LpoolNative
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Lmfaooooooooo get real
az.
Denver Gameday...
- Thread starter OrangeXtreme
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Couldn’t watch game, hate listening to games on radio. So I just went with this thread. About 85% negative and 15% positive. You would have thought we lost by 8 goals. I think Gait was fired about 5 times. We just beat a great defensive team on their field. Geez guys, lighten up!
4evaOrange
Go kick rocks you goober!!!
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Kyle’s player of the game NOT the refs
4evaOrange
Go kick rocks you goober!!!
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Dwan. Dwan killed a man with a trident. That’s how it started
FloridaCuse
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Stop mentioning TF on here. Ignore him.
OttosDad
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Some super late night thoughts. Didn’t get to watch the game or follow along live…
Needed a win and got it. 7-2 with Gtown in the Dome heading into conference play is a good spot to be in. Seems as though this team just are who they are. They play sloppy, undisciplined, and at times stupid… but to their credit they are so talented, they can win in spite of it.
Rhoa scoring 4 goals, all from the outside against a good goalie like Manning is very encouraging. He’s got to get going. Best game of the season from him. Needed his shooting and he delivered. Anderson with 2 and 2 is also a good sign. He played well in Colorado, hopefully a sign of things to come. Agreed with others, Kellogg needs some run. His goal against Denver wouldn’t be saved by any goalie ever. He’s earned some run with the 2nd line.
Based on the highlights and this thread, the defense seemed to really wear out or collapse in the 4th quarter. I know they were man down at times, but a couple easy skip passes to guys on the crease for easy goals. McCool at 45%, not great, looked like there were a couple I thought he could’ve got to. Defense as a whole was not very good in Colorado against two bad offenses. Concerning as we gear up for conference play. That needs to tighten up again.
Last shoutout I wanna give is to Angelo. Not for his part in whatever was going on between the two teams after the game, but his play. He’s been solid this season. Right around 50%. He looks like an athlete with the ball. He’s physical, sometimes to a fault, but hes coming into his own. 2 goals also, he’s been a serviceable backup lately.
Needed a win and got it. 7-2 with Gtown in the Dome heading into conference play is a good spot to be in. Seems as though this team just are who they are. They play sloppy, undisciplined, and at times stupid… but to their credit they are so talented, they can win in spite of it.
Rhoa scoring 4 goals, all from the outside against a good goalie like Manning is very encouraging. He’s got to get going. Best game of the season from him. Needed his shooting and he delivered. Anderson with 2 and 2 is also a good sign. He played well in Colorado, hopefully a sign of things to come. Agreed with others, Kellogg needs some run. His goal against Denver wouldn’t be saved by any goalie ever. He’s earned some run with the 2nd line.
Based on the highlights and this thread, the defense seemed to really wear out or collapse in the 4th quarter. I know they were man down at times, but a couple easy skip passes to guys on the crease for easy goals. McCool at 45%, not great, looked like there were a couple I thought he could’ve got to. Defense as a whole was not very good in Colorado against two bad offenses. Concerning as we gear up for conference play. That needs to tighten up again.
Last shoutout I wanna give is to Angelo. Not for his part in whatever was going on between the two teams after the game, but his play. He’s been solid this season. Right around 50%. He looks like an athlete with the ball. He’s physical, sometimes to a fault, but hes coming into his own. 2 goals also, he’s been a serviceable backup lately.
C Bomb
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He might want to lay low for a while because he’ll probably be wanted for murder.
OrangeXtreme
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Angelo needs to keep his mouth shut. His 1:00 non-releasable gave Denver 3 goals.
Shrmdougluvr
Give it all to me fool!
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Yeah. Probably not the game to "shout him out." He spent more time in the penalty area than he did on the field this game and his penalties were huge momentum killers when we were cruising to an easy W.
MD Cuse Fan
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Wasn't able to watch the game, but between checking out everyone's comments/watching the little bit of highlights that were posted, happy they got the win and as challenged as Denver's offense is a solid team that could win the BE this season.
As other's have already said this team still has issues with being buttoned up and seemingly always having that stretch in which things fall apart, guess it's just who they are. I will say that based on what it sounds like that happened with Angelo, that's disappointing because if he is someone (2nd year player who doesn't play much) feels embolden to act in that way, then in my opinion clearly the coaches are not doing anything about this. Hopefully those things don't come back to bite them big time in the future.
As other's have already said this team still has issues with being buttoned up and seemingly always having that stretch in which things fall apart, guess it's just who they are. I will say that based on what it sounds like that happened with Angelo, that's disappointing because if he is someone (2nd year player who doesn't play much) feels embolden to act in that way, then in my opinion clearly the coaches are not doing anything about this. Hopefully those things don't come back to bite them big time in the future.
OrangeXtreme
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FloridaCuse
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LACROSSE REFERENCE
via free Expected Goals Email March 17, 2026
Syracuse needed every bit of its offensive ceiling to escape Denver with a 13–12 win that was much tighter than the pregame numbers suggested. LaxElo had the Orange as clear favorites, but they spent a good chunk of the night chasing the game, down 2–1 with just a 32% win probability early in the second quarter. From that point on, though, the offense flipped a switch and ultimately carried them to 7–2 on the season.
The turning point was the stark split between the first quarter and everything after. In the opening 15 minutes, Syracuse's offense was stuck in neutral: 12.5% offensive efficiency and just 9% shooting. They were getting possessions but not turning them into real pressure, and Denver was able to dictate tempo and keep Syracuse from ever feeling in control.
From the start of the second quarter onward, it was a different story. Offensive efficiency jumped to 37.9%, and the shooting percentage climbed to 34%. That's not just “better finishing”; that's an offense consistently generating and converting quality looks. Given where the win probability sat at 2–1, that mid-game surge is basically the reason this didn't turn into an upset loss. Once the Orange offense settled in, Denver never really found an answer.
Zooming out to the season context, this was one of Syracuse's best offensive performances of the year. Their opponent-adjusted offensive efficiency checked in at 44%, a 100th-percentile outing for this team and better than all but one of their previous games. Just as important, they paired that high-end efficiency with elite ball security. Against a solid Denver defense, Syracuse posted an opponent-adjusted turnover rate of 20.5%, good for the 98th percentile. That's a big deal given the recent trend: they'd slipped to 28.8% over the prior three games (71st percentile) after opening the year at a pristine 19.7% (100th percentile). This game looked much more like the early-season version of the Orange—clean, poised, and efficient with the ball.
Defensively, the story was almost the mirror image. Syracuse got the win, but this was not one of their better days on that end. Their opponent-adjusted defensive efficiency landed at 36%, a 9th-percentile performance and the worst single-game mark of their season so far. A big piece of that was their inability to disrupt Denver's offense: the Orange forced an opponent-adjusted turnover rate of just 29.6%, which sits in the 29th percentile. That continues a downward trend from an early-season profile built on pressure (36.0% forced TO rate, 89th percentile) to something more middle-of-the-road over the last few games (31.6%, 51st percentile).
Some of that may be game state—when you're in a tight, back-and-forth contest, you can't always gamble as much defensively—but the numbers still point to a unit that wasn't as active or impactful as it's been at its best. For now, it reads as a warning sign more than a crisis: the offense is clearly good enough to win shootouts, but if Syracuse wants to live up to its favorite status against better opponents, the defense will need to rediscover that earlier, more disruptive form.
Bottom line: this was a hard-fought win that showed how good Syracuse's offense can be and how resilient they are. But it also showed their room for error gets small fast when the defense isn't forcing turnovers or getting stops.
via free Expected Goals Email March 17, 2026
Syracuse needed every bit of its offensive ceiling to escape Denver with a 13–12 win that was much tighter than the pregame numbers suggested. LaxElo had the Orange as clear favorites, but they spent a good chunk of the night chasing the game, down 2–1 with just a 32% win probability early in the second quarter. From that point on, though, the offense flipped a switch and ultimately carried them to 7–2 on the season.
The turning point was the stark split between the first quarter and everything after. In the opening 15 minutes, Syracuse's offense was stuck in neutral: 12.5% offensive efficiency and just 9% shooting. They were getting possessions but not turning them into real pressure, and Denver was able to dictate tempo and keep Syracuse from ever feeling in control.
From the start of the second quarter onward, it was a different story. Offensive efficiency jumped to 37.9%, and the shooting percentage climbed to 34%. That's not just “better finishing”; that's an offense consistently generating and converting quality looks. Given where the win probability sat at 2–1, that mid-game surge is basically the reason this didn't turn into an upset loss. Once the Orange offense settled in, Denver never really found an answer.
Zooming out to the season context, this was one of Syracuse's best offensive performances of the year. Their opponent-adjusted offensive efficiency checked in at 44%, a 100th-percentile outing for this team and better than all but one of their previous games. Just as important, they paired that high-end efficiency with elite ball security. Against a solid Denver defense, Syracuse posted an opponent-adjusted turnover rate of 20.5%, good for the 98th percentile. That's a big deal given the recent trend: they'd slipped to 28.8% over the prior three games (71st percentile) after opening the year at a pristine 19.7% (100th percentile). This game looked much more like the early-season version of the Orange—clean, poised, and efficient with the ball.
Defensively, the story was almost the mirror image. Syracuse got the win, but this was not one of their better days on that end. Their opponent-adjusted defensive efficiency landed at 36%, a 9th-percentile performance and the worst single-game mark of their season so far. A big piece of that was their inability to disrupt Denver's offense: the Orange forced an opponent-adjusted turnover rate of just 29.6%, which sits in the 29th percentile. That continues a downward trend from an early-season profile built on pressure (36.0% forced TO rate, 89th percentile) to something more middle-of-the-road over the last few games (31.6%, 51st percentile).
Some of that may be game state—when you're in a tight, back-and-forth contest, you can't always gamble as much defensively—but the numbers still point to a unit that wasn't as active or impactful as it's been at its best. For now, it reads as a warning sign more than a crisis: the offense is clearly good enough to win shootouts, but if Syracuse wants to live up to its favorite status against better opponents, the defense will need to rediscover that earlier, more disruptive form.
Bottom line: this was a hard-fought win that showed how good Syracuse's offense can be and how resilient they are. But it also showed their room for error gets small fast when the defense isn't forcing turnovers or getting stops.
JeremyCuse
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LACROSSE REFERENCE
via free Expected Goals Email March 17, 2026
Recap: Syracuse vs Denver
Syracuse needed every bit of its offensive ceiling to escape Denver with a 13–12 win that was much tighter than the pregame numbers suggested. LaxElo had the Orange as clear favorites, but they spent a good chunk of the night chasing the game, down 2–1 with just a 32% win probability early in the second quarter. From that point on, though, the offense flipped a switch and ultimately carried them to 7–2 on the season.
The turning point was the stark split between the first quarter and everything after. In the opening 15 minutes, Syracuse's offense was stuck in neutral: 12.5% offensive efficiency and just 9% shooting. They were getting possessions but not turning them into real pressure, and Denver was able to dictate tempo and keep Syracuse from ever feeling in control.
From the start of the second quarter onward, it was a different story. Offensive efficiency jumped to 37.9%, and the shooting percentage climbed to 34%. That's not just “better finishing”; that's an offense consistently generating and converting quality looks. Given where the win probability sat at 2–1, that mid-game surge is basically the reason this didn't turn into an upset loss. Once the Orange offense settled in, Denver never really found an answer.
Zooming out to the season context, this was one of Syracuse's best offensive performances of the year. Their opponent-adjusted offensive efficiency checked in at 44%, a 100th-percentile outing for this team and better than all but one of their previous games. Just as important, they paired that high-end efficiency with elite ball security. Against a solid Denver defense, Syracuse posted an opponent-adjusted turnover rate of 20.5%, good for the 98th percentile. That's a big deal given the recent trend: they'd slipped to 28.8% over the prior three games (71st percentile) after opening the year at a pristine 19.7% (100th percentile). This game looked much more like the early-season version of the Orange—clean, poised, and efficient with the ball.
Defensively, the story was almost the mirror image. Syracuse got the win, but this was not one of their better days on that end. Their opponent-adjusted defensive efficiency landed at 36%, a 9th-percentile performance and the worst single-game mark of their season so far. A big piece of that was their inability to disrupt Denver's offense: the Orange forced an opponent-adjusted turnover rate of just 29.6%, which sits in the 29th percentile. That continues a downward trend from an early-season profile built on pressure (36.0% forced TO rate, 89th percentile) to something more middle-of-the-road over the last few games (31.6%, 51st percentile).
Some of that may be game state—when you're in a tight, back-and-forth contest, you can't always gamble as much defensively—but the numbers still point to a unit that wasn't as active or impactful as it's been at its best. For now, it reads as a warning sign more than a crisis: the offense is clearly good enough to win shootouts, but if Syracuse wants to live up to its favorite status against better opponents, the defense will need to rediscover that earlier, more disruptive form.
Bottom line: this was a hard-fought win that showed how good Syracuse's offense can be and how resilient they are. But it also showed their room for error gets small fast when the defense isn't forcing turnovers or getting stops.
Real nice breakdown by Lax reference. The point on teh turnovers is a good one, SU was much better yesterday. On the other hand their point about the defense is also correct, although I think you have to take into account the 3 goal EMO nonsense. Still they are correct, needed the D to be better but they at least were there late when it counted the most.
GoSU96
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That’s true for every team in every sport.
MadNY3
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Next season? I want the natty in a couple months. Not worried about next year until the offseason!
DoctahLexus
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Man that was chaotic. I needed to take a chill pill after that one. Too much stress for a Monday night! With the dust settled I think there were a lot of great things in last night's game. Offense in 6v6 had their best game of the year. Even before the shots started falling we were moving the ball with purpose and getting clean open looks. Manning is a legit goalie but he could not handle all that pressure for long. He bailed them out on a ton of wide open shots. Denver plays a slightly unorthodox defense with a lot of guys packed in, but we still drew the slides, rotated the ball quickly and cleanly, and made the open shots count down the stretch. This is the type of performance we needed to have some confidence in the O with the new faces and guys in larger roles. We have not quite put it all together yet, but that performance against a top defense gives me a lot more faith in the O going forward. Looked more like it did at it's best in some of our 24/25 games. Intimidating dodging plus excellent ball movement.
Other good stuff was the minimal turnovers (10) and only one failed clear against the 10 man ride. Again areas that have been cause for concern at times, but looked very clean last night. We are still a team that turns the ball over less than 99% of teams in the country, even if it feels like the opposite for some stretches. 6v6 defense was also quality. Majority of Denver's goals were either man up or unsettled/in transition. That shut down defense with the game on the line late was excellent. I have given Dwan crap at times and still do not like some of his decisions, but he is having a killer year eliminating his match-up 1v1. He moves so well for his size. If he stays healthy the Figgy-Dwan duo is about as lethal as any in the country.
Other good stuff was the minimal turnovers (10) and only one failed clear against the 10 man ride. Again areas that have been cause for concern at times, but looked very clean last night. We are still a team that turns the ball over less than 99% of teams in the country, even if it feels like the opposite for some stretches. 6v6 defense was also quality. Majority of Denver's goals were either man up or unsettled/in transition. That shut down defense with the game on the line late was excellent. I have given Dwan crap at times and still do not like some of his decisions, but he is having a killer year eliminating his match-up 1v1. He moves so well for his size. If he stays healthy the Figgy-Dwan duo is about as lethal as any in the country.
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Gettysbrg10
Walk On
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I really enjoy reading the entire in-game discussion board after the game (as long as we win) - the emotional up and downs, the H0T Takes, the rage...it's phenomenal. It's my version of a Danielle Steel novel.
agreed
JeremyCuse
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You should be there live, nothing better as long as the outcome is good.
ColdAnger
Walk On
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Thought the O coaches and the diversity of scoring in this game were phenomenal:
- adjusted to feature Rhoa from dangerous spots
- made space for Anderson to iso with Denver reluctant to slide off of shooters
- made adjustment on wing with Hottle against a slower pole and it resulted in a goal
- McIntee with a strong alley dodge
- Still found ways for Finn to work inside
- Tucker with the old school overhand bouncer
- Dwan with the green light against the ten man
- Joey being the alpha and getting the 13th on a physical iso dodge at just the right moment to stop the bleeding
Signs of an offense that is finding itself, with lots of different ways to score. I’m encouraged
- adjusted to feature Rhoa from dangerous spots
- made space for Anderson to iso with Denver reluctant to slide off of shooters
- made adjustment on wing with Hottle against a slower pole and it resulted in a goal
- McIntee with a strong alley dodge
- Still found ways for Finn to work inside
- Tucker with the old school overhand bouncer
- Dwan with the green light against the ten man
- Joey being the alpha and getting the 13th on a physical iso dodge at just the right moment to stop the bleeding
Signs of an offense that is finding itself, with lots of different ways to score. I’m encouraged
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OrangeXtreme
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OrangeXtreme
The Mayor of Dewitt
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Live thread me is borderline 48 hour state mandated psychiatric hold kind of commentary
Laxfanshutt
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Syracuse vs Denver | 2026 Lacrosse Highlights
