NESCAC

[camosfan]

Bowdoin likely to slip by losing Huck. Williams: who knows

Duran is also probably finished.
 

[maineman]

To keep the NESCAC blog on the front page I will post this question.  Does anybody know about the recruits by school that are coming in for next fall?

[Kuiper]

Tufts announced on their men's soccer Instagram page that Ben Pensky and Nik Antic are both returning for a final season in 2026.

[nescacfootyfan]

Early Cac Predictions:

1. Tufts
Hard to see them moving from the top spot. They lose Bargagna, who was an absolute menace, but they return the core of a championship-level squad. With fifth-years Pensky and Antic coming back, the experience and talent should keep them at #1. Dezotell's style of play confuses me a bit, but the overall depth and quality likely keeps them on top.
2. Connecticut College
Haberman and Perugini are magicians in midfield and probably play the most attractive soccer in the NESCAC. The backline pairing of Miles and Hoke is also tough to break down. If they can bring in one or two quality forwards, they could easily challenge Tufts for the top spot.
3. Williams
A bit of a sneaky pick here. If they can connect more than two passes in possession, they could be dangerous. Ruehlman has the tools to terrorize defenses next season, and the backline should be solid. For the sake of the beautiful game, hopefully they tighten up the build-up play.
4. Middlebury
A lot depends on Dugan's health. If he's fully fit, he might be the best player in the NESCAC (hot take). Losing Gonzales and Waterman in the backline is significant, but there's still plenty of talent in the squad. If Harder and Dugan click, Midd could climb higher.
5. Amherst
This group doesn't look particularly special right now. If Nuhu continues to create drama with Serpone, that could hurt the team dynamic. From an outside perspective, Amherst alums might start questioning things quickly. That said, Akanbo is a serious player and Dinzeo is someone I'm personally a big fan of.
6. Bowdoin
Very solid backline, but losing Huck is a major blow that might limit their ceiling.
7. Wesleyan
Quietly solid. If one of the teams above them underperforms, Wesleyan could easily move up the table.
8. Colby
They actually play some decent soccer, but the coaching situation makes it hard to know what to expect.
9. Bates
Huge turnaround from the Bobcats. The coach deserves credit for building an organized and committed group. They lack a true star player, but they could push into the top eight.
10. Hamilton
An average team overall. Hard to see them breaking into the top half of the conference.
11. Trinity
Tough outlook for Bantam fans heading into the season.

[Newenglander]

Early Cac Predictions:

1. Tufts
Hard to see them moving from the top spot. They lose Bargagna, who was an absolute menace, but they return the core of a championship-level squad. With fifth-years Pensky and Antic coming back, the experience and talent should keep them at #1. Dezotell's style of play confuses me a bit, but the overall depth and quality likely keeps them on top.
2. Connecticut College
Haberman and Perugini are magicians in midfield and probably play the most attractive soccer in the NESCAC. The backline pairing of Miles and Hoke is also tough to break down. If they can bring in one or two quality forwards, they could easily challenge Tufts for the top spot.
3. Williams
A bit of a sneaky pick here. If they can connect more than two passes in possession, they could be dangerous. Ruehlman has the tools to terrorize defenses next season, and the backline should be solid. For the sake of the beautiful game, hopefully they tighten up the build-up play.
4. Middlebury
A lot depends on Dugan's health. If he's fully fit, he might be the best player in the NESCAC (hot take). Losing Gonzales and Waterman in the backline is significant, but there's still plenty of talent in the squad. If Harder and Dugan click, Midd could climb higher.
5. Amherst
This group doesn't look particularly special right now. If Nuhu continues to create drama with Serpone, that could hurt the team dynamic. From an outside perspective, Amherst alums might start questioning things quickly. That said, Akanbo is a serious player and Dinzeo is someone I'm personally a big fan of.
6. Bowdoin
Very solid backline, but losing Huck is a major blow that might limit their ceiling.
7. Wesleyan
Quietly solid. If one of the teams above them underperforms, Wesleyan could easily move up the table.
8. Colby
They actually play some decent soccer, but the coaching situation makes it hard to know what to expect.
9. Bates
Huge turnaround from the Bobcats. The coach deserves credit for building an organized and committed group. They lack a true star player, but they could push into the top eight.
10. Hamilton
An average team overall. Hard to see them breaking into the top half of the conference.
11. Trinity
Tough outlook for Bantam fans heading into the season.

Drama in Amherst? Insider info?

[nescac1]

I agree that the area Williams really needs to improve is in the midfield, where the Ephs rarely seem to have top-tier players in the conference.  Both huge young goalies return with a lot more experience and both have the upside to keep improving.  I expect the traditionally-strong defense to be stingier with more experience and hopefully better health from the big, physical back line of Lebonski / Greer / Farmer / Caires, plus good veteran depth with Ma and Ross.  With Mitchell presumably back from his late-season injury joining Ruehlemann and Bethencourt up front, there are three proven finishers up front.

In the midfield, Coehlho, Brown, Grace and Mix all have a ton of experience and I assume those guys will be the leaders.  The Ephs definitely need to possess the ball better and create more chances for their dangerous strikers up front and it would be great for either a returning player or an incoming FY show they can be counted on to organize the midfield more effectively.   

The rest of the rankings seem solid, other than Wesleyan seems a bit low bringing pretty much everyone back (I believe) after a surprisingly strong season.  But every team in the top seven is legit. 

[Hotskull]

Record at Tufts: Kyle Dezotell   2020-25 (5)*   102 (GC)    69(W)    10(L)   23(T)   .789

Add 2 NESCAC Championships and a National Championship. Safe to say Dezotell is doing just fine at Tufts.