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Message: [QUOTE="Powellfan, post: 3081308, member: 4819"] As always, great discussion about what we can expect next year. I'll finish my predictions out with the face-off unit and defense. [B]FOGO - Phaup, Varello Wings - Kennedy, Dearth, Fernandez[/B] The Syracuse face-off unit was a lot better than I thought it would be last year, mostly due to the emergence of Phaup, who finished the season at 60%. That said, something seemed to have happened to the unit at the end of year, Phaup seemed to fade against UNC x2 and Loyola. Did he wear down? Was it bad match-ups? Hard to say but hopefully he gets back to the form he was in for 3/4s of the year. Varello was a solid backup, but struggled in his second match-up with UNC and didn't have answer for Loyola either. He finished about 50% for the year. Would be nice if a third player emerged to give the Orange another option, but all things considered I think Phaup and Varello are a solid duo. The coaching staff played two long poles at the wings a lot last year and I imagine they will continue to do that. The one thing about Kennedy's game I wish he would improve on is his groundball play, many times he seems to overrun a ball or struggle to pick it up. He would really be a complete player if he could round that aspect of his game out. The unit lacks a Ryan Conrad or Matt Abbott player who picks up everything around them, but overall they are a physical bunch that cause havoc in the middle of the field. Not sure if this unit is considered a "strength", but they certainly aren't a weakness. [B]Long Stick Midfielders: Kennedy, Fernandez[/B] Kennedy is the best LSM SU has had since Joel White. Some clamor for him to move down low, and while I wouldn't be upset if he did, he seems made for LSM with his speed and his skills in transition. For me, Fernandez took a step back from his freshmen year, I'm hoping that had to do with his knee injury and he comes back this year healthier. He was a take-away artist as a frosh and seemed to stick to offensive players like glue, last year he looked hesitant and shied away from contact. He was good enough to take away a lot of playing time from Fusco last year though, that says something. Some intriguing newby's coming in with Clary and Page, but not sure how ready they'll be. [B]Short-Stick Defenders - First Duo: Dearth, Helmer, Second Duo: Dami, Barlow, Third Duo: Small, Dieball[/B] The deepest unit Syracuse has had in a long time, and an All-American in Dearth, this unit is something to be excited for this upcoming year. Helmer was also a very good player last year, but did get exposed in invert situations a few times last year. Hopefully he can improve there. Dami coming back is exciting and they have some good young options who showed promise last year in Barlow and Small. Also some incoming freshmen like Aviles and Rosa might get a look here. Murphy's name is missing here because I think he takes a spot down low. If not, he makes this unit that much stronger. Dieball is a guy who offers a lot of size. [B]Close Defense - Mellen, Murphy, Staats[/B] Lots of options here for the coaches to choose between. Obviously you get a great talent like Mellen coming back which is huge. I'm sure he's anxious to erase the memories from the Loyola game. He's very good, but needs to work on communicating and playing better in a system. I really liked what I saw from Murphy last year at close, he's strong and physical. As a short stick I always thought he played best when being inverted (one reason why I like him down low over Helmer). I think its time to move him back to his natural position. The last spot for me is between Staats and DiPietro. I like DiPetro more than some, but I'm intrigued by Staats and he comes in with some big accolades. Physically they are similar, DiPietro being a little bigger at 6'1 234. As others have stated, I'd really like to see a groundball machine come out of this group, Bomberry's prowess will be really hard to replace. [B]Goalie: Porter, Strang[/B] Porter is a very good goalie, really, last year there was one game when he really struggled (Notre Dame). I think he does most everything well and is a very solid shot stopper. He's not someone you worry about giving up cheap goals. Strang looked very good against Notre Dame when he came in at halftime so its good to know SU has a solid backup. [/QUOTE]

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