Harvard Gameday…

[Powellfan]

Just my two cents, but the more I think about the more I think SU was flat to start the game. Many will say how can you say that be after losing to Harvard earlier this season? But it’s human nature to have some type of hangover after winning a league title. SU just looked slow and a little uninspired until it got behind by several goals. Harvard’s ride, of course was a menace we had trouble solving and its defense was well prepared 6 on 6. But we were flat and Harvard came out inspired, and we had to dog ourselves a huge hole before we could find our intensity.

It was a weird start to the game for sure. Harvard wins the first face-off, which I don't think many were expecting, then they score immediately. Then if I remember correctly, Syracuse has a poor possession, Harvard scores again. Syracuse then gets the ball back, and works for an excellent skip pass (Hiltz?) to Leo who has a wide open look. It's a nice save by the Harvard goalie, and it felt like we were transported back to the second half of the first Harvard game. Seemed like after that play the energy just got sucked out of the SU team. That dreaded, "here we go again" refrain. The team looked tight and panicked the rest of the first half.

I'm still not sure what Harvard was doing on defense that gave SU such a headache. If I have time I'll have to go back and watch the game. I know they shorted the attack a few times, especially Hiltz, but that's not something the team is unaccustomed to. But the SU offense just looked completely discombobulated. The spacing was really poor, and the ball was certainly not spinning like it usually does. Despite the face-off advantage, (9-3 in the first half), both teams took the same amount of shots (19). Nine of Harvard's were on goal, only six for SU. So it wasn't like they were peppering the goalie, or just missing their shots - they weren't even getting that many off, given the possession advantage. Maybe it was post ACC hangover, or graduation distractions, but this team was off to start the game.

Obviously Harvard did plenty to let SU back in the game, with their inability to win face-offs, and their penalties, but SU showed a lot of unselfishness in this game which fueled their comeback. It could have been easy for any number of players to try and pull off a "hero ball moment", and take selfish shots, but they just didn't. I can't help but think of Chuck Kuczyski's goal - Finn Thomson catches the ball on the right side of the goal in a fastbreak situation, in really good position to take a shot, but instead he sees the backup LSM who hasn't scored a goal in his entire college career, skips the ball through traffic and redshirt junior buries a not easy shot in the back of the cage. The team trusted each other and it led to a huge win.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Pretty sure they meant to say "Hiltz scores in OT to complete comeback"

Works either way.

 

[Powellfan]

Huge credit to the team for battling back. I owe a sincere apology to the team for my negative attitude yesterday (not that they care what I think). They showed real guts and determination for the way they played yesterday. Could have very easily hung it up and said it wasn't their day. But players who were struggling mightily yesterday, most prominently seniors Hiltz and English, kept with it, kept battling. Hiltz had the huge goal at the end obviously, and the filthy behind the back assist to Leo on the man-up. English had a late goal and also picked up a ridiculous seven groundballs. No matter what happens this season, these guys earned their place and the gratitude of all SU fans. We are all lucky to have each and everyone of them put on the Syracuse jersey. Well done.

 

[GoSU96]

FIFY

That’s what it looked like. That was definitely an issue in the old days

 

[GoSU96]

It was a weird start to the game for sure. Harvard wins the first face-off, which I don't think many were expecting, then they score immediately. Then if I remember correctly, Syracuse has a poor possession, Harvard scores again. Syracuse then gets the ball back, and works for an excellent skip pass (Hiltz?) to Leo who has a wide open look. It's a nice save by the Harvard goalie, and it felt like we were transported back to the second half of the first Harvard game. Seemed like after that play the energy just got sucked out of the SU team. That dreaded, "here we go again" refrain. The team looked tight and panicked the rest of the first half.

I'm still not sure what Harvard was doing on defense that gave SU such a headache. If I have time I'll have to go back and watch the game. I know they shorted the attack a few times, especially Hiltz, but that's not something the team is unaccustomed to. But the SU offense just looked completely discombobulated. The spacing was really poor, and the ball was certainly not spinning like it usually does. Despite the face-off advantage, (9-3 in the first half), both teams took the same amount of shots (19). Nine of Harvard's were on goal, only six for SU. So it wasn't like they were peppering the goalie, or just missing their shots - they weren't even getting that many off, given the possession advantage. Maybe it was post ACC hangover, or graduation distractions, but this team was off to start the game.

Obviously Harvard did plenty to let SU back in the game, with their inability to win face-offs, and their penalties, but SU showed a lot of unselfishness in this game which fueled their comeback. It could have been easy for any number of players to try and pull off a "hero ball moment", and take selfish shots, but they just didn't. I can't help but think of Chuck Kuczyski's goal - Finn Thomson catches the ball on the right side of the goal in a fastbreak situation, in really good position to take a shot, but instead he sees the backup LSM who hasn't scored a goal in his entire college career, skips the ball through traffic and redshirt junior buries a not easy shot in the back of the cage. The team trusted each other and it led to a huge win.

They packed it in on defense.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[FloridaCuse]

Actually it was bigger: down 6 vs. down 5. Is there a bigger one prior to 2008 or is last night's the biggest?

 

[ForCuseSake]

Not sure this belongs in the Harvard game thread, and don’t want to put it in the “Writing’s on the wall” discussion…

The staff needs better substitution box/personnel control. I don’t know how much their clearing and riding philosophies create such persistent confusion but they need a traffic cop near the box to help stop the weekly offsides fails. If they have one, he’s failing miserably.

It’s 100% coaching. No way guys who have played the sport for 10-15 years suddenly become confused about offsides rules.

I don’t know if the staff divvies up clearing responsibilities or if one assistant is solely responsible for Clearing. Whoever is in charge of Clearing needs personnel management support.

For me, failing that fundamental part of the game is the biggest red flag for a coaching staff.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Actually it was bigger: down 6 vs. down 5. Is there a bigger one prior to 2008 or is last night's the biggest?

We were down 7 to Hopkins in 1983.

 

[FloridaCuse]

We were down 7 to Hopkins in 1983.

Thanks!

 

[FloridaCuse]

 

[cusefan88]

I can't believe they turned it over right at the end too. Especially after what happened vs Duke.

The basic premise is that the team is incredibly inconsistent and have frequent mental lapses. If they played to their potential for 60mins it's a team that can win it all.

 

[36'sq.]

Syracuse better have a plan B for Princeton, as I doubt they'll win 24-4 in faceoffs. The Princeton guy dominated in the win over Towson.

And, I don't think you can complain about the refs in this one. A Harvard guy was horsecollared and tackled near the crease by a few Cuse players with under 2" and it wasn't called. The Dome would have gone bonkers if it was a Cuse player getting dragged down like that.

AND that was a weak call on Caccamo when he drew a penalty off that late GB. It looked like a clean body check to me, no need for a 30 second hold/push.

Syracuse vs. Princeton in the playoffs, this is making me feel like it's the mid-90s!!

 

[All4SU]

I don’t know anything about anything. But Harvard just seems more physical than SU. Hate to say that because, well, Harvard. But they give out their hits when they get the opportunity. We seem more finesse. We get a chance to level someone, and we stick check or bump. Rarely get good licks in.

Just the same, fun SU team to watch, and a great win.

 

[ForCuseSake]

I can't believe they turned it over right at the end too. Especially after what happened vs Duke.

The basic premise is that the team is incredibly inconsistent and have frequent mental lapses. If they played to their potential for 60mins it's a team that can win it all.

I wasn’t a fan of not running a regular man up to try to get a score after the penalty expired.

Worst case scenario you have personnel who may be better at moving the ball or shooting on a vacant net when Harvard would inevitably double the ball carrier.

Glad it worked out in the end but I generally loathe the over-coaching, take-the-foot-off-the-pedal approach.

 

[wgdsr]

These game day threads are pure gold. I don't usually read them until after the game and the H0T Takes and instant reactions to what's going on from play to play / goal to goal reads like a bi-polar case study. Keep it up lady's and gentlemen. One of my favorite parts of game day.

haha. and i thought the sabre was bad! this place is nutz. the takes! cuse homies get at least another game day thread in 2025.

 

[texascpa]

Guarantee that Harvard wins the faceoff and the game.

 

[Dcuse]

I wasn’t a fan of not running a regular man up to try to get a score after the penalty expired.

Worst case scenario you have personnel who may be better at moving the ball or shooting on a vacant net when Harvard would inevitably double the ball carrier.

Glad it worked out in the end but I generally loathe the over-coaching, take-the-foot-off-the-pedal approach.

Disagree. It was 100% the right thing to do. At some point your players that you trust the most have to be able to make good decisions and not lose the ball. Both English and Hiltz failed at this in the last 2 games. Blaming coaching when players screw up is getting SOOOOOO old.

 

[orange79]

We were down 7 to Hopkins in 1983.

Yep. 5-12 early 3rd, IIRC.

 

[ForCuseSake]

Disagree. It was 100% the right thing to do. At some point your players that you trust the most have to be able to make good decisions and not lose the ball. Both English and Hiltz failed at this in the last 2 games. Blaming coaching when players screw up is getting SOOOOOO old.

I’m didn’t blame the coaches for English losing the ball. I’m questioning why they took the ball away from their man up unit that was en fuego. Harvard couldn’t stop it in the fourth quarter; they were 4-6 on the day before that last flag.

English was a turnover machine yesterday full of bad decisions and sloppy passing.

The man up unit were the “players that you trust the most” who demonstrated repeatedly they were “able to make good decisions.”

 

[tbonezone]

I don’t know anything about anything. But Harvard just seems more physical than SU.

i took my wife to the game and she knows nothing about lax. her comment first half was "this is like grown men playing against boys " it was embarrassing. jumbotron kept showing the small patch of crimson fans celebrating . i'm not sure they could believe how easy it was. halftime i told her this looks really bad for us . but after those late unreleasables the crowd came slowly to life. soon they were on their feet every offensive possession cheering louder every goal. mullen winning each face-off so easily kept feeding the frenzy... and then the turnover/goal. what a buzzkill . thought the roof might deflate.
anyways if you like excitement this was an ending for the ages. as we walked down the hill there was a little girl doing cartwheels in the grass. i think that's how everybody felt inside.

 

[BillSU]

Well hopefully they come out of the gate more inspired next weekend because Princeton is better than Harvard and I'm not so sure they will be as forgiving if we decide to spot them a 6 goal lead in the 1st half.

Totally agree. The happy camper syndrome that was the team after winning the ACC was obviously evident in this game. 7-1, I thought Harvard was going to blow us up, but the guys found a way to get back in it and Hiltz won the game with his OT goal.

MVP though in my opinion was Face OFF specialist Mullen. Without him we wouldn't be going to play Princeton at Hofstra next week AND we 'd better play like we did in the 4th QTR of this game the whole game or we will not be going to any SEMIFINAL.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Disagree. It was 100% the right thing to do. At some point your players that you trust the most have to be able to make good decisions and not lose the ball. Both English and Hiltz failed at this in the last 2 games. Blaming coaching when players screw up is getting SOOOOOO old.

Agreed on this at least with English, can't blame staff there. Yes a goal would have been great but if Stevens makes a great save during the man up its Harvard ball with probably 40+ seconds left and they have a lot more time. English seemingly just dropped the ball when he was running around and right before or as he was about to be doubled. Gait could have taken a TO but I assume he was waiting for him to get into real trouble before using the TO. The only point I would make is that English did have a pretty good look at the open net as he ran down the side. I would have preferred him to shoot but there's cons with that plan as well.

Hiltz I think is more on the staff. Calling a TO in that location was mistake 1. Giving the ball to Hiltz after he just got done running around for 30 secs and not being a speed guy made little sense and was mistake 2. He was also starting off on a double while English was running free with the remainder of the penalty.

 

[SULAXAHOLIC]

Actually it was bigger: down 6 vs. down 5. Is there a bigger one prior to 2008 or is last night's the biggest?

What was the halftime deficit of the 83 final vs Hop I believe that was bigger then the UVA game

 

[orange79]

What was the halftime deficit of the 83 final vs Hop I believe that was bigger then the UVA game

5-12 early 3rd, IIRC.