Does anyone have any insight into why Middlebury is so bad this year??? Sad to see a team get so much worse in such a small period of time... Truly shocking.

Predictions for the final weekend/week of the NESCAC regular season.

Emmerson 0 - Tufts 3
Amherst 1 - Bowdoin 1
Bates 2 - Middlebury 0
Trinity 1 - Hamilton 1
Wesleyan 1 - Colby 0
Williams 0 - Conn 1
Middlebury 1 - Williams 2
Colby 0 - Bates 0
Tufts 1 - Bowdoin 1
Trinity 0 - Amnerst 1
Conn 2 - Wesleyan 0

Big win for Conn against RIC last weekend. I thought this game could've gotten a bit dicey for them, given their recent form, but I was glad to see them pull it together in the 2nd half. It's going to be a difficult trip for the Camels out to Clinton. However, I think/hope that if they can put all the pieces together, they will be able to walk away with a precious point. This is a big match-up for both these teams to see if either squad can gather some momentum to hopefully snatch a 7/8 seed spot in the NESCAC tournament. Will have my eyes on this one for sure.

Quote from: FanofNescac on September 22, 2025, 12:37:35 PMIt's a long season. All of your posts seem to focus on Tufts.

You called Conn soft in your standings while putting Tufts first, and then posted again now after Tufts won 2–1.

Last season, Tufts sat in first the whole year, only to lose early, while Conn won the NESCAC and went to the national final.

In 2022 (as you pointed to Conn), Tufts finished 7th, lost in the NESCAC quarterfinals, and went out in the NCAA second round — while Conn reached the NESCAC final as 8 seed.

I'm not really sure what you're trying to say. Tufts hasn't won anything since the Shapiro days. As you mentioned, there is no trophy for the regular season.

As a fan of Tufts, I would be really worried about Dezotell!

@FanofNescac I hope you didn't think I missed Conn's midweek game. It is NOT going to be a long season for this Conn group, the way things are going. I hope they can pull it together, but you've got to get 3 points against Bantams if you want to be a serious program.

 

Would hate to call myself an Amherst supporter after what happened over the weekend. Truly one of the most embarrassing results I have ever seen in the NESCAC. To play the way Amherst does and to lose in that fashion is nothing short of humiliating. Anyone who has ever put on an Amherst jersey should be truly ashamed of what their team has become.

"It takes twenty years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it." – Warren Buffett

"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." – Martin Luther King Jr.

"As you sow, so shall you reap." – Galatians 6:7

Camosfan - I am a long-time fan of your writing and prose, so glad to see you reappear on the boards. Feels a bit different this year but would love to be proven wrong by the Camels.

Coming into a big NESCAC weekend, my objective predictions for Saturday's games are below:

Colby 1 - Williams 1: Williams has had a good season thus far but think they struggle when they have to go out and be the aggressor. It could easily be a game they end up losing, but both the Ephs and Mules are no strangers to a classic NESCAC draw.

Bowdoin 2 - Hamilton 1: This is a must and should win game for Bowdoin. Going to Hamilton is never easy, but this Hamilton team is uninspiring, to put it lightly. Bowdoin needs to step it up, and this is the game to do so for them.

Middlebury 1 - Conn 0: Conn is not going to score against this Middlebury team and will struggle majorly to get even a point at home in this one. Do not think this Midd team is as good as the past 2-3 years, but is still significantly more dynamic, gritty, and cohesive than this floundering Conn group.

Wesleyan 0 - Tufts 2: This is a should-win game for a Tufts team that has not put its best foot forward in the NESCAC this season. They had a good weekend last week, but still have a lot to prove that they are serious contenders this year. This Wesleyan team seems more or less their typical selves and can put up a good fight against any team in the country, but still seems a step behind the "Big Dogs" of the conference.

Bates 0 - Amherst 0: Feel like this could be a tricky game for Amherst this year. Bates have a good defense and are a very hard team to play against when they sit in. Amherst has had several goalless draws this year, and I think this will be another game added to that list. This will be a tough watch for sure, so I would recommend not tuning in if you like soccer.

Trinity 2 - East Conn State 0: Massive game for the battling bantams who will be sure to put this heated Connecticut rivalry to bed

At a minimum it seems like Trinity has a more dynamic front line than Conn

I am just going to come out and say it since I know we have been all thinking about it: What is going on with this Conn College team. For a program that is not new to having bad years (2022 comes to mind) this seems like an even lower low. 0 wins through their first four games in the NESCAC, including a home double-header weekend. If I were the coach, the team or any supporter of the program I would be scared that this group might not even make the NESCAC tournament. Seems like they are really missing something in the final third. I hope they get it together since it wouldn't feel right to have them in the post season but doesn't look like this group is going to get it done.

Quote from: Futbolguy on September 18, 2025, 11:38:50 AMCorrect SL - allow me to clarify - undefeated in regular season, lost in NESCAC finals to Conn and Amherst in national semis.  Tufts made it to neither.  Regardless, focusing on something different, what do folks here make of the low scoring thus far?  three 0-0 draws last weekend and scoring seems to be down.  Early season and lack of much of a pre-season? 

... Tufts was the regular season champs (since you like that stat) and was actually undefeated 

Quote from: Futbolguy on September 18, 2025, 08:52:02 AMThanks SL, I get a kick out of your review, especially with respect to Midd.  Have not won anything in recent memory?  How about NESCAC reg season champs and undefeated in 2024, along with final four appearance?  But I do agree with the gritty comment and the youth.  Time will tell.  Big match against Amherst this weekend.  Hopefully they can get payback for a tough but controversial loss against AM in last years National final 4 match in Vegas.  Will be an intense 90 minutes. 

Futbolguy sorry to break it to you but there is no trophy for NESCAC regular season champs, and Midd lost 2 games in 2024. Don't think making it to the Final 4 counts as winning anything either. Let's be honest with ourselves moving forward...

My Nescac Season Predictions

1. Tufts - Slow start but from watching them play they have the most quality & depth in the NESCAC. Sometimes a couple bad results in the beginning get the best teams going.
2. Amherst - Lost some big players but still think they are as effective as they have ever been
3. Williams - Have been impressed by their start and have good young talent. They are a frustrating team to  play.
4. Middlebury - Will be good this year but a step down from where they were last year. Have some young talent but won't be gritty enough. Haven't won anything in recent memory and this year certainly won't be their year to end that streak.
5. Conn. College - Good team but pretty soft to be honest
6. Wesleyan - They are due for a decent year and think they will end up mid-table
7. Bowdoin - Can never really put it together and do not think they will this year. Such a frustrating team to follow. I feel bad for Bowdoin fans.
8. Bates - Hard to beat and think they will clinch a NESCAC tourney spot this year
9. Hamilton - They will struggle to make the NESCAC tournament this year - do not see a lot of talent there.
10. Colby - Never great; won't be great this year either
11. Trinity - Trending up but still the bottom of the barrel