Powellfan
Renowned lacrosse analyst
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Going to make some early season guesses as to what this season might hold for SU in terms of results, game by game. Since I am predicting it, it certainly won't happen in the real world!
Colgate - W - Probably closer than last year's blowout, but it being first game of the season I think Syracuse comes in and plays well.
Albany - W - Hard to say that the team will make up the massive goal differential of last year, but Albany seems to be a completely different team this year. I think the Danes will be better than most people think, and they will probably have the best player on the field in Nanticoke, but I think the Orange winds them down with depth.
Army - W - Always a close game and it will probably be again. I expect the Orange to have a better offense than they did last year and I think we see that in this game. Army has some very good players, but again I think the Orange depth makes a difference.
UVA - L - Again the Orange probably has more depth than UVA, but I don't know if SU has people that can cover all of the Cav's weapons. Hopefully SU pushes the tempo, if they are to win the game it's by trying to wear Virginia out.
Hopkins - L - Unlike the Albany game I don't see how SU can erase the goal differential from last year. Hopkins should be very good this year. I see the game being a lot closer than last year, but the close defense will have to play very well against a dangerous Blue Jay attack. Hop did lose their goalie, FOGO and best midfielder so I think this one will be tight. Face-offs and goalie play will be key.
Rutgers - W - Last years game was bewildering, but this game being at home makes a big difference for SU and they prevail. Going to be tough but I don't see them losing three in a row. Rutgers lost their best attackman but still returns plenty of firepower.
Duke - L - I think this game could go either way, SU always seems to play Duke close and it will be at home. They lost their best player in Gutterding last year, but return some excellent pieces in Smith and Robertson, plus Montgomery should be a breakout player. I think Duke wins but nothing would surprise me as SU usually plays their tougher opponents, actually tougher.
Notre Dame - W - First road game which being so late in the year might throw the Orange off. Notre Dame is very good and returns a lot, but I think SU has a good chance of stealing this one - they always play the Irish close on the road and I think they escape with a win.
Hobart - W - Makes me nervous being a road game and midweek but SU should prevail comfortably.
Cornell - L - Yikes. Cornell just has so much firepower. If they figure out the shutting off of Teat and the new FOGO is as good as the internet claims he might be, this could get ugly. Their defense might not be as good as last year but not sure SU will be able to get into a shootout with a team like this.
UNC - W - A not very good UNC team nearly beat a pretty good SU team last year. I think UNC will be better, especially with their new defensive coordinator, but I think Syracuse takes this one.
Navy - W - Again, last year's meeting was perplexing as SU seemed unable to match the Midshipmen's intensity and it cost them at the end. SU wins this one if they can match intensity and be better at defending opposing midfielders. Would be a great road game to travel to.
First Round ACC - Not sure what their seeding would be, I don't think they end up winning the ACC regular season, but I think they win their first round matchup and lose in the second round.
That would leave SU with a regular season record of 9-5 (8-4 regular season, 1-1 ACC Tournament). Ultimately I think SU makes the second round of the playoffs but losses in the quarterfinals yet again. Key to the season is the young midfielders (both offensive and defensive), hoping an attackman can emerge to partner with Rehfuss, and Tyson Bomberry needs to have a comeback season to give Mellen more help.
Colgate - W - Probably closer than last year's blowout, but it being first game of the season I think Syracuse comes in and plays well.
Albany - W - Hard to say that the team will make up the massive goal differential of last year, but Albany seems to be a completely different team this year. I think the Danes will be better than most people think, and they will probably have the best player on the field in Nanticoke, but I think the Orange winds them down with depth.
Army - W - Always a close game and it will probably be again. I expect the Orange to have a better offense than they did last year and I think we see that in this game. Army has some very good players, but again I think the Orange depth makes a difference.
UVA - L - Again the Orange probably has more depth than UVA, but I don't know if SU has people that can cover all of the Cav's weapons. Hopefully SU pushes the tempo, if they are to win the game it's by trying to wear Virginia out.
Hopkins - L - Unlike the Albany game I don't see how SU can erase the goal differential from last year. Hopkins should be very good this year. I see the game being a lot closer than last year, but the close defense will have to play very well against a dangerous Blue Jay attack. Hop did lose their goalie, FOGO and best midfielder so I think this one will be tight. Face-offs and goalie play will be key.
Rutgers - W - Last years game was bewildering, but this game being at home makes a big difference for SU and they prevail. Going to be tough but I don't see them losing three in a row. Rutgers lost their best attackman but still returns plenty of firepower.
Duke - L - I think this game could go either way, SU always seems to play Duke close and it will be at home. They lost their best player in Gutterding last year, but return some excellent pieces in Smith and Robertson, plus Montgomery should be a breakout player. I think Duke wins but nothing would surprise me as SU usually plays their tougher opponents, actually tougher.
Notre Dame - W - First road game which being so late in the year might throw the Orange off. Notre Dame is very good and returns a lot, but I think SU has a good chance of stealing this one - they always play the Irish close on the road and I think they escape with a win.
Hobart - W - Makes me nervous being a road game and midweek but SU should prevail comfortably.
Cornell - L - Yikes. Cornell just has so much firepower. If they figure out the shutting off of Teat and the new FOGO is as good as the internet claims he might be, this could get ugly. Their defense might not be as good as last year but not sure SU will be able to get into a shootout with a team like this.
UNC - W - A not very good UNC team nearly beat a pretty good SU team last year. I think UNC will be better, especially with their new defensive coordinator, but I think Syracuse takes this one.
Navy - W - Again, last year's meeting was perplexing as SU seemed unable to match the Midshipmen's intensity and it cost them at the end. SU wins this one if they can match intensity and be better at defending opposing midfielders. Would be a great road game to travel to.
First Round ACC - Not sure what their seeding would be, I don't think they end up winning the ACC regular season, but I think they win their first round matchup and lose in the second round.
That would leave SU with a regular season record of 9-5 (8-4 regular season, 1-1 ACC Tournament). Ultimately I think SU makes the second round of the playoffs but losses in the quarterfinals yet again. Key to the season is the young midfielders (both offensive and defensive), hoping an attackman can emerge to partner with Rehfuss, and Tyson Bomberry needs to have a comeback season to give Mellen more help.
