NESCAC

[SaltCounty]

Tufts is the first program in DIIII history to raise the trophy without playing a single home playoff game. Furthermore, over the course of 17 days, they spent 13 on the road, practiced or played in five different stadiums, stayed in four different hotels and traveled nearly 2000 miles on buses and vans to capture their 4th National Championship!

In addition to losing in the NESCAC quarterfinals, they could’ve used any of the above as excuses

Sounds like one of their overly defensive fans just did.

Prior to RIT, they faced the lessor of each of the potential foes along the way. Meaning they had an easier path. Meaning they were less beaten up come the final. Meaning you’re wrong. It is what it is.

Tufts IS NOT the 1st team in NCAA playoff history to win the title without playing a home playoff game. Washington College accomplished that in 1998 when they won their title.
Interesting fact about this, 1998 was the year the NCAA expanded the field from 8 teams to 10. Washington was the 10th seed. So not only were they the 1st to win a title with out a home playoff game, they are also the lowest seeded team to win a title.

Excuse me, since they expanded the tournament to the current size in this era.

I don't think it's as noteworthy as it seems given the pod format & their matchup.
Teams arrive the day before + get a short practice.
They played a program that (to no fault) is not in position to compete with Tufts.
By Sunday... you could argue you're pretty much settled in.

Tufts to Union is not that bad of a Trip.
And they are already familiar with the site.

I wouldn’t say I wholeheartedly disagree with you, a couple of your points are valid. But, it’s tough to win on the road. Plain and simple. Especially traveling ~450 miles and 8 hours in a bus and having to play the late game on Saturday.

100% agree on that note / trip.
You could say a fraction of that Title was won in their F4 game v. W&L.
Given this Tufts Roster / Youth - that was a bigger win that a lot of us knew at the time.

Spot on w re to F4 game on a few levels. Not having to face Sals was without a doubt a gift. While many of us Jumbos fans wanted to avenge the Finals loss last year, every single one was rooting for W&L.

Also, one thing I haven't heard anyone say is the maturity and improvement of Tufts. IMO you make way bigger strides in terms of development from Freshman to Sophomore year and Sophomore to Junior year than you do from Senior to Grad year or 5th to 6th year. The teams that had a number of 5th and 6th year guys had plateaued. CNU was one of them. Several teams caught up to and passed them. Tufts had zero grad students last year. Tufts returns every starter next season, only one grad student.

I am surprised more people aren't talking about Tufts winning the NC without Boyden, Brun, Adams, Bredahl, (the older) Waldbaum, etc.
Many picked those teams to be the ones that won a title.
I think this reinforces your point about the improvement of young Tufts players - credit to them and their staff

[callaxdad]

Tufts is the first program in DIIII history to raise the trophy without playing a single home playoff game. Furthermore, over the course of 17 days, they spent 13 on the road, practiced or played in five different stadiums, stayed in four different hotels and traveled nearly 2000 miles on buses and vans to capture their 4th National Championship!

In addition to losing in the NESCAC quarterfinals, they could’ve used any of the above as excuses

Sounds like one of their overly defensive fans just did.

Prior to RIT, they faced the lessor of each of the potential foes along the way. Meaning they had an easier path. Meaning they were less beaten up come the final. Meaning you’re wrong. It is what it is.

Tufts IS NOT the 1st team in NCAA playoff history to win the title without playing a home playoff game. Washington College accomplished that in 1998 when they won their title.
Interesting fact about this, 1998 was the year the NCAA expanded the field from 8 teams to 10. Washington was the 10th seed. So not only were they the 1st to win a title with out a home playoff game, they are also the lowest seeded team to win a title.

Excuse me, since they expanded the tournament to the current size in this era.

I don't think it's as noteworthy as it seems given the pod format & their matchup.
Teams arrive the day before + get a short practice.
They played a program that (to no fault) is not in position to compete with Tufts.
By Sunday... you could argue you're pretty much settled in.

Tufts to Union is not that bad of a Trip.
And they are already familiar with the site.

I wouldn’t say I wholeheartedly disagree with you, a couple of your points are valid. But, it’s tough to win on the road. Plain and simple. Especially traveling ~450 miles and 8 hours in a bus and having to play the late game on Saturday.

100% agree on that note / trip.
You could say a fraction of that Title was won in their F4 game v. W&L.
Given this Tufts Roster / Youth - that was a bigger win that a lot of us knew at the time.

Spot on w re to F4 game on a few levels. Not having to face Sals was without a doubt a gift. While many of us Jumbos fans wanted to avenge the Finals loss last year, every single one was rooting for W&L.

Also, one thing I haven't heard anyone say is the maturity and improvement of Tufts. IMO you make way bigger strides in terms of development from Freshman to Sophomore year and Sophomore to Junior year than you do from Senior to Grad year or 5th to 6th year. The teams that had a number of 5th and 6th year guys had plateaued. CNU was one of them. Several teams caught up to and passed them. Tufts had zero grad students last year. Tufts returns every starter next season, only one grad student.

I am surprised more people aren't talking about Tufts winning the NC without Boyden, Brun, Adams, Bredahl, (the older) Waldbaum, etc.
Many picked those teams to be the ones that won a title.
I think this reinforces your point about the improvement of young Tufts players - credit to them and their staff

100%!! Keep in mind, Bredahl, Boyden, Bruun and Swank all could've been playing on the team last year with a 5th/6th year, a la several players on RIT, CNU and Salisbury. No knock on them, they were screwed by BS Covid decisions and had every right to use that eligibility. However, several of the freshmen and sophomores from the team that lost in the finals last year really matured and developed big time. Gotta give Casey and his staff credit for that.

[callaxdad]

Tufts is the first program in DIIII history to raise the trophy without playing a single home playoff game. Furthermore, over the course of 17 days, they spent 13 on the road, practiced or played in five different stadiums, stayed in four different hotels and traveled nearly 2000 miles on buses and vans to capture their 4th National Championship!

In addition to losing in the NESCAC quarterfinals, they could’ve used any of the above as excuses

Sounds like one of their overly defensive fans just did.

Prior to RIT, they faced the lessor of each of the potential foes along the way. Meaning they had an easier path. Meaning they were less beaten up come the final. Meaning you’re wrong. It is what it is.

Tufts IS NOT the 1st team in NCAA playoff history to win the title without playing a home playoff game. Washington College accomplished that in 1998 when they won their title.
Interesting fact about this, 1998 was the year the NCAA expanded the field from 8 teams to 10. Washington was the 10th seed. So not only were they the 1st to win a title with out a home playoff game, they are also the lowest seeded team to win a title.

Excuse me, since they expanded the tournament to the current size in this era.

I don't think it's as noteworthy as it seems given the pod format & their matchup.
Teams arrive the day before + get a short practice.
They played a program that (to no fault) is not in position to compete with Tufts.
By Sunday... you could argue you're pretty much settled in.

Tufts to Union is not that bad of a Trip.
And they are already familiar with the site.

I wouldn’t say I wholeheartedly disagree with you, a couple of your points are valid. But, it’s tough to win on the road. Plain and simple. Especially traveling ~450 miles and 8 hours in a bus and having to play the late game on Saturday.

100% agree on that note / trip.
You could say a fraction of that Title was won in their F4 game v. W&L.
Given this Tufts Roster / Youth - that was a bigger win that a lot of us knew at the time.

Spot on w re to F4 game on a few levels. Not having to face Sals was without a doubt a gift. While many of us Jumbos fans wanted to avenge the Finals loss last year, every single one was rooting for W&L.

Also, one thing I haven't heard anyone say is the maturity and improvement of Tufts. IMO you make way bigger strides in terms of development from Freshman to Sophomore year and Sophomore to Junior year than you do from Senior to Grad year or 5th to 6th year. The teams that had a number of 5th and 6th year guys had plateaued. CNU was one of them. Several teams caught up to and passed them. Tufts had zero grad students last year. Tufts returns every starter next season, only one grad student.

I am surprised more people aren't talking about Tufts winning the NC without Boyden, Brun, Adams, Bredahl, (the older) Waldbaum, etc.
Many picked those teams to be the ones that won a title.
I think this reinforces your point about the improvement of young Tufts players - credit to them and their staff

100%!! Keep in mind, Bredahl, Boyden, Bruun and Swank all could've been playing on the team last year with a 5th/6th year, a la several players on RIT, CNU and Salisbury. No knock on the guys who used their extra years, they were screwed by BS Covid decisions and had every right to use that eligibility. However, several of the Tufts freshmen and sophomores from the team that lost in the finals last year really matured and developed big time. Gotta give Casey and his staff credit for that.

[choochooCharlie]

Tufts is the first program in DIIII history to raise the trophy without playing a single home playoff game. Furthermore, over the course of 17 days, they spent 13 on the road, practiced or played in five different stadiums, stayed in four different hotels and traveled nearly 2000 miles on buses and vans to capture their 4th National Championship!

In addition to losing in the NESCAC quarterfinals, they could’ve used any of the above as excuses

Sounds like one of their overly defensive fans just did.

Prior to RIT, they faced the lessor of each of the potential foes along the way. Meaning they had an easier path. Meaning they were less beaten up come the final. Meaning you’re wrong. It is what it is.

Tufts IS NOT the 1st team in NCAA playoff history to win the title without playing a home playoff game. Washington College accomplished that in 1998 when they won their title.
Interesting fact about this, 1998 was the year the NCAA expanded the field from 8 teams to 10. Washington was the 10th seed. So not only were they the 1st to win a title with out a home playoff game, they are also the lowest seeded team to win a title.

Excuse me, since they expanded the tournament to the current size in this era.

I don't think it's as noteworthy as it seems given the pod format & their matchup.
Teams arrive the day before + get a short practice.
They played a program that (to no fault) is not in position to compete with Tufts.
By Sunday... you could argue you're pretty much settled in.

Tufts to Union is not that bad of a Trip.
And they are already familiar with the site.

I wouldn’t say I wholeheartedly disagree with you, a couple of your points are valid. But, it’s tough to win on the road. Plain and simple. Especially traveling ~450 miles and 8 hours in a bus and having to play the late game on Saturday.

100% agree on that note / trip.
You could say a fraction of that Title was won in their F4 game v. W&L.
Given this Tufts Roster / Youth - that was a bigger win that a lot of us knew at the time.

Spot on w re to F4 game on a few levels. Not having to face Sals was without a doubt a gift. While many of us Jumbos fans wanted to avenge the Finals loss last year, every single one was rooting for W&L.

Also, one thing I haven't heard anyone say is the maturity and improvement of Tufts. IMO you make way bigger strides in terms of development from Freshman to Sophomore year and Sophomore to Junior year than you do from Senior to Grad year or 5th to 6th year. The teams that had a number of 5th and 6th year guys had plateaued. CNU was one of them. Several teams caught up to and passed them. Tufts had zero grad students last year. Tufts returns every starter next season, only one grad student.

I am surprised more people aren't talking about Tufts winning the NC without Boyden, Brun, Adams, Bredahl, (the older) Waldbaum, etc.
Many picked those teams to be the ones that won a title.
I think this reinforces your point about the improvement of young Tufts players - credit to them and their staff

100%!! Keep in mind, Bredahl, Boyden, Bruun and Swank all could've been playing on the team last year with a 5th/6th year, a la several players on RIT, CNU and Salisbury. No knock on the guys who used their extra years, they were screwed by BS Covid decisions and had every right to use that eligibility. However, several of the Tufts freshmen and sophomores from the team that lost in the finals last year really matured and developed big time. Gotta give Casey and his staff credit for that.

[choochooCharlie]

My problem are the records. Would Jude Brown be the all time leading scorer with 14 extra games under his belt. In theory if there are 23 games in a season including the NC, that would extrapolate out to 92 games. 14 extra games would translate to a lot more points. You take those away and Jude Brown is probably a lot lower on the toten poll.

I think that transfer from Stevens to MIT, Gephardt, has the record per a source (I am too lazy to look it up), he also had 6 years. Although, and no offense to Brown, I assume Gephardt was a much more serious student.

You might be right - My point is that these kids with those extra games are breaking records so it should be asterisk because of those extra games.
[/quote]

Rules have changed since the dawn of the sport. Every record should have an asterisk by your logic

[laxrules]

True about asterisks. Look at the amount of games played now compared to 20 years ago. Not to mention COVID extra years

[Can Opener]

Raba has only played 32 career games, which is incredible given the numbers he puts up every game. He definitely deserves another year. He lost two seasons (2020 and 2021) to COVID and another year (2022) with ACL tear. They should give him two more years in my opion. Hazard has a sixth year if he wanted it as well. Hopefully he takes it.

Judd Brown from Salisbury played 106 career games over his six years. Now that is maximizing your time. Chase Farrera from Salisbury played six years as well. We are in uncharted territory with the COVID situation. There are many six-year players out there; we just don't hear about them as much because they are outside of NESCAC.

So, by the letter of the (NC$$) law you have 5 years to play 4 seasons. There are certain exceptions where you get a 6th. Covid not withstanding. That said, even though he graduated HS in 2019, this kid deserves another freaking year, IMHO!! If he chooses to exercise that option, good for him. Although it’s not to the benefit of the team that I happen to root for, I support that 100%!! He’s a tremendous player who’s had some crappy luck. Take the 6th year and make the most of it kid!! I for one look forward to watching him play one final season, kids a baller!!

Raba actually graduated from HS in 2018 and played at Loyola in 2019. That means he will be facing athletes next spring who were in 7th grade while he was playing Division 1 lacrosse.

[callaxdad]

Raba has only played 32 career games, which is incredible given the numbers he puts up every game. He definitely deserves another year. He lost two seasons (2020 and 2021) to COVID and another year (2022) with ACL tear. They should give him two more years in my opion. Hazard has a sixth year if he wanted it as well. Hopefully he takes it.

Judd Brown from Salisbury played 106 career games over his six years. Now that is maximizing your time. Chase Farrera from Salisbury played six years as well. We are in uncharted territory with the COVID situation. There are many six-year players out there; we just don't hear about them as much because they are outside of NESCAC.

So, by the letter of the (NC$$) law you have 5 years to play 4 seasons. There are certain exceptions where you get a 6th. Covid not withstanding. That said, even though he graduated HS in 2019, this kid deserves another freaking year, IMHO!! If he chooses to exercise that option, good for him. Although it’s not to the benefit of the team that I happen to root for, I support that 100%!! He’s a tremendous player who’s had some crappy luck. Take the 6th year and make the most of it kid!! I for one look forward to watching him play one final season, kids a baller!!

Raba actually graduated from HS in 2018 and played at Loyola in 2019. That means he will be facing athletes next spring who were in 7th grade while he was playing Division 1 lacrosse.

Wow, that’s right, he played for Loyola in 2019 & 2020 which means he graduated HS in 2018!! That’s pretty outrageous, 7 years of college lacrosse. He must not have played enough in ‘19 to burn a year of eligibility. I wonder how many degrees he’ll have when all is said and done. Oh well, can’t blame him, he’s not the one making the rules.

[Masshole]

Happy 7/1 to those of us who celebrate! If any one has commitments they know about, we can start a thread

[247lax]

I believe that the first date for prereads has been pushed to Sept. 1. I know that it was Aug. 1 last year and recall hearing that it was supposed to move to Sept. 1 this year.

[Quill]

I thought it was only Aug 1 last year because schools were waiting on the Supreme Court decision on certain admission criteria before extending verbal offers. This year it reverted to July 1!

[Laxxal22]

I believe that the first date for prereads has been pushed to Sept. 1. I know that it was Aug. 1 last year and recall hearing that it was supposed to move to Sept. 1 this year.

I’ve already seen 4-5 “committed to the admissions process at…” instagram posts, so it’s definitely 7/1. I’ll do a more detailed post later.

[Laxxal22]

NESCAC commitments I've seen so far. Will continue to update.

Amherst
Peter Mok - Goal, Avon Old Farms
Oliver Pritchard - Def, Taft
Nate Cootauco - Mid, Gilman
Dutch Lohnes - Lsm, St. Alban's
Kaden Fenno - FO, TMI Episcopal School of Texas
Dylan Kelleher - FO, Santa Fe Christian
Gus Singh - Def, Loyola (Los Angeles)
Ethan Tanner - Lsm/Def, Maple Valley

Bates
Henry McCann - Att, Montclair Kimberley Academy
Luke Taylor - Def, Detroit Catholic Central

Bowdoin
Owen Majit - Att, Corona Del Mar
Edward McElroy - Goal, The Bishop's School
Jack Frischmann - Mid, Phillips Andover
Seb Gozalez - Def, Mercer Island

Colby
Drew Gannon - Lsm, Belmont Hill
James Counselman - Mid, Middlesex
Joey Hagerty - Mid, Wilton
Matias Williams - Att, St. Paul's (New Hampshire)
Rusty Chandler - Mid, Salisbury
Chase Coleman - Mid, Blessed Trinity
Tyler Katt - Lsm/Def, Pingry
Zach Parks - Goal, Gilman
Marek Elia - Def, Marin Catholic

Conn College
Trevor Potente - Mid, Brewster Academy

Hamilton
Ty Green - Def, Skaneateles
Jake Hornick - Lsm/Def, Riverdale Country
Bryce Babich - Def, Bernards
Fin Vaccaro - Att, Bernards

Middlebury
Gavin Romweber - Att, Delbarton
Zach Bernstein - Def, Sharon
Fisher Winslow - Goal, Trinity-Pawling
Brady Boudreau - Mid, Belmont Hill
Teddy Coyle - FO, Seton Hall Prep
Brandon Chan - Mid, King School
Angus Frew - FO, Groton
Will Leahy - Mid, Woodberry Forest

Trinity
Peter Falk - Att, Delbarton
Nick Emsing - Mid, BC High
Rhys Amorsino - FO, St. Sebastian's
Julian Singh - Lsm/Def, St. Sebastian's
Will Chiasson - Mid, Nobles
Taylor Cotton - Mid, Roxbury Latin
Reed Campbell - Att, Haverford

Tufts
Drew Bossi - Att, St. John's Prep
Sam Juhnke - Goal, Windemere Prep
Jack Donovan - Lsm, Kent Denver

Wesleyan
Brian Reilly - Att/Mid, Chaminade
Michael Garrity - Mid, Hingham
Lucas Rosato - Att, Mercer Island

Williams
Teddy Stonestreet - Lsm/Def, Belmont Hill
Andrew Johnson - Mid, Delbarton
Henry Faulkner - Lsm, Trinity School
Kai Switlick - Att, Jesuit Sacramento

[247lax]

I thought it was only Aug 1 last year because schools were waiting on the Supreme Court decision on certain admission criteria before extending verbal offers. This year it reverted to July 1!

Okay -- sorry about that.

[Laxxal22]

Up over 50 commitments in the first week, and these are just the ones that I've come across. Amherst, Colby and Middlebury have really gotten after it. Trinity as well. Interesting to see Tufts with only three. Granted the process started on 8/1 last year, but they had the majority of the 2024/2028 class committed in the first few days.

NESCAC commitments I've seen so far. Will continue to update.

Amherst
Peter Mok - Goal, Avon Old Farms
Oliver Pritchard - Def, Taft
Nate Cootauco - Mid, Gilman
Dutch Lohnes - Lsm, St. Alban's
Kaden Fenno - FO, TMI Episcopal School of Texas
Dylan Kelleher - FO, Santa Fe Christian
Gus Singh - Def, Loyola (Los Angeles)
Ethan Tanner - Lsm/Def, Maple Valley

Bates
Henry McCann - Att, Montclair Kimberley Academy
Luke Taylor - Def, Detroit Catholic Central

Bowdoin
Owen Majit - Att, Corona Del Mar
Edward McElroy - Goal, The Bishop's School
Jack Frischmann - Mid, Phillips Andover
Seb Gozalez - Def, Mercer Island

Colby
Drew Gannon - Lsm, Belmont Hill
James Counselman - Mid, Middlesex
Joey Hagerty - Mid, Wilton
Matias Williams - Att, St. Paul's (New Hampshire)
Rusty Chandler - Mid, Salisbury
Chase Coleman - Mid, Blessed Trinity
Tyler Katt - Lsm/Def, Pingry
Zach Parks - Goal, Gilman
Marek Elia - Def, Marin Catholic

Conn College
Trevor Potente - Mid, Brewster Academy

Hamilton
Ty Green - Def, Skaneateles
Jake Hornick - Lsm/Def, Riverdale Country
Bryce Babich - Def, Bernards
Fin Vaccaro - Att, Bernards

Middlebury
Gavin Romweber - Att, Delbarton
Zach Bernstein - Def, Sharon
Fisher Winslow - Goal, Trinity-Pawling
Brady Boudreau - Mid, Belmont Hill
Teddy Coyle - FO, Seton Hall Prep
Brandon Chan - Mid, King School
Angus Frew - FO, Groton
Will Leahy - Mid, Woodberry Forest

Trinity
Peter Falk - Att, Delbarton
Nick Emsing - Mid, BC High
Rhys Amorsino - FO, St. Sebastian's
Julian Singh - Lsm/Def, St. Sebastian's
Will Chiasson - Mid, Nobles
Taylor Cotton - Mid, Roxbury Latin
Reed Campbell - Att, Haverford

Tufts
Drew Bossi - Att, St. John's Prep
Sam Juhnke - Goal, Windemere Prep
Jack Donovan - Lsm, Kent Denver

Wesleyan
Brian Reilly - Att/Mid, Chaminade
Michael Garrity - Mid, Hingham
Lucas Rosato - Att, Mercer Island

Williams
Teddy Stonestreet - Lsm/Def, Belmont Hill
Andrew Johnson - Mid, Delbarton
Henry Faulkner - Lsm, Trinity School
Kai Switlick - Att, Jesuit Sacramento

[MVPiccoli]

Raba actually graduated from HS in 2018 and played at Loyola in 2019. That means he will be facing athletes next spring who were in 7th grade while he was playing Division 1 lacrosse.

Every one of these situations seems strange to me. Playing college ball at 23-24-25 years old? I was three years into my career at 25, and married, with a mortgage. When I finished my senior year academically, I was ready to go man. And yeah, it hurt something fierce to walk off the field at Gettysburg knowing I'd never put the jersey on again, but damn. I had my turn, I enjoyed it and hated it and loved it. The game moves on. An extra year? Maybe. An extra three? Do you really have nothing else in life to pursue?

[pcowlax]

Completely with you Piccoli. A lot of people bring up the "you have 40 years to work and if you could wouldn't you go back and have another year in college with your friends argument". I would love to have another year in college with my friends. My friends aren't in college anymore though and neither are Raba's. I have a good family friend who is entering his senior year as a (non-lacrosse) NESCAC athlete. He was on the older sider for his grade, then repeat a year starting prep school. He graduated high school in 2020 and rather than starting during COVID, deferred a year. After all of this, he ended up turning 21 the summer BEFORE his freshman year. He is now turning 24 before his senior year. He has told me how at this point he has nothing in common with 18 and 19yr olds going crazy being on their own for the first time. He at least still has his classmates and good friends. Raba's classmates, across multiple schools, are long graduated. Also can't imagine wanting to be in school for so long. I graduated, took a year off, then did go back to grad school. That however was the first step in my real, professional life. By the end of my senior year I was ready to stop having tests and writing papers for a while. Personally, the "if he wants to do it and he enjoys it he should do it" argument has always been extremely problematic and selfish but here we are.

[Laxxal22]

Eh, maybe he wants to go into coaching and loves spending time with his dad. Who knows? Certainly none of us. Live and let live.

[pcowlax]

Eh, maybe he wants to go into coaching and loves spending time with his dad. Who knows? Certainly none of us. Live and let live.

Except he is taking the spot of someone who should be playing at a normal college age. This is what I hate about the "if it feels good for you do it" style of argument. He isn't playing in a vacuum, he is taking an opportunity away from someone else. If he wants to go into coaching and spend time with his dad....Great!!! Skip the 7th year of college lacrosse and go into coaching with your dad.

[SKUD]

Play every chance you get before it is gone! If it is within the rules and you can swing it, do it.

Why so judgmental? Everyone has choices. His choices weren’t yours.

I see both sides of this and there is no perfect scenario and feel bad for the marginal players who have been squeezed from playing time from 21-25.