Men's Sectional Previews: Northeast

By Christan Shirk

Third Round - Saturday, Nov. 17

Quarterfinals - Sunday, Nov. 18

Sectional Final, 1:30 pm ET

How they reached the Sweet 16

Amherst: NESCAC Automatic Berth (AQ) | 1st Rnd: Bye | 2nd Rnd: W4-0 Dickinson (H)

Swarthmore: Pool C at-large berth | 1st Rnd: W3-0 Albert Magnus (H) | 2nd Rnd: W3-0 RPI (H)

Brandeis: Pool C at-large berth | 1st Rnd: W2-0 Baruch (H) | 2nd Rnd: W1-0 Vassar (H)

Williams: Pool C at-large berth | 1st Rnd: W2-1 Thomas (H) | 2nd Rnd: W2-1(ot) St. Lawrence (H)

2012 Statistical Overview

Amherst: 16-0-2 (.944) | 2.98 GSA, 0.11 GAA (+2.87) | Avg. D-III OWP: .556 | Last Ten: 8-0-2

Swarthmore: 16-2-2 (.850) | 2.02 GSA, 0.54 GAA (+1.48) | Avg. D-III OWP: .576 | Last Ten: 8-1-1

Brandeis: 18-2-1 (.881) | 2.39 GSA, 0.70 GAA (+1.69) | Avg. D-III OWP: .561 | Last Ten: 8-2-0

Williams: 15-1-3 (.868) | 1.71 GSA, 0.57 GAA (+1.14) | Avg. D-III OWP: .598 | Last Ten: 8-1-1

Seniors' 4-year Record (through Nov. 11)

Amherst: 57-8-9 (.831) overall | NCAA's ('09-'10-'11-'12): 7-2-1, Sweet 16 - '10,'11,'12

Swarthmore: 61-11-10 (.805) overall | NCAA's ('09-'10-'12): 5-0-2, Sweet 16 - '09,'12

Brandeis: 51-24-5 (.669) overall | NCAA's ('12): 2-0-0, Sweet 16 - '12

Williams: 52-11-11 (.777) overall | NCAA's ('09-'10-'12): 5-2-2, Sweet 16 - '12, Final Four - '09

Tournament Experience

Amherst certainly holds the experience edge in this group having reached the Sweet 16 the previous two years as well. As freshmen, Swarthmore's and William's seniors reached the Sweet 16 and Final Four, respectively, but neither team reached the Sweet 16 in 2010 and both were mere spectators of last year's tournament. For Brandeis, this is all new teritory for the players and for head coach Coven it has been 27 years since he coached a team into the NCAA's.

Tournament Re-Matches

The only potential rematch here is Amherst versus Williams in the sectional final. As NESCAC rivals, they met both in the regular season, a scoreless tie, and in the conference final, a 2-0 Amherst win. Amherst was pretty dominate in the mid-season tie and was up 2-0 by the 16th minute en route to the conference title just two weeks ago.

Why they will advance to the Final Four

Amherst: The Lord Jeffs are the best team in the sectional on both sides of the ball. They have only conceded two goals all season. Read that again: only two goals conceded in 18 games. And they score 3 goals per game on average. And they put up these numbers playing in the NESCAC. Additionally, the disappointment of exiting at this stage the last two years when a title run was possible while drive this team into the Final Four.

Swarthmore: The Garnet attack has found some consistency, averaging nearly 2.5 goals per game over the past month. Amherst probably has not faced as good an attack all season and Swathmore will surprise them. The Garnet defense is good and the players on this team have never lost an NCAA game, falling in penalty kicks in 2009 and 2010. Well coached, they will score first in both games and find the right balance to hold the lead to the end.

Brandeis: Despite the softest defense in the group, Williams doesn't have the attack to capitalize on that. With Williams half-looking ahead to a re-match with Amherst, Brandeis will surprise them with an attack that has averaged 2.39 goals per game. The Judges will ride the confidence gained from that win to a sectional final.

Williams: Coming out of the NESCAC and having edged St. Lawrence in round two, Williams is battle-tested and will get past Brandeis whose conference has underwhelmed in this year's tournament. Well-coached, they'd relish a re-match with Amherst knowing exactly what to expect and what they need to do to win. Amherst won't be able to avoid defeat to their rivals for a third time in one season.

Comments or feedback for the author?  Email Christan Shirk.