NESCAC

[Kuiper]

More NESCAC schedules

Trinity (CT)

Opening at National Champion Tufts is a kick in the mid-section for a team that hasn't won a single conference game in the last two seasons.  It also doesn't bode well that they have Wesleyan, a team that beat them 4-1 last season, on the schedule TWICE (although they seem to be trolling the Cardinals by not identifying EITHER game as a NESCAC game).  As far as non-conference games, they drop Western New England in favor of Hunter College.

Hamilton

Hamilton had a stingy defense and some solid results last season, including a 0-0 tie with Middlebury, 1-0 victory over Bowdoin, and a 2-2 tie with Wesleyan, but couldn't get over the hump.  Because of their location away from most other NESCAC schools, they tend to have a more diverse (and sometimes more competitive) non-conference schedule.  This year, they trade out Oswego State, SUNY Poly, and SUNY Oneonta for Clarkson, Rochester, and SUNY Morrisville.

[Kuiper]

Tufts posted its 2026 roster.

Tufts

I kind of prefer when they don't do it this early, since it preserves the nostalgic illusion that preseason training is still a tryout and the roster isn't quite set until it's over.  Nevertheless, it's fun to start looking at where things stand for the defending national champions.  A few observations:

Antic and Pensky are back for a 5th year, as previously announced. 

They do get a DI transfer GK from Providence in Julian Ballester, but he doesn't come with much experience.  Zach Ubamadu, who was listed as a junior, is apparently not coming back, so the transfer takes his spot and a freshman takes the other GK position vacated by Sammy Kao.  So, they basically have four goalkeepers, but only Antic has any experience to speak of.

The other transfer is Riley Gray from San Diego State, who didn't see anytime in his 1 year there.  He's a 6'3" defender, which makes him one of the tallest defenders on the team and perhaps fills a role James Flagg played last season off the bench.

[Ephfan11]

Prediction:

Conn
Amherst
Tufts
Midd
Hamilton
Williams
Wes
Trinity
Bowdoin
Colby
Bates

[nescacfootyfan]

NESCAC Early Season Players to Watch

Season is basically here, so everything else is irrelevant. Early look at the guys I'm watching. Some takes will age well, some absolutely won't.

Conn: Perugini — kid is a magician and probably sits on the 1 throne. Has no business playing D3. Haberman — same conversation. Difference maker and just makes it happen. Hoke/Miles — feel like the same guy on the pitch, but Conn needs them to make the whole thing work.

Amherst: Dinzeo — huge fan. Wicked left foot, stand-up player, should come in and make a real impact. Nuhu — should have a huge year if he doesn't fall into Serpone's trance again. Kid is talented, just needs to wake up. Akanbo — could be the best second-ball winner in the league. Does the dirty work and actually has some sauce too. High upside.

Tufts: Henry Brown — touch leaves something to be desired, to put it nicely, but the kid is a warrior and somehow always gets on the end of things. Should be a big piece. Bijan — best defender in the league, no question. Sick player and ridiculous athlete. Pensky — fifth year, built like Casemiro and basically plays like him. Could completely change Tufts.

Midd: Dugan — I think he can outshine Perugini if he's actually locked in. Kid loves the bottle a little too much from what I've heard. Maybe put it down for a few months and let Middlebury cook. Harder — great player. If the young man did a little less of whatever it is he's doing and a little more playing, he'd have a real argument for best forward in the league. Cavaceppi-Dove — kid had a magnet on his foot every time I watched Midd last year. Breakout written all over him.

Hamilton: No one jumping off the page. Solid team, solid players, nothing that has me losing sleep.

Williams: Ruehlman — kid is a unit and a good player, but somehow never gets enough service. Honestly think Siebert makes both Ruehlman and Bethencourt look worse than they actually are. The talent is there, the setup just doesn't do them any favors. Labonski — nothing fancy, just a warrior. Bethencourt — actual player/gamechanger. Put him at Conn, Midd or Tufts and we'd be talking about him way more.

Wesleyan: Clack — downgraded Haberman, but still a good player. Keeps the tempo moving and gives Wes some stability. Jennings — sometimes looks like one of the best wingers in the league, then disappears for 40 minutes. Pick a version and stick with it. Saeed — has all the tools to be very good. At some point the tools need to become production.

Trinity: Tough one. Hope the best for the Bantams. Don't have much on the soccer side yet, but they probably throw the best parties in the NESCAC, so they've got that going for them.

Bowdoin: Prince — really good player. Quick, explosive, actually wants to take guys on. Myers — big defender and will be massive for them. Biggest question is who replaces Huck, because that is not exactly a small hole.

Colby: Scott twins — two big towers running around being physical and annoying. Good players, apparently good guys too. Counts for something.

Bates: Not sure. Someone enlighten me.

Early names I'm circling: Perugini, Haberman, Dugan, Dinzeo, Bijan, Akanbo, Cavaceppi-Dove, Bethencourt.

[Bucket]

I recommend adding Midd's Will Sawin to your list, please and thank you.