NESCAC

[Earl2]

Agree! Great call out!

[Sandon Mibut]

Amherst clearly has talent and jumped out 3-0 ahead of Tufts in first 30 minutes.

Tufts then got a PK (scored) then Amherst looked like they were about to attack the referee after the play.

Getting chippy.

Perugini had an awesome goal vs Williams as did the Amherst player who scored their 3rd goal with a massive volley.

[SimpleCoach]

Middlebury has the best commentary team in NESCAC.

Top 5 in Division III if you ask me.

SC.

[Earl2]

I think Tufts played two signature games this weekend; not necessarily because of who they played or where those teams are ranked, but because of how the Jumbos responded.

Coming from behind to earn a draw against a rival showed resilience. Then turning around and putting four goals on Hamilton scored by four different players showed just how dangerous and balanced this team can be when things start clicking.

And that makes next weekend against Middlebury really interesting.

There's no question Middlebury is one of the best teams in Division III. They haven't even conceded a goal all season. They deserve all the respect that comes with that.

But styles make fights.

Tufts will probably enter that game as the underdog, but let's not forget who they are: the defending national champions, with a roster that knows how to win big games and respond when challenged.

Middlebury's defense versus Tufts' depth, athleticism and ability to attack from different places on the field should make for a fascinating matchup.

I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Tufts walk out of there with a win.

Next weekend feels like one of those games that tells us a lot about both teams.

I love this stuff!

[camosfan]

should be a great game would love to be at Bello next Saturday!

[Newenglander]

Interesting observation that Tufts is 1-1-1 on the road this year with a very home-heavy schedule.

[Sandon Mibut]

Interesting observation that Tufts is 1-1-1 on the road this year with a very home-heavy schedule.

Conn has the toughest road schedule including Midd, Tufts Williams and Amherst. Midd and Tufts have nearly identical road schedules (Midd @ Tufts vs Tufts @ Williams being the only real difference). Williams, perhaps, has a slightly easier road schedule than Midd/Tufts but that is minor.

Midd 3-0-0 away; 4-0-2 home. 6 GF in 5 NESCAC games.
Will 1-1-1 away; 7-0-0 home. 13 GF in 7 NESCAC games.
Tuft 1-1-1 away; 5-0-2 home. 11 GF in 6 NESCAC games.
Conn 2-2-1 away; 3-0-0 home. 8 GF in 6 NESCAC games.

• Midd has 4 of final 5 games on the road; all 5 are NESCAC opponents; include at Tufts, at Wesleyan and vs Williams.
• Will's final 5 are the toughest of this group including vs Wheaton, at Wesleyan, vs Tufts and at Midd.
• Tufts final 5 include vs Midd, at Williams, vs Bowdoin.
• Conn has a busy late season but easier opponents including vs Trinity, vs Bowdoin and vs Wesleyan.

[Newenglander]

Interesting observation that Tufts is 1-1-1 on the road this year with a very home-heavy schedule.

Conn has the toughest road schedule including Midd, Tufts Williams and Amherst. Midd and Tufts have nearly identical road schedules (Midd @ Tufts vs Tufts @ Williams being the only real difference). Williams, perhaps, has a slightly easier road schedule than Midd/Tufts but that is minor.

Midd 3-0-0 away; 4-0-2 home. 6 GF in 5 NESCAC games.
Will 1-1-1 away; 7-0-0 home. 13 GF in 7 NESCAC games.
Tuft 1-1-1 away; 5-0-2 home. 11 GF in 6 NESCAC games.
Conn 2-2-1 away; 3-0-0 home. 8 GF in 6 NESCAC games.

• Midd has 4 of final 5 games on the road; all 5 are NESCAC opponents; include at Tufts, at Wesleyan and vs Williams.
• Will's final 5 are the toughest of this group including vs Wheaton, at Wesleyan, vs Tufts and at Midd.
• Tufts final 5 include vs Midd, at Williams, vs Bowdoin.
• Conn has a busy late season but easier opponents including vs Trinity, vs Bowdoin and vs Wesleyan.

appreciate the summary - point was also they have all non-conference games at home accounting for 5-0-2 record (3-0-1).....10 home 5 away schedule. Not sure I've seen that before....also not sure if less travel or getting used to it will matter come tournament time.

[Sandon Mibut]

Ok I had to look it up! Williams also has zero non-conference road games this season; Middlebury has just one in 2026 (@ Merchant Marines 2026 season opener) and had zero in 2025. Tufts/Babson alternate venues each year and this happens to be a Tufts host year. Likely just not enough free weekends remain after the NESCAC conference games are scheduled to be able to travel even if they wanted to.

[camosfan]

Tufts best venue last year was on the road, home does not matter until playoffs, even this year so far, they have dropped more point at home than on the road.

[Kuiper]

Still just the NESCAC poll, but the order keeps changing as they play each other

USC Region I Poll 3 Set. 29, 2026

Region I - Poll 3 - September 29, 2026
Rank   School   Prev   W-L-T
1   Middlebury College   NR   5-0-1
2   Bowdoin College   NR   4-1-2
3   Connecticut College   NR   5-1-1
4   Tufts University   NR   4-1-2
5   Williams College   NR   5-1-1
6   Bates College   NR   3-2-1
7   Wesleyan University   NR   4-2-1
8   Colby College   NR   3-2-3

Region I - Poll 4 - October 6, 2026
Rank   School   Prev   W-L-T
1   Middlebury College   NR   7-0-2
2   Williams College   NR   8-1-1
3   Tufts University   NR   6-1-3
4   Connecticut College   NR   5-2-1
5   Bowdoin College   NR   4-1-3
6   Colby College   NR   4-2-4
7   Trinity College   NR   6-3-0
8   Wesleyan University   NR   5-3-1

Trinity replaces Bates.  Williams and Tufts rise

[Earl2]

I always look forward to the D3 Games of the week video.

Respectfully disagreeing with Simple Coach's prediction here though as an objective observer, I'll admit to having a slight (actually strong) bias toward the quality and composure of the defending national champions.

Tufts comes into this match in lethal attacking form, having poured in 7 goals over their last two contests. Combine that offensive rhythm with the added intensity of Senior Day, and the environment at Bello Field is going to be a huge challenge for Middlebury.

That said, tremendous respect for Middlebury. They are consistently well-organized, disciplined, and tough to crack in NESCAC play. Given the Jumbos' current scoring spree, expect Midd to line up in a compact low block and essentially park the bus to frustrate Tufts and take away space behind their backline. As mentioned before I predict Mid will be in the hunt for the Natty this season.

Because Midd will likely sit deep and pack the final third, look for the gifted Coach Dez to be creative with the lineup and tactical structure to unlock their defense. Finding unique passing angles and building overloads wide will be key.

If Tufts gets an early breakthrough and forces Middlebury out of their shape, a 2 to 3 goal victory differential for the Jumbos feels like a strong prediction today. Should be a great tactical battle to analyze!

[Bret Clement]

Wondering how much tufts paid that ref. Never seen a GK get rushed like that.

[VASoccerDad]

Wondering how much tufts paid that ref. Never seen a GK get rushed like that.

Not enough considering they lost.

[Sandon Mibut]

Wondering how much tufts paid that ref. Never seen a GK get rushed like that.

Not sure which play you're referring to.

Exciting game overall.

Midd came out swinging and Dugan back on field clearly made a mark.

Tufts showed resilience too. 2nd half was very different than first 15-20 min and Tufts seemed to have a variety of players on field and moving around demonstrating depth which could make a difference in November.

Some of Midd's early pressure was from 2 long-bomb throw-ins from near the goal line.