Hopkins Gameday…

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[cusefan88]

It was only one FO but Angelo had a nice win late after the Hopkins goal. Helped stem any mo.

 

[Lax Mouse]

Let me save you the time. Doc has posted 446 times that a certain midfielder isn't getting the ball enough.

It's a good reminder of just how much I appreciate everyone over here on this board.

It's nice to have level headed conversations where people actually listen to each other.

 

[LpoolNative]

One of McCool’s better showings this season. Good win. 6 road games in a row is no joke an this was a quality win. Go Orange

 

[JeremyCuse]

Another good development, BU came back from trailing all game to win in OT over Lehigh

 

[Stealth4785]

Back from the game. Congrats to Cuse for a tough win.

Read through everything and lots of good points.

Both teams looked sloppy in warmups and it showed especially early in the game, but both teams looked sloppy throughout. Felt like both teams looked at the weather today and thought they'd rather watch Netflix in bed than play a lax game. Great crowd at Homewood. Stadium felt pretty full.

Neither team looked particularly great. Both defenses were pretty locked in and I thought both goalies has some really solid and timely saves throughout.

It evened out a bit but Hop was outshooting Cuse by a lot - just not putting many on cage.

Cuse D did really well matching feet with the Hopkins offense which then allowed them to optimize their clear size advantage. Collison got his yes but only 4 assists for JHU. That's a huge credit to this Orange defense. Hopkins was never going to win by dodging on this unit but Syracuse did an excellent job preventing the Jays from moving the ball around effectively.

The JHU defense plays hard and did well on individual matchups. Thought it could be a big game for Leo, McIntee, and Hahn and, well, lol. Can't always be right. But 8/12 goals were assisted for the Orange. That's a positive sign.

Hopkins plays a very slow, deliberate offense that is usually pretty efficient and it burns a lot of clock. My overall assessment of the offense is more positive than some following that game - they clearly had their eyes up more. There were long stretches when the orange O barely had the ball. Tough to get in a rhythm that way, but this won't be the last time they play a game that way. They'll have to learn to value possession and create efficiencies when they can't sling 50+ shots on cage. They are an excellent team with a time of possession advantage, but they need to learn how to be excellent when that is not the case.

Lastly, great performance by Joey. 4&3 vs a top 15 team. However - this was my first time seeing him play live in 2 years. It's wild to me how much more hot-headed he is in-person than what you can see on the TV. I think he actually cleaned it up and got his head together as the game went on, but man in that first half he's lucky he only got the one or two penalties. Lots of cheap shots away from the ball and very clearly trying to pick fights. I like Joey a lot, and he had a very good game, but Refs are going to get more and more wise to it if they aren't already. He's a senior. Gotta put that side of you away and be a leader.

Overall, this was a solid win. Hop plays a style of game that could've posed serious challenges for the Orange and they fought through it to get the win. Even after last week's epic comeback it never really felt like Syracuse's lead was in danger. Cuse's record is right around where I thought they'd be. Can't take this Colorado road trip lightly.

Regarding Joey,

While at Placid I watched him throw two separate punches in consecutive games that he didn’t get tossed for.

 

[cuselaxss26]

Joey def has to be leader n role model for younger guys n just isn’t doing it. Also he needs to be a feeder more than scoring. Take his shots when they come. But his best talent is feeding ball. Seem like vs ivies he trying to much to score rather then draw n feed. Penn n hop he fed ball n resulted in goals. Nice see rhoa with 2 feeds but def need more guys be able to see the open pass n then actually make that pass. Can’t rely on same couple guys need everyone to contribute if wanna make long may run.

 

[jr4750]

Of course, and you know I am having fun with some of you on this.

They went to the FF last year, team knows they cannot go backwards. And frankly as a program this might be it for a while.

Everyone they play is really good, this schedule is a bear, they of course need to figure out the third attack (and they're good enough to run through this gauntlet figuring it out on the fly).

What do you means as a program this might be it for a while? Last opportunity at the FF?

 

[Bayside44]

What do you means as a program this might be it for a while? Last opportunity at the FF?

It's going to be a lot to replace. Happy to see younger guys playing bigger roles.

 

[Laxfanshutt]

 

[JeremyCuse]

Man Virginia is a mess. Down 10-7 to Towson late 3rd

 

[JeremyCuse]

Make that 11-7

 

[LpoolNative]

Make that 11-7

Isn’t their defense horrendous?

 

[Orangefan1]

Great win today!

 

[OrangeinBoston]

Gait really didn't look all that happy at the press conference afterward. Maybe PO'd about the dumb penalties, offense not doing what it practiced?

 

[bjred]

Just finished watching and some thoughts I had.

The McCarthy move is a step in the right direction. Helps boost a unit that was struggling. Looked good clearing the ball as well. Wish he wouldn't run into the doubles but he did split 3 or 4 of them.

March and Gait need to decide who's playing where and stop yoyo-ing guys. Some have commented on it before and I agree that it probably doesn't help offensive flow when Anderson and Finn are at attack then the next game its Leo and Anderson then next its Leo and Finn. Decide the starting 6 and let them work together. I personally like the idea of swapping Leo and Anderson, and letting Anderson barrel out of the box.

I know its a pet peeve of some here and struck again today with guys slipping all over the field. Definitely contributed to a few of the turnovers and mistakes.

I think enough has been said about the offsides/sub box mistakes.

Was nice seeing them push a little more in transition, feels like that that was missing the past few games.

Commented last year or the year before about Joey's chirping and got told by a couple people I was a hater. He's a great player, personally I think he's being misused in this offense, but he also lets his emotions get the better of him and it's drawn flags. I know he's got a target, and has been the recipient of some extra curriculars, but he's gotta try to have a cooler head. Reminds me of when Solomon used to draw flags.

 

[Lax Mouse]

Just finished watching and some thoughts I had.

The McCarthy move is a step in the right direction. Helps boost a unit that was struggling. Looked good clearing the ball as well. Wish he wouldn't run into the doubles but he did split 3 or 4 of them.

March and Gait need to decide who's playing where and stop yoyo-ing guys. Some have commented on it before and I agree that it probably doesn't help offensive flow when Anderson and Finn are at attack then the next game its Leo and Anderson then next its Leo and Finn. Decide the starting 6 and let them work together. I personally like the idea of swapping Leo and Anderson, and letting Anderson barrel out of the box.

I know its a pet peeve of some here and struck again today with guys slipping all over the field. Definitely contributed to a few of the turnovers and mistakes.

I think enough has been said about the offsides/sub box mistakes.

Was nice seeing them push a little more in transition, feels like that that was missing the past few games.

Commented last year or the year before about Joey's chirping and got told by a couple people I was a hater. He's a great player, personally I think he's being misused in this offense, but he also lets his emotions get the better of him and it's drawn flags. I know he's got a target, and has been the recipient of some extra curriculars, but he's gotta try to have a cooler head. Reminds me of when Solomon used to draw flags.

Agree about the personnel on offense. I think Leo on attack is the right call as do a few folks here I think. It'll take him some time to settle into that role and the offense to find it's footing but a) once they do, it'll be a much stronger unit and b) they'll never find a rhythm anyway if they keep switching.

I know both Leo and Anderson didn't have their best days but I was definitely more underwhelmed by Anderson today. Watching him in person, he just seemed a little tentative and wasn't that threatening with the ball in his stick. He's got all the talent and time to turn that around though. Gotta have a growth mindset, this offense will be more or less his next year. How can he contribute, learn, and develop this year?

Joey seemingly reined in the attitude and problematic actions after the first half. Wonder if someone had a word with him after his second penalty. They don't need that from him. He doesn't need to do that to be great. Be a leader. He has it in him.

Glad he turned it around a bit but it was definitely jarring to see in person to say the least.

 

[MD Cuse Fan]

After watching some extended highlights I loved seeing some transition goals, let's have more of that please! For someone of his size, how Dwan gets lost down on the offensive end of the field is wild.
They haven't needed him that much yet, but is anyone else concerned about Anderson so far this season? I know he's playing with a lot of seasoned seniors but damn I really expected him to be more noticeable out there, maybe he's just doing what he's being asked to do but really hope het gets going.

 

[cuselaxss26]

After watching some extended highlights I loved seeing some transition goals, let's have more of that please! For someone of his size, how Dwan gets lost down on the offensive end of the field is wild.
They haven't needed him that much yet, but is anyone else concerned about Anderson so far this season? I know he's playing with a lot of seasoned seniors but damn I really expected him to be more noticeable out there, maybe he's just doing what he's being asked to do but really hope het gets going.

Agree he needs to step it up. But also feel everyone does. Feel lately been more rhoa joey finn last two games along with dwan instead of a nice balance scoring. Gotta have other guys get going for this offense to really be a threat n get in groove. Think if other guys like hottle hahn mcintee bear n leo (consistently ) get going will help not only O finding groove but defenses won’t really know how to play us. To many guys hanging on outside no off ball movement no cuts or offball picks. Gotta be a full team effort.

 

[Faegan]

After watching some extended highlights I loved seeing some transition goals, let's have more of that please! For someone of his size, how Dwan gets lost down on the offensive end of the field is wild.
They haven't needed him that much yet, but is anyone else concerned about Anderson so far this season? I know he's playing with a lot of seasoned seniors but damn I really expected him to be more noticeable out there, maybe he's just doing what he's being asked to do but really hope het gets going.

Give him time. He's had flashes.

 

[SUlax88-09]

Shout out to the entire ssdm core, outstanding game. Not tooting my own horn here but McCarthy looks outstanding whwre he belongs at ssdm. Can clear it and has looked very good. This team probably is 5-1 if he was moved sooner.

Nice call with McCarthy!

My thoughts of the team so far this year:

Offense- Spallina has been masterful this year (I was worried his goose egg against Princeton may cost him the Tewaarton but maybe not; I’ve been very critical of him since his opening game stinker as a freshman but he’s been great this year!), Thomson is an incredible finisher (although his box lacrosse late checks/slashes that draw penalties are annoying), Leo is a stud, and Hottle and Anderson have been great. What to do with Leo and Anderson though? I like Leo and Anderson both more at attack, but Andersen looks lost at middie, where as Leo can play middie. Hmm. That’s a question we’ll need to figure out in order to maximize our offense because if we don’t win a chip this year, it’ll be because of the offense…

Defense- Excellent overall, Beck is a significant drop off compared with Michael Grace, but our SSDMs of Bowen, McCarthy, and Kittelberg are solid (Jake Spallina hurts us more than he helps us, I’m very relieved that Ochoa is out of the rotation, and they should take Hahn out of the SSDM rotation, too), and Bolognino is much better at LSM then when he tried to play SSDM

Special teams- Man Up looks good, Man Down looks good (glad we stopped the Junkyard Dog Man Down gimick), McCool is our MVP, and Mullen hasn’t been great but he’s the one player on the team that cannot get hurt (we can’t win a chip if he gets hurt because we have no real back-up FOGO)

Go Cuse Lax! Princeton already beat us (pretty badly, too), Richmond looks really good (I think they were the 2nd best team last year), and Notre Dame, Penn State, and Duke all look strong, but if we can get our offense going, then we can play with anyone. Let’s put our chips ‘all in’ this year because this will be our best chance for a While to win a chip. The cupboard is pretty bare when this senior class graduates

 

[SkyTopBus44]

Man Virginia is a mess. Down 10-7 to Towson late 3rd

@college_crosse on X “On April 14, 2024, Virginia was 10-1 and the #2 team in the country. They'd won 2 of the last 4 national titles, been to 3 of the last 4 Final Fours

They are 11-16 since that date. The wins are HPU (2x), SBU, Colgate (2x) Lafayette, Utah, Albany, Towson, and 2 NCAAT wins in '24”

As rob mulligan replied since Sean Kirwan left for the HC at Dartmouth the Wahoos have struggled. I was expecting more from Dartmouth this season and if Kirwan flames out in Hanover, he should be number 1 on many lists for their OC.