Wonder what Becks thinks of Wes this year? I know of some good frosh coming in. I think Wes could finish top three.
A slow start this season, but things will pick up in a week or so!
So now Messiah comes to Williams (apologies to Muhlenberg, who should not be taken lightly on Wednesday) for another early Saturday game. Any thoughts NESCAC folks?
I see that both of Williams' games this weekend have been moved to MCLA in North Adams. Apparently Williamstown and the Williams' fields have taken quite a beating from the recent storms, which Rick Perry has assured us have nothing to due with.....well, that's a whole different story. Does anyone know anything about this field? I assume it is turf of some kind. Is it big? Is it small? Is it painted blue? Both games (Messiah and Oneonta) should be a good test for the Ephs. Becks told me it was okay for other NESCAC fans to post their thoughts.
Williams will have to do somthing which no team has done vs Messiah so far this season, score. I think they will.
Did not look at the box, but Williams lost and not able to get on the scoreboard. Most interesting match of the day is the Wes v. Tufts game. May show whether Wes is capable this year of moving into the top end of NESCAC, but Tufts is always solid and the match is at Tufts which leads me to think that Tufts will prevail in a tight game.
Saw the Wes v Tufts game on-line. Wes was lucky game wasn't 3-0 for Tufts. Stats support dominance by Tufts.
Williams played a real nice game, but just couldn't get one in. They also did a good job of limiting Messiah to only one goal, especailly in the first 15 minutes when Messiah's attack was clicking. Was impressed with how fit and strong Williams was throughout the entire game. To get to the final four you need to be fit and have a strong bench. Both of these teams seem to have this, although Messiah is playing without four potential starters right now. I wouldn't be surprised to see either team (or both) playing in San Antonio later this year.
Often, over the last couple years, Messiah has seemed to be more fit early than many of their opponents. As you point out, purplehat, Williams and last week William Smith seem to have come physically prepared from the get go. Hard work over the summer is certainly a key to early season success. Hopefully some of the Falcons walking wounded can get back to action soon. I don't ever remember a Messiah team being so banged up.
One of the remarkable things about the Williams side is they have 10 frosh on the roster. What started the season as appearing to be a rebuilding year looks more like one of reloading.
Also don't believe anyone else in NESCAC has the same demanding non-conference schedule as Williams. That should bode well for their season.
Before you anoint the new Williams class as the replacement for Wild, etc. let's just take a deep breath and realize we are only a few games into a long season - Williams will always get the pick of the NESCAC litter so they will consistently be good - how good - well that remains to be seen - both Amherst and Midd looked good this past weekend - Midd dominated a weak Colby team and v. Amherst, Midd controlled play in the first half but could not clear a corner and found themselves in an 0-2 hole at halftime - they have some nice freshman additions - after last year's melt down at Midd (up 3-0 with 9 minutes to play - only to lose in overtime) Amherst played a very physical, aggressive game - very athletic and good speed - they will be a very tough team - does any one know what happened to Hannah Cooper - she would be a junior now at Amherst but her name is not on the roster - was very good as a freshman and sophomore
With respect to Hannah, I too noticed that she is not on the roster. I have been following her since she is from the Md./D.C. area. My guess is that she is taking her Junior year abroad this semester/year. Hannah's talents have been held back the past few years due to injuries. Her playing time has decreased. With a strong FY class and the coach's seemly preference to insert younger players......Hannah may have decided to concentrate on her schooling this year and enjoy herself a little.
Quote from: machine54 on September 20, 2011, 04:02:28 PM
Before you anoint the new Williams class as the replacement for Wild, etc. let's just take a deep breath and realize we are only a few games into a long season - Williams will always get the pick of the NESCAC litter so they will consistently be good - how good - well that remains to be seen - both Amherst and Midd looked good this past weekend - Midd dominated a weak Colby team and v. Amherst, Midd controlled play in the first half but could not clear a corner and found themselves in an 0-2 hole at halftime - they have some nice freshman additions - after last year's melt down at Midd (up 3-0 with 9 minutes to play - only to lose in overtime) Amherst played a very physical, aggressive game - very athletic and good speed - they will be a very tough team - does any one know what happened to Hannah Cooper - she would be a junior now at Amherst but her name is not on the roster - was very good as a freshman and sophomore
Believe I said reload, not replace. Besides, Williams has 13 upperclassmen on the team who have won championships together. With nearly a third of the regular season behind us I don't see many surprises happening leading to the tournament. And based on their strong showing against the dominant team in the country (shots: Mess 11/Will 10 & corners: 3-all), my nod goes to Williams to win NESCAC yet again
I just have to ask. How does machine54 rate a -2 karma? I am jealous.
Ocean1 - we can debate whether Williams has 13 upperclassmen who contributed meaningful minutes to past championships (I believe I have the better of the argument) - with that said a bench player on Williams is more likely than not to be better than a starter on other D3 or even some NESCAC teams -- for the past several seasons it has been practically a birth rite for Williams to advance to the NCAA tournament (see NY Yankees) - so until another NESCAC team steps up - (Tufts did win the regular season title last year) the EPHs (Evil Empire) are the team to beat (as much as it pains me to say that) - and as far as Williams is concerned - simply making it to the big dance - while a nice accomplishment - is really just the first step - an early departure - like last year - is clearly (for Williams) a very disappointing season - such is life at the top -- while for other NESCAC teams - simply getting to the tournament is quite an accomplishment since it doesn't happen on a annual basis -- I look for Amherst to give Williams all they can handle --
On the William's team, my observation is they do a lot of platooning in both halves, so players do get experience and have impact.
Curious about the view of them as the evil empire...what is the genesis of that?
Amherst beat Springfield at home tonight 1-0....in a 7PM start game. Amherst was very aggressive in the first half. Didn't watch the video in the second half due to chores. Springfield was the 2nd ranked NE team....behind Williams in the last 9/13/11 poll.
Amherst beat Hamilton 2-1 in 2OT today at Hamilton.
And Williams ties Bowdoin, 1-1. Anyone see that game and have the low-down (beyond the stat that Williams outshot Bowdoin, 22-9)?
On the Williams game, I heard from someone who attended that it was a tough, physical contest and that Williams was basically slow afoot and out of sync to start the first half.
They apparently picked it up and had many opportunities in the second half (Bowdoin also had a few) but couldn't convert.
Amherst 2, Trinity 0. Heard that teams traded possession with Trinity on the advantage in the first half and Amherst taking over convincingly in the second.
Amherst matches their best start on record: 7-0-0!
Quote from: Jump4Joy on October 01, 2011, 10:41:31 PM
Amherst matches their best start on record: 7-0-0!
Will be interesting to see if they can extend that against Williams on Saturday who have played 6/7 games away and will now be at home for that match.
Ocean, do you know whether Williams will be on their own field next week, or will they be at MCLA again? What happened to the field?
Quote from: Jump4Joy on October 02, 2011, 06:07:43 PM
Ocean, do you know whether Williams will be on their own field next week, or will they be at MCLA again? What happened to the field?
I'm speculating as it's still not clear yet. They have 3 options...i) Cole Field (Men's), a natural grass surface; ii) MCLA, a nice synthetic turf; and iii) William's lacrosse field, a lesser form of synthetic turf where they played last week.
Both women's and men's fields were significantly flooded during Irene...men's field was fixable for this season, women's field was not.
Williams vs. Hamilton game on Tuesday, 10/5 will be at Renzie Lamb (lacrosse) Field as per website...Amherst game site for Saturday still to be decided.
Amherst takes Williams, 3-0. After Amherst went up, 2-0, it was mostly Williams with possession for the remainder of the half. Most of that possession was in the middle third, though, and when they did make it into the red zone, Amherst's backs did a good job keeping the Ephs from getting good looks at the frame. The Jeffs' keeper was forced to make one quality save on a shot heading just inside the right post on the ground, and she came through big time.
The second half evened out again like the first part of the game. With about 15 mins to go, Williams seemed to have scored to bring them within one with plenty of time left, but the AR had lifted his flag before the shot, and Amherst was happy to have the restart at the 12 instead of at the midstripe. With about 10 to go, Williams was awarded a PK for Amherst's handling in the box, but the shooter hit the right post (goalie's left), and the ball rebounded wide of the box. Very soon thereafter, Amherst hit the crossbar.
Stats make it look like Williams had more of an attacking thrust, and at times they did. But most of their shots came from well outside and were losing steam before reaching the frame, allowing Amherst's keeper to make several basket catches.
Interestingly, Amherst didn't play their best game of the season but still came away with a shutout victory, scoring more goals against this very good Williams team than all other opponents have, combined, this season. The Jeffs stand alone at the top of the table for now.
Note: Boxscore says Ephs outshot Jeffs 26-14, but the more telling stat is the SOG: 12-10.
I thought Jump's write-up was a fair assessment for the most part. I would add however that Amherst had no consistent offense while the Ephs were able to move the ball at will but couldn't capitalize on their 12 SOG opportunities. Amherst scoring came at the expense of 3 Eph mistakes which of course is part of the game.
I would bet these two teams will meet again in the playoffs and no doubt that will be one good game. Will be interesting to see how Williams responds tomorrow with tired legs vs. Trinity who is fresh.
Posters should take a look at the highlights of the Amherst-Williams game on the Amherst website. Amherst's coach admits that it was not one of her teams strongest games, but was pleased with the win at Williams. Indeed, it will be interesting to see another match when both teams bring their A-game. Other than that it still is a 3 goal shut out in an away game for Amherst.
OH, HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN
what a week: first the Yanks, then the Phils and then, last but not least, the EPHS !!
And you just have to love the post-game quote by Coach Pinard "I think Amherst was the best team we've played other than Messiah". You think ?? Maybe you want to add Conn College to the list.
No Woodson, no Walmsley, no Wolfson, no Wild (is is just me or did we all get the sense that Williams specifically recruited players whose last names started with "W') looking more and more like the EPH offense just runs through 2 extremely talented players - Amherst is stronger defensively and has more offensive weapons -- nice when the NESCAC rookie of the year comes off the bench.
We all realize that this is likely just round 1 between these two NESCAC heavyweights and that Amherst has choked it up in the past (6-1 regular season victory over Midd in '09 only to lose to Midd 1-0 in NESCAC semifinals (one of the most intense games ever)) should be an interesting tournament -- enjoy !!
Amherst beats ECSU 2-1 at Williamatic this afternoon. It was Amherst 1-0 at the half. ECSU tied it up at 1-1, but Amherst gets the winner late in the game. Amherst out shot Eastern Conn. and had twice as many corner kicks. ECSU led in fouls. Back to the NESCAC this weekend.
Amherst is obviously very good. Does anyone have a real shot at them before the NESCAC tournament?
Quote from: 2xfaux on October 11, 2011, 06:41:49 PM
Amherst is obviously very good. Does anyone have a real shot at them before the NESCAC tournament?
With only 4 games left...at Bowdoin/Colby and home vs. Wes/Conn, unless the Maine trip gets in the way or injuries surface, I'm inclined to think they finish the regular season undefeated.
However, winning the NESCAC Championship will be another matter as there are still piranha lurking in those waters!
Thanks Ocean 1 for making/answering the question wrt to the Amherst squad in the games ahead. I fully admit, I am not an close follower of soccer and today's game has passed me by as I watch them on the college level. I was introduced to the game as a freshman playing on the freshman team when Amherst was all male and there were freshmen (today's FY's) sports teams. When my kids were at Amherst, I watched soccer to follow friends of my kids....today, I follow the sport because of particular players.
Anyway, I do believe that as teams finish out the second half of their season, it becomes,IMO, more dependent on the coaches....call it the "coach's season". The coaches have had time to evaluate/watch their players in different types of games. They have started to build depth on their squad as injuries have occurred. Different player combinations have been made as new players have emerged. This is the time when lineups and substitue changes are more frequent.....to overcome tired legs, travel fatique, etc. Case in point is this week's player of the week.....won by an Amherst FY player that had little playing time early in the season and is listed as a backup GK/M player.
Yes, the post season lies ahead....but the coach needs to focus the players only on the next game. It the coaches cannot do this...the post season will be a short one. Much of my random comments applies to other sports that my kids played and I watched.
Amherst beats Colby in Maine 5-1. It was 2-0 at the half and 3-0 before Colby scored to make it 3-1. Amherst closed it out with two quick goals and put in subs in the last quarter. They play Bowdoin on Sunday.
Amherst stays unbeaten in a hard fought game at Bowdoin in front of a Homecoming crowd. Amherst wins 2-1 in 2OT. Game shows how tough it gets in the conference on a homefield. The league play seems to be even. Conference playoffs should be interesting. Amherst meets Wes. at home for a Homecoming match this weekend.
The good news for Amherst is they were able to come back from an even score to push for the victory. Same was true in their OT win over Hamilton. Coaches/teams like to know that they are capable of fighting through. Still, they could have put the game away in the first half, so finishing golden opportunities presents as a category to work on for this team for the NESCAC tourney and anything that comes beyond that. Of course, first things first: Wesleyan.
Forgot that Amherst plays Keene St. in NH tonight at 7 PM. The game will be on the web, for free....courtesy of the fine people at Keene State. Amherst needs to stay focus on this game. Keene has won 5 straight games and is hard to beat at home. However, their record against conference teams is not good. Still, they beat Amherst last year at Amherst.
Amherst beats Keene St. 3-1 on a wet field in a drizzle on a cold night in NH. Keene scored first and it seemed wake the Amherst players up. Amherst increased the pressure and scored two goals within two minutes of each other. Half ended 2-1. Amherst had made several subs early. The second half, Amherst kept up the pressure and by midway, it was 3-1. Amherst dominated the 2nd half and kept the play in the Keene's side. Game ended with Amherst credited with 10 SOG to Keene's 3 SOG. I believe the 3SOGs by Keene were all in the first half. Next game is on Sat. against Wes. and it is critical. A win by Amherst will give the team the top seed in the conference tournament, I believe.....even with one more conference game remaining.
Looks like alot of teams will be fighting for their playoff lives over this next week. Wes on the boarder and can secure a spot with a win today at Conn. That would leave two spots for the remaining five teams -- any conjecture on who is in or out of the remaining five?
Quote from: Giggs on October 20, 2011, 04:16:06 PM
Looks like alot of teams will be fighting for their playoff lives over this next week. Wes on the boarder and can secure a spot with a win today at Conn. That would leave two spots for the remaining five teams -- any conjecture on who is in or out of the remaining five?
Here's my prediction for the NESCAC conference playoffs and seedings:
#1 seed to Amherst: look for them to sweep Wes and Conn in home games to close NESCAC regular season undefeated at 10-0-0...first team with a perfect record since the Williams teams of 2009/2007 & 2001
#2 seed to Williams: they will sweep Colby home and Midd away to close regular at 8-1-1
#3 seed to Middlebury: will beat Bates away and lose to Williams at home to finish at 6-3-1
#4 seed to Tufts: will drop a road trip to Hamilton and beat Bowdoin away for a 5-4-1 record
#5 seed to Wesleyan: will drop Amherst game away and beat Trinity at home to end at 5-5-0
#6 seed to Hamilton: will win at home v. Tufts to finish their first year in the conference at 5-5-0
#7 seed to Bates: will lose at home v. Midd and beat Colby at home to finish at 3-5-2
#8 seed to Trinity: will beat Bowdoin at home and lose to Wes away to finish at 3-5-2
Not too great with the predictions my sea faring friend -- you thinking about changing your mind for what shapes up to be a huge midweek game for Midd - Midd has just about completed turned over its roster in two years (having lost 8 seniors last year - 6/7 starters) and now starts just one senior - the new starters have really stepped up in a big way -- a victory over the Michelyne Men would go a long way towards securing a NCAA bid and position them for home field advantage in the remote chance that Amherst would lose its first round NESCAC tourney game -- it should be a good one with the teams likely meeting 10 days later @ Amherst - although nothing is guaranteed in a one game - go home - format --
Ocean did fairly swimmingly on predictions for the first half of the two-part series. Missed the Tufts/Hamilton score by a goal (they tied) and missed the Trinity/Bowdoin mark (Bowdoin won), but otherwise scores held true per the preview. Mid-week matches will provide much excitement in the NESCAC as it comes down to the wire for some teams.
Quote from: machine54 on October 22, 2011, 10:19:09 PM
Not too great with the predictions my sea faring friend -- you thinking about changing your mind for what shapes up to be a huge midweek game for Midd - Midd has just about completed turned over its roster in two years (having lost 8 seniors last year - 6/7 starters) and now starts just one senior - the new starters have really stepped up in a big way -- a victory over the Michelyne Men would go a long way towards securing a NCAA bid and position them for home field advantage in the remote chance that Amherst would lose its first round NESCAC tourney game -- it should be a good one with the teams likely meeting 10 days later @ Amherst - although nothing is guaranteed in a one game - go home - format --
As you point out, prognostication is a difficult business at best...but alot of fun being out there in the mix of things nonetheless.
On the Williams vs. Midd game Wednesday, it shapes-up to be a huge game for both teams, and both teams share a number of characteristics in terms of player roster make-up.
That is, Midds roster has 17 upperclassmen (2 seniors) and 7 frosh while Williams (who lost 9 seniors from last year) has 13 upperclassmen (3 seniors) and 10 frosh. While Midd started 9 upperclassmen and 2 frosh in its last game, Williams started 8 upperclassmen and 3 frosh.
In this respect, it looks like Midd has the advantage on all fronts...experience, playing on their home field, and having far less team injuries than the Ephs.
So, perhaps I should take you up on your offer to change my prediction for this game. But NO...what fun would that be?
Perhaps the only thing sweeter than an underdog Eph victory over Midd Wednesday culminating by winning a NESCAC title for an unprecedented 5th consecutive year, would be the game that occurred in 2004 between the teams.
You may recall that is when the #6 seed Ephs playing away vs. #1 seed Midd, rallied to tie the score at 1-1 in the waning minutes of regular time in the NESCAC Championship game. The depleted Eph squad then pushed through 2 scoreless OT's before claiming their first NESCAC title in a shootout.
Change my prediction...NO WAY...I prefer to think that the current EPH squad will find a way to prevail!
GO EPHS!!!
With all due respect to Mid & Williams, the three important games are Trin v. Wes today, then Tufts v. Bowdoin, and Colby Bates. Wes actually has the opportunity to get home field with a win coupled with a Bowdoin win over Tufts--which also will put Bowdoin securely in the playoffs. Don't want to run all the possibilities, but these are the games with ramifications.
Wes wins with two second half goals. With that result, Bowdoin secures a spot in the playoff's. Last spot is between Colby, Bates, Trinity. Colby needs the win to jump to the eight spot.
Great comeback by Wes with less than 10 mins. to go to register those 2 goals. Would be a nice touch and major progress for the program to see Wes secure the 4th seed position and home advantage in the NESCAC quarters if Bowden can beat Tuft's at home tomorrow.
Actually Trinity is also out, with a tie or better Bates is in, Colby is in with a win. Rest of the games are about seeding (or home field for Tufts).
Three cheers to Amherst on their undefeated regular season.
For soccer fans, both the mens and women's games will be web casted as Amherst hosts both conference tournament games. There is also an interesting soccer story on the website...Backup goalie for the men's team. B. Saldana, played in the net for two of his national team's games.
Where did all the front running EPH fans go ??
Quote from: machine54 on October 28, 2011, 12:44:32 PM
Where did all the front running EPH fans go ??
Right behind you Machine.
Sorry the game that started at 2 PM was not webcasted. The men's game at 2:30 had its webcast canceled due to the weather. Oh yes, Amherst beats Bowdoin 3-2 in OT.......Amherst had beaten the polar bears 2-1 in 2 OT up in Maine earlier. Wonder how the weather affected both teams.
Weather during Amherst/Bowdoin made all the difference. While playing on grass, Amherst dominated early, going up 2-0 in the opening 10 minutes and looking like a team that would make Bowdoin feel like they had made the trip for nothing. Once the surface changed, Amherst's triangle passing and surgical through balls went numb, as the ball's movement became unpredictable, deadening at inopportune moments. This is when Bowdoin realized they could make a go of it, smartly sending long diagonal balls over the top to dump and chase. Boy, were they good at it! They got one on a PK just before half and knotted it up in the second. Interestingly, they pulled off their #1 playmaker, who left the game perhaps because her pretty possession style did not match the conditions/tactics. (Could have been for other reasons, but that's my guess.) Amherst finally caught on to the necessary tactics (necessity being the mother of invention) and changed their style in the final 20, really pouring it on in the final 10 with chance after chance in the danger zone and allowing stingy opportunities for Bowdoin (who was still able to send it a few times into Amherst's end). Given the absolute flurry of attack going into the OT, it was not a surprise that Amherst solved the problem less than two minutes in. Good effort by Bowdoin. Deserved result for Amherst.
So it's an Amherst-Williams championship final.
Williams might be a bit more stretched than Amherst going in, as they played Middlebury to a 0-0 2OT tie, broken by the Ephs on the sixth PK, 5-4.
Amherst handled Wesleyan with a 3-0 scoreline that echoes the story from their last meeting just two weekends ago. Wesleyan played determined high pressure throughout the first stanza, knocking Amherst a bit out of rhythm with some physical effort but not enough. Wesleyan was celebrating what they thought was a go-ahead goal in the first half, but the play was ruled offside. While part one ended 0-0, Amherst had the run of play but not by a vast amount and had nothing to show for it until the second half when they took over and put Wesleyan out of reach. At 1-0, Wesleyan still had a few fast breaks on counterattacks, but couldn't string it together in the final third. At 2-0, Amherst was not looking back and didn't, sealing the deal late in the game for the win.
Ocean, predictions for tomorrow?
Amherst wins over Williams 2-1 for the conference championship at home today. It was Williams 1-0 at the half. Amherst came up with the equalizer in the 2nd half midway and closed the game near the end.
Yes, it was Williams, 1-0 at the half. But that's just a sidebar to the real story. Amherst absolutely dominated in possession, shots and corners (especially in the first half). Williams weathered several solid scoring opps and were on their heels throughout the first stanza. However, Williams tallied the only stat that mattered with about 8 mins left before intermission on a counterattack down the left flank and an early cross to the 5'11" target at the 12 spot who met the ball with enough force to knock it past the attempted punch by the Jeffs' GK. Amherst regrouped for the second half and came out on the attack again, but this time met with some Williams confidence as the Ephs played a bit more on their front foot by winning 50/50s and intercepting passes. Still, even with the Jeffs chasing the game, the Ephs' possession remained less than the Jeffs' and stayed for the most part inside their own end (some just over the midstripe into Amherst territory). The Jeffs would not quit. The fans could sense that Williams started to believe they could hold on, but at around the 8 min mark, Amhers showed they had never stopped believing in themselves and tied it up with a crack from outside the 18, rocketing from left to upper right of the frame. The Jeffs did not seem the least bit interested in overtime. Once they smelled blood, they went for the jugular, winning a crucial corner on the right. An Amherst centerback found herself toward the back post and inside the six with time and space to head the service home. For a tense moment after the ball crossed the line and immediately ricocheted out (the ball rebounded off a defender's torso, but she was well into the goal), hearts fluttered as players and fans waited for the conference between central official and the AR, but the AR's immediate determination of the goal stood as confirmed, and, four minutes later, Amherst had the the championship trophy in hand! Onto the big show with NCAAs around the corner. Amherst is an automatic as conference champs (but would have been a lock anyway with their #1 NCAA regional ranking), and Williams waits for an at-large bid. Go 'Herst!
Amherst showed from start to finish why they were the class of the conference. What a shame for midd, 11 wins, six straight shutouts, a win v williams, 200 scoreless minutes v Williams and quite possibly no NCAA bid, we will see tomorrow.
Quote from: Jump4Joy on November 05, 2011, 05:38:52 PM
Ocean, predictions for tomorrow?
Sorry J4J...traveling all weekend and didn't get a chance to respond. BTW...you're write-up on the final match between Amherst and Williams was a great depiction of events.
Given what must have been weary legs after the win v. Midd combined with significant squad injuries, thought Williams made a determined showing.
With young teams and maturing talent conference-wide, 2012 is again shaping-up to be a terrific year for the battle for the top spot in NESCAC.
Good luck to all NESCAC teams making it to the NCAA's!
Jump4Joy.....I agreed with Ocean 1 wrt your account. I watched the first half of the game on-line and switched to the men's broadcast. When I heard a loud roar from the women's game, I went back to the women's game and happily found it tied at the time. Going back to the men's game, another roar came up and even the broadcast crew was wondering what happened. They could not reach the other broadcast and had to go to a text message to find out what happened.
For those interested, there is an video of highlights on the Amherst website of the game....somewhat bias a little. It was posted late last night.
So for their 17-0 season, Amherst gets a potential third round trip to Baltimore to play 19-0 Johns Hopkins - Williams travels to New Jersey and Midd hosts two rounds - GO FIGURE !!!!
There is always going to be a head-scratcher in a D3 post-season bracket. In the past few years, Hopkins has felt the unfairness that results from cost controls, so this year, Amherst is feeling it a bit as well.
At least (from a national standpoint), Hopkins and Messiah don't face off in the second round.
Jim, I think there are a few head scratchers this year. How about a Trinity TX/Hardin Simmons possible matchup in the second round?
There's a good possibilty that the some of these matchups will be better than the final four matchups. It's a good time to catch some great soccer in your neck of the woods.
I'm not in Texas, if that's what you mean. I live near Chicago. But I'll be seeing some great soccer in the area...and tempted to put some miles on the car to see more on Sunday.
Trinity and Hardin-Simmons are simply victims of geography. In D1, they'd keep 'em apart as long as they could, but that can't work in D3.
For what it's worth, I can definitely see the 3 NESCAC teams make it into the Sweet 16 of the tournament after which the challenge to move on mounts exponentially.
Conference selection of top players are out....go to the conference website. Amherst Coach is the C.O.Y., most deserving for an undefeated season to date.
Kinda cool that women's and men's POY are from Amherst.
On a cold, windy day and after a shaky start - the Midd bus rolls over Lasell 2-0 dominating the second half - seventh straight shutout - tomorrow will be much tougher
Amherst wins over Castleton State 3-1. Meets Misericordia on Sunday at 1 PM on Hitchcock field.
All 3 conference teams advance today. Amherst beats Misericordia by the score of 3-1.
Amherst moves on after 2-0 win over JHU today. It was 0-0 at the half but Amherst came out aggressive in the second half. Good write-up on the NESCAC website. Wm. Smith beats Midd. and meets Williams on Sun.
That was an impressive against Hopkins today. I had the Blue Jays in the final four. A win tomorrow would be most impressive for LJs!
Agreed: It was an impressive win. Amherst really settled in and poured it on in the second half, taking over the middle of the park and the game by stifling the Hopkins attack. Hopkins fans were a bit dumbfounded by Amherst's first goal. Then they were struck utterly dumb upon the second. Sitting on a goose egg is unfamiliar territory for JHU. The Centennial League was a bit of a cakewalk for Hops this year, with only a 3-2 win over Swarthmore looking like a contest when judging by the scoreline. There's a good argument here that the NESCAC schedule prepared Amherst better for yesterday's contest. Of course, Amherst has to face another 800-pound gorilla today against Messiah, but maybe that gorilla is also made of paper. Go Amherst!
Interesting game Sunday. Obviously it was closer than the 3-1 final would suggest. Two very solid teams with very different styles of play. I am anxious to hear the NESCAC folks thoughts on the game.
Messiah's victory was not a surprise, but Amherst had a shot at it throughout the game. Having watched Messiah play an outclassed New Paltz the day before, I was not surprised to see them have so much energy left over when they really needed it. The 1-0 New Paltz score belies the dominance of Messiah in that match, especially in the first half when the ball rarely crossed into Messiah territory. Messiah was probably surprised to find themselves at a 0-0 deadlock almost halfway through the second half. New Paltz was better in the second half, but Messiah was not really tested except on one corner in the closing moments of the match.
Against Amherst, they exerted themselves early and often, winning numerous corners in the opening minutes. After scoring about 15 mins in, they lost their edge somewhat, and it looked like Amherst started to surge forward more and more often. It felt like the Jeffs would tie it up before the half, but they came close without scoring. The second half was more even, with Amherst winning contests in the middle and launching attacks. Pressing for an equalizer late in the game, Amherst left themselves vulnerable in the back and a long service to the star striker (they resorted to that tactic a lot against Amherst although not against NP) on a counterattack put Messiah up by 2. Undaunted, Amherst brought themselves within one again with about 8 mins to go (I think) and threatened again, but Messiah drove the dagger in with a quality finish off the inside of the far post just minutes later to regain the cushion. #12 is a quality striker and bagged the trick with three good ones.
IMO, Messiah has a few more quality players than Amherst and tries to play a disciplined game, but they weren't as good at possession against Amherst as they were against NP. Amherst played with more personality and heart than the other three teams at the venue (could be a biased observation, but I believe it anyway).
Congrats to Amherst for its successful season and a strong run in the post-season. Congrats to Messiah on the victory
Jump4Joy.....Well said! I was at the match on Sat. but watched it on-line on Sunday and may have missed some things. It is interesting in the Sunday match that Amherst's player rotation was different. Chloe, the player that scored the goal for Amherst, did not seem to be in the game in the first half. Also, after the injury to Amherst defensive star....Jill Kochanek...in the second half?, the Messiah players seemed to be more effective in their attack. In short, Messiah had more depth and quality scorers. You stop Messiah's top scorer and the next scorer has a hat trick game. It is possible that the game against JHU took a lot of energy out of the players. Playing two undefeated teams back to back will do that. Hope Messiah goes all the way.
As a follow-up to my last post......Messiah won the national championship. Congrats to them!
Also my belated congrats to the Amherst soccer team on their fine season. There is some positive thoughts to know the undefeated team that prevented your march went on to win it all. Maybe next year it will be your time.
A quick shout out and congratulations to the Williams Women's Soccer Team. Was there a more determined and grittier team that faced incredible adveristy yet advanced so far this season? I think not.
And of course, congratulations to the senior class that posted a 66-11-6 mark in 4 seasons wearing the Purple & Gold...4 NESCAC Championship Final appearances, 3 consecutive NESCAC Championships, 4 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, 1 Final 4 appearance, 2 Elite 8 appearances and 1 Sweet 16 appearance.
Terrific job ladies!
Who's recruiting recruiting in Florida this winter and who's not.
D3 recruiting has historically been severely limited by budgetary constraints, but some NESCAC coaches have figured out how to get to Florida to do some recruiting. Perhaps as coaches for some of the participating teams?
NESCAC coaches registered for ECNL event in Sanford, FL:
Bowdoin - Maren Rojas
Conn - Norm Riker
Middlebury - Peter Kim
Williams - Michelyne Pinard
NESCAC coaches registered for Disney showcase:
Amherst - Jen Hughes
Bowdoin - Maren Rojas
Colby - Jennifer Holsten
Conn - Norm Riker
Middlebury - Peter Kim
No surprise to see Amherst, Williams and Middlebury attending one or both. Perhaps a bigger recruiting budget than others. Also perhaps their perennial success is at least partly due to more consistently active recruiting than some of the other schools.
Hats off to Bowdoin's coach for doing the leg work necessary to help rebuild the team. And to Conn's new coach -- I look for them to improve in future years - I guess there is only one direction for them to go, in any event. Or maybe they just have relatives down there . . .
Bates, Hamilton, Trinity, Tufts and Wesleyan had no coaches registered at either event. Perhaps a sign that those schools are not putting in the money and/or effort necessary to make a push for the top of the league.
I would think some coaches travel and some don't depending on respective strategy and budget. Having said that, the coaches that do travel probably do so with a very specific group of target kid(s) in mind that have already been identified and will be playing at certain showcases in different parts of the country.
I'd say in most all cases, the kids have communicated their interest in the school to the coach in advance (via camps or mail) and are already pre-qualified with regard to soccer resume, academics and maybe a video that gains a coach's interest.
In NESCAC, clearly we see a difference in talent level and results on the field with the historically more successful teams consistently fielding a deeper player talent pool. It would seem that success breeds success and effective recruiting is all part of that game.
My New England relatives say you folks haven't seceded from the Union, so what's it look like for NESCAC teams for this year?