NESCAC

[rdanie03]

How many NESCAC teams do you think will have a chance to host the first weekend?

At least 4, Midd will make it 5 if they make the final

[LibbyMoore]

I was also wondering who might host: there are likely a lot of UAA, a lot of NESCAC and several Minnesota schools, so it is going to be complex to get everyone sorted for the first weekend of play. Bowdoin got the ticket to Texas last time, wonder who gets that honor this time!

[kansas hokie]

Tufts and Williams likely can't host the 1st two rounds as their women's teams are in line to host and women have priority this year to host 1st two rounds per NCAA standard. It alternates each year. Men get priority this year for conflicts in second weekend.

Thus, likely NESCAC hosts are Conn, Bowdoin (for sure); middlebury (likely); even Amherst (possible as experienced host and that there are 6 current men team with this conflict).

[deiscanton]

We are now in the final two weeks of the regular season.  From now on, the NCAA DIII Men's Soccer Committee is planning to do daily runs of the NPI numbers and release daily NPI summary reports until the end of conference tournament play on Sunday, November 9.  The final report released will then indicate that it is the selections report and the at-large teams will be picked from that report. 

This most recent daily NPI run covers games through Sunday, November 2, 2025.

The report is available at http://stats.ncaa.org/selection_rankings/nitty_gritties/46573

NESCAC teams nationally ranked by NPI as of this report

1.) Tufts (#1 in NPI)-- 61.294
2.) Connecticut College (#5 in NPI)-- 59.158
3.) Wesleyan (#8 in NPI)-- 58.939
4.) Bowdoin (#10 in NPI)-- 58.710
5.) Middlebury (#11 in NPI)-- 58.289
6.) Williams (#16 in NPI)-- 57.790
7.) Amherst (#30 in NPI)-- 56.727
8.) Hamilton (#39 in NPI)-- 56.014
9.) Colby (#47 in NPI)-- 55.259
10.) Bates (#56 in NPI)-- 55.021

10 of the 11 NESCAC men's soccer teams currently carry quality win bonuses, as their NPIs are above 54.

11.)  Trinity (CT)  (#147 in NPI)-- 51.708

[rdanie03]

Tufts and Williams likely can't host the 1st two rounds as their women's teams are in line to host and women have priority this year to host 1st two rounds per NCAA standard. It alternates each year. Men get priority this year for conflicts in second weekend.

Thus, likely NESCAC hosts are Conn, Bowdoin (for sure); middlebury (likely); even Amherst (possible as experienced host and that there are 6 current men team with this conflict).

I am hearing that Tufts is likely to host both sides both weekends as long as they stay in the top 4.

[maineman]

Are there going to be any mid week play-in games before the first weekend and could any NESCAC team be destined for one of them?

[rdanie03]

Are there going to be any mid week play-in games before the first weekend and could any NESCAC team be destined for one of them?

No. Soccer is 64

[MunnyTim]

First/second round will be either Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday (depending on whether any schools have a religious prohibition against competition on Sunday), November 14-16, sites to be determined with the selection process.

Tufts could host both men and women, in theory.  They are doing so this weekend for NESCAC Semis and Finals.  Turf and lights gives them options and flexibility.

[LibbyMoore]

Is there any mathematical way that Tufts can fall out of the top four at this point? Even if they lost in the NESCAC semis?


 I am hearing that Tufts is likely to host both sides both weekends as long as they stay in the top 4.
[/quote]

[northman]

The Middlebury late show came to Brunswick, as the Panthers pilfered a 2-1 win over Bowdoin. Saw the first half on video, second in-person. The hosts appeared to have more possession and it was one-way traffic on the stat line, and Bowdoin had a massive chance for 2-0 that was deflected out for a corner, but the Panthers pulled an equalizer out of nowhere with about 20 to go on a 1-v-1, before a brilliant free-kick from the #10 won it with less than 10 remaining. Despite the bluster of our new friend, most Midd fans I heard sounded pretty grateful to be level — albeit they had one big header chance right after Bowdoin's opener — but the winner was beautifully hit over the wall and into the left corner. Both teams had some dangerous balls across the box that went untouched, and the Polar Bears had a big opportunity for 2-2.

I appreciate nescac fan246's bravado, but I find myself completely agreeing with blooter's assessment.  I was there in person for most of the game.  Bowdoin's attack certainly looked more composed and dangerous than Midd's, but a 1-2 loss is sometimes the way the proverbial ball bounces.  The winning free kick was indeed a beauty.  I was there with my son and his wife (both Bowdoin alums) and their three children.  Their two youngest are 6 month old identical twin girls.  We had a delightful conversation with a pair of Middlebury parents who have 17 year old identical twin girls.  It's fun to make these connections.

[kansas hokie]

Is there any mathematical way that Tufts can fall out of the top four at this point? Even if they lost in the NESCAC semis?


 I am hearing that Tufts is likely to host both sides both weekends as long as they stay in the top 4.

[/quote]

Tufts loss to M'bury would drop them today to 60.42. I think Chicago (beat Wash U Saturday) and Conn (win NESCAC) could get higher than that along with whoever wins in Augsburg/St. Olaf conference. Augsburg loses to St. Olaf in title game gets them to 60.8. So yes, Tufts can drop out of top 4, but many things have to happen for that occur. Odds are very slim.

[Hotskull]

This Tufts team is on a revenge tour. The last two years, they've been hyped up, carrying a top ranking all season, only to crumble when it really mattered. That will not happen this year. This team is full of certified DAWGS.

They've got one of the strongest and deepest backlines we've seen in recent years (.455 GA average / 8 clean sheets — shoutout Antic in goal), paired with an attack that finds the back of the net when it matters most. In previous years, Tufts often needed a set piece or an unsung hero to grind out a winner... Not this team. Yanez is 4/4 from the spot in the last six games (CR7-level clutch), and the front three (Perkins, Canfin, Brown) have combined for 33 points, while Jett, Shultz, Fallone, Denby, and others have put in lights-out performances.

DeZotell seems to have finally found the right balance with this roster — major credit to him and his staff. In a year where Amherst look like your local church-league team and Middlebury's backline resembles a bunch of cones standing in the way of opposing attackers, Tufts is playing like the juggernaut we've always known them to be.

If they go into the weekend with the mentality that they end other teams' seasons, not that they are the team to beat, there will be another NESCAC trophy in the cabinet. My advice to the young lads up in Medford: do not play with the timid mindset of "only two more guaranteed games." In fact, F$#K THAT.* Play like you want to flex the strength you have over these inferior, minuscule, delicate, and outright afraid NESCAC schools. Gents, it is Tufts vs. everybody, and there can only be one at the top.

I'll be flying up to Boston this weekend to watch the destruction.

To the rest of you NESCAC fans: You may read this and think I'm too confident — maybe even delusional. But if that's how you feel, I actually sympathize with you... because you're the one who's delusional for not seeing the greatness, hard work, grit, and — as stated before — a squad of DAWGS right in front of your eyes.

– Hotskull

[deiscanton]

We are now in the final two weeks of the regular season.  From now on, the NCAA DIII Men's Soccer Committee is planning to do daily runs of the NPI numbers and release daily NPI summary reports until the end of conference tournament play on Sunday, November 9.  The final report released will then indicate that it is the selections report and the at-large teams will be picked from that report. 

This most recent daily NPI run covers games through Monday, November 3, 2025.

The report is available at http://stats.ncaa.org/selection_rankings/nitty_gritties/46593

NESCAC teams nationally ranked by NPI as of this report

1.) Tufts (#1 in NPI)-- 61.296
2.) Connecticut College (#5 in NPI)-- 59.159
3.) Wesleyan (#8 in NPI)-- 58.941
4.) Bowdoin (#10 in NPI)-- 58.712
5.) Middlebury (#11 in NPI)-- 58.290
6.) Williams (#17 in NPI)-- 57.791
7.) Amherst (#30 in NPI)-- 56.728
8.) Hamilton (#39 in NPI)-- 56.015
9.) Colby (#48 in NPI)-- 55.260
10.) Bates (#58 in NPI)-- 55.022

10 of the 11 NESCAC men's soccer teams currently carry quality win bonuses, as their NPIs are above 54.

11.)  Trinity (CT)  (#147 in NPI)-- 51.709

[College Soccer Observer]

This Tufts team is on a revenge tour. The last two years, they've been hyped up, carrying a top ranking all season, only to crumble when it really mattered. That will not happen this year. This team is full of certified DAWGS.

They've got one of the strongest and deepest backlines we've seen in recent years (.455 GA average / 8 clean sheets — shoutout Antic in goal), paired with an attack that finds the back of the net when it matters most. In previous years, Tufts often needed a set piece or an unsung hero to grind out a winner... Not this team. Yanez is 4/4 from the spot in the last six games (CR7-level clutch), and the front three (Perkins, Canfin, Brown) have combined for 33 points, while Jett, Shultz, Fallone, Denby, and others have put in lights-out performances.

DeZotell seems to have finally found the right balance with this roster — major credit to him and his staff. In a year where Amherst look like your local church-league team and Middlebury's backline resembles a bunch of cones standing in the way of opposing attackers, Tufts is playing like the juggernaut we've always known them to be.

If they go into the weekend with the mentality that they end other teams' seasons, not that they are the team to beat, there will be another NESCAC trophy in the cabinet. My advice to the young lads up in Medford: do not play with the timid mindset of "only two more guaranteed games." In fact, F$#K THAT.* Play like you want to flex the strength you have over these inferior, minuscule, delicate, and outright afraid NESCAC schools. Gents, it is Tufts vs. everybody, and there can only be one at the top.

I'll be flying up to Boston this weekend to watch the destruction.

To the rest of you NESCAC fans: You may read this and think I'm too confident — maybe even delusional. But if that's how you feel, I actually sympathize with you... because you're the one who's delusional for not seeing the greatness, hard work, grit, and — as stated before — a squad of DAWGS right in front of your eyes.

– Hotskull

The only note I have to add is that Tufts has been awarded 10 penalty kicks this year.  The next highest totals in the conference are Middlebury and Williams at 3 each.  24% of Tufts goals this year have come on penalty kicks (9/37).  Is that sustainable through a postseason run?

[Futbolguy]

And CSO, it should be noted that Tufts scored the game winner against a very weak Bates team with, wait for it, a PK!    Not sustainable against a stout Midd defense (who is second in league in goals against, so not sure the basis of Hotskulls comments about a defense full of cones).  Midd has given up 9 goals, Tufts 7.  Should be a great matchup on Saturday.