Powellfan
Renowned lacrosse analyst
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Things have been pretty quiet on this board the last few days, so I thought I would pose a question that has been bothering me. Syracuse has a number of questions pertaining to their starting lineup, but perhaps because the attack position is the most "glamorous", I have spent a lot of time wondering who is going to join Owen Hiltz and Owen Seebold on the starting attack line. Earlier this offseason I had been hoping for the team to bring in transfer, but as time goes on, it looks likely that no help will come from outside the program. Below I listed the players I thought were most likely to grab that last spot. I listed based on what I thought would happen, but also made clear what my choice to actually happen is. Given the skill sets of both Owens, I think Syracuse can choose the best available player on their roster - they don't "need" a quarterback since both starters are good passers, and both players in general seem to compliment each other pretty well, with Hiltz's shooting ability and Seebold's dodging.
1. Griffin Cook, JR - Probably not what most people want. But Cook was the starter in '20 and put up 9 points in 5 games. Of course in '21 he lost his spot to Hiltz and put up just three points in 13 games as a midfielder. Cook came in as a highly regarded recruit, but just seems to be missing something. I still don't think he has the speed to make up for his lack of size. He is a tremendous rider, but I think a starting attackman simply needs to put up more points. I would think he is the leading contender in the clubhouse, but if he can't produce the staff won't hesitate to remove him again.
2. Liam Ferris, SO - I was very high on Ferris after a few games last year, he has size and is a strong dodger. Gait has also made clear he wants his players to show more creativity - Ferris had a wicked backhanded shot in an early game last year (missed the cage). But, Ferris did not produce a lot of points last year (one goal) and looked pretty lost when he got extensive playing time as a second line midfielder. In his defense, he lost his entire senior year of high school and still got playing time for Syracuse as a freshman, which is rare. Ferris is my pick due to his ceiling. The question is, as a lefty, how does he play with Hiltz? Rhefuss is a lefty and played well with #77, but he was a quarterback type who was comfortable behind the goal. Ferris is more of a dodger and I didn't seem him play often behind the goal. Doesn't mean he can't, but it's something to consider.
3. Tucker Dordevic, RS JR - Probably most of the discussion will center around Dordevic. His game seems very transferable to the attack position, with his quick change of direction and stutter-stepping. But moving him from midfield would really hurt a unit that doesn't have a clear replacement. I also think his outside shooting prowess is better served at midfield. I would keep him at midfield, but I know a lot of votes will come in for him to move to attack.
4. Brendan Curry, SR - Curry is another candidate to move positions. Early in the year he had a ton of success inverting his defender behind the cage, so logically a move would make sense. But this tactic fell out of favor as more teams stuck a long pole on Curry and he was unable to gain separation. Curry is best operating in space, running by his defender and getting a shot or pass off. I think he would be too easily neutralized at attack.
5. Brett Tenaglia, RS FR - A transfer from Furman, the lefty put up 20 points in his one shortened season for them (seven games). My understanding is that he would play midfield for the Orange, but as a natural attackman maybe he fits in better down low. As a lefty he has the same issues as Ferris and is coming off a season ending injury. Not very big at only 5'8. Tenaglia is the player I have seen the least of, but he could be a very pleasant surprise.
6. Mikey Berkman, RS SO - The dark horse candidate, Berkman was brought up last year by Desko as a replacement for Scanlan but never got any playing time. He has the quarterbacking talents that might work well with the Owens. But from the very limited film I've seen of him in mop up duty, he doesn't really stand out. He has only played three games in his career and has never registered a point.
7. Matteo Corsi, FR - The highest rated incoming attackman and recruit for SU according to IL, Corsi seems to do a lot of things well, pass, shoot and has good quickness and size. In the tape I've seen he likes to play behind the goal, though I've seen him attack from all over. But for some reason he has not gained a lot of traction in the press. To be a starter for a team like Syracuse as a freshman, you have to come in with pretty high accolades and I don't think Corsi is quite there yet.
Seven options is a lot, which should give Syracuse fans optimism, but there isn't a single player that jumps off the page. If there is anyone I am missing please let me know. Given that Pat March returns as OC, the coaching staff isn't starting from blank in evaluating these players, but I am sure Gait will bring different priorities to this position. I also wonder how Spallina will factor into the decision of who plays this year? It probably shouldn't, but in the back of the staff's mind is that Spallina will most likely be running things from day one in '23. Do they consider a player who might match up well with him over someone else? Again, Ferris to me offers the most upside of the players listed. In regards to switching one of the attackman, it might just come down to which position has more depth next year. After having "the best midfield in college lacrosse" in '20, the '21 version didn't look nearly as good. For now, I think Dordevic and Curry should remain at midfield, since that unit looks pretty weak without those two. Anyway, lots of time for the staff to evaluate, or even bring in a transfer. Whatever they do, and whoever earns the job, Syracuse can't afford to not have a productive third attackman next year.
1. Griffin Cook, JR - Probably not what most people want. But Cook was the starter in '20 and put up 9 points in 5 games. Of course in '21 he lost his spot to Hiltz and put up just three points in 13 games as a midfielder. Cook came in as a highly regarded recruit, but just seems to be missing something. I still don't think he has the speed to make up for his lack of size. He is a tremendous rider, but I think a starting attackman simply needs to put up more points. I would think he is the leading contender in the clubhouse, but if he can't produce the staff won't hesitate to remove him again.
2. Liam Ferris, SO - I was very high on Ferris after a few games last year, he has size and is a strong dodger. Gait has also made clear he wants his players to show more creativity - Ferris had a wicked backhanded shot in an early game last year (missed the cage). But, Ferris did not produce a lot of points last year (one goal) and looked pretty lost when he got extensive playing time as a second line midfielder. In his defense, he lost his entire senior year of high school and still got playing time for Syracuse as a freshman, which is rare. Ferris is my pick due to his ceiling. The question is, as a lefty, how does he play with Hiltz? Rhefuss is a lefty and played well with #77, but he was a quarterback type who was comfortable behind the goal. Ferris is more of a dodger and I didn't seem him play often behind the goal. Doesn't mean he can't, but it's something to consider.
3. Tucker Dordevic, RS JR - Probably most of the discussion will center around Dordevic. His game seems very transferable to the attack position, with his quick change of direction and stutter-stepping. But moving him from midfield would really hurt a unit that doesn't have a clear replacement. I also think his outside shooting prowess is better served at midfield. I would keep him at midfield, but I know a lot of votes will come in for him to move to attack.
4. Brendan Curry, SR - Curry is another candidate to move positions. Early in the year he had a ton of success inverting his defender behind the cage, so logically a move would make sense. But this tactic fell out of favor as more teams stuck a long pole on Curry and he was unable to gain separation. Curry is best operating in space, running by his defender and getting a shot or pass off. I think he would be too easily neutralized at attack.
5. Brett Tenaglia, RS FR - A transfer from Furman, the lefty put up 20 points in his one shortened season for them (seven games). My understanding is that he would play midfield for the Orange, but as a natural attackman maybe he fits in better down low. As a lefty he has the same issues as Ferris and is coming off a season ending injury. Not very big at only 5'8. Tenaglia is the player I have seen the least of, but he could be a very pleasant surprise.
6. Mikey Berkman, RS SO - The dark horse candidate, Berkman was brought up last year by Desko as a replacement for Scanlan but never got any playing time. He has the quarterbacking talents that might work well with the Owens. But from the very limited film I've seen of him in mop up duty, he doesn't really stand out. He has only played three games in his career and has never registered a point.
7. Matteo Corsi, FR - The highest rated incoming attackman and recruit for SU according to IL, Corsi seems to do a lot of things well, pass, shoot and has good quickness and size. In the tape I've seen he likes to play behind the goal, though I've seen him attack from all over. But for some reason he has not gained a lot of traction in the press. To be a starter for a team like Syracuse as a freshman, you have to come in with pretty high accolades and I don't think Corsi is quite there yet.
Seven options is a lot, which should give Syracuse fans optimism, but there isn't a single player that jumps off the page. If there is anyone I am missing please let me know. Given that Pat March returns as OC, the coaching staff isn't starting from blank in evaluating these players, but I am sure Gait will bring different priorities to this position. I also wonder how Spallina will factor into the decision of who plays this year? It probably shouldn't, but in the back of the staff's mind is that Spallina will most likely be running things from day one in '23. Do they consider a player who might match up well with him over someone else? Again, Ferris to me offers the most upside of the players listed. In regards to switching one of the attackman, it might just come down to which position has more depth next year. After having "the best midfield in college lacrosse" in '20, the '21 version didn't look nearly as good. For now, I think Dordevic and Curry should remain at midfield, since that unit looks pretty weak without those two. Anyway, lots of time for the staff to evaluate, or even bring in a transfer. Whatever they do, and whoever earns the job, Syracuse can't afford to not have a productive third attackman next year.