Powellfan
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Nice. Dare I ask who started on attack? Sounds like the backups struggled a bit, but won’t read too much into that. Thanks for the updates!
2025 Practice
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Nice. Dare I ask who started on attack? Sounds like the backups struggled a bit, but won’t read too much into that. Thanks for the updates!
DMVCuseLax
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I believe it was Thomson. I’ll confirm.
Sounds like BU ran a 10 man and we had some issues clearing.
JeremyCuse
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Thanks, fascinated to see if that holds up for next week. I don't think it will work over the long haul personally but Thomson at attack is intriguing.
Disappointed but not surprise about the 10 man issue. Been a staple under Gait and not in a good way. Its become a chronic problem.
orange79
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I mean, it's almost as if they're trying to be bad at it. You'd think in 3+ years, they'd at least be decent maybe once, just by accident.
FloridaCuse
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Maybe . . . they want that word to get out and then surprise opponents in being able to handle it. One can hope.
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ClvrUsrnm
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I hope that includes being a dynamic dodging threat
JeremyCuse
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That's really good to hear, if he forced the staffs hand that's a 180 from his frosh year when he got a long look and the staff didn't see it being a fit. I have my concerns about that 3rd spot and needing an above average dodger but love that he went out and overwhelmed the staff.
Interested to see who wins that 3rd mid spot, has to be Rhoa I would think, I believe your pretty high on him.
JeremyCuse
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Have heard he's improved that aspect of the game. Still a bit skeptical this will work long term but Thomson deserves a shot if he's shown it in practice
DMVCuseLax
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It is Rhoa. I believe he had 2 goals today.
W'boro'Cuse315
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I wonder how much, if any, your second paragraph played into the choice of Thomson for 3rd attack. The only way Rhoa was joining the 1st line was if either Thomson or Leo was bumped down to attack.
UrbanaOrange
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Do we know who is on the 2nd mid line and 3rd?
W'boro'Cuse315
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Birt-Hottle-Anderson would be my guess at 2nd line mids. I believe that Hottle has the speed & IQ to consistently draw a slide in the ACC. Maybe Bear & Deere alternate possessions at lefty mid. Kellogg’s shot would be interesting if it’s not Hottle.
LaxAddict38
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As it pertains to full field concepts… I hope Odierna takes over the clear this year. His teams have historically cleared at a much higher clip than March’s teams. Also much easier for the defensive coach to install clearing packages as it’s mostly his players.
Seeing Syracuse introduce some sort of riding element this year would be nice, but I’m not holding my breath. I can’t see Hiltz, Thomson, and Spallina buying into that.
Hopefully the new goalie (whoever it is) can get the ball up and out quickly to spark some transition. I believe Mark was under-rated as a ball stopper by this forum, but I think it is fair to say that he was trigger shy throwing it upfield after saves. Maybe we get an upgrade there.
Seeing Syracuse introduce some sort of riding element this year would be nice, but I’m not holding my breath. I can’t see Hiltz, Thomson, and Spallina buying into that.
Hopefully the new goalie (whoever it is) can get the ball up and out quickly to spark some transition. I believe Mark was under-rated as a ball stopper by this forum, but I think it is fair to say that he was trigger shy throwing it upfield after saves. Maybe we get an upgrade there.
JeremyCuse
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I wouldn't hold my breath on the riding, just had never really been a staple of SU lax save for a few one off years. Joey and Hiltz are active riding but it varies from game to game how much SU makes it a priority.
I would much rather they solve the issues with the 10 man, that continues to be a major problem and has cost SU at least one game a year under Gait.
Powellfan
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I obviously don’t think that Thomson is going I turn into Mike Powell overnight, but I do think he can make a very good attackman. Watching highlights from last year, he is very good at catching and finishing in close. With teammates like Spallina and Hiltz, you have to imagine he’ll be getting a lot of opportunities. Additionally, he’s a very good passer, and I’m sure he will set up his teammates for easy looks when given the chance.
I don’t think he’ll be backing down his defender on a regular basis, but he will have to make his matchup pay if they lose track of him. To me, I feel like he will be be the player that Mule was supposed to be last year. A pin point finisher who can also pass the ball at a very high level. He certainly won’t be one dimensional. I especially like that he’s a righty, and that will help balance the field.
I don’t think he’ll be backing down his defender on a regular basis, but he will have to make his matchup pay if they lose track of him. To me, I feel like he will be be the player that Mule was supposed to be last year. A pin point finisher who can also pass the ball at a very high level. He certainly won’t be one dimensional. I especially like that he’s a righty, and that will help balance the field.
W'boro'Cuse315
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The 2-man games with Thomson-English & Hiltz-Leo on either side are going to give defenses fits.
JeremyCuse
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Don't overlook Rhoa drawing a shorty, that's an extremely difficult matchup for 99% of ssdms
DoctahLexus
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I am hoping no news is good news when it comes to injuries, and good to see the starters winning the first half convincingly.
Thomson will have to prove he can overcome a bad play and not let a couple yips turn into a bad game. His elite skill level is obvious and it does not surprise that he is crushing practice. He can catch and finish anything, but has to prove he is 100% reliable on the easier ones. If he can do that I think it will be perfect. And as always we have a couple options if we feel like we need more dodging at certain times
Thomson will have to prove he can overcome a bad play and not let a couple yips turn into a bad game. His elite skill level is obvious and it does not surprise that he is crushing practice. He can catch and finish anything, but has to prove he is 100% reliable on the easier ones. If he can do that I think it will be perfect. And as always we have a couple options if we feel like we need more dodging at certain times
JeremyCuse
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Dillon Stephens with the long pole goal
