NESCAC

[Unknown Participant]

I did hear about a couple Tufts Faceoff men being out. Tufts had almost 60 guys on the sideline. Has to be one of biggest rosters in all of D3. Not much more space for guys to stand at end of bench. I also heard Wesleyan was down their two two top SSDM’s and a starting defender. Not to mention DJ Dixon who is one of top midfielders in the NESCAC. This is going to be a great game in Middletown in late April.

Well I just counted 60 guys on Wes' online roster. Perhaps you haven't heard of the Covid log jam?

[Laxdad457]

Where would everyone rank each faceoff unit in the nescac?

1. Bowdoin
2. Tufts
3. Amherst
4. Wesleyan
5. Hamilton
6. Middlebury
7. Trinity
8. Conn
9. Bates
10. Colby
11. Williams

[lax1983]

How did Conn look in the scrimmage yesterday?

[SunocoCharlie]

Any scrimmages around the league today?

[smoova]

Williams and Middlebury scrimmaged today. 17* at game time. Second hand report: Midd up 2 after 4Q, Williams up 1 after 5Q.

[BIGDAWG]

Hearing rumors that Mac B didn't return to Tufts because he feared that the culture of the program had gone out the door. Can anyone shed some more light on this? Fear the boys are too concerned with sipping brews and not connecting ones and twos.

[pcowlax]

Hearing rumors that Mac B didn't return to Tufts because he feared that the culture of the program had gone out the door. Can anyone shed some more light on this? Fear the boys are too concerned with sipping brews and not connecting ones and twos.

Bredahl is in business school at Boston College and playing on the golf team.

[ah23]

Maybe I’m going crazy, but I think that same post was made almost verbatim before last season. The trolling is getting lazy in here.

[Laxdad457]

Could someone post pt. 2 of the NE Lacrosse journal nescac preview?

[pcowlax]

Could someone post pt. 2 of the NE Lacrosse journal nescac preview?

6. Williams (7-9, 5-5 NESCAC)
The Ephs are a team in transition, both literally and figuratively. Longtime assistant coach Connor Samuelsson is now at UMass Lowell. Connor’s brother, Devin, will take over as the defensive coordinator in 2023 in his fourth season with the team. But it’s more about what the offense will do for this team in 2023 that will determine their mobility in the standings. Last season the Ephs were outshot by their opponents 722-560. That ratio has to flip with juniors like Pearse Glavin and Calvin Caputo filling the void left by Jake Haase’s departure.

7. Hamilton (7-7, 4-6 NESCAC)
This program has been on a slow burn for the last few seasons and this might be the year that it breaks out. The Continentals don’t play like the rest of the NESCAC — in fact, they don’t play like most teams in the shot-clock era. Content to absorb the pressure of the opposing team’s offense with stalwart goaltender Seamus Fagan (Sudbury, Mass.), and then countering their opponent with long possessions, Hamilton almost plays like a ball-dominant soccer team. But it will need more offensive output if it wants to keep rising through the NESCAC this spring.

8. Conn. College (5-8, 3-7 NESCAC)
If you’re a fan of aggressive, shootout-style lacrosse, then you should watch the Camels this year. This offense never met a shot it didn’t like and this defense never misses a chance to lay someone out. It’s a super-fun brand of lacrosse that teams like Tufts and Bowdoin also play, but the defensive side of that coin gave up nearly 200 goals in 14 games. A late-season loss to previously winless Bates was concerning on its own, but the Camels also dropped their final six games to NESCAC opponents.

9. Trinity (6-8, 2-8 NESCAC)
The Bantams are a tricky squad to place. They could finish a bit higher this season given their increased ability to score in their early offense. However, teams will be more ready to deal with that now that they know it’s on the menu. The Bantams need to be more efficient on offense as a whole if they want to succeed in 2023. Last spring the team shot 26% – which is not a winning formula in the NESCAC for consistent success.

10. Colby (6-7, 3-7 NESCAC)
The Mules had a pretty confusing season in 2022. An early win against Wesleyan seemed to be a huge momentum builder that didn’t result in all that much success in league play … until the final two weeks of the season, when Colby won back-to-back games against Trinity and Bates. But it was too little, too late, and the Mules missed out on the NESCAC tournament. With Jack Rickards (Andover, Mass.) gone to use his graduate year at UMass, other offensive players will need to step up and take the reins.

11. Bates (1-12, 1-9 NESCAC)
It’s hard to rank anyone at the bottom in a conference this deep, but someone has to be last. A new head coach doesn’t mean an immediate return to form. This isn’t Premier League soccer. Dan Annino was hired a little late into the summer circuit to make any immediate inroads in that facet of the job, but he will bring a different mentality to the team just by not being Peter Lasagna, who guided the team for over a decade. This is a year to establish an identity for the Bobcats, and that process doesn’t usually include a lot of wins.

[JaxsonGrey68]

Could someone post pt. 2 of the NE Lacrosse journal nescac preview?

6. Williams (7-9, 5-5 NESCAC)
The Ephs are a team in transition, both literally and figuratively. Longtime assistant coach Connor Samuelsson is now at UMass Lowell. Connor’s brother, Devin, will take over as the defensive coordinator in 2023 in his fourth season with the team. But it’s more about what the offense will do for this team in 2023 that will determine their mobility in the standings. Last season the Ephs were outshot by their opponents 722-560. That ratio has to flip with juniors like Pearse Glavin and Calvin Caputo filling the void left by Jake Haase’s departure.

7. Hamilton (7-7, 4-6 NESCAC)
This program has been on a slow burn for the last few seasons and this might be the year that it breaks out. The Continentals don’t play like the rest of the NESCAC — in fact, they don’t play like most teams in the shot-clock era. Content to absorb the pressure of the opposing team’s offense with stalwart goaltender Seamus Fagan (Sudbury, Mass.), and then countering their opponent with long possessions, Hamilton almost plays like a ball-dominant soccer team. But it will need more offensive output if it wants to keep rising through the NESCAC this spring.

8. Conn. College (5-8, 3-7 NESCAC)
If you’re a fan of aggressive, shootout-style lacrosse, then you should watch the Camels this year. This offense never met a shot it didn’t like and this defense never misses a chance to lay someone out. It’s a super-fun brand of lacrosse that teams like Tufts and Bowdoin also play, but the defensive side of that coin gave up nearly 200 goals in 14 games. A late-season loss to previously winless Bates was concerning on its own, but the Camels also dropped their final six games to NESCAC opponents.

9. Trinity (6-8, 2-8 NESCAC)
The Bantams are a tricky squad to place. They could finish a bit higher this season given their increased ability to score in their early offense. However, teams will be more ready to deal with that now that they know it’s on the menu. The Bantams need to be more efficient on offense as a whole if they want to succeed in 2023. Last spring the team shot 26% – which is not a winning formula in the NESCAC for consistent success.

10. Colby (6-7, 3-7 NESCAC)
The Mules had a pretty confusing season in 2022. An early win against Wesleyan seemed to be a huge momentum builder that didn’t result in all that much success in league play … until the final two weeks of the season, when Colby won back-to-back games against Trinity and Bates. But it was too little, too late, and the Mules missed out on the NESCAC tournament. With Jack Rickards (Andover, Mass.) gone to use his graduate year at UMass, other offensive players will need to step up and take the reins.

11. Bates (1-12, 1-9 NESCAC)
It’s hard to rank anyone at the bottom in a conference this deep, but someone has to be last. A new head coach doesn’t mean an immediate return to form. This isn’t Premier League soccer. Dan Annino was hired a little late into the summer circuit to make any immediate inroads in that facet of the job, but he will bring a different mentality to the team just by not being Peter Lasagna, who guided the team for over a decade. This is a year to establish an identity for the Bobcats, and that process doesn’t usually include a lot of wins.

Love the insight here and a great primer as the season is thankfully about to start for the NESCAC. Kids all over must be chomping at the bit as they literally watch every other team in the country begin their season. I think the bottom half is probably much harder to predict as clearly these teams appear to have less in the tank and you never know how things will shake out. That being said, not a lot of folks predicted Bowdoin last year so you never know. I love what I hear coming out of Bates, and while this year may be a struggle, Annino certainly appears to have the pedigree to turn this program around. I am also looking for an improvement from Hamilton. Strong Middies and great goal tending are a usually a key to success in the NESCAC and Hamilton has that. Colby is a bit of a question, agree that last year was a bit confusing, but have heard some grumblings about coaching and team chemistry and that is never a good thing. Same can certainly be said of Trinity. Losing all those kids for whatever reason cannot be good, and if they do not get off to a good start things will go south very quickly.
Looking forward to Saturday and seeing some predictions!!

[georgeoar394]

With 6-12" coming in a matter of 24 hours and lingering into Saturday evening..kinda doubt games will be held especially the ones in upper new england. Most teams would be needing to travel tomorrow to beat traveling through the storm. Grounds crews are already strapped with removal of campus grounds and highly doubt keeping a turf field clear is a priority.

[smoova]

With 6-12" coming in a matter of 24 hours and lingering into Saturday evening..kinda doubt games will be held especially the ones in upper new england. Most teams would be needing to travel tomorrow to beat traveling through the storm. Grounds crews are already strapped with removal of campus grounds and highly doubt keeping a turf field clear is a priority.

Bowdoin @ Midd moved to Sunday @ 1pm.
Tufts @ Colby moved to Sunday @ 2pm.

Rumor is that (as you note) teams are travelling tomorrow.

[georgeoar394]

With 6-12" coming in a matter of 24 hours and lingering into Saturday evening..kinda doubt games will be held especially the ones in upper new england. Most teams would be needing to travel tomorrow to beat traveling through the storm. Grounds crews are already strapped with removal of campus grounds and highly doubt keeping a turf field clear is a priority.

Bowdoin @ Midd moved to Sunday @ 1pm.
Tufts @ Colby moved to Sunday @ 2pm.

Rumor is that (as you note) teams are travelling tomorrow.

Yea I saw updates yesterday..even Sunday seems like it’s kind of pushing it imo

[Flag Down]

Conn @ Endicott has been moved to 6 PM tomorrow.

[NNELax]

Hope Conn is staying up there...not going to be fun ride back!

[BallHunt]

Love how NESCAC teams open with conference opponents

3/4/2023 (depending on weather)
Trinity vs. Williams (Home)
Amherst vs.Hamilton (Home)
Bowdoin vs. Middlebury (Home)
Tufts vs. Colby (Home)
Wesleyan vs. Bates (Home)

No pressure.

[humpdad]

Keep an eye on the Camels tonight as they take on Endicott to open the season for the second year in a row. These Camels are hungrier than ever after a disappointing 3-7 in conference record last year. Expectations are high in NewLo this year, especially among alums. The defensive side of the ball should be particularly strong (Nagle's team D always is). Camels return 1st-teamer Jack Venturelli and two-year starter, Will Rice, in cage who both look to anchor Nagle's back end. Offensively, the Camels return virtually the entire line up, and a number of Sophomores look to take the next step. I'll be keeping a close eye on roommates Ford and McAvoy, who have a developed a high level of chemistry on and off the field; these two compliment each other in more ways than one. I think this one comes down to the wire, the flip of a coin if you will; but I'm giving the edge to this young Camels squad who will lean on big game experience from a year ago.

[BanksAndTheBeanStalk]

Offensively, the Camels return virtually the entire line up, and a number of Sophomores look to take the next step.

Tough to replace that lanky #14 from last year, he had a nose for the goal. Was an offensive leader for the young camels squad. I do think they’ve gotten better on both sides of the ball, regardless excited to see what the boys from New London have this year.

[DanBagsy123]

Offensively, the Camels return virtually the entire line up, and a number of Sophomores look to take the next step.

Tough to replace that lanky #14 from last year, he had a nose for the goal. Was an offensive leader for the young camels squad. I do think they’ve gotten better on both sides of the ball, regardless excited to see what the boys from New London have this year.

Quite the nose on #14 last year for Conn. Interesting to see what the Camels will look like without him and the rest of last years senior class.