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Message: [QUOTE="JeremyCuse, post: 5002556, member: 43"] Didn't end up doing a full O preview of the game but I think the same concerns for Maryland and Army remain the same here. Hopkins has a very good close D especially after moving Kilrain to close. I assume they will try and shut down the attack unit and take their chances at the midfield. Scott Smith is a very godo defender but he's a tier below Zap, Joey should be able to put up 2-4 pts. I worry about Hiltz and Mule, whoever draws Szuluk will need to produce. I would assume that will be Hiltz ( I could be wrong). He really needs to be on his game and if he struggles I really hope Gait/March make a move ditto for Mule if its clear he can't beat his man. Hop has probably the deepest SSDM unit they have ever had, they easily run 4-5 guys pretty much interchangeably ie Jaronski Raposo Aviles and a few others. That said they don't really have a lock down SSDM guy and while talented are probably weaker then both Maryland and Army at the position (Maryland when healthy) and SU will need to take here relentlessly. I know Army double polled but I don't see Hop doing it, I would be very surprised. Hop unlike the Petro years plays a much more aggressive and physical style. This has hleped them put up really good numbers but they also commit a ton of penalties. SU man up unit will need to be at least 50% tomorrow. Another 1-5 or worse performance isn't gonna get it done. One thing that has to improve is SU's overall performance in this game. Credit to the hopkins thread over at fanlax but the stats in the wins vs the losses is very telling. In SU's wins their shooting percentage is above 35% - faceoffs are above 60%, ground balls are 43 a game, lowest Save % by Mark was 52% and team is scoring about 18 goals a game. Against Maryland and Army - shot percentage fell to 25% - face-offs were below 50%, ground balls were an average of 29, Save percentage was 41 and 44% - goals average 12.5 a game. Tick those up each a few % points this team is probably undefeated. I already mentioned the man up struggles but the Hop thread also pointed out that SU is 4th in the ACC in clearing and 50th in the country in opposing clearing %, both need to be better not only in this game but overall. SU has never been a big "ride" team historically but with so many teams going to 10 man and other intricate ride packages they need to implement something. I could go into a whole laundry list of other things to watch for and players and scenario but really it comes down to the fact that SU needs to win this game, full stop. Yes they probably should have won both the Maryland and Army games but the reality is they didn't. As Powell pointed out astutely its getting late early for this years team and a loss her would be another major miss on getting a tournament resume together not to mention the recruiting struggles in last years class that will likely crop up again if this team doesn't make the tourney. Bottom line SU needs to find away to get a win Saturday. Faceoffs will be absolutely critical but it's also time for Mark, Hiltz, Mule and maybe most importantly Thomson to step up. [/QUOTE]

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