Albany Postgame Articles and Videos

[OrangeXtreme]

In our section we were wondering who the back up goalie is? I leave it to the experts here to help in that regard? Anyone know?

Evan Molloy.

 

[ThruWayWest]

Evan Molloy.

Thanks Extreme!

 

[OrangeinBoston]

It will be hard to keep Shewell off the field.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Evan Molloy.

I don't see him getting PT unless Hill really struggles, Desko wants to avoid the rotation we have had the last few years.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Agree completely on Salcido. He looks quick and confident. That midfield line can be extremely dangerous if he continues to contribute. There were times when he pulled out instead of running in out of control. Great poise.
Jeremy, I respect how you are acknowledging your previous reservations on Lane. While I agree it will be a challenge for him moving forward with the adjustments by future defenses... it is nice to see his progression thus far. This is the fun of college sports guys can grow up right in front of us. I may be one of those lunatics who need to keep my expectations in check but it is nice to see such improvement.

I really would have liked to have seen Jordan Evans in high school before his injuries. He started off the game with a nice goal and then was kind of disappointing. He seems like a great kid and I respect that he took on #22. Feel for him and want him to improve. The Marist game last year was amazing. I thought he was just out of position at midfield and would step up this season. Still early but man.

One random point, after watching the post game interview it feels like these guys like playing with each other and there is nice chemistry so far. I have no evidence to back it up but I got a kick out of the reaction by DeJoe, Lane when Ben Williams talked about missing the net on his fast break off the face off. It was a brief moment but the way they were kind of ribbing him felt genuine. Winning likely helps.

On defense it felt like Albany scored a few goals on the same exact play at the start of the game. It was nice to see our coaching staff adjust in the second half.

Mellon is a defenders defender. I enjoy his methodical approach and stick skills. When I played it always bothered me that others on the team or fans in the stands just thought we (defensemen) were a bunch of lumber jacks back there swinging 7 feet with reckless abandon. It is very nice to see a guy control the stick by using the length to create ground ball positioning for himself on loose situations. He also throws timing and precise checks. Just an artist so far. What an addition to the team.

Hill looked a bit shaky but some of those shots were just point blank and tough to stop. He did make some nice saves in the second half as jr4750 pointed out. He feels like the kind of goalie who needs to be active in the game to get going not sure if that is a good or bad thing. Wardwell was solid but I never felt like he could take over a game. Maybe Hill has that ability. Some of the stops he made were quite nice. In our section we were wondering who the back up goalie is? I leave it to the experts here to help in that regard? Anyone know?

Again I agree with just about everything you touched on. I am going to do a full post later today touching on a lot of issues but I wanted to f0llow up on a few things you mentioned.

As I noted Salcido has looked like a different player the first two games. When he pulled the ball back out twice yesterday instead of going into the teeth of the defense it was a great sign. Shows how much he has matured as a player. Lane has also made a noticeable jump in his playing ability. Seemed under control for the most part and tested the water with some dodges and knew when to pull back and get the ball moving again. Him connecting on that lazer was a great sign, Syracuse has been desperate the last 2-3 years for some long distance shooting, if he and Salcido can continue to bury those looks it bodes well for this team. I do want to pump the brakes a little bit on Lane, he has certainly exceeded expectations so far but as we get into the meat of the schedule things will get much harder for him especially if Barber and Piroli are out for an extended period. Still his development is a huge asset and will allow Desko to redshirt Romano, O'Sullivan and Hutchings this season and continue to bring along the 4 redshirt middies who are struggling to break out.

Going to touch on Evans a lot in my post later but right now to me he's clearly trying to do to much. I understand he feels the need to be the guy with Dylan being hounded but he needs to let the game come to him.

Hill has the ability to take over a game that Wardwell might do once a year (see the UNC game last year in the ACC tourney) but as you noted he seems to get off to slow starts. He looked a lot better in the second half and seemed to be moving better. A lot of those goals were point blank in the first half but we will need him to play a lot better when we see Duke, ND, JHU etc.

Thought the whole D played good, a few mistakes here and there (Ciferri on one I can recall) but nothing egregious. Communication still seems to be a bit of an issue and when SU did give up goals it seemed to be on issues with slides and defending the big little game. Thought we defended dodges really well but Albany isn't a great dodging to be honest with Lyle now gone. Both LSM's looked great and SU clearly has a ton of depth at long pole.

Need to get Piroli and Barber back soon though, this team does have good depth but it can't afford to lose multiple starters especially a guy like Piroli.

 

[ThruWayWest]

I don't see him getting PT unless Hill really struggles, Desko wants to avoid the rotation we have had the last few years.

Agreed. There are a lot of goalies on the roster and I was not sure which one had the leg up in case Hill really struggles. Figured someone here would be aware of the rotation.

 

[ThruWayWest]

Another random thought...watching Cal Paduda/Ben Williams is an unsettling feeling for a long time fan of this team. If only we had one of them a few years ago we could have won two more national titles. We did not have a faceoff guy for years and now it appears we have two elite guys. Glad we have the depth now...wish we could use a time machine to bring either to playoffs in 2010-14.

 

[jr4750]

Another random thought...watching Cal Paduda/Ben Williams is an unsettling feeling for a long time fan of this team. If only we had one of them a few years ago we could have won two more national titles. We did not have a faceoff guy for years and now it appears we have two elite guys. Glad we have the depth now...wish we could use a time machine to bring either to playoffs in 2010-14.

agree completely. Although we had Ben last year and we definitely had a championship team. Ugh still ticked about that. So much talent on last years squad.

 

[ThruWayWest]

agree completely. Although we had Ben last year and we definitely had a championship team. Ugh still ticked about that. So much talent on last years squad.

Agreed. I have tried really hard to erase it from my memory.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[Toga]

Speaking of Albany

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[essorcaltun]

Really gotta like what we're seeing with the D. Mellen has drawn the opposing team's #1 threat in both the Siena and Albany games and handled both of them effectively to say the least. There's a two fold beauty there. 1: So far so good...he can do it. 2. Mullins isn't strapped with guarding the most threatening attackman, allowing him to wander a little more and wreak havoc around the cage. Love Mullins, but I don't think his strongest suit is that face to face, one on one match up, with a nifty, cagey slippery, little attackman. Mellen is a little more quick footed, better at making his man feel as if he's playing in a mirror. Every move he makes, he sees Melen right there. Meanwhile, Mullins can bang some folks around. (rough boy) Mr. McDermott rounds out the D nicely too. Two games, two solid performances...he's a big boy too!

 

[jdm22]

Looking forward to your forthcoming full post Jeremy. Couple (most are optimistic) thoughts for you and folks to consider. Overall team considerably in better shape than we all could have hoped for. But Ensley Center now makes SU better than all teams at this time of year.....I hope we do not become the opposite of our past, i.e., win in March and lose in May as last year. Also we need to keep this up against ACC and JH. Attack: Evans will be ok when he gets over the need to be a Gait/Powell. Physically he looks ready to go, just needs to settle down. Midfield could actually be a strength. If Barber can go, I hope they start the Shewell/Thorpe combo against Army. They need the work/experience and really can be assets this year. They present yet another match up threat for teams to prepare for. Additionally, I want Barber to keep getting midfield chemistry on first line. Dejoe to me is the biggest story then Salcido, then Lane. Now the optimism: DeJoe was 3 for 3 vs. last year being 4 for a million. Two were on dodges and movement. I would put him on the first line with the outside threat. Him with Mariano (who may actually fill Galosso's shoes by the end of the year) and Barber may end up being better than last year's first line. They certainly have a chance to be more consistent. My second line is Salcido, Lane (cannon number two) and Weston. Weston has the more potential than Simmons with great speed and does not make mistakes. He will get his shot to fall, but is smart and does not force it. Again, this second line can be a threat, and much better than last years that really only had Barber.

D can be scary great. Agree on all comments on Mellon, and I did post after the Navy Fall Ball that he was a stud coming off the bus and reminded me of John Lade, but now may actually be better due to being more physical and a ground ball machine. Fusco is all that was advertised. He and Firman are still not Joel White (but who is), but they are the best combo we have had in along time. SSDM is as good as we have had in long time. I actually think Grimm is not as good as Ciferio and Gillis and I think in the long run the best one will be Luke S. A great and large athlete with one CT against Albany in limited time. Communication and slides still seem to be an issue and they have to clean it up, but Physically and athletically, this D is as good as we have had and it can 2008 & 2009 good. Interesting point on Hill needing to get into a rhythm for his best goal tending to come out. I think the ACC and JH will oblige us there even if Williams wins the majority of FO. Regarding FO, more Cal please and keep Williams better rested than last year.

Based on a weaker then expected UVA (I will be there) and JH, SU seems to be a top 5 team (Loyola too). If the D can get it right, and the middies can do it against the ACC, and the injuries are minimal, a FF is in the works. Hopefully we can get our May magic back this year.

Again I agree with just about everything you touched on. I am going to do a full post later today touching on a lot of issues but I wanted to f0llow up on a few things you mentioned.

As I noted Salcido has looked like a different player the first two games. When he pulled the ball back out twice yesterday instead of going into the teeth of the defense it was a great sign. Shows how much he has matured as a player. Lane has also made a noticeable jump in his playing ability. Seemed under control for the most part and tested the water with some dodges and knew when to pull back and get the ball moving again. Him connecting on that lazer was a great sign, Syracuse has been desperate the last 2-3 years for some long distance shooting, if he and Salcido can continue to bury those looks it bodes well for this team. I do want to pump the brakes a little bit on Lane, he has certainly exceeded expectations so far but as we get into the meat of the schedule things will get much harder for him especially if Barber and Piroli are out for an extended period. Still his development is a huge asset and will allow Desko to redshirt Romano, O'Sullivan and Hutchings this season and continue to bring along the 4 redshirt middies who are struggling to break out.

Going to touch on Evans a lot in my post later but right now to me he's clearly trying to do to much. I understand he feels the need to be the guy with Dylan being hounded but he needs to let the game come to him.

Hill has the ability to take over a game that Wardwell might do once a year (see the UNC game last year in the ACC tourney) but as you noted he seems to get off to slow starts. He looked a lot better in the second half and seemed to be moving better. A lot of those goals were point blank in the first half but we will need him to play a lot better when we see Duke, ND, JHU etc.

Thought the whole D played good, a few mistakes here and there (Ciferri on one I can recall) but nothing egregious. Communication still seems to be a bit of an issue and when SU did give up goals it seemed to be on issues with slides and defending the big little game. Thought we defended dodges really well but Albany isn't a great dodging to be honest with Lyle now gone. Both LSM's looked great and SU clearly has a ton of depth at long pole.

Need to get Piroli and Barber back soon though, this team does have good depth but it can't afford to lose multiple starters especially a guy like Piroli.

 

[RoysRunts]

And D'Agostino is not in the D conversation