA Final 4 would be a stretch unless things align their way...i.e Home field advantage, good bracket, couple upsets, etc....

Reason-----After last season's NCAA snub and their season ending in PK's in the Nescac Semi's at home to Wesleyan should have this team FOCUSED all year and for every game...They return almost everyone important except for Deklan Robinson and a couple role players but honestly they are all replaceable. Robinson will be missed in the air but they have plenty of replacements chomping at the bit. Conrad will be back along with Glasst and their GK..The biggest problem I have had with this team in recent years is they lack a true playmaker in midfield..As long as they keep hoofing it, which they will, then they can get away with it up to a point but against better teams they will not be able to keep possession for long periods and therefore will have fewer SOG. However, they will feast as usual on set pieces and defensive miscues.

Spot on and in agreement with Mr Right.
#14
Quote from: nescac1 on June 09, 2016, 04:29:51 PM
IslandTime, actually, no.  Only one school from NESCAC (Amherst) could have gotten points from football assuming NESCAC teams were eligible for the NCAA tourney, and given that no NESCAC team would have even a remote chance to go deep into the NCAA tournament in Division 3, Amherst would have received only a small bump, if any, in the standings -- and no other school would have received any bump whatsoever.  Williams would have finished first in the Director's Cup, either way.

All NESCAC, any more detailed reports on the new coaching staff at Williams?  I don't have high hopes in terms of a massive W-L improvement in year one: the rising senior class at Williams is as devoid of elite talent as any that I can recall, and I imagine the incoming frosh talent has been hurt by a coaching transition at the worst possible time.  Also, there is the minor issue of having no returning QB with any experience or any real reputation whatsoever.  I see this as at least a 2-3 year rebuilding process, but I would like to see the team to show more discipline and creativity on the field next season, regardless of wins and losses, and I'm confident that will occur under the new staff ...   

I'll echo others who have given kudos to the folks at Nothing But NESCAC.  Tremendous job, folks!

Nescac1--all the chatter I've heard from Williamstown is how the returning players have "bought in" to the new coaching staff and the "new routine" and expectations for the offseason.  The Alumni base has been reengaged by the new coaching staff which had not been the case with the prior HFC.  One step at a time, but all is moving forward and the building blocks are being put into place.  Doubtful you will see a tremendous turn around in W/L in Year 1, but we are hopeful and energized that we will see improvement.  The big jump should be in the next 2 years with a revised and revitalized recruiting effort which was lacking in the past.  Go EPHS!
#15
 :)
Quote from: jumpshot on June 09, 2016, 06:22:22 AM
Williams College wins its 19th out of 21 Learfield Directors' Cup, a remarkable accomplishment evidencing an unique consistency of purpose in successfully integrating academic and athletic excellence. Washington University, with almost 4 times as many undergraduates, finishes second, and Emory, another much larger school is third, followed by Tufts and Middlebury.

Way to go Ephs!

Great job Ephs!   Reports are the Ephs offseason football with the new Coaching staff is moving forward in a positive way.