Maryland Gameday...

[cuseguy]

We need a combo of the two.
Desko was a good coach but his recruiting fell off a cliff until that last class. Gait has recruited well but the Xs and Os has been OK to underwhelming at best. I'm retrospect we should have given Desko one more year, problem was the Spallina class was another year away when he got fired

This team is very talented. But it’s also flawed. Tillman exposed those today on a miserable day for lacrosse. I’d like to see SU play them on a better day.

SU’s defense and ride are immensely better than a year ago. So we have to give Gait credit for that. I’m not to sure it’s about Xs and Os on offense. They looked pretty damn good thr first 3 games. They just went up against a very sound defense on a day not suited for SU’s offense. I’ll add that we lack dodgers to give the defense a different look. That’s a recruiting issue.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Clearly it’s the blue jerseys.

 

[DMVCuseLax]

We will be fine. Aren’t too many games to play in this shitty weather. Not sure how it looked on TV but my biggest concern was players like Leo and English seemed to disappear and didn’t handle the adversity very well. Defense and goalie play were solid.

 

[JeremyCuse]

We will be fine. Aren’t too many games to play in this shitty weather. Not sure how it looked on TV but my biggest concern was players like Leo and English seemed to disappear and didn’t handle the adversity very well. Defense and goalie play were solid.

I'd like to agree but the weather was fine for Denver last year and this was almost a carbon copy performance. Ditto the 2nd half against Cornell and UNC last year. A bad pattern is developing

 

[cuseguy]

I'd like to agree but the weather was fine for Denver last year and this was almost a carbon copy performance. Ditto the 2nd half against Cornell and UNC last year. A bad pattern is developing

Games like this expose some of our star players as being not quite as good as we thought.

 

[MD Cuse Fan]

We will be fine. Aren’t too many games to play in this shitty weather. Not sure how it looked on TV but my biggest concern was players like Leo and English seemed to disappear and didn’t handle the adversity very well. Defense and goalie play were solid.

Yeah I don't think too many guys on offense had good games and I felt like Leo and Hiltz were below average. MD defense is really good but didn't seem like we were trying to exploit the few advantages we had.

Defense was mostly good, didn't see a lot of early sliding, communication seemed pretty good, as much as you can tell watching it on tv. McCool was fine although he's given up 3 rebound goals already, guys around the crease need to start helping him out better in those situations.

 

[JeremyCuse]

I'm not big on singling guys out but English was 0 for 8 shooting with 3 turnovers against a shorty. That's not gonna cut it, plus he had 3 turnovers. Thomson had 1 goal and Hiltz while he had 2 goals he also took 8 shots and was really a non factor. Joey had 4pts, hard to ask for more, no idea why the DO thought he was held in check.

Also I like Trey Deere a lot but he's clearly playing out of place at middie. 1 for 5 today and missed on a few point blank looks that he has to bury. You don't want to overreact to one game but somethings are pretty clear. We need a dodger at attack and the 2nd midline needs some new blood.

Defensively I thought SU played pretty well but Grace got his welcome to D1 game and our long sticks have to be better on rebound saves. Second game in a row off a save the long poles had no idea where the ball was and the opponent got an easy put back.

Overall I'm not gonna panic as I thought SU would struggle today but Gait needs to take some heat. This offense has way to much talent to keep putting up these god awful performances in Denver Today, UNc last year, Cornell 2nd half, etc

 

[MD Cuse Fan]

I'm not big on singling guys out but English was 0 for 8 shooting with 3 turnovers against a shorty. That's not gonna cut it, plus he had 3 turnovers. Thomson had 1 goal and Hiltz while he had 2 goals he also took 8 shots and was really a non factor. Joey had 4pts, hard to ask for more, no idea why the DO thought he was held in check.

Also I like Trey Deere a lot but he's clearly playing out of place at middie. 1 for 5 today and missed on a few point blank looks that he has to bury. You don't want to overreact to one game but somethings are pretty clear. We need a dodger at attack and the 2nd midline needs some new blood.

Defensively I thought SU played pretty well but Grace got his welcome to D1 game and our long sticks have to be better on rebound saves. Second game in a row off a save the long poles had no idea where the ball was and the opponent got an easy put back.

Overall I'm not gonna panic as I thought SU would struggle today but Gait needs to take some heat. This offense has way to much talent to keep putting up these god awful performances in Denver Today, UNc last year, Cornell 2nd half, etc

I didn't notice Deere hardly at all in the 2nd half, was he out there and maybe I just didn't notice him?

Speaking of the DO man were they pretty rough on McCool, sure he let in a few I'm sure he'd like to have back but I hardly think he's a reason they lost today.

 

[JeremyCuse]

I didn't notice Deere hardly at all in the 2nd half, was he out there and maybe I just didn't notice him?

Speaking of the DO man were they pretty rough on McCool, sure he let in a few I'm sure he'd like to have back but I hardly think he's a reason they lost today.

McCool was fine, missed a few he probably should have had but 1ST road start against a quality opponent he wasn't the problem.

Deere is a great lax player but he's not a midfielder and he's also now struggling to finish crease looks he should be burying. I know March/Gait want to get him on the field but I just don't think it's gonna work as a 2nd midfielder. He will slot into Hiltzs spot next year.

Birtwistles struggles are confounding though he's never been fully comfortable playing middie his best success came playing attack. SU has guys in Hottle Anderson Kellogg and a few freshman who should be seeing some time if this 2nd midline continues to struggle

 

[cuseguy]

I'm not big on singling guys out but English was 0 for 8 shooting with 3 turnovers against a shorty. That's not gonna cut it, plus he had 3 turnovers. Thomson had 1 goal and Hiltz while he had 2 goals he also took 8 shots and was really a non factor. Joey had 4pts, hard to ask for more, no idea why the DO thought he was held in check.

Also I like Trey Deere a lot but he's clearly playing out of place at middie. 1 for 5 today and missed on a few point blank looks that he has to bury. You don't want to overreact to one game but somethings are pretty clear. We need a dodger at attack and the 2nd midline needs some new blood.

Defensively I thought SU played pretty well but Grace got his welcome to D1 game and our long sticks have to be better on rebound saves. Second game in a row off a save the long poles had no idea where the ball was and the opponent got an easy put back.

Overall I'm not gonna panic as I thought SU would struggle today but Gait needs to take some heat. This offense has way to much talent to keep putting up these god awful performances in Denver Today, UNc last year, Cornell 2nd half, etc

Leo was MIA.

 

[SkyTopBus44]

McCool was fine, missed a few he probably should have had but 1ST road start against a quality opponent he wasn't the problem.

Deere is a great lax player but he's not a midfielder and he's also now struggling to finish crease looks he should be burying. I know March/Gait want to get him on the field but I just don't think it's gonna work as a 2nd midfielder. He will slot into Hiltzs spot next year.

Birtwistles struggles are confounding though he's never been fully comfortable playing middie his best success came playing attack. SU has guys in Hottle Anderson Kellogg and a few freshman who should be seeing some time if this 2nd midline continues to struggle

Can Deere dodge and create his own offense? Maybe they should rotate him in on attack

 

[Laxfanshutt]

Syracuse vs Maryland | 2025 Men's Lacrosse Highlights

 

[DMVCuseLax]

On a positive note - Looked like Figueiras handled Erksa today. The King matchup should be fun to watch next week.

 

[dwilmont44]

What's our record against tournament teams in the Gait era?

 

[Cuse All-In]

I'm not big on singling guys out but English was 0 for 8 shooting with 3 turnovers against a shorty. That's not gonna cut it, plus he had 3 turnovers. Thomson had 1 goal and Hiltz while he had 2 goals he also took 8 shots and was really a non factor. Joey had 4pts, hard to ask for more, no idea why the DO thought he was held in check.

Also I like Trey Deere a lot but he's clearly playing out of place at middie. 1 for 5 today and missed on a few point blank looks that he has to bury. You don't want to overreact to one game but somethings are pretty clear. We need a dodger at attack and the 2nd midline needs some new blood.

Defensively I thought SU played pretty well but Grace got his welcome to D1 game and our long sticks have to be better on rebound saves. Second game in a row off a save the long poles had no idea where the ball was and the opponent got an easy put back.

Overall I'm not gonna panic as I thought SU would struggle today but Gait needs to take some heat. This offense has way to much talent to keep putting up these god awful performances in Denver Today, UNc last year, Cornell 2nd half, etc

You are right (as usual) - the offense does not perform in the clutch in big games. Is that a mental issue - lack of mental toughness, a coaching issue or both? I do believe the talent is there but Spallina and crew have yet to show that they can elevate and dominate against great defenses.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

March is always hammering on the guys to change the plane of their shots.

Kyle on the radio mentioned that we shot "low-to-low" at least 3-4 times on McNaney, and he wasn't having any of it.

Shooters have to make shots.

 

[LaxAddict38]

I didn't notice Deere hardly at all in the 2nd half, was he out there and maybe I just didn't notice him?

Speaking of the DO man were they pretty rough on McCool, sure he let in a few I'm sure he'd like to have back but I hardly think he's a reason they lost today.

DO enjoys ripping specialist positions because they’re easy for non-lax people to understand.

Above 50=good. Below 50=bad. Assign whatever narrative you want when things go one way or the other.

They do it every year. It’s nauseating.

 

[UrbanaOrange]

What's our record against tournament teams in the Gait era?

The better question is what is the record in the tournament since 2013. This program is making strides. Easy to pile on when they lose to Maryland who happens to be the best program for the past 10 years.

 

[#1cusefa]

Desko is a way better coach, but lost it on the recruiting front…. Gait is able to get the guys, but I’m not sure I’ve seen anyone develop into a better player under him is my take.

FYI all Jr class starters were recruited by Desko. Desko would have had this team in the final game last year.

 

[#1cusefa]

What's our record against tournament teams in the Gait era?

Not good, best win was against Princeton 2 years ago and duke last year

 

[Stealth4785]

March is always hammering on the guys to change the plane of their shots.

Kyle on the radio mentioned that we shot "low-to-low" at least 3-4 times on McNaney, and he wasn't having any of it.

Shooters have to make shots.

McNaney is also a left handed goalie and those low to low shots were stick-side, an easier save than off-stick side.

 

[SULAXAHOLIC]

If I’m Gary I’m calling the team for a conditioning session outside on the now thawed practice field right now. No sticks required just full pads and 440’s. You want to build resilience make the team do things that suck together. They get tons of hype and praise now they should feel the opposite end of the spectrum.

 

[C Bomb]

Worst $14 I’ve ever spent

Again. I did learn one lesson and adjusted by getting a 70 inch TV

 

[orange79]

I think this team is good but what is Gary gaits record against top ten teams ...I have no idea but my guess would be 1 -15.

This got me thinking, so I went back a checked. If I got it right (and the record that follows is W/L vs. any teams that were ranked in the Top 10 at the time we played them), HCGG is a less-than-stellar 4-16.

3-5 dating back to last year.

EDIT: double-checking my count, record might be 4-17, depending on whether or not you count the 2023 Hop game - they were ranked 11 in one poll, 10 in the other. At this point, who's counting?

 

[Bayside44]

This got me thinking, so I went back a checked. If I got it right (and the record that follows is W/L vs. any teams that were ranked in the Top 10 at the time we played them), HCGG is a less-than-stellar 4-16.

3-5 dating back to last year.

Those first two years weren't going to be good. He really didn't have his thing going until last season.