2024 Preseason Thread | Page 4 | Syracusefan.com

2024 Preseason Thread

Instead of trying to predict the starting lineup this year (mostly since I think we have a pretty good handle of who is going to get the most playing time), I thought I would try and preview each positional group, by identifying who the "Bellwether" is, the Player who needs to step up, and the X-Factor. It doesn't really work for all groups (mostly goalie), but I wanted to do something more nuanced than just saying, "I think Christian Mule will start at attack". Some of the definitions change given the group, but I'll try and be consistent. Sorry, this is a long one.

Attack:
Bellwether - this one seems easy as it will most likely be Joey Spallina. Big things are expected of the super soph as he spent the off season up in Canada as a way of getting to know his teammates north of the border better. Will be interesting to see if he tries to go toe-to-toe with the top defenders on SU's schedule (Kenny Brower, Ajax Zappatello, Scott Smith, etc) or if the team tries to exploit other mis-matches on the field. Will Spallina press?
Player to Step Up - This has to be Owen Hiltz. The redshirt Junior has been overshadowed a bit since Spallina landed on the Hill. He had a decent season last year, and improved his point total by five points (and improved his assist total by 10), but his shooting percentage dropped by five points. If he is going to take SU to the next level, it really feels like he needs to be more assertive, especially if he is going to draw teams second best defender. He has been flying way under the radar this season, so I expect big things this year.
X-Factor - Have gone back and forth on this one a couple times. Giving it to Mule seems to obvious, but I do think there are big questions about how he fits into the offense. At Lehigh he was primarily a finisher for the Mountain Hawks his first three years, then his assist production more than doubled his previous career high as a senior. Spallina and Hiltz are two very good passers - does Mule find his role as a finisher or will the Orange offense have three headed passing monster? Also considered Trey Deere as you have to figure he plays somewhere, just not sure how much.

Midfield:
Bellwether - Sam English is the most productive member of the Orange midfield and should draw the pole when he's on the field. That said he needs to find the gear he had in 2022 and not the one he had last year. Despite injury, he still averaged almost a full point less than he did the previous year. He should be helped by having his former college and high school teammate Jake Stevens on the team, as well as fellow Canadians like Finn Thomson and Owen Hiltz.
Player to Step Up - Thomson had a great freshman year last year, but it still felt like he had an extra gear to reach. He made some absolute jaw dropping plays, the behind the back passes, the one handed GB pickup in traffic. He is the definition of smooth. But like Hiltz he needs to be more aggressive. Highest shooting percentage of the top 6 offensive players last year by a good margin (42%), but only Griffin Cook took fewer shots. That cannot happen for another year.
X-Factor - Jake Stevens is the ultimate x-factor. Will he be on the first line? Second line? How much defense will he play? How much should he play? He could be the groups leading scorer, or the best defensive midfielder on the team. It will be really fascinating to see how the coaches deploy him. I believe he had five goals in one of the fall scrimmages. I think he will play some face-off wings, but I think he will play a lot less defense than some people on this board think.

Face-off:
Bellwether - It has to be Mason Kohn (fingers crossed). The DIII transfer has a lot to prove, as there isn't a lot of history of FOGOs from the lower divisions making the leap to DI. His stats at Tufts were insane, and physically he seems more than ready. Will be curious if he can bring an offensive punch to this unit, something we really haven't seen since the days of Jeremy Thompson (he had 10 points last year for the Jumbos).
Player to Step Up - Not sure we will see him this year, but Johnny Richiusa has largely been forgotten in all the talk of Kohn and the next player to be mentioned. He certainly struggled last year (barely 40% last year. But he does have something that Kohn and the freshman to be named later don't, actual DI experience.
X-Factor - Lots of talk this offseason of Johnny Mullin, the freshman from Massachusetts. He's physically imposing and does not look like your typical freshman (5-10, 203). He's one for the future but can he spell Kohn when needed? The gauntlet of FOGOs that SU will play this year is scary, from Jake Naso to Luke Weirman, to the UVA three headed monster, to Will Lynch to Andrew Tyenyer ... the list goes on. Hard to see how Kohn won't need help at some point.

LSM:
Bellwether - this one is tough as we don't know where Olexo will play, but as of now I think he will end up on the rope unit. A player who has played short stick, close and LSM should return to the spot he plays best, given his impact on the transition game. Really good player, perhaps a bit too aggressive at times but you worry about him the least when he is on the field.
Player to Step Up - the guy who most likely will be second string is Matt Wright the transfer from UNC. He's had some injury issues in the past, but he is a very good player who should give Cuse one of the best LSM duos in the country. Definitely would give the team a starting quality LSM as a second stringer.
X-Factor - haven't heard his name much this offseason, but Steven Schmitt brings a lot of potential to the table - 13 points and 97 groundballs last year for Mount Saint Mary's. I don't really care where you put up numbers like that, it's impressive. Have to imagine at the very least he will be on the wings of a good amount of face-offs.

SSDM:
Bellwether - Carter Rice enters his third year as a starter. He is probably the definition of solid. Tough defender, not flashy but most times gets the job done. Will probably never be All American worthy but he's not a liability. One thing I think he needs to work on is his groundball play, averaged one a game his freshman year, but picked up just nine last year in 15 games.
Player to Step Up - Is Max Rosa the presumptive number two? If not it still feels like we need a good season from the second year captain. This kid is tough, and we could talk endlessly about the way he puts his body on the line. But he doesn't have the best foot speed out there. Perhaps this is the year he takes that next step.
X-Factor - I wanted to put Carter Kempney here, but I am not sure how much he will play. Jake Titus, the surprise preseason All American will definitely play. Curious to see how big of an impact he has for the Orange. He will either be the number two guy in the first grouping or the top guy on the second unit. He'll have a lot of responsibility. The Orange are desperate for more depth from this unit.

Close Defense:
Bellwether - Has to be Riley Figuerias. The top defensive recruit at year ago returns from injury. I don't think he's a flashy player, and my impression is he will not be a guy out there causing a bunch of turnovers. But he's solid and shut down pretty much every top attackman he faced in high school. That's all SU needs. They sorely lacked a number one shut down guy the last few years.
Player to Step Up - I think this has to be Billy Dwan. He got his feet wet last year on the man down unit but seemed to play better as the year went on. He even got bumped to cover Brennan O'Neil in the season finale when Landon Clary was struggling. This feels like the year for a breakout.
X-Factor - This really feels like it could be anyone. If Olexo is at LSM that leaves one spot for a group of players who have starting experience, including Nick Caccamo, Clary, Nick Fraterrigo, and Caden Kol. I think Caccamo has shown the most from this group, so I'll pick him. He was really good for the Orange two years ago and averaged almost two caused turnovers a game. I don't think he's the best at actually playing 1:1 defense, but he's a savant when it comes to picking off passes. As the third guy I think he could really thrive.

Goalie:
Bellwether - Will Mark was great last year, and hopefully he has a more consistent year if he can face less shots, and less good ones with a better defense in front of him. No question marks about one of the best players on the team.
Player to Step Up - Obviously only one goalie can play at a time but Jimmy McCool seems like the next guy up for this unit. Might have to wait two years in the background but hopefully we see a little bit of the prized '22 recruit this year in mop up duty.
X-Factor - Michael Ippoliti seems like the next closest player to challenge McCool, but will likely redshirt this year.
 
Powellfan said:
SSDM:
Bellwether - Carter Rice enters his third year as a starter. He is probably the definition of solid. Tough defender, not flashy but most times gets the job done. Will probably never be All American worthy but he's not a liability. One thing I think he needs to work on is his groundball play, averaged one a game his freshman year, but picked up just nine last year in 15 games.
Player to Step Up - Is Max Rosa the presumptive number two? If not it still feels like we need a good season from the second year captain. This kid is tough, and we could talk endlessly about the way he puts his body on the line. But he doesn't have the best foot speed out there. Perhaps this is the year he takes that next step.
X-Factor - I wanted to put Carter Kempney here, but I am not sure how much he will play. Jake Titus, the surprise preseason All American will definitely play. Curious to see how big of an impact he has for the Orange. He will either be the number two guy in the first grouping or the top guy on the second unit. He'll have a lot of responsibility. The Orange are desperate for more depth from this unit.
Expand...
Awesome as always sir! Good to have some nice lengthy posts to get hyped up for the season! For ssdm I think another potential x factor may be Vinnie Trujillo if he can make the sophomore jump. Came in well regarded and hopefully the year of D1 under his belt has him at least worthy of a second line spot. A guy like him who played ssdm all through high school at least has a good IQ for sliding and what not.
 
DoctahLexus said:
Awesome as always sir! Good to have some nice lengthy posts to get hyped up for the season! For ssdm I think another potential x factor may be Vinnie Trujillo if he can make the sophomore jump. Came in well regarded and hopefully the year of D1 under his belt has him at least worthy of a second line spot. A guy like him who played ssdm all through high school at least has a good IQ for sliding and what not.
Expand...
Yeah I agree Trujillo got his feet wet some last yr. I think SSDM is the hardest position for a freshman to come in and play right away. 18 yr old kid out of HS covering 21 - 22 and with Covid yr some 23 yr olds. It's a physically demanding job. I think last yr he realized the physical difference so hopefully he hit the gym hard and built up his body some. The kid was a top SSDM in HS at a high level program so he can really be an X factor. If he is ready to roll and be a solid SSDM this season it's gonna really improve that group a lot. Like someone said he's been playing it thru HS not the usual offensive guy making the switch like Rice his freshman yr just out of position a lot learning. Petros D played a part but look at the jump he made last season once he was was comfortable knowing what he was doing If Titus is what they say then that 1st line will be solid. Maybe not AA guys like Powelfan said but solid which is all u need then Trujillo and I guess Rosa. Love Rosa but wish one of the younger guys with more foot speed stepped up and just have Rosa play man down. Can still utilize him to cover bigger more physical mids. I am really curious to see Trujillo tho. Murphy told me last yr he took a liking to him and thinks he's gonna be really good. Just wasn't physically and mentally ready yet last yr.
 
I also think Jake Spallina is gonna be a solid SSDM for this team. He possibly could be ready for some PT as a freshman as he was a tough football player in Hs. He's not scared to bang and play physical. Now if he stepped up to play on the 2nd line with Trujillo and then their able to move Rosa to man down and mix in for certain match ups with the big boys.
 
Powellfan said:
Instead of trying to predict the starting lineup this year (mostly since I think we have a pretty good handle of who is going to get the most playing time), I thought I would try and preview each positional group, by identifying who the "Bellwether" is, the Player who needs to step up, and the X-Factor. It doesn't really work for all groups (mostly goalie), but I wanted to do something more nuanced than just saying, "I think Christian Mule will start at attack". Some of the definitions change given the group, but I'll try and be consistent. Sorry, this is a long one.

Attack:
Bellwether - this one seems easy as it will most likely be Joey Spallina. Big things are expected of the super soph as he spent the off season up in Canada as a way of getting to know his teammates north of the border better. Will be interesting to see if he tries to go toe-to-toe with the top defenders on SU's schedule (Kenny Brower, Ajax Zappatello, Scott Smith, etc) or if the team tries to exploit other mis-matches on the field. Will Spallina press?
Player to Step Up - This has to be Owen Hiltz. The redshirt Junior has been overshadowed a bit since Spallina landed on the Hill. He had a decent season last year, and improved his point total by five points (and improved his assist total by 10), but his shooting percentage dropped by five points. If he is going to take SU to the next level, it really feels like he needs to be more assertive, especially if he is going to draw teams second best defender. He has been flying way under the radar this season, so I expect big things this year.
X-Factor - Have gone back and forth on this one a couple times. Giving it to Mule seems to obvious, but I do think there are big questions about how he fits into the offense. At Lehigh he was primarily a finisher for the Mountain Hawks his first three years, then his assist production more than doubled his previous career high as a senior. Spallina and Hiltz are two very good passers - does Mule find his role as a finisher or will the Orange offense have three headed passing monster? Also considered Trey Deere as you have to figure he plays somewhere, just not sure how much.

Midfield:
Bellwether - Sam English is the most productive member of the Orange midfield and should draw the pole when he's on the field. That said he needs to find the gear he had in 2022 and not the one he had last year. Despite injury, he still averaged almost a full point less than he did the previous year. He should be helped by having his former college and high school teammate Jake Stevens on the team, as well as fellow Canadians like Finn Thomson and Owen Hiltz.
Player to Step Up - Thomson had a great freshman year last year, but it still felt like he had an extra gear to reach. He made some absolute jaw dropping plays, the behind the back passes, the one handed GB pickup in traffic. He is the definition of smooth. But like Hiltz he needs to be more aggressive. Highest shooting percentage of the top 6 offensive players last year by a good margin (42%), but only Griffin Cook took fewer shots. That cannot happen for another year.
X-Factor - Jake Stevens is the ultimate x-factor. Will he be on the first line? Second line? How much defense will he play? How much should he play? He could be the groups leading scorer, or the best defensive midfielder on the team. It will be really fascinating to see how the coaches deploy him. I believe he had five goals in one of the fall scrimmages. I think he will play some face-off wings, but I think he will play a lot less defense than some people on this board think.

Face-off:
Bellwether - It has to be Mason Kohn (fingers crossed). The DIII transfer has a lot to prove, as there isn't a lot of history of FOGOs from the lower divisions making the leap to DI. His stats at Tufts were insane, and physically he seems more than ready. Will be curious if he can bring an offensive punch to this unit, something we really haven't seen since the days of Jeremy Thompson (he had 10 points last year for the Jumbos).
Player to Step Up - Not sure we will see him this year, but Johnny Richiusa has largely been forgotten in all the talk of Kohn and the next player to be mentioned. He certainly struggled last year (barely 40% last year. But he does have something that Kohn and the freshman to be named later don't, actual DI experience.
X-Factor - Lots of talk this offseason of Johnny Mullin, the freshman from Massachusetts. He's physically imposing and does not look like your typical freshman (5-10, 203). He's one for the future but can he spell Kohn when needed? The gauntlet of FOGOs that SU will play this year is scary, from Jake Naso to Luke Weirman, to the UVA three headed monster, to Will Lynch to Andrew Tyenyer ... the list goes on. Hard to see how Kohn won't need help at some point.

LSM:
Bellwether - this one is tough as we don't know where Olexo will play, but as of now I think he will end up on the rope unit. A player who has played short stick, close and LSM should return to the spot he plays best, given his impact on the transition game. Really good player, perhaps a bit too aggressive at times but you worry about him the least when he is on the field.
Player to Step Up - the guy who most likely will be second string is Matt Wright the transfer from UNC. He's had some injury issues in the past, but he is a very good player who should give Cuse one of the best LSM duos in the country. Definitely would give the team a starting quality LSM as a second stringer.
X-Factor - haven't heard his name much this offseason, but Steven Schmitt brings a lot of potential to the table - 13 points and 97 groundballs last year for Mount Saint Mary's. I don't really care where you put up numbers like that, it's impressive. Have to imagine at the very least he will be on the wings of a good amount of face-offs.

SSDM:
Bellwether - Carter Rice enters his third year as a starter. He is probably the definition of solid. Tough defender, not flashy but most times gets the job done. Will probably never be All American worthy but he's not a liability. One thing I think he needs to work on is his groundball play, averaged one a game his freshman year, but picked up just nine last year in 15 games.
Player to Step Up - Is Max Rosa the presumptive number two? If not it still feels like we need a good season from the second year captain. This kid is tough, and we could talk endlessly about the way he puts his body on the line. But he doesn't have the best foot speed out there. Perhaps this is the year he takes that next step.
X-Factor - I wanted to put Carter Kempney here, but I am not sure how much he will play. Jake Titus, the surprise preseason All American will definitely play. Curious to see how big of an impact he has for the Orange. He will either be the number two guy in the first grouping or the top guy on the second unit. He'll have a lot of responsibility. The Orange are desperate for more depth from this unit.

Close Defense:
Bellwether - Has to be Riley Figuerias. The top defensive recruit at year ago returns from injury. I don't think he's a flashy player, and my impression is he will not be a guy out there causing a bunch of turnovers. But he's solid and shut down pretty much every top attackman he faced in high school. That's all SU needs. They sorely lacked a number one shut down guy the last few years.
Player to Step Up - I think this has to be Billy Dwan. He got his feet wet last year on the man down unit but seemed to play better as the year went on. He even got bumped to cover Brennan O'Neil in the season finale when Landon Clary was struggling. This feels like the year for a breakout.
X-Factor - This really feels like it could be anyone. If Olexo is at LSM that leaves one spot for a group of players who have starting experience, including Nick Caccamo, Clary, Nick Fraterrigo, and Caden Kol. I think Caccamo has shown the most from this group, so I'll pick him. He was really good for the Orange two years ago and averaged almost two caused turnovers a game. I don't think he's the best at actually playing 1:1 defense, but he's a savant when it comes to picking off passes. As the third guy I think he could really thrive.

Goalie:
Bellwether - Will Mark was great last year, and hopefully he has a more consistent year if he can face less shots, and less good ones with a better defense in front of him. No question marks about one of the best players on the team.
Player to Step Up - Obviously only one goalie can play at a time but Jimmy McCool seems like the next guy up for this unit. Might have to wait two years in the background but hopefully we see a little bit of the prized '22 recruit this year in mop up duty.
X-Factor - Michael Ippoliti seems like the next closest player to challenge McCool, but will likely redshirt this year.
Expand...
Good stuff - There is another LSM in the mix for playing time. He has impressed Coach O and is playing great. Not sure who but the player is a junior. Could mean Saam plays Close but that hasn’t been decided. They will bring in another set of poles for Mandown like Petro did last year. Gives the starters a chance to rest.

It does sound like Dwan and Figueiras are pretty much locked. 3rd guy has not been decided.

Mule has been battling some nagging injuries so it’s possible to see Deere on the field early.
 
AD31 said:
I also think Jake Spallina is gonna be a solid SSDM for this team. He possibly could be ready for some PT as a freshman as he was a tough football player in Hs. He's not scared to bang and play physical. Now if he stepped up to play on the 2nd line with Trujillo and then their able to move Rosa to man down and mix in for certain match ups with the big boys.
Expand...
Would like to see someone with quicker feet on Mandown. Thats not Rosa.
 
DMVCuseLax said:
Good stuff - There is another LSM in the mix for playing time. He has impressed Coach O and is playing great. Not sure who but the player is a junior. Could mean Saam plays Close but that hasn’t been decided. They will bring in another set of poles for Mandown like Petro did last year. Gives the starters a chance to rest.

It does sound like Dwan and Figueiras are pretty much locked. 3rd guy has not been decided.

Mule has been battling some nagging injuries so it’s possible to see Deere on the field early.
Expand...

Good stuff. If it's a Jr its most likely Drago. he's the only one who really makes sense as I don't believe Clary is getting run at LSM.

I fully expect Olexxo to end up at close eventually, to many other godo options at LSM with Wright, Schmitt, and now apparently Drago.

Unfortunate news on Mule, wonder if this cracks the door open for Elijah-Brown, though I had heard it was gonna be hard for him to get major minutes and a RS wasn't out of the question.
 
DMVCuseLax said:
Would like to see someone with quicker feet on Mandown. Thats not Rosa.
Expand...
Oh I agree but at least he has a role. I didnt understand why Petro played him on man down last yr but I feel bad because the kid plays his heart out so if there gonna play him I rather him man down then in the top 4 rotation. I liked last yr when he had Bolea on man down early til he got hurt but yeah u want someone with quick feet. I just think if there gonna play Rosa I rather him in man down then in the regular rotation
 
JeremyCuse said:
Good stuff. If it's a Jr its most likely Drago. he's the only one who really makes sense as I don't believe Clary is getting run at LSM.

I fully expect Olexxo to end up at close eventually, to many other godo options at LSM with Wright, Schmitt, and now apparently Drago.

Unfortunate news on Mule, wonder if this cracks the door open for Elijah-Brown, though I had heard it was gonna be hard for him to get major minutes and a RS wasn't out of the question.
Expand...
Part of me feels like whoever they plan on playing attack next yr and an on they should play that spot over Mule. Like Deere or Finn play attack as that unit will be together for yrs. Both Joey and Hiltz can pass while Finn and Deere are finishers. Let them grow together and let Mule run on the 1st midfield line with English and Leo. Can still mix it up and let Mule play some attack. I'm not that familiar with Mule can he play midfield?
 
AD31 said:
Part of me feels like whoever they plan on playing attack next yr and an on they should play that spot over Mule. Like Deere or Finn play attack as that unit will be together for yrs. Both Joey and Hiltz can pass while Finn and Deere are finishers. Let them grow together and let Mule run on the 1st midfield line with English and Leo. Can still mix it up and let Mule play some attack. I'm not that familiar with Mule can he play midfield?
Expand...

Mule can play midfield and he could see some time there but it's highly unlikely Thomson will play attack. Staff doesn't feel he's as effective at attack. Deere is an incredible finisher but I think their looking for someone who can be a dual threat passing and scoring. That leads me to believe Mule will play there when healthy with some Deere mixed in. Elijah-Brown is a wild card if anyone gets hurt.
 
Zach Puckhaber, D, Gettysburg to Syracuse
Who held DIII Player of the Year Cross Ferrara to zero points his junior year? That’s right, Zach Puckhaber. He follows Mitch Wykoff as a Gettysburg defender who will finish his career at Syracuse. While he might not get the minutes that Wykoff got, that’s due to some increased depth for the Orange. Puckhaber is a guy who, no matter his role, will make the team better.

2. Mason Kohn, FO, Tufts to Syracuse​

Kohn will call the Carrier Dome home after a monster 2023 season. Though they fell short, he had one of his best performances on DIII’s brightest stage with a goal, 14 groundballs and 15-of-19 face-off wins. Kohn wrapped up 2023 going 71% on 255 wins in 356 attempts, and creating offense from wins is certainly in his skillset, as well. He finished the season with 10 points (7G, 3A).

His power, frame, athleticism and stick skills post-draw should set him up well to compete with the Orange.

 
nyclax said:
a little birdie told me the dukies struggled with the terps in their scrimmage today. it always takes duke awhile to figure themselves out but the word is that maryland was easily the stronger team...
Expand...

Duke feels like the year they had Sowers, tons of talent but a lot of questions of how it's gonna work out.
 
nyclax said:
a little birdie told me the dukies struggled with the terps in their scrimmage today. it always takes duke awhile to figure themselves out but the word is that maryland was easily the stronger team...
Expand...

According to FanLax it was 14-7 Terps (7-5 at halftime). A bit surprised given that Duke brings back so much. That said I think Maryland is going to be very good this year, and if it’s possible they are a bit slept on.
 
Powellfan said:
According to FanLax it was 14-7 Terps (7-5 at halftime). A bit surprised given that Duke brings back so much. That said I think Maryland is going to be very good this year, and if it’s possible they are a bit slept on.
Expand...
The Terps have lots of depth, which is probably a plus in such a scrimmage, and the scrimmage was played indoors at Maryland.
 
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