OPENING WEEKEND 2016 // MARK YOUR CALENDAR FIXTURES

[lastguyoffthebench]

Thursday, September 01, 2016
Rowan @ Lycoming
Thomas More @ Denison
F&M @ Alvernia
ECSU @ Babson
Chicago @ Dominican
Randolph @ York
Berry @ Covenant
Pacific Lutheran @ Claremont MS

Friday, September 02, 2016
Calvin @ Capital
Hobart @ Etown
Hope @ OWU
Brockport St @ SLU
TCNJ @ Dickinson
St. Mary's @ Rutgers-Camden
Greensboro @ CNU
Kean @ Rochester
Messiah @ Roanoke
St. Olaf @ Dubuque

Saturday, September 03, 2016
Calvin @ OWU
John Carroll @ Brandeis
MSU @ Roger Williams
Haverford @ WNEC
Occidental @ Whitworth
Macalester @ UWW
TCNJ @ Etown
MIT @ Stevens
Ithaca @ SLU
Hobart @ Dickinson

Sunday, September 04, 2016
Haverford @ Brandeis
Oneonta St @ W&L
CWRU @ Thomas More
Lycoming @ F&M


Some enticing early matchups as the season will get underway next weekend...

[jknezek]

Thursday, September 01, 2016
Rowan @ Lycoming
Thomas More @ Denison
F&M @ Alvernia
ECSU @ Babson
Chicago @ Dominican
Randolph @ York
Berry @ Covenant
Pacific Lutheran @ Claremont MS

Friday, September 02, 2016
Calvin @ Capital
Hobart @ Etown
Hope @ OWU
Brockport St @ SLU
TCNJ @ Dickinson
St. Mary's @ Rutgers-Camden
Greensboro @ CNU
Kean @ Rochester
Messiah @ Roanoke
St. Olaf @ Dubuque

Saturday, September 03, 2016
Calvin @ OWU
John Carroll @ Brandeis
MSU @ Roger Williams
Haverford @ WNEC
Occidental @ Whitworth
Macalester @ UWW
TCNJ @ Etown
MIT @ Stevens
Ithaca @ SLU
Hobart @ Dickinson

Sunday, September 04, 2016
Haverford @ Brandeis
Oneonta St @ W&L
CWRU @ Thomas More
Lycoming @ F&M


Some enticing early matchups as the season will get underway next weekend...

I suspect a bunch of these are neutral sites. For example Oneonta St. at W&L is actually at Rowan. Sadly it is W&L's second game, playing Rowan on 9/3. Oneonta St will be fresh for the contest.

[SuperSub15]

Friday, September 02, 2016
Carthage College @ Endicott College

Saturday, September 03, 2016
Carthage College @ Gordon College

[Mr.Right]

For New England fans Nescac does not open until 1 week after everyone else but there are some great opportunities to catch some great games and see some teams New England people to do not get to usually catch. I really like the following:

Thursday 9/1

ECONN at Babson-  This smells of November Regionally ranked teams between #7 and #11 in the Regional rankings. Since both teams are playing a heavy Nescac schedule I would suspect there would be some coaches catching this one especially Williams who plays ECONN a week later. Babson should take care of business here 2-0 but ECONN(like RPI) has a knack of hanging around and scoring on a counter or a set piece( Just ask Wesleyan last year). These teams will feel each other out for a bit before going at each other.

UMASSBoston at Roger Williams--  I expect Roger Willaims to be an improved side. Jim Cook left new coach Greenslit last year with basically nothing and I believe he cut 11 players from the get go in 2015. He is a good young coach who should have this side improved. Roger Williams is A VERY TOUGH PLACE TO PLAY because of the proximity to the water.  There is a HEAVY WIND that is constantly swirling which is an advantage for teams that have skill and play on the ground. U<ASS Boston has both and I would guess them to pull this out but a 1-1 draw would not be unexpected.


Saturday 9/3

John Carroll at Brandeis---I know nothing about John Carroll but am willing to give them a view. I am more interested in seeing Brandeis starting line-up and how that backline and GK look.

Montclair St at Roger Williams---MSU is more skilled and more athletic but if they think this will be a cakewalk and just show up and win they would be terribly mistaken. Again the Swirling winds can be a MAJOR factor if you are not used to it. MSU is used to bad turf so that is not a problem but they better be ready to go. I expect them to win.

Haverford v WNEC at Brandeis----More interested in Haverford as I do not expect mush from WNEC this year. I like to see HAveford play on the turf as they should get a couple goals in this one.

Rutgers Newark at Babson----Very interested in seeing RUN live as this could be a battle of who is more athletic. I do not know much about RUN and am excited to get a view. Someone will sneak a 2-1 win but RUN beware Babson purposely keeps their grass very high to get an advantage over possession oriented teams.

William Paterson at Wheaton(MA)----I know nothing about William Paterson but am more interested to see Wheaton's line-up and young players in action. I am expecting bigger things from Wheaton this year and expect them to pull this one out.

Sunday 9/4

Haverford at Brandeis-----Should be GOW with these 2 teams rankings. The turf will make both teams look faster than usual. I have questions about Brandeis young backline until I am convinced they are playing as a unit. 2-2 anypne...A must game to watch live...This will be one of those games that could look really good in November. This will be a Win, Loss, or Draw put on your regionally ranked record in November and could look quite good for either side.

Montclair St v RIC at Roger Williams----In some years RIC can surprise athletically but can also self destruct mentally. I expect a MSU 4-0 win but the longer this one stays 0-0 the more RIC will get interested in the game. If MSu gets 2 goals in the 1st 20 minutes RIC will self destruct.

RUN at Wheatin---Whichever of these 4 teams(Babson adn WPU) can come out 2-0-0 is a huge advantage in November. This one should be a dog fight.I see some goals in this one.

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

Thursday, September 01, 2016
Rowan @ Lycoming
Thomas More @ Denison
F&M @ Alvernia
ECSU @ Babson
Chicago @ Dominican
Randolph @ York
Berry @ Covenant
Pacific Lutheran @ Claremont MS

Friday, September 02, 2016
Calvin @ Capital
Hobart @ Etown
Hope @ OWU
Brockport St @ SLU
TCNJ @ Dickinson
St. Mary's @ Rutgers-Camden
Greensboro @ CNU
Kean @ Rochester
Messiah @ Roanoke
St. Olaf @ Dubuque

Saturday, September 03, 2016
Calvin @ OWU
John Carroll @ Brandeis
MSU @ Roger Williams
Haverford @ WNEC
Occidental @ Whitworth
Macalester @ UWW
TCNJ @ Etown
MIT @ Stevens
Ithaca @ SLU
Hobart @ Dickinson

Sunday, September 04, 2016
Haverford @ Brandeis
Oneonta St @ W&L
CWRU @ Thomas More
Lycoming @ F&M


Some enticing early matchups as the season will get underway next weekend...

Rowan @ Lyco is best game on day 1.
Kean @ Rochester on day 2.
Day 3 is loaded with Calvin @ OWU, John Carroll @ Brandeis and MIT @ Stevens.
Day 4 all 4 games are big time games.

[ECSUalum]

Thursday 9/1

ECONN at Babson-  This smells of November Regionally ranked teams between #7 and #11 in the Regional rankings. Since both teams are playing a heavy Nescac schedule I would suspect there would be some coaches catching this one especially Williams who plays ECONN a week later. Babson should take care of business here 2-0 but ECONN(like RPI) has a knack of hanging around and scoring on a counter or a set piece( Just ask Wesleyan last year). These teams will feel each other out for a bit before going at each other.

I don't know Mr Right, ECSU smoked Babson last year 3-0, so if Babson prevails 2-0 this year, with Eastern bringing back most of last years squad plus some talented youngsters, Babson will have to be a lot better than last year 12-7-2 team!  I will take ECSU 1-0 in OT!

[Domino1195]

For New England fans Nescac does not open until 1 week after everyone else but there are some great opportunities to catch some great games and see some teams New England people to do not get to usually catch. I really like the following:



Saturday 9/3

John Carroll at Brandeis---I know nothing about John Carroll but am willing to give them a view. I am more interested in seeing Brandeis starting line-up and how that backline and GK look.

Caroll lost three seniors of note: Bridges, Mattina and Pachuta - but they return many starters and lettermen.  They did a pre-season bonding trip to play in Canada - didn't lose a match.  They have become a permanent fixture in top 3 of the OAC: http://jcusports.com/news/2016/8/18/canadian-trip-has-blue-streaks-primed-for-2016-mens-soccer-season.aspx

[Mr.Right]

Thursday 9/1

ECONN at Babson-  This smells of November Regionally ranked teams between #7 and #11 in the Regional rankings. Since both teams are playing a heavy Nescac schedule I would suspect there would be some coaches catching this one especially Williams who plays ECONN a week later. Babson should take care of business here 2-0 but ECONN(like RPI) has a knack of hanging around and scoring on a counter or a set piece( Just ask Wesleyan last year). These teams will feel each other out for a bit before going at each other.

I don't know Mr Right, ECSU smoked Babson last year 3-0, so if Babson prevails 2-0 this year, with Eastern bringing back most of last years squad plus some talented youngsters, Babson will have to be a lot better than last year 12-7-2 team!  I will take ECSU 1-0 in OT!

No question ECSUalum....They did smoke Babson last year and Babson was extremely disappointing and below average last year. I did not mean to infer that ECSU was the weaker team just taking into account the mid-week road game trip, 1st game of season and being a revenge game. These are two very solid teams and that is why I mentioned them both being regionally ranked in November. The comparison to RPI was a compliment as they have a knack of staying in every game they play for the most part. They do not give up and work very hard for DeVito(Even if I think DeVito can over coach at times during games). I could see them winning also but will stick to a 2-0 Babson win.

[Mr.Right]

For New England fans Nescac does not open until 1 week after everyone else but there are some great opportunities to catch some great games and see some teams New England people to do not get to usually catch. I really like the following:



Saturday 9/3

John Carroll at Brandeis---I know nothing about John Carroll but am willing to give them a view. I am more interested in seeing Brandeis starting line-up and how that backline and GK look.

Caroll lost three seniors of note: Bridges, Mattina and Pachuta - but they return many starters and lettermen.  They did a pre-season bonding trip to play in Canada - didn't lose a match.  They have become a permanent fixture in top 3 of the OAC: http://jcusports.com/news/2016/8/18/canadian-trip-has-blue-streaks-primed-for-2016-mens-soccer-season.aspx

what is this team's usual style of play? Do they work hard? Are they used to playing on grass or turf? etc etc ....basically, give me something to look for and expect in regards to team dynamics and tactics

[Domino1195]

For New England fans Nescac does not open until 1 week after everyone else but there are some great opportunities to catch some great games and see some teams New England people to do not get to usually catch. I really like the following:



Saturday 9/3

John Carroll at Brandeis---I know nothing about John Carroll but am willing to give them a view. I am more interested in seeing Brandeis starting line-up and how that backline and GK look.

Caroll lost three seniors of note: Bridges, Mattina and Pachuta - but they return many starters and lettermen.  They did a pre-season bonding trip to play in Canada - didn't lose a match.  They have become a permanent fixture in top 3 of the OAC: http://jcusports.com/news/2016/8/18/canadian-trip-has-blue-streaks-primed-for-2016-mens-soccer-season.aspx

what is this team's usual style of play? Do they work hard? Are they used to playing on grass or turf? etc etc ....basically, give me something to look for and expect in regards to team dynamics and tactics

Play on turf , top 4 scorers return (70% of their goals). Play out if the back - out wide and down the wing. Key losses were in defense and holding mid - they lost to Grove City this week 3-1 so we'll have to see about goals against this season

[NokeAlum15]

Messiah @ Roanoke College on Saturday should be a good one.

[Dave B]

Messiah @ Roanoke College on Saturday should be a good one.

The Messiah/Roanoke game is on Friday.

[Flying Weasel]

Wow!  Wait until Mr. Right finds out that Coach Brandt is now posting here!

[Dave B]

Wow!  Wait until Mr. Right finds out that Coach Brandt is now posting here!

Wouldn't that be something?

The closest connection I have to Coach B. is that I graduated from Messiah in the Spring of '81 and he started as a freshman that Fall.

[ECSUalum]

Thursday 9/1

ECONN at Babson-  This smells of November Regionally ranked teams between #7 and #11 in the Regional rankings. Since both teams are playing a heavy Nescac schedule I would suspect there would be some coaches catching this one especially Williams who plays ECONN a week later. Babson should take care of business here 2-0 but ECONN(like RPI) has a knack of hanging around and scoring on a counter or a set piece( Just ask Wesleyan last year). These teams will feel each other out for a bit before going at each other.

I don't know Mr Right, ECSU smoked Babson last year 3-0, so if Babson prevails 2-0 this year, with Eastern bringing back most of last years squad plus some talented youngsters, Babson will have to be a lot better than last year 12-7-2 team!  I will take ECSU 1-0 in OT!

No question ECSUalum....They did smoke Babson last year and Babson was extremely disappointing and below average last year. I did not mean to infer that ECSU was the weaker team just taking into account the mid-week road game trip, 1st game of season and being a revenge game. These are two very solid teams and that is why I mentioned them both being regionally ranked in November. The comparison to RPI was a compliment as they have a knack of staying in every game they play for the most part. They do not give up and work very hard for DeVito(Even if I think DeVito can over coach at times during games). I could see them winning also but will stick to a 2-0 Babson win.

Mr Right,
Your certainly right re the away, mid week, revenge game!  ECSU plays much better in front of a usually large and loud student turnout at Nevers field in Willi!!  Perhaps Babson 1-0 on reconsideration!!