Hopkins Preview (3/7/26)

[Powellfan]

I'll start off by saying I'm not the best person to kick this off, since I turned off the Princeton game at halftime and didn't watch the Penn game. But I'd like to hear what others have to say. Big game with the Blue Jays, as both teams are coming off big comebacks on the road. Both will probably feel like they have the momentum.

On offense, the Jays deploy two shiftier attackmen in Jimmy Ayers and Charlie Iller to pair with finisher Hunter Chauvette. If I remember correctly the Orange shifted Billy Dwan up to the midfield to take on Matt Collison last season. Figuerias guarded Iller last year, but so far Ayers is having the better season for the Blue Jays. I am guessing that Beck will stick to Chauvette who just went off for six goals against UVA. The Jays midfield is very good with brothers of Syracuse players joining Collison on the first line. Jays don't have much depth though, so trying to run the first unit ragged should be a priority.

On offense, have to hope the Orange have figured things out with a week off. Hopkins made a goalie switch last week which ignited things. Which Syracuse team will show up? Need to shoot the ball well and frankly, have a better game plan. I don't have a ton to say here, guys just need to play better. Hopefully they've nailed down who is playing attack and who is at midfield. I'm more in favor of Leo playing attack, but I haven't seen the last game and a half, so others are better informed there.

Big questions at face-off. Joe Hobot has been pretty good for Hopkins, but he's missed the last two games. They were shelled vs UNC but bounced back vs UVA. Who gets the start? For the Orange, can John Mullen find his mojo? Feels very important that he bounce back, and soon.

Big game for the Orange. If they can finish this road trip with three more wins, then the season is back on track. If they slip up vs Hopkins, then questions will really start to pop up. This Hopkins team is good, but at least on paper, despite it being a road game, the Orange should win this one. Fingers crossed.

 

[ColdAnger]

I've really enjoyed the previews, so I'll take a shot at one. Hope you find it an enjoyable, informative read.

No. 10 Syracuse heads to Homewood Field on Saturday for a mid‑March measuring stick against a battle‑tested Johns Hopkins team that has made a habit of living in one‑goal games the last two seasons. This is the 64th meeting between the sport’s two winningest programs, with the series sitting at 29‑32‑1 in favor of Hopkins and the last 10 games split 5‑5. For Syracuse, the trip comes in the heart of a tough road schedule that already includes heavyweight non‑conference foes.

Hopkins, under Peter Milliman, has rebuilt itself into a top‑15 regular with a profile built on defensive discipline and close‑game experience. For the Orange, a road win at Homewood is the kind of résumé line that matters in May seeding but also a chance to restore momentum after a couple of Ivy League losses. Hopkins has leaned into low‑margin games, with a defense that keeps opponents in the single digits or low teens and an offense that is efficient rather than explosive, posting shot percentages over 30 percent in early‑season 2026 numbers. They’re comfortable grinding six‑on‑six, trusting their units to win long possessions rather than turning games into track meets.

Syracuse’s identity, historically, is ball movement and pace—attacking early in the clock, stressing matchups with rapid re‑dodge sequences, and using their midfield to keep pressure on short‑sticks. When SU has bogged down in this matchup (including stretches of the 2025 game), it’s been when they’ve settled for isolation dodges against set Hopkins matchups instead of forcing rotation and attacking poor approaches.

Matchups to watch

• Hopkins big middies vs. SU short‑sticks: Hopkins’ offense features size and downhill dodging from guys like Matt Collison and a comfort in the invert or two-man sets with heavy picks. If Syracuse’s SSDMs are forced to slide late or over‑help, Hopkins has shown the patience to skip to the backside and finish from 10–12 yards.
• Orange attack vs. Hopkins close D: The Blue Jays’ close unit—anchored by pole Quenton Kilrain—is physical on‑ball and disciplined in two‑man games, which can blunt SU’s preferred motion if the ball sticks too long. Syracuse’s attack will need to embrace “good to great” shots and accept that the first matchup win isn’t always the one to score.

Keys for Syracuse

1. Win the tempo battle
   SU has to keep this closer to a 14–11 type game than a 10–9 rock fight. If this stalls into four‑minute Hopkins possessions and late‑clock shots, it plays directly into Milliman’s comfort zone.
2. Be ruthless in shot selection
   Hopkins’ defensive efficiency comes from forcing you into low‑angle step‑downs and contested alley looks, then clearing cleanly. For Syracuse, the bar has to be “one‑more” to find the great shots; anything else effectively plays into Hopkins’ game management strategy.
3. Handle the situational moments
   So many Hopkins games end in one goal that you can almost assume a tight fourth quarter, and they’ve lived those reps repeatedly. Syracuse needs to be intentional about two‑for‑one end‑of‑quarter situations, subbing patterns after turnovers, offsides penalties and not giving Hopkins the cheap EMO that swings a possession game.

Syracuse brings the higher offensive ceiling; Hopkins brings more proof that they can win when every possession is magnified, and that tension has defined the recent chapters of this rivalry as much as the old May classics did.

For the Orange, the challenge is that this isn’t a talent gap game—it’s a details and identity game: if Syracuse plays with the same formula it used against Maryland, this is a very real opportunity to grab a statement road win at Homewood.

 

[DoctahLexus]

Hop has looked a little better this year with the overly aggressive sliding in the games I have seen. UVA looked more like the team sliding all over the place and giving up goals as a result in their game. New SSDM faces seem decent. But they also have not faced a team with the midfield weapons that we have. UNC and UVA are more sink or swim based on how their attack is doing. Towson and Loyola are lower level teams that do not reveal much. Leo Rhoa Hottle and McIntee are all very strong off the dodge. Hahn is no slouch either. Whoever is getting the short stick in that crew needs to make hop pay.

And can we do more to create goal opportunities from those slides to midfielders? I would say everything looked decent in that category before this past weekend, but it was a total nightmare in terms of spacing and ball movement these last two games. As I have said earlier, this year we seem to be doing a worse job of putting ourselves in positions to score after matchups draw slides. That has to improve as it has been our main way of getting an upper hand on hop these last couple years. March has to earn that paycheck and prove this weekend was closer to a fluke/mainly the fault of our seniors making bonehead plays and turnovers. Tired of seeing us draw double teams and doing nothing with it since we are not making teams pay with our spacing. That has been our main asset every year leading up to this one. It cannot slow down now or heads will roll.

Ball movement has been an issue with no more Hiltz on the attack line. We have one guy leading the team in assists this year and he is not even on the field full time. Really hope the staff makes the right call and puts leo on the left wing. I am more open for debate on if Anderson or Thomson should play in the middle on attack, but Anderson is really not giving us what we need on the left wing. Leo will draw more attention with his speed and be quicker when looking to pass.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Been meaning to get something out but it's been one of those weeks.

SU's tough stretch of opponents continues with Hopkins who is a very solid squad and will present a # of issues. I have watched a # of Hopkins games this year (at least parts of them) though I won't claim to be an expert on them, lol.

Hobot as Powell noted has missed the last two games and appears unlikely to play on Saturday. If he does give it a go it's hard to believe he will be close to 100% as it appears he has a high ankle sprain.

Hopkins offense is unusual in that it's mostly predicated on ball movement. They still have players who can dodge for goals in Iler, Collison, Ayers etc but it's not how they prefer to operate. As Powell noted SU bumped Dwan to cover Collison last year, I wouldn't be shocked if they did it again even with Chuck K fully healthy at LSM. Dwan gave Collison a lot of problems as he only scored 1 goal in the 6 on 6 and that was in the 4th qtr (other goal was a man up look). Chauvette is a hell of a shooter but SU unlike UVA has rarely allowed him time and room looks. He shot 1 of 8 last year and I suspect SU will employ a similar strategy. Chauvette has zero assists on the year and isn't really much of a dodger but much like Hiltz if you let him get his hands free he will rip it. Good example, last week against UVA he got the ball with a UVA guy on him but not pressing out, he made a move just to get his hands free and ripped an upper cage shot for a goal. I assume this will be Beck covering, he has to stay on his hands and should not slide unless absolutely necessary.

Iller gave SU a lot of trouble last year as he got the start for the injured attackmen (guy no at OSU name escapes me) and had 3 goals plus an assist. He's quick and can really cause problems dodging from X. Figueiras I think got caught off guard in the match up last year, I suspect he will be more prepared for this matchup. That would leave Chuck K on Ayers. I think this would be a better matchup then Beck as Ayers is listed 5'9 (I don't think he's even that) and is more a shifty guy that Chuck is used to covering at LSM. Rawson and English will definitely present some issues going against shorties. English has been mostly a feeder with 11 assists this year but only 2 goals. I think this is where moving McCarthy could really pay off, he looked good vs Penn and I think would draw English.

I'll preface this by saying this could age really badly on Saturday but I think SU defensively matches up pretty well with Hopkins. Despite the struggles since the Maryland game Defensively SU has played pretty well save for maybe the last 7 mins of the Harvard game. Teams that have hurt SU have been able to do it off the dodge unassisted that's not really Hopkins game. Again not saying SU is gonna dominate defensively but on paper at least they do match up fairly well. I think Hopkins is likely to push transition whenever they can (they did a good job of this vs Towson and UVA) and will look to cause havoc in the ride to generate additional chances. Hopkins has some young players on that 2nd line who have shown some flashes and I believe has even run a 3rd line at times but my assumption is they will run the 1st line a lot. Like most years vs Hop SU has to limit the EMO chances for Hopkins which will be a challenge as we have seen the last few weeks.

Offensively for SU it's a bit of a mixed bag. Hopkins defense has looked a lot like SU's offense. Very good at times and puzzling at others. Kilrain or Brown will draw Spallina just not sure who. If I had to guess I'd say Kilrain only because he struggles with speed guys and is more built for this type of matchup but I could see Brown to. Both are pretty good defenders so Joey will have his hands full. I doubt Hopkins will try and short Finn Thomson, they have a very good SSDM in DicCicco so they could try but I don't see it because SU will just bump down Leo. SU's secondary guys are going to need to have good games, that means Bear, Hottle, Rhoa etc. Leo will surely draw the pole at middie. I do like the SU strategy of keeping Leo out there at all times and sort of subbing around him. McIntee needs to take advantage of the short stick matchup he will draw the entire game. Hop like most teams has issues at SSDM depth, expect SU to attack there especially when DicCicco is out. Need a good shooting day from Rhoa, he will most likely see a short stick and should get some decent looks. Lost in Leo's game winning goal on Sunday was that it was initiated off a Rhoa dodge from behind cage, something we rarely have seen.

As ColdAnger noted SU has to be careful not to take a bunch of OK/bad shots early in the shot clock, will play right into Hopkins hands. I think SU also needs to getting Bear going, he has to be a man cog in this offense. I suspect SU will really try and attack through the midfield especially if Leo plays mid the entire game.

This is a tough game to get a read on as both teams have been up and down the last few weeks. Hopkins with a really nice comeback win vs UVA but they were also down a bunch to a less then stellar UVA team who for some reason went to a 10 man up big and sparked the Hopkins comeback. SU's offense has been all over the place the last few games and again has fallen back into the bad habits of the last 2 years, not valuing possessions, horrific unforced turnovers, just overall sloppy play.

Cuse has to clean up the undisciplined play. I feel like we say that almost every week but it just continues to haunt this team under Gait. Defense has played well and hopefully will continue to do so on Saturday. Mullen is clearly having issues with timing the whistle. Seemed to figure it out in the 4th qtr last week so hopefully he looks more like himself on Sat. He has to limit the violations with Angelos struggles behind him. Like most Hop/Cuse games I suspect were in for another very close game probably similar to last year where one of the teams pulls away slightly late. Hopkins likely to roll with Gelinas at goalie, gotta get him to early and let the doubt creep in, there's a reason he lost the job to a true freshman.

 

[Hoo's That]

Hope you guys don't spit the bit like we did.

 

[Lax Mouse]

As one of the few (only?) Hop+Cuse fans on this board, I've got to commend and echo all of the analysis above. Really good stuff.

I came into the season thinking this game would be a walk in the park for Cuse but things have certainly changed a bit. If the Orange play to their potential and play composed, they have the talent all over the field to pull away nicely. Not doing just that, of course, has been one of their bigger issues thus far this year.

Couple of thoughts from someone who has watched the Blue Jays live earlier this year (and is excited to watch this one in person). Hopkins plays hard. They hustle, play like a team, and generally play sharp and disciplined. They might not have the talent that the Orange do, but they make up for it in all the little ways that count. Despite what all the naysayers on the fanlax board like to complain about, Milliman is coaching the team fairly well all things considered.

The Blue Jays' ride is no joke. It's not a 10-man, but it's physical and opportunistic. One would think that all the teams Syracuse has played until now would help prepare them for it, but their responses so far this year to heavy rides has not been fully encouraging.

Their offense, as noted, runs through the midfield. Their top 3 assist givers are their three first line midfielders. Can't remember seeing a team where an attackman doesn't crack the top three this far into the season. The attack is good but can be limited. You saw in the UNC game really the recipe for success - physicality. Maybe the Jays have learned from that game but the Tarheels were on the Jays' hands and bodies throughout, and not just the ball carriers - the adjacent players too. The Jays are efficient and opportunistic. Someone is likely to burn you if you focus all your attention on the midfield but the hope is one guy going off is better than letting the team offense get into a groove. Hopkins has assisted on around 70% of their goals this season. If you start sliding, this offense really opens up. Their second midfield has a lot of potential but like Syracuse has seen some shuffling. They're still trying to figure out the best combo. Disque is a promising freshman - not as tall as Collison I think but another physical dodger.

Defensively there's some similarity to Cuse in that they've been playing slow to slide - not giving up a ton of assisted goals but certainly getting beaten 1x1 at times (perhaps more so than the Orange). Fanlax seems to think Brown will be on Spallina. We'll see. The shortsticks are definitely better for the Jays - DiCicco is a stud and I think their depth at the position has improved as the season has gone on. Lamitie looked really good in net until he didn't - Gelinas seems to have the mental fortitude needed but the position is definitely a question mark going into this weekend.

Hobot's availability is a question mark at the FO but it seems like they found someone in Kryszak last weekend. He did a great job mucking it up. I will say that the wings do seem to be an advantage for Hopkins. Cuse seems to still be tinkering with things there but Hop has a stable of LSMs (Eye, Hazard) and SSDMs (DiCicco, Burke) that really fight for it. If Mullen can win clean this could be a long day for JHU, but he could definitely get frustrated if the dot turns into a fight throughout the game.

I think some of the irony for Cuse is that they really need to work on their team offense and moving the ball around to set up assisted goals, but the Hopkins defense is more susceptible to losing isolated 1x1 matchups. Curious how Syracuse will aproach this game. A few of the JHU poles have been beaten clean with ease by some faster players this year - could be a big game for Leo. I might try and get McIntee or Hahn going early.

Defensively, I think Cuse has a bigger conundrum than Collison. Speed. Some combination of English, Rawson, Iler, and Ayers are going to get the 2 short sticks. They can all run by most of Syracuse's ssdm corps. Of those, English has been the most snakebitten with shooting but he's probably the best passer of the group.

I still feel like this is Cuse's game to lose, but Hopkins has all the tools and approaches to take advantage if Syracuse lacks discipline and energy. You'd hope the seniors on this team are really pushing improvement - this game will be huge for the Orange to show they can mature and turn the corner this season.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Can I just give a shout out to Brent here. I know some people have a love/hate relationship but the difference in his actual tough but fair questions vs the dudes from Newhouse is beyond night and day. I mean Brents asking about Johnny, moving McCarthy and the attack spot and we got these guys asking Gait abut his favorite Hopkins moment for the 5th year in a row. Who gives a shitt ask about the team.

I highly recommend joining Brents text group. Its like 4 bucks a month and you get updates inside tidbits and the ability to converse with him. I send him some questions I have every week for the Lax PC's and he at times will work with them in (I am sure he was thinking the same thing a lot of the time) and find it well worth the money.

 

[cuselaxss26]

Not that i thought would come up at all. As doubt any interviewers in this press was at penn game. But i said it before (as was at game) the crowd really seemed to get the guys back into. As he said hard to cheer when not making plays. The crowd was chanting “defense” when on D and “offense “ loud n clapping when on O mostly the middle of third thru end of game.

i could be totally off my rocker thinking it had or did any kind of affect on players. But kinda like to think the players took the cuse faithful getting loud for them , help calm them and realize they are better then we’re doing n that they are good n it helped them least gut out that ugly win. As said there wasn’t much from penn crowd even when winning. The cuse fans for time period i said we’re up n cheering even when didn’t score or save just sending positive vibes.

 

[nocohalo]

I say often because it applies more so in lacrosse: Past performance does not yield future results. This especially applies to this team. Playing well one game does not automatically translate to the next and vice/versa. And of course applies to the opponent.

That is to say, I have no idea how the game will go. Massey has Cuse as a 1 goal favorite which means I will not be surprised by any result close or blow out.

 

[cuselaxss26]

The freshman goalie for hopkins lamitie or whatever didn’t think he played to be pulled. He was pulled when it was 4-1 i believe. Which 2 of the goals he let in were off broken/ transition with shooters wide open. But believe was 4-1 when he got flagged n never came back. At the time don’t think the D was helping it out much at all. Mean genlias or whatever played good when came in. Just thought point out the freshman wasn’t really getting lit up before pulled. Also think the flag on him was little soft. As seem like attack was either trying to hit him or gonna run into him n he stiffen up to ease blow but accidently came with little more elbow.

Now as for points on this game and what cuse has to do to win. Think it’s very simple
play better play with heart n hustle n be calmly aggressive. It’s time for them to get out their funk man the hell up n start playing some Syracuse men’s lacrosse.

 

[kismet35]

That was a sad and semi depressing presser for some reason...I had to watch it twice.

 

[kismet35]

All good stuff above!

Not much more to add. Syracuse definitely has the edge, but to pull this off, they’ve got to execute cleanly in all three zones. Also, they have to get out of their own heads and play to their true caliber. There’s gotta be a PhD student at Falk itching to work with the team…

We need to own possession, win the faceoffs (middle of the field), and control every ground ball to set the tempo.

On offense, they’ve got to attack with purpose and make every shot count. Crisp ball movement (move their feet), hit their cuts, and take advantage of favorable match-ups. Protecting the ball is huge...

Defensively, they’ve got to lock it down, especially with their middies, communicate, and give McCool every chance to stand tall.

Set the pace, play physical, and push the tempo. If we play confident, smart, and like the team we know they are, we can control the game.

On a side note: weather looks kinda warm, maybe no rain, around 59°. Hopefully the field drains well and isn’t slick.

Go Cuse!

 

[upst8]

Would love to see the Orange offense get back to using razor picks on GLE/the low wing. Feel like Joey and Leo love to dodge from those spots but haven't had a ton of success getting their hands free. Use Finn as the pick man and force the defense to navigate from somewhere other than X. Feel like they used that space a lot more in previous years with some solid success.

Although I'd rather Gait give some info on how they're adjusting in the 6v6 to create more opportunities, I do agree with his emphasis on transition. Especially to get a spark and loosen the offense up. They have looked very tense the past few games, forcing & getting too deep into dodges etc. Maybe some success in transition will get them back to making quick, decisive plays in settled O. One can hope...

Either way, think we are in for a tight one tomorrow. Just feels like these teams will play each other close.

 

[Lax Mouse]

Would love to see the Orange offense get back to using razor picks on GLE/the low wing. Feel like Joey and Leo love to dodge from those spots but haven't had a ton of success getting their hands free. Use Finn as the pick man and force the defense to navigate from somewhere other than X. Feel like they used that space a lot more in previous years with some solid success.

Although I'd rather Gait give some info on how they're adjusting in the 6v6 to create more opportunities, I do agree with his emphasis on transition. Especially to get a spark and loosen the offense up. They have looked very tense the past few games, forcing & getting too deep into dodges etc. Maybe some success in transition will get them back to making quick, decisive plays in settled O. One can hope...

Either way, think we are in for a tight one tomorrow. Just feels like these teams will play each other close.

Not to keep harping on this but I'd love to see them use picks to set up more passing lanes and ball movement.

I think it's very clear that they're using picks to get Joey's or whoever's hands free and in a good goal scoring position or to change matchups. That definitely works sometimes. But that's pretty predictable after a point. Get the hands free from some pick action, who's cutting to space as the defense tries to get back into position? How's the rest of the team moving to make sure the pick doesn't lead to a quick double team or moving in a way that allows them to take advantage of it if it comes?

 

[upst8]

Not to keep harping on this but I'd love to see them use picks to set up more passing lanes and ball movement.

I think it's very clear that they're using picks to get Joey's or whoever's hands free and in a good goal scoring position or to change matchups. That definitely works sometimes. But that's pretty predictable after a point. Get the hands free from some pick action, who's cutting to space as the defense tries to get back into position? How's the rest of the team moving to make sure the pick doesn't lead to a quick double team or moving in a way that allows them to take advantage of it if it comes?

Yeah, my comment was less about using picks in general and more about the location of said picks. And I couldn't agree more, the cutting from the off-ball players needs to be more effective.

 

[Lax Mouse]

IL seems to think Dwan will be covering Chauvette. I'm not crazy right, that would make little sense considering the matchups?

 

[JeremyCuse]

IL seems to think Dwan will be covering Chauvette. I'm not crazy right, that would make little sense considering the matchups?

Makes almost zero sense.

 

[JeremyCuse]

I mean look in a perfect world Dwan on Chauvette would be something SU would do but it would make much more sense to bump him up to Collison again or take the other dodging attackmen Ayers. Only scenario I could see this happening is if SU feels Chuck K can match up well with Collison and they think Beck can cover Ayers. So I guess theoretically it's possible but hard to see SU doing that unless Chauvette starts killing the initial matchup.

 

[Lax Mouse]

I mean look in a perfect world Dwan on Chauvette would be something SU would do but it would make much more sense to bump him up to Collison again or take the other dodging attackmen Ayers. Only scenario I could see this happening is if SU feels Chuck K can match up well with Collison and they think Beck can cover Ayers. So I guess theoretically it's possible but hard to see SU doing that unless Chauvette starts killing the initial matchup.

Chauvette does have more of an ability to move his feet than some realize (he's not just a catch and shoot player) but still, the biggest thing in covering him is just not leaving him alone or hands free. Simple as it sounds.

He does well to find space so you've got to keep track of him. And he's scored a number of goals this year while covered but not being pressed. I think any of Cuse's poles could be up to the task - it's more of a mental assignment than anything else. Naturally the mental game seems to be an area where this team has unfortunately struggled a bit.

 

[DoctahLexus]

Chauvette does have more of an ability to move his feet than some realize (he's not just a catch and shoot player) but still, the biggest thing in covering him is just not leaving him alone or hands free. Simple as it sounds.

He does well to find space so you've got to keep track of him. And he's scored a number of goals this year while covered but not being pressed. I think any of Cuse's poles could be up to the task - it's more of a mental assignment than anything else. Naturally the mental game seems to be an area where this team has unfortunately struggled a bit.

I would not say that is true for the defense though. They have held their own against some very tough offenses this year. Can't do that without somewhat limiting the mental mistakes. We have one of the most efficient defenses in the country right now.

 

[Gettysbrg10]

For my own mental health, I took a short rumspringa from Syracuse lacrosse and this message board...after debating for days which life path to take, I'm back. I am ready to hurt again.

Also, if the team didn't help John Mullen find a slumpbuster this week then I don't know if this team cares about winning. Go Orange.

 

[cusefan88]

I asked my buddy who got me into lacrosse if teams have a wing FO strategy. He said of course. I would like to see something resembling that for Cuse tomorrow.

 

[Lax Mouse]

I would not say that is true for the defense though. They have held their own against some very tough offenses this year. Can't do that without somewhat limiting the mental mistakes. We have one of the most efficient defenses in the country right now.

You're right, I'm being a little unfair to the defense. Generally they have shown a lot of maturity and poise this year, especially compared to the other side of the field.

Will that poise and mental acuity remain if Hopkins gets them spinning around? We'll see.

 

[DoctahLexus]

You're right, I'm being a little unfair to the defense. Generally they have shown a lot of maturity and poise this year, especially compared to the other side of the field.

Will that poise and mental acuity remain if Hopkins gets them spinning around? We'll see.

Hop does move the ball better than quite a lot of teams. I feel like Harvard/Princeton are also pretty great in that category, but could definitely see Hopkins applying some pressure. You are not wrong there. I used to think cuse was in that elite ball moving tier too…until last weekend! Hoping we can rebound.