Please do yourself a favor and watch this incredibly special interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDwF57K2N04

I promise you won't regret it, no matter your affiliations.

Big credit to Schell. Absolutely stood on his head to keep Trinity in it.

Normally quite pleased with NESCAC reffing. But this absolutely ridiculous. Unbelievable one sidedness in both games in the final four now for Tufts. Surely all the NESCAC hater in to tell me the reffing is fine, but just absolute absurdity.

Lights are too bright for this ref. Needs to get a grip.

Agreed. Could be my bias but seems a bit wild the best league in the nation has only 3 guys on the entire list...and that it's one on the third team and two on the fourth team. Not really buying that the success is purely a function of coaching and a summation of the parts in this case. Let me know

Quote from: Kuiper on November 22, 2025, 01:44:33 AMWheaton has had 7 shutouts in the last 10 games, only conceding 3 goals during that stretch.  That includes shutting out Babson and Middlebury.

Other interesting detail re Wheaton is that in the Neumann game their starting GK was in a tough collision and won't be cleared until next weekend at the earliest. Backup seemed to have a nice game at Midd, so will be interesting to see if he can do it again against Macalester

Quote from: northman on November 10, 2025, 01:30:13 PM

Quote from: camosfan on November 10, 2025, 12:39:29 PMsize does not give any school an advantage, the rosters are basically the same size, in addition coaches don't go into the student body to find players!

I'm not so sure about that.  My older son played for an Ivy and had an easier time meeting their academic criteria than he would have at a NESCAC.  A larger enrollment allows for more "diversity" (I know that's a loaded word these days) choices among each entering class.  What I don't know is whether the NESCAC has clear student athlete recruiting standards that are stricter than the Ivies.  Perhaps someone on this thread knows the answer to that.

This argument is so theoretical and always confuses me when it's brought up. It implies that the academic factor isn't important at ARGUABLY the most academically prestigious of the NESCACS (or at least one of them...not meaning to open another can of worms).

Separate from the theory...it is a fact that a couple years ago a high level recruit (I believe from PA Classics Academy but not 100% on that) who made it past the pre-read stage at Tufts was denied admission. I say that as an example not an extensive list.

Let's stop biting on the ragebait and focus on the tournament rather than who "should or should not be a NESCAC."

Quote from: Newenglander on October 15, 2025, 12:09:04 PM

Quote from: camosfan on October 15, 2025, 11:14:14 AMThe top teams in NESCAC all have young rosters, Williams, Tufts, Bates!

Taking a look at rosters for each teams last "big games"

I would agree with Bates and Williams for sure - Williams with 6 underclassmen starting and 3 first years with 90.

looking at Tufts last night - only started one underclassman and the majority were seniors/grad students........and only 3 underclassmen off the bench with any decent playing time.....

Don't disagree with your overall point. Mostly upperclassmen playing for the Jumbos. But just to be factually accurate/not misleading, not one grad student touched the field for Tufts and the starting lineup was mostly seniors (but not a resounding majority 6/11)

Quote from: ephoops on March 11, 2025, 12:20:56 PMMy daughter played lax at Midd.  Tufts fans (and parents) were by far the worst in NESCAC (and second only to Salisbury nationally).

So she happened to think that the fans were worst at two of the only schools that really compete with Midd in that sport? Shocking! These boards have become way too much of a place to complain about player/fan behavior...and it always happens to be in big games. I'll give you a hint from the student perspective: none of them care. It is simply part of sports these days. In fact, I think most elite, competitive athletes enjoy it.

If Tufts students are really that much worse than at other schools, then maybe all that says is that a lot of their teams are competing in important games, they like sports, and in terms of NESCAC, that they're a larger school. Honestly I think having a rowdy student section is great for college sports, let's stop beating the same drum, painting it in a negative light.

Bottom left quadrant looks like the quadrant of death to me...

Tufts takes it over Keene State 88-84. The depth that has been questioned from Tufts side really showed out tonight...was very impressed with Gettings, Kennelly, and Wooten. Definitely a nice back for them after WPI.

In terms of NESCAC vs Ivy recruiting classes, I'd agree that there's more overlap than may be perceived (with the exception of the elevated international presence for the D1 league). When you're looking at the players that end up on a lot of the NESCAC rosters, particularly the top sides, the vast majority of these guys were very close to going to Ivies.

Bringing that back into the discussion about the Dezotell era for Tufts...In agreement with the last few posts that it doesn't make sense to call these last few years underperforming squads. I think if you look back and actually watch the teams play now versus during the Shapiro era, you might find that the quality of play is actually higher now. However, as I believe rdaniel posted, what these squads have all been missing is a dominant goal scorer. They've been missing a "gusty" guy with a little bit of selfishness who knows that he's going to be the one to put the ball in the back of the net; that he's going to be the guy (when the going gets tough in the tournament against a quality, gritty Buffalo St team with a park the bus and counter-style) to put the game away. With the evolution of top D3 recruiting now versus just a few years ago, it's only fair to wonder if maybe this missing piece they've been looking for is outside of the predominantly MLS Next/ECNL pool.

Not suggesting that they should abandon the recruiting style altogether as the teams have been really good. But perhaps, when looking for this dominant forward/goal-scorer, it's worth slightly shifting resources into some more "gutsy" talent pools?

Does hosting priority go to the women's side next weekend?

Quote from: boomer on October 31, 2024, 10:55:46 AM

Quote from: D3Reporter on October 31, 2024, 10:36:16 AMRegardless of who wins DPOY, these Midd and Tufts defenses have been phenomenal this year, tied at No. 4 nationally for GAA despite SOS. Hoping we'll see these teams clash at least once more this year.

I watch more of the Jumbos than the Panthers, so I'll add a bit more on them. One of the things that has really stood out to me about this defensive group is just how deep it is. They really have five guys that have all performed well and have gotten significant minutes in that back four. The full group is so talented that out of the additional guys, one has become a starting winger with other injuries and two more get important minutes at winger and a 8/10 role (particularly when the Jumbos are up a goal in big-time games). That doesn't even mention that they realistically have three top-tier CDMs who in my mind would each start on almost any team in the country. With the injuries they've had, this has allowed them to stay strong there.

That's fair, but I think all of these things are also true of Midd.  Which is why they are both in the top three lol.

Hopefully they will get to play each other again.

Yes, definitely possible. Didn't mean it as a Tufts is this, Midd is not. I just can speak more on the specifics for Tufts, so wanted to provide that context.

Regardless of who wins DPOY, these Midd and Tufts defenses have been phenomenal this year, tied at No. 4 nationally for GAA despite SOS. Hoping we'll see these teams clash at least once more this year.

I watch more of the Jumbos than the Panthers, so I'll add a bit more on them. One of the things that has really stood out to me about this defensive group is just how deep it is. They really have five guys that have all performed well and have gotten significant minutes in that back four. The full group is so talented that out of the additional guys, one has become a starting winger with other injuries and two more get important minutes at winger and a 8/10 role (particularly when the Jumbos are up a goal in big-time games). That doesn't even mention that they realistically have three top-tier CDMs who in my mind would each start on almost any team in the country. With the injuries they've had, this has allowed them to stay strong there.