While Colby looks to defend the honor of the 'Cac in the final non-conference game of 2014-15, four big conference battles loom. And since we've reached the All-NESCAC portion of the calendar, each game gets a NESCAC alum for a musical tribute.
Wesleyan (2-15-0; 1-10-0 NESCAC) at Amherst (12-3-2; 8-30 NESCAC)
Amherst, MA 3 PM
Video
In the most lopsided matchup of the afternoon, the Lord Jeffs enter the game having knocked off the top seed Trinity Bantams, while Amherst enters having lost their tenth straight conference game last night at Hamilton. The teams last met in November with Amherst disposing of the Cardinals, 5-0 on the strength of two Dan Merenich (F, '15) goals.
If the Cardinals want to pull off the upset, they'll need to stay out of the box. Amherst possesses the best power play (37.9%) in conference games while Wesleyan comes off a game in which they gave up three man advantage tallies to Hamilton.
It's unlikely that Wesleyan will win but sometimes, especially in the NESCAC, there are upsets. Here's Wesleyan Alum Hiimanshu Suri aka Heems, formerly of Das Racist, with his new track "Sometimes".
Trinity (14-2-1; 9-1-1 NESCAC) at Hamilton (7-6-4; 5-4-2 NESCAC)
Clinton, NY 3 PM
Video
Trinity lost for the first time in conference last night. They then got on a bus for a four hour drive for an afternoon affair with the only other team in conference not to lose to them this year. The Continentals tied the Bantams in Hartford earlier this season thanks to freshman goalie Evan Buitenhuis (G, '18) standing on his head with 47 saves. They'll need another strong performance from Buitenhuis to pull off the upset against a motivated Bantams squad. The win would be the fifth in a row for Rob Haberbusch's squad at home and would give the Conts sole possesion of the fourth and final playoff home game headed into the final six.
Only six games left in the regular season game, teams can't afford to waste any of their chances. Here's 2008 First Team All-NESCAC men's soccer player, Sam Wisner aka Sammy Boy with his music video for "Waste".
Middlebury (7-7-3; 4-4-3 NESCAC) at Conn College (8-7-2; 5-5-1 NESCAC)
New London, CT 3PM
Middlebury travels down to New London from Boston having lost to Tufts for the first time since 2010 while Conn College beat Williams last night for the first time since 2007. Conn College has had more recent success against Middlebury with a win over the Panthers last year. But hat Conn College W came in the environs of the green mountains, the Camels haven't beaten the Panthers in New London in a long time, if ever. Should be a close matchup between two teams looking to stay in the hunt for a home playoff game in the NESCAC playoffs. The teams first met this season back in said green mountains with the Panthers taking down Camels 3-2 thanks to jumping out to a 3-0 lead.
It's the little moments in hockey - an errant pass, a goalie being able to limit rebounds, sloppy defense leading to a penalty, etc. - that can determine a win from a loss, a home playoff game from another trip on the road. Here are Conn College alums Clap Your Hands Say Yeah with "Little Moments"
Williams (11-4-2; 7-3-1 NESCAC) at Tufts (7-9-1; 4-6-1 NESCAC)
Malden, MA 4 PM
Video
Williams ships up to (near) Boston having lost to Conn College to face off against a once lowly Jumbos squad that has won three straight conference games at their home rink (which is a municipal rink, so it's not really theirs, but you get the idea...). The Jumbos defense and the goaltending of Mason Pulde (G, '17) have been the difference during the "home" winning streak. Expect a motivated Ephs team that hasn't lost back-to-back games yet this season.
The once easy roadtrip to New London and Malden is starting to become a cruel swing through the region for opposing NESCAC teams. Here's Williams alum Bill Barbot playing guitar on Jawbox's "Cruel Swing."
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