With another week of New England Division III men’s basketball in the books, it is time to unveil this week’s Noontime Sports Top 10 Poll for Tuesday, February 20th, 2018!
This week’s poll – similar to the past 10 polls this season – is produced by the Noontime Sports College Basketball committee, which is made-up of athletic communication directors, coaches and media members here in New England.
Men’s Basketball Top 10 | Tuesday, February 20th, 2018
1. Eastern Conn. State
22-3 | LEC
Last Week: No. 1
2. Williams College
20-5 | NESCAC
Last Week: No. 2
3. Wesleyan University
20-5 | NESCAC
Last Week: No. 3
4. Hamilton College
22-3 | NESCAC
Last Week: No. 4
5. Salem State Univ.
22-3 | MASCAC
Last Week: No. 5
6. Amherst College
17-8 | NESCAC
Last Week: No. 8
7. Springfield College
18-7 | NEWMAC
Last Week: No. 9
8. Nichols College
22-3 | CCC
Last Week: No. 7
9. Middlebury College
19-6 | NESCAC
Last Week: No. 6
10. MIT
20-5 | NEWMAC
Last Week: NR
On The Rise: Albertus Magnus (19-5 | GNAC), Keene State (17-8 | LEC), Tufts University and Wheaton College (16-9 | NEWMAC)
With a brand new season of New England D3 lacrosse underway – yes, a few non-New England schools have already competed at least once this season – it is time to dish out our women’s lacrosse teams to watch in each conference.
Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC): Endicott College will certainly be the favorite once again, but don’t sleep on Roger Williams or University of New England – both teams will certainly provide challenges to the Gulls, as well as the entire conference.
Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC): Can Johnson & Wales University continue its impressive run from a year ago? Sure, they may have graduated some key pieces to a historic season, but don’t overlook these Wildcats.
Additionally, keep an eye on Lasell College – the Lasers will certainly be a team that could challenge the Wildcats come late April/early May.
Little East Conference (LEC): Plymouth State secured six of seven first-place votes in this year’s preseason coaches poll, so once again, keep an eye on the Panthers. Additionally, keep an eye on both Eastern Connecticut State University and Keene State – two teams that will certainly challenge the Panthers for the top spot in the conference tournament.
Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC): Westfield State will again be the team to beat this spring, but what about Bridgewater State and Framingham State? Both teams could be in for an exciting spring and will provide challenges for the Owls, both in conference play and the tournament.
North Atlantic Conference (NAC): Can Castleton University make it back-to-back conference champions? Or maybe, we will see the Pilgrims of New England College earn a trip to the big dance? Both teams are scheduled to meet in late April – expect this contest to decide the top seed in the NAC Tournament.
New England Collegiate Conference (NECC): Elms College is certainly the favorite, but maybe this is the year Southern Vermont breaks through? Southern Vermont collected a pair of first-place votes on the preseason coaches poll and will certainly be a team to watch this spring.
New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC): Colby College will have a target on its back after winning the NESCAC crown last year, but don’t overlook Hamilton College, Middlebury College, Trinity College and Tufts University. Additionally, let’s not forget about Amherst College, too – they will provide challenges for all five squads listed above.
New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC): Babson College will be the favorite, but keep an eye on MIT and Springfield College – both teams will be in for exciting springs. Additionally, one shouldn’t sleep on Wheaton College or Wellesley College – both teams tied for fourth on the preseason coaches’ poll.
Four New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) tournament games took place this evening and below are this evening’s outcomes.
Men’s Basketball: No. 4 WPI 95, No. 5 Wheaton 76: Aaron Todd netted 15 of his 21 points in the second half as the Engineers defeated the Lyons in Worcester to secure a spot in this weekend’s semifinals. WPI’s Jake Wisniewski concluded the game with 17 points – he netted 14 points in the first half – while Wheaton’s Ryan Fogarty matched Todd with a team-high 21 points.
Women’s Basketball: No. 2 WPI 72, No. 7 Coast Guard Academy 42: Meg Donovan came off the bench and netted a team-high 14 points, while Maura Buckley and Stasha Greenalch combine for 21 points – both student-athletes each netted double-figures – as the Engineers defeated the Bears of Coast Guard in Worcester. Coast Guard’s Micaela Martinelli netted a game-high 19 points, including five trifectas.
Women’s Basketball: No. 3 Babson 85, No. 6 Emerson 57: Katherine Tamulionis was one of three Babson players to net double figures – she concluded the game with 19 points – as the Beavers defeated the Lions in Babson Park. Quinn Madden paced Emerson with a team-high 12 points.
Women’s Basketball: No. 5 MIT 66, No. 4 Springfield 55: Dolly Yuan netted a season-best 26 points to lead the Engineers past the Pride in Springfield. MIT secured the lead for good by racing out to a 20-11 advantage after one quarter before securing a 36-27 lead at the break. Springfield’s Alex Goslin concluded the game with a team-high 15 points.
The final day of conference tournament madness concluded with a quartet of championship games!
New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC)
Men’s Basketball: Williams 69, Wesleyan 58: The Ephs are headed back to the NCAA Tournament – they secured the automatic invite with a convincing win over the Cardinals, thanks to a game-high 17 points fromJames Heskett.
Women’s Basketball: Amherst 44, Tufts 40: Madeline Eck recorded 17 points, including a late triple and two freebies during the final three minutes to lift the Mammoths past the Jumbos in the NESCAC championship.
New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC)
Men’s Basketball: MIT 63, WPI 57: MIT overcame a four-point deficit at the break to defeat WPI in Springfield. With the win, the Engineers of Cambridge are headed back to the ‘big dance’ for the second-straight season after capturing yet another NEWMAC crown. AJ Jurko netted 16 points in the win – he also recorded eight rebounds, too.
Women’s Basketball: MIT 54, WPI 50: Kristen Ngan came off the bench and netted 14 points, while Taylor V’Dovec added 13 points as MIT won its first-ever NEWMAC championship.
With another week of New England Division III women’s basketball in the books, it is time to unveil this week’s Noontime Sports Top 10 Poll for Monday, February 26th, 2018!
This week’s poll – similar to the past 11 polls this season – is produced by the Noontime Sports College Basketball committee, which is made-up of athletic communication directors, coaches and media members here in New England.
Women’s Basketball Top 10 | Monday, February 26th, 2018
1. Amherst College
27-0 | NESCAC
Last Week: No. 1
2. Tufts University
23-4 | NESCAC
Last Week: No. 3
3. Bowdoin College
24-2 | NESCAC
Last Week: No. 2
4. Saint Joseph’s (Maine)
27-1 | GNAC
Last Week: No. 5
5. Univ. of New Eng.
23-5 | CCC
Last Week: No. 7
6. MIT
18-9 | NEWMAC
Last Week: NR
7. UMass Dartmouth
24-4 | LEC
Last Week: No. 4
8. UMass Boston
25-3 | LEC
Last Week: NR
9. Roger Williams
23-5 | CCC
Last Week: No. 8
10. WPI
22-6 | NEWMAC
Last Week: No. 10
On The Rise: Husson Univ. (19-9|NAC), Smith College (20-6 | NEWMAC), Wesleyan University (17-8|NESCAC) and Westfield State (19-7|MASCAC)
With another week of New England Division III men’s basketball in the books, it is time to unveil this week’s Noontime Sports Top 10 Poll for Monday, February 26th, 2018!
This week’s poll – similar to the past 11 polls this season – is produced by the Noontime Sports College Basketball committee, which is made-up of athletic communication directors, coaches and media members here in New England.
Men’s Basketball Top 10 | Monday, February 26th, 2018
1. Williams College
22-5 | NESCAC
Last Week: No. 2
2. Eastern Conn. St.
25-3 | LEC
Last Week: No. 1
3. Wesleyan University
21-6 | NESCAC
Last Week: No. 3
4. Hamilton College
22-4 | NESCAC
Last Week: No. 4
5. MIT
22-5 | NEWMAC
Last Week: No. 10
6. Nichols College
25-3 | CCC
Last Week: 8
7. Middlebury College
19-6 | NESCAC
Last Week: No. 9
8. Amherst College
17-9 | NESCAC
Last Week: No. 6
9. Springfield College
18-8 | NEWMAC
Last Week: No. 7
10. Salem State
22-4 | MASCAC
Last Week: No. 5
On The Rise: Albertus Magnus (21-6|GNAC), Johnson & Wales (19-9 |GNAC), Keene State (19-9|LEC), New England College (NAC) and Tufts University (17-8|NESCAC)
The second day of the NCAA Division III basketball tournament saw some exciting outcomes, including a third quarter rally in Amherst, Massachusetts, which helped the Mammoths top St. Joseph’s (Maine). With the win, Amherst College will advance to the third round of the women’s tournament where they will face Montclair State, which defeated Gettysburg College earlier this evening by a score of 70-45.
Kelsi McNamara (St. Joseph’s) led all scorers with 30 points, while Amherst received a boost from Hannah Fox, who concluded the contest with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Bowdoin College and Tufts University will also join Amherst in the third round as both teams earned second round wind this evening. The Polar Bears topped FDU-Florham, 79-57, in Maine, while the Jumbos rolled past Ithaca College, 61-39, in Medford, Massachusetts.
Kate Kerrigan (Bowdoin) was a big part of tonight’s win for the Polar Bears as she concluded the contest with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Melissa Baptista (Tufts) tallied a game-high 19 points – she also chipped in six rebounds, four blocks and two assists.
Bowdoin will face Scranton in the third round, while Tufts will take on Messiah.
On the men’s side: Springfield College extended its season to next Friday with an impressive 96-88 win over Cabrini. Jake Ross stuffed the stat sheet for the Pride with 31 points (game-high), nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. Andy McNulty chipped in 19 points, while Cam Earle added 17 points.
The Pride will face Hamilton College, which defeated York College (Pa.) this evening, thanks to Kena Gilmour, who tallied 20 points in the win. The Continentals trailed the Spartans, 40-39, at the break, but rallied to edge York by a score of 69-66. Andrew Groll clinched the win with a late freebie with seven seconds remaining.
Middlebury College also punched its ticket to the third round with a convincing 83-58 victory over Eastern Connecticut State. Jack Daly almost recorded a second-straight triple-double as he concluded the game with 12 rebounds, 11 points and seven assists.
The Panthers will tip-off against MIT, which earned a hard-fought 62-54 win over Johns Hopkins.
Ramapo concluded Williams College‘s season with a 66-62 win in Williamstown, Massachusetts, while Swarthmore outlasted Wesleyan University by a score of 97-75, in Connecticut.
NCAA D3 Tournament: Third Round Schedule
Men’s Basketball: Middlebury vs. Johns Hopkins/MIT
Another season of New England D3 Basketball concluded this past weekend with Amherst College claiming its second-straight NCAA championship as they defeated Bowdoin College in the final game of the 2017-18 season.
The Mammoths concluded their season without a single blemish for the second-straight year – Amherst has not dropped a single contest since March 2016. The Purple and White concluded the year as our top team in our final Noontime Sports poll, while the Polar Bears and Tufts University rounded out the top three positions.
As always, stay connected with us on Facebook and Twitter for more New England D3 Basketball news and notes throughout the offseason. Additionally, toss a follow to our new basketball Twitter handle (@Noontime_Hoops), too!
Women’s Basketball Top 10 – Final 2017-18 Poll
1. Amherst College
33-0, 10-0 NESCAC
2. Bowdoin College
29-3, 9-1 NESCAC
3. Tufts University
26-5, 8-2 NESCAC
4. Saint Joseph’s (Maine)
28-2, 16-0 GNAC
5. Univ. of New England
23-6, 16-2 CCC
6. Roger Williams
23-6, 15-3 CCC
7. UMass Dartmouth
24-4, 14-0 LEC
8. UMass Boston
25-4, 12-2 LEC
9. MIT
18-10, 10-6 NEWMAC
10. Smith College
20-6, 13-3 NEWMAC
ON THE RISE: Springfield College (20-9, 12-4 NEWMAC), Westfield State (19-8, 11-1 MASCAC), and WPI (22-6, 13-3 NEWMAC)
The 2017-18 New England D3 Basketball season concluded last weekend with Springfield College competing in the semifinals – a.k.a. the “Final Four.”
The Pride enjoyed an exciting run to Salem, Virginia, scoring a quartet of wins, including a third-round victory over Hamilton College, which earned the third position in our final poll.
MIT checked-in second overall – the Engineers also enjoyed an exciting postseason run as well, but saw their bid for a spot in the semifinals come-up short against Ramapo College in the Sectional Finals.
Middlebury College and Williams College rounded out the top five spots, checking-in fourth and fifth, respectively.
As always, stay connected with Noontime Sports on Facebook and Twitter, and make sure to toss our new basketball Twitter handle (@Noontime_Hoops) a follow, too!
Men’s Basketball Top 10 – Final 2017-18 Poll
1. Springfield College
22-9, 12-2 NEWMAC
2. MIT
25-6, 10-4 NEWMAC
3. Hamilton College
24-5, 7-3 NESCAC
4. Middlebury College
21-7, 7-3 NESCAC
5. Williams College
23-6, 7-3 NESCAC
6. Eastern Connecticut St.
26-4, 13-1 LEC
7. Wesleyan University
22-7, 7-3 NESCAC
8. Nichols College
25-4, 16-2 CCC
9. Salem State
22-4, 12-0 MASCAC
10. Amherst College
17-9, 7-3 NESCAC
ON THE RISE: Johnson & Wales (19-10, 13-3 GNAC) andSouthern Vermont (22-6, 12-2 NECC)
The NCAA released its initial Division III Regional Rankings today, including the New England’s rankings, which was headlined by Amherst College in the top spot followed by Tufts University (2nd) and Middlebury College (3rd).
It’s Monday, which means it is time for a brand new New England D3 Men’s Lacrosse Top 10 Poll.
Middlebury College takes over as our top team in the region following an opening round win this past weekend in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Tournament. The Panthers will take on third-ranked Trinity College this Saturday, May 5th in one of two semifinals – second-ranked Amherst College will take on fifth-ranked Bowdoin College. Both semifinals will occur in Middlebury, Vermont with each winner advancing to Sunday’s (May 6th) championship. The winner will secure the NESCAC’s automatic qualifier for the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Springfield College was the biggest mover, jumping up three spots to the seven position after previously checking-in 10th one week ago. The Pride enter the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament as a third-seed, but will certainly be a team to watch. They will face Smith College in the opening round on Wednesday, May 6th.
Finally, Endicott College, MIT and Westfield State made their initial debut on our weekly Top 10 Poll – all three teams will certainly be squads to keep an eye on this week in their respective conference tournaments.
Stay connected with New England Professional, College and High School coverage on Twitter by following @Noontime_Lax.
Women’s Lacrosse Top 10 | Monday, Apr. 30th, 2018
1. Middlebury College
14-2, 9-1 NESCAC
Last Week: No. 2
2. Amherst College
15-1, 9-1 NESCAC
Last Week: No. 1
3. Trinity College
11-5, 6-4 NESCAC
Last Week: No. 4
4. Tufts University
12-4, 8-2 NESCAC
Last Week: No. 3
5. Bowdoin College
12-4, 6-4 NESCAC
Last Week: No. 5
6. Wesleyan University
10-6, 6-4 NESCAC
Last Week: No. 6
7. Springfield College
12-5, 7-1 NEWMAC
Last Week: No. 10
8. Endicott College
12-3, 8-0 CCC
Last Week: NR
9. MIT
11-5, 7-1 NEWMAC
Last Week: NR
10. Westfield State
15-2, 7-0 MASCAC
Last Week: NR
ON THE RISE: Babson College (10-7, 7-1 NEWMAC), Framingham State (15-2, 6-1 MASCAC) and Johnson & Wales University (15-2, 10-0 GNAC).
The Engineers, who concluded their 2017 campaign 7-3 overall, will kick-off their new season on Friday, August 31st when they host Becker College at 7 p.m. before traveling to Curry College one week later for a 7 p.m. kick-off on Friday, September 7th.
MIT topped Becker last season, but fell to Curry at home by a score of 15-7. The Engineers will play their final non-conference game the following Saturday – that would be September, 15th, to be exact – when they visit Endicott College for a 1 p.m. start.
One week later, the Engineers will hop into New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play, beginning with back-to-back home dates against Catholic University and Merchant Marine. The Engineers scored wins over both squads last season – both games occurred on the road.
MIT will compete in just a trio of games in October before closing out their regular season slate with a pair of early November tilts against Norwich University and Springfield College. The game against Springfield will be the team’s ‘Senior Day.’
The Engineers are slated to compete against Coast Guard Academy, Maine Maritime and WPI in October.
This season will mark a new era for the Engineers as they will be led by first-year coach Brian Bubna. Bubna is entering his ninth season with the program – he was previously the squad’s defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator.
Who will we be watching this season on MIT’s Football?
Udgam Goyal (QB): Goyal enjoyed one of his better seasons under center last fall, completing 63 percent of his passes for 1,922 yards. He tossed 14 touchdowns, while rushing for a career-best 337 yards on 58 carries for five scores.
John Roberts (RB): The soon-to-be junior led the Engineers’ rushing attack with 882 yards on 166 carries for 11 touchdowns.
Andrew DeNucci (LB): DeNucci was always on our radar last fall, finishings econd on the team in total tackles (70.0). He registered 7.5 tackles for a loss of 25 yards and 2.5 sacks for a loss of 10 yards. He recorded 37 solo tackles, while assisting on 36 stops.
Stay connected with Noontime Sports Football on Twitter: @Noontime_FB – we will have various updates on the Twitter handle on college, high school and professional football as we get closer to a brand new season.
What are some of the best New England D3 Football rivalries?
That is a tough one, eh?
You know the list includes a fair number of contests, including Amherst-Williams to Framingham State-Bridgewater State to Endicott-WNE.
But are there others? Of course!
Here are some of my favorite New England D3 Football rivalries (below!) – let me know what you think of my list by sending either a tweet to @MattNoonan11 or an email to MattNoonan@NoontimeSports.com.
Amherst vs. Williams: This has to be atop the list, right? This is one of the games to circle, no matter each team’s record. Last season, we saw the Ephs score an exciting win in overtime, thanks to an 11-yard burst by quarterback Bobby Maimaron. Amherst forced the extra session midway through the fourth quarter by scoring a pair of touchdowns in a span of 25 seconds. Both teams enjoyed successful 2017 campaigns, which means this year’s game in Amherst will be one to follow.
Framingham State vs. Endicott: This game has always been my welcome back to college football contest. Sure, they’re two different teams that are headed in different directions at the moment, but you know this is a game both players circle when schedules are released. Framingham State has dominated the series most recently, but this year could be different with Paul McGonagle pacing the Endicott sidelines.
Framingham State vs. Bridgewater State: This is has always been a go-to game in the MASCAC. A lot of the players on both rosters played either with or against each other in high school. So there is some bragging rights on the line. Bridgewater State needed some late heroics in 2016 to beat Framingham State – the win provided the Bears with the conference crown, along with an automatic invite into the NCAA Tournament. Last season, Jaquan Harris clinched the victory for the Rams with a late fourth quarter interception. Framingham State escaped Bridgewater with a six-point (19-13) win.
MIT-WPI: This has become a classic NEWMAC matchup – crazy to think it is a young rivalry, but it keeps getting better every season. Last fall, WPI managed to recover a crucial onside kick with with 20 seconds remaining to secure a 24-21 win over MIT. In 2016, Blaine Bursey kicked a 19-yard game-winning field goal in overtime to send WPI past the Engineers of MIT, 37-34. Bursey was also the difference in 2015 when the two teams met in Worcester as he booted a 26-yard field goal midway through the fourth to provide WPI with a 31-28 win.
Springfield-Western New England: Who will win this year’s Pynchon SAW? Springfield captured it last season, downing Western New England, 35-21. Perhaps this year’s game will be different – it is scheduled for Friday evening of Labor Day Weekend. Both programs are expected to be in the hunt for their respective conference crowns, so this is a great way to begin a new campaign with a solid win against a talented opponent.
Trinity vs. Wesleyan: It’s the battle of Connecticut! These two teams will once again be in the mix for a NESCAC crown this fall, so you know how important this game is, especially since it is the final contest for both squads. Trinity scored a convincing 28-3 victory last fall, so you have to wonder how the Cardinals of Wesleyan will respond this November.
Other Rivalries to Watch in New England D3 Football
Salve Regina-Western New England: This game has often decided the conference championship.
Husson-Western New England: The Eagles of Husson proved they are a team to keep an eye on in New England last year with an impressive win over Springfield. These two teams met last year with WNE winning the game by a touchdown (21-14)
Becker-Nichols: If you’re looking for another ‘battle of Worcester’ then look no further than Becker-Nichols.
Bates-Bowdoin, Bates-Colby & Bowdoin-Colby (CBB Trophy): Bates captured last season’s CBB (Colby, Bates & Bowdoin) trophy with victories over Bowdoin and Colby. Can they do it against this fall?
Castleton-Norwich: It’s the battle for the Sap Bucket! Castleton won it last season, so can Norwich win it this year?
Coast Guard-Merchant Marine: This game was on ESPN last year and will continue to be a game to circle with both teams playing in the NEWMAC.
Fitchburg State-Worcester State: Looking for another Worcester rivalry? Then look no further than Falcons-Lancers.
Stay connected with our Noontime Sports Football coverage on Twitter by following @Noontime_FB.
Happy Monday, New England D3 Football fans and friends!
We are a few weeks away from unveiling our first Noontime Sports New England Top 10 Football Poll for the upcoming season, so get excited! Additionally, we are about to kick-off our preseason coverage, too.
So, in honor of a brand new season of coverage, it is time to unveil our first-ever ‘Early Preseason Poll,’ highlighting our early 10 teams to watch heading into camp in a few weeks, along with what teams are ‘on the rise.’
Noontime Sports New England Top 10 Football Poll | Early Preseason Poll Monday, July 30th, 2018
1. Springfield College
2017 Record: 10-1 (NEWMAC)
2. Framingham State
2017 Record: 10-1 (MASCAC)
3. Trinity College
2017 Record: 8-1 (NESCAC)
4. Western New England
2017 Record: 8-3 (CCC)
5. Husson University
2017 Record: 10-2 (ECFC)
6. WPI
2017 Record: 9-2 (NEWMAC)
7. Plymouth State
2017 Record: 9-2 (MASCAC)
8. Amherst College
2017 Record: 7-2 (NESCAC)
9. Curry College
2017 Record: 8-3 (CCC)
10. MIT
2017 Record: 7-3 (NEWMAC)
ON THE RISE: Middlebury College (2017 Record: 7-2 NESCAC) & Williams College (2017 Record: 6-3 NESCAC)
For more Noontime Sports Football coverage, make sure to FOLLOW @Noontime_FB on Twitter!
But heading into the Engineers’ upcoming campaign, Herrington, who hails from Clearfield, Pennsylvania, seems confident that last season’s success could translate into even more this year – he certainly would like to cap his four-years with the WPI football program by being perfect in both extra points and field goals.
“I would like to see my stats (at the end of the season read) 15 for 15 or 16 for 16 on field goals and 40 for 40 on extra points,” said Herrington.
Herrington has the right attitude to accomplish his preseason goal, but plans to take it “game-by-game” this fall – he doesn’t seem interested in thinking about his kicks in October or November.
Prior to his team’s preseason practice on Monday, Noontime Sports caught-up with the senior place kicker and punter to chat about his personal goals heading into the upcoming season, as well as some important advice he received as a camper years ago from Robbie Gould, who is currently kicking field goals for the San Francisco 49ers.
What’s the biggest goal for you heading into a brand-new season?
“I think there is a lot of expectations (for me). Obviously last year, I didn’t have a lot of expectations because I had never started before, but I think my biggest goal is to put (any preseason expectations) aside and take it game-by-game.”
What helped you enjoy a successful season last year?
“I think it was confidence. I know for me, as long as I go out there with the mentality that I am going to make the field goal or extra point or I am going to punt well – it usually happens, but like for me it is all about keeping my form. I do watch some of my film to make sure some of my mechanics are the same every time, but honestly it is just like confidence. This summer I worked on (improving) my power by lifting.”
You connected on 10 of 12 field goals last fall. Do you ever think about those two kicks that missed?
“Yeah, both (attempts that missed) hit off the upright, so it’s kind of frustrating that I missed them by inches, but I still need to make those. Obviously, you want to get every kick back, but you can’t think about them too long (because) you have to move onto the next (kick) and make it.”
The MIT-WPI football games seem to come down to field goals or have been decided by three points. And one of those games happened to be the 2016 overtime win over MIT.
“Yeah, when Blaine Bursey made that (19-yard-field goal in overtime) to beat MIT, I was there for it. I thought it was cool, but it is kind of funny (how the games have been decided by three points the past few years). Last year it didn’t come down to me. There wasn’t that much pressure (on me) because I kicked a field goal (before they came back). I don’t think I really had too many pressure kicks (last fall).”
Do you enjoy being a part the MIT-WPI rivalry?
“I think MIT and RPI – well, I guess there is something a little bit more with RPI because of the (transit trophy), but all three schools’ mascots are the Engineers, so there is a little bit of a rivalry there (with MIT, as well). But I think everybody goes into every game with the same mentality, but maybe just a little bit more juice with those games.”
Do you think special teams gets overlooked when offenses or defenses makes big plays?
“(Special teams) is a part of the game that needs to be there because games are won through special teams. Whether it is a mistake on special teams or whether it is winning a game with special teams, games can be won or lost through special teams, but I think (the kicking game) can be overlooked by fans. It is certainly not overlooked by coaches or players because they understand how much special teams means to winning games and being competitive in games.”
Do you have an all-time favorite kicker? If so, who?
“Robbie Gould, who is currently with the San Francisco 49ers. He’s been in the league a longtime and he is so consistent. When he played for the Chicago Bears, I went to his camp and met him, and he is just so consistent and may not have the biggest leg – I don’t have the biggest leg either. He is someone that I try to base my game off of and that is what the coaches are looking for, which is me making field goals.”
When you went to Robbie Gould’s camp, what advice did he give you as a young kicker?
“I asked him how he has stayed in the league so long and he said the biggest thing for him is that he doesn’t kick that often during practices. He said that he kicks roughly 10 to 20 balls each day and then does an ice bath followed by lots of resting and recovery. He (also) said that as long as he is doing (this routine) then he will be fine.”
Stay connected with our Noontime Sports’ Football coverage by following @Noontime_FB on Twitter!
John Robertson rushes past members of the MIT defense during Tuesday’s practice at Steinbrenner Stadium. (PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Noonan)
By Matt Noonan | @MattNoonan11
It’s football season – yes, it has finally returned. And for the past few days, I have had the opportunity to visit with a few teams, including MIT, which seems eager to begin its season next Friday, August 31st when they host Becker College at 7 p.m.
This fall, MIT will be guided by the program’s former defensive and recruiting coordinator, Brian Bubna, who takes over for Chad Martinovich, who left earlier this year to accept the head coaching role with the University of Rochester.
Since being named the new leader of the Engineers, Bubna has implemented a unique culture that values two things: hard work, but also making sure his student-athletes are have fun.
Additionally, Bubna and his student-athletes have also embraced another word (or phrase, which appeared on the team’s Twitter handle a few days ago) – sure, it may not always be associated with the sport of football, but it seems to be keeping a smile on the players’ faces, though.
So, what is this word? The answer … party!
But, why party?
Well, allow senior linebacker Andrew DeNucci to explain what it means to this group of Engineers: “(Coach Bubna’s) big thing is party. Come out here, have a good time … we’re playing football, so we are out here to party and have fun.”
Added Bubna, “We try to keep it competitive and fun because these guys have so much academic responsibilities and internships, so when they get out here it has to be fun and it has to be excitable, too.
“We work hard and have fun doing it, so the guys enjoy it. We go from drill to drill with different stuff. We try to change it up, so it is not the same thing every day, so we can keep them on their toes.”
MIT quarterback Udgam Goyal leads the offense during an 11-on-11 drill during Tuesday’s morning session. (PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Noonan)
Tuesday’s morning session seemed like a fun practice – I was able to watch the final hour, which included a few group drills, as well as a competitive 11-on-11 that featured a touchdown strike over the middle from senior quarterback Udgam Goyal. Goyal enjoyed a successful junior season, recording a few career-bests, including completions (170), passing yards (1,922) and touchdowns (14).
Goyal should continue last season’s success this fall – he will have some familiar teammates to target, including classmate Eddy Garcia-Montes, who led the MIT receiving core with 55 receptions for 719 yards and six touchdowns.
Another receiver to watch this fall will be sophomore Keithen Shepard, who finished his initial season with 32 receptions for 365 yards and one touchdown. Shepard should also be seen on special teams again this fall – last season, he fielded 12 punt returns (129 yards) and 11 kick returns (261 yards).
Extra Notes from Tuesday’s Practice
I had a chance to chat with Andrew DeNucci about the MIT defense, which yielded an average of two scores per game (16.3) last fall.
DeNucci will certainly be the focal point of this year’s unit due to a few graduation losses, including linebacker Matt Nicolai and defensive back Mitch Turley.
But the good news for the Engineers is DeNucci is back after recording multiple career-highs last fall, including total tackles (70.0), tackles for a loss (7.5) and sacks (2.5).
So, what worked for you last fall, Andrew? “I think the biggest thing is we have a great d-line and it starts with those guys up front. The less guys that are blocking the linebackers, the more free we are to make plays.”
DeNucci should certainly be able to make a few plays this fall, thanks to some key returners on the defensive line, including juniors CJ Reilly and Ben Bennington. Additionally, the unit returns juniors Sam Cantrell (linebacker) and AJ Iversen (defensive back).
In addition to some key returners, DeNucci is confident that some of the newcomers and first-years will make an impact, as well.
A member of the MIT defense attempts to get past the o-line during Tuesday’s morning session. (PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Noonan)
The defense will certainly be counted on with finding ways to slow down their opponents, especially Springfield College and WPI, two teams that will certainly be in the mix with MIT for the top spot in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC). MIT finished 7-3 overall last season, including 5-2 in the NEWMAC, but junior halfback John Robertson believes his team’s current confidence should help the unit contend for its initial NEWMAC regular season crown.
“I think (what) makes all the difference in a season is believing you can actually go out there and win the title, win the conference,” said Robertson, who led the rushing unit with 882 yards on 166 carries for 11 touchdowns.
“There is a confidence (amongst the current group, along with some) excitement, so we know we can do it because we have been that close before, so I think last season really did set the pace and (we’re) looking to see it carry over to this season.”
For MIT to contend for some hardware, they will certainly need Robertson to enjoy another successful season in the backfield. Robertson appeared to be in midseason form on Tuesday, zigzagging through various gaps on both sides of the line, while bursting past defenders in the secondary. Similar to DeNucci, Robertson will also be a player to watch for the Engineers this fall.
We’ll have more coverage of the MIT football team, along with other New England squads as we inch closer to a brand new season. But in the meantime, make sure to stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – you can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel, as well!
Brian Bubna directs both the MIT offense and defense during Tuesday’s morning session at Steinbrenner Stadium. (PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Noonan)
By Matt Noonan | @MattNoonan11
Earlier today, I unveiled some takeaways from what I saw from yesterday’s meeting with the MIT football team.
But after practiced concluded, I had a chance to quickly catch-up with first-year coach Brian Bubna, who is eager to lead the Engineers into their first game next Friday, August 31st when they host Becker College at Steinbrenner Stadium (kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.).
Here are some takeaways from my conversation with Coach Bubna, who is no stranger to the Engineers football team. Bubna has spent nine seasons with the program, and was most recently the squad’s defensive and recruiting coordinator before being named the head coach in March.
On creating a fun, but competitive environment: “We try to keep it competitive and fun because these guys have so much academic responsibilities and internships, so when they get out here it has to be fun and it has to be excitable, too. We work hard and have fun doing it, so the guys enjoy it. We go from drill to drill with different stuff. We try to change it up, so it is not the same thing every day, so we can keep them on their toes.”
On what party means to the MIT football team: “Yeah, that is just kind of our definition for how we want to go about working hard or what our intensity level is and just how we want to do things each day. So, it is about going hard and having fun, so that is what party means to us.”
Udgam Goyal receives some advice from Coach Bubna during Tuesday’s morning session. (PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Noonan)
On inching closer to the start of a new season: “There is still a lot of work that needs to be done, so as coaches we’re going, ‘oh man, we’ve got to work this situation, these scenarios or work these different special teams’ things,’ so there is so much to work on and so much to practice, and even going through it once (or) twice is not enough. You need to get more reps in, so I think the guys are getting more and more excited for our first game, while the coaches are still thinking about what we need to accomplish between now and then, but that is just part of being a coach.”
On being more involved with the game plan instead of just focusing on defense: “It definitely adds to the amount that you have to look at and worry about when putting together a game plan. So it’s great if the defense looks great, but on the other hand it’s like well, what was the issue offensively that we have to worry about? So, it has to be all offense, defense and special teams – it can’t just be a one-sided plan, so it adds to the amount that you have to look at, but we’ll make it work.”
On more young coaches (or former players) that want to get into coaching: “It is one of these things where if you want to try and get into coaching, you kind of have to do it early on or after you graduate. I started a bit later than most guys, but you have to get in when you’re young. It does take a while to move up, but we have been pretty fortunate here at MIT with a lot of our coaches coming back year after year. Some of them started as volunteers, but are now paid coaches, but I think being a little bit on the younger side helps with relating to the guys because you’re younger, as well. Also, the rule changes you see in the NFL and college shows that every year football is changing and there is new kickoff rules this year, so every year is changing and you have to be adaptable to it. I don’t think any other sport has changed as much as football has in the past 10-to-20 years to make it safer, competitive and entertaining, but these are all good changes.”
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By NoontimeSports.com | @NoontimeSports & @Noontime_FB
The fourth week of the New England D3 Football season has arrived, which means it is time to unveil our newest Top 10 poll of the season, as well as our ‘teams are on the rise.’
Trinity College slid into the top spot for the first time this season with a convincing 35-0 win over Colby College, while Wesleyan University moved up two spots to the second position with a monstrous win over Middlebury College. Both teams will look to keep their momentum going this week against Bates College and Tufts University.
Salve Regina and Western Connecticut join the poll this week after each squad secured important week three wins. Western Connecticut scored an important win over Plymouth State and will attempt to win their third-straight contest against the Seahawks on Saturday, who defeated Dean College in Newport, Rhode Island.
Finally, MIT moved up to the seventh position with a 31-29 win over Endicott College on the road last weekend. The Engineers have been an exciting story thus far under first-year coach Brian Bubna, who will attempt to earn his first NEWMAC win as a head coach on Saturday when MIT welcomes Catholic University to Cambridge, Massachusetts.
This year’s Noontime Sports Top 10 New England D3 Football poll is assembled by local coaches and media members.
New England D3 Football: Week Three Poll | Monday, September 10th, 2018
1. Trinity College
1-0 | Last Week No. 2
Week Four: Bates (9/22)
2. Wesleyan Univ.
1-0 | Last Week No. 4
Week Four: Tufts (9/22)
3. Springfield College
2-1 | Last Week No. 1
Week Four: WPI (9/22)
4. Amherst College
1-0 | Last Week No. 3
Week Four: Hamilton (9/22)
5. Framingham State
2-1 | Last Week No. 5
Week Four: Mass. Maritime (9/22)
6. WPI
2-1 | Last Week No. 6
Week Four: Springfield (9/22)
7. MIT
3-0 | Last Week No. 8
Week Four: Catholic
8. Western Conn.
2-0 | Last Week NR
Week Four: Salve Regina
9. Western New Eng.
2-1 | Last Week No. 9
Week Four: Anna Maria
10. Salve Regina
2-1 | Last Week NR
Week Four: Western Conn.
ON THE RISE: Coast Guard Academy (2-1), Endicott College (1-2), Middlebury College (0-1) Tufts University (1-0), Williams College (1-0) and Worcester State (2-1)
2018 Noontime Sports Top 10 New England D3 Football Polls
Udgam Goyal (PHOTO COURTESY: David Silverman/DSPics.net)
By Brian Willwerth | @BriWillwerth
It’s been an exciting few weeks for the MIT football team, which entered its bye week with an impressive 6-0 record, including a 3-0 mark in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) standings.
The Engineers, who were tabbed once again the top team in the New England in the D3 Coaches Poll earlier this week, seem to be enjoying some much-needed downtime before they return to the gridiron next week for an important four-game stretch, beginning with a home date against Coast Guard Academy.
Earlier this week, we caught-up with first-year coach (and former defensive coordinator) Brian Bubna to discuss his team’s impressive play through six weeks.
On the team limiting opponents to roughly 14 points per game: “We have some pretty good talent at three spots: defensive line, linebacker and defensive back. I think the big part of (our success on defense) is a mix of older guys and younger guys, but also the way they play, too.”
On the play of senior quarterback Udgam Goyal: “He kind of got put in there at a young age. He played like a freshman (his first year) and a sophomore (his second season, but now, as a senior) he’s put it all together, and become what we’ve hoped for.”
On Miguel Wagner’s running game: “As a runner, he’s very physical. He can take a one or two-yard run, and turn it into three or four, and keep the offensive moving.”
On the team’s final four contests: “To win the conference, you have to go undefeated throughout conference play. Even if you lose one, you’re hoping that someone else loses one. You gotta win ‘em all in conference.”
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Tyler Ray and the MIT Engineers checked-in seventh overall on the latest NCAA East Regional Rankings. (PHOTO COURTESY
By Matt Noonan | @MattNoonan11
After scoring an important bounce-back win last week over Norwich University, the MIT Engineers secured a spot on the latest NCAA Division III East Regional Rankings, which were posted earlier today.
The Engineers, who were the lone New England squad to appear on the list, checked-in seventh overall, while Brockport secured the top spot for the second-straight week followed by Frostburg State and RPI at second and third, respectively.
Delaware Valley and Ithaca College rounded out the top five by checking-in fourth and fifth, respectively.
MIT enters the final week with an overall record of 8-1 record and needs to beat Springfield College this Saturday (Nov. 10th) for a chance to compete in the upcoming NCAA Division III Tournament, which will kick-off next weekend.
Ashton Robinson powered the Engineers to their eighth win of the season last Saturday over Norwich by rushing for 87 yards on 12 carries and one score, while Sam Cantrell and Ben Wolz each tallied seven total tackles, respectively, Wolz also finished the game with two tackles for a loss of six yards and one sack for a five yard loss, while Tyler Ray registered six total tackles, along with a trio of pass break-ups.
Kickoff for Saturday’s must-see meeting between the Pride and Engineers is scheduled for 12 p.m. in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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