Maryland Gameday...

[Zack80]

Terp's defense seemed a little too tough for Syracuse today.
It was nice to see Syracuse back in the final four again.
I hope I'll see you back there again next year.

 

[cuselaxss26]

Fact is we needed mccool n mullen to be great today. To give team confidence and the ball. Also if mullen was himself maryland prob isn’t able to make a 8-0 run on us. But both were ok not great n the offense and defense followed right along with them. Grant offense and defense had a terrible harvard game first half. They looked dead no energy no confidence and scared. Another problem is when things start not going their way they play into even more with bad penalties and bad decisions. Causing everything to snowball out of control. Also not sure if gait called timeout at all when things were going south or in middle of marylands run.

They needed to play offense like princeton game n defense like first ND game (aggressive n physical

 

[nocohalo]

I know you're not supposed to judge opposing team fanbases based off a few dummies on social media, but man am I really being tested with what I'm seeing on the various platforms right now. I would like to be able to say the Cuse fanbase wouldn't act like that after winning. I didn't see any of that sort of behavior after the Princeton game.

 

[cuselaxss26]

Also think quint had good idea with spallina making him play off ball which we never did. How he did with lyght. So then marylands top defender has to get involved in the slides. That i put on march. That first half was nothing but everything syracuse couldn’t do they did, n from there it went south super fast. Besides some good dodgers we also need speed. Guys who can run pass people also get back on D fast. Think also we need a sniper. Someone who can rip it hard n fast. So when defense prevent us from getting inside we spin ball for a wing sniper which maryland did. Or even someone can sweep across top and snipe it.

We just don’t have the strength will say or guys who can still bring the heat even with guys on their back. They had a good year made it to final four when could have packed it in at harvard game. But they fought and fought. Went on a 4 game win streak but ultimately run out of gas and played with devil way to many times n didn’t work out this time.

So now we will have prob a boring title game cause maryland is in it. Then a long off season where we all can’t wait anymore till lax is back. Hopefully everyone that can return does and this team getting to final four this time gets even angrier n gets back there next year and plays whole lot better. That is also when think syracuse is truely back. When they can get to final four again.

 

[cuselaxss26]

Last thing will say is- Don’t think maryland was that unstoppable or great. Yes they made plays and their goalie was brick wall n good defense. But really all they did was make syracuse pay for every mistake they made n syracuse made a ton. The english/dwan behind net each of them stopping n letting spanos go free was just bad when there is only couple seconds left on shot clock. But the first half mistakes maryland capitalize on. The second half syracuse scored same amount as maryland n even created turnovers. They made mistakes but not many but also had to completely change how they played being down. Think maryland is a good well coached team do not think they were way better. Just think syracuse choose to play thy worst first half in the biggest game of their lives so far.

Either way maryland and tillman still scumbags and hope cornell beats them. And tillman once again loses another chip.

 

[JeremyCuse]

I know you're not supposed to judge opposing team fanbases based off a few dummies on social media, but man am I really being tested with what I'm seeing on the various platforms right now. I would like to be able to say the Cuse fanbase wouldn't act like that after winning. I didn't see any of that sort of behavior after the Princeton game.

Every fanbase has a few idiots and there always gonna be a few of those chirping after wins even cuse guys. I wouldn't read to much into it.

 

[MadNY3]

Also think quint had good idea with spallina making him play off ball which we never did. How he did with lyght. So then marylands top defender has to get involved in the slides. That i put on march. That first half was nothing but everything syracuse couldn’t do they did, n from there it went south super fast. Besides some good dodgers we also need speed. Guys who can run pass people also get back on D fast. Think also we need a sniper. Someone who can rip it hard n fast. So when defense prevent us from getting inside we spin ball for a wing sniper which maryland did. Or even someone can sweep across top and snipe it.

We just don’t have the strength will say or guys who can still bring the heat even with guys on their back. They had a good year made it to final four when could have packed it in at harvard game. But they fought and fought. Went on a 4 game win streak but ultimately run out of gas and played with devil way to many times n didn’t work out this time.

So now we will have prob a boring title game cause maryland is in it. Then a long off season where we all can’t wait anymore till lax is back. Hopefully everyone that can return does and this team getting to final four this time gets even angrier n gets back there next year and plays whole lot better. That is also when think syracuse is truely back. When they can get to final four again.

I think Anderson and Leo will be lights out next year.

There is little reason why we shouldn’t think the title game is the bar. Especially if we were just happy to make the final four after a crazy long time. How this junior class focuses next year is everything.

 

[MadNY3]

Fact is we needed mccool n mullen to be great today. To give team confidence and the ball. Also if mullen was himself maryland prob isn’t able to make a 8-0 run on us. But both were ok not great n the offense and defense followed right along with them. Grant offense and defense had a terrible harvard game first half. They looked dead no energy no confidence and scared. Another problem is when things start not going their way they play into even more with bad penalties and bad decisions. Causing everything to snowball out of control. Also not sure if gait called timeout at all when things were going south or in middle of marylands run.

They needed to play offense like princeton game n defense like first ND game (aggressive n physical

I don’t think you can bring McCool into the woudda-coudda-shoudda conversation.

Mullen yes.

Offense…BIG yes.

And English made poor decisions in the first 20 minutes to exacerbate.

God I hate Maryland, but don’t think they are within three of Cornell on Monday.

 

[Orangello]

Cornell struggled the first half against a Pedo defense that is very UMD like. They packed it in and pushed the mids outside. The difference is when they went on a run by pushing the ball in transition and sniping from their mids especially up top on runs. That's how you beat Tilman. Unsettled scoring and get them packed inside then move and pass it out for a rip.

 

[cuselaxss26]

I don’t think you can bring McCool into the woudda-coudda-shoudda conversation.

Mullen yes.

Offense…BIG yes.

And English made poor decisions in the first 20 minutes to exacerbate.

God I hate Maryland, but don’t think they are within three of Cornell on Monday.

well mccool had 10 saves in first half but only 2 in second half. And think defense played better the second half then first half not saying was great but have to make stops. Specially when ur team is down and trying to get back into the game. Tho mcnaney is 45yrs old he was able to squash any momentum cuse had with a big save. But again cuse cant come out n play first half like it’s no big deal or just another game.

Never happy with a lost def not to maryland. But to have game be basically over before second half even started is just down right a nut punch. Hopefully cornell puts it on maryland n sends them home empty handed giving kirst his revenge.

 

[CuseBlood44]

I think Anderson and Leo will be lights out next year.

There is little reason why we shouldn’t think the title game is the bar. Especially if we were just happy to make the final four after a crazy long time. How this junior class focuses next year is everything.

With the parity of lacrosse on the rise, seems like a ton of pressure is back on the program next year where it’s basically win it all or bust. I mean if Spallina goes all 4 years without winning a championship that’s a disappointment imo

 

[swish7]

Stats from the two games

The main thing that jumps out at me are the shots on goal in the first half, when the game was decided.

Definitely some issues at SSDM. They got off too many free & clear shots. However, the goalie needs to stand on his head for us to have any chance. You cannot just have an average game. 9 SOG & 5 points allowed in Q2. The low angle near side shot he allowed was particularly bad. Its too bad, bc he started out well. Also, need some dudes who can generate good shots on offense. Still looking for an attackman who can dodge past their man.

 

[ColdAnger]

Stats from the two games

View attachment 252371
The main thing that jumps out at me are the shots on goal in the first half, when the game was decided.

Definitely some issues at SSDM. They got off too many free & clear shots. However, the goalie needs to stand on his head for us to have any chance. You cannot just have an average game. 9 SOG & 5 points allowed in Q2. The low angle near side shot he allowed was particularly bad. Its too bad, bc he started out well. Also, need some dudes who can generate good shots on offense. Still looking for an attackman who can dodge past their man.

Agree completely with this assessment. The numbers suggest a very evenly contested matchup (both times) but everyone who watched can attest to the fact that MD generated better shots and better scoring chances. MD drew slides and Cuse did not. Athleticism of Cuse SSDMs and dodgers have been rightly questioned all year.

 

[Powellfan]

I don’t want to make this about the weather, but it certainly looked like the wet conditions affected the Orange more than the Terps. The ball came out of Orange sticks high and wide, the players slipped more often than their counterparts. Just seemed like that coupled with early nerves (bone headed offsides calls, panicky clears) really put them into a hole early.

Two early plays embodied the weather issue - Thomson catching the ball on the crease wide open and sailing a behind the back shot way over the goal. Spallina in transition having the ball sail way over his head when he would have been 1v1 with the goalie. Those two plays were huge and at the time it looked like players who hadn’t adapted their sticks to the elements properly.

Maryland was clearly the better team in all aspects of the game. Not trying to use the weather as an excuse. But I did find it curious that the Orange posted photos this week of them practicing inside. I found that curious given that the game was obviously being played outside. Was the weather not good that day? The weather prediction for Gillette all week was supposed to be rainy. Did the Orange practice at all in those conditions? Or did they take the easy route and avoid it. Practice in everything so you can play in anything is my moto. Would be a shame if that’s why the Orange weren’t prepared better.

 

[kirbivore]

As someone who played 4 years in college and graduated at 21, I don’t have much respect for a 24 year old playing his 6th season of college lacrosse.

This should be the last season of the extra year COVID guys right?

 

[swish7]

Not to make it about any one player in particular, but Joey trying to bully his defender & effectively getting brick walled, dropping the ball, falling haplessly to the ground, & MD scooping it up and waltzing the other way was one of the worst moments in the game.

Tells me we need to understand better our strengths & weaknesses.

 

[cusefan88]

I believe Tillman is playing in the title game for a 9th time?

Lots of bad stuff happened but can't forget Maryland pretty much does this to every team in the semifinals.

 

[OrangeinBoston]

I believe Tillman is playing in the title game for a 9th time?

Lots of bad stuff happened but can't forget Maryland pretty much does this to every team in the semifinals.

And I fully expect Maryland to throttle Cornell just as they did us.

 

[CuseBlood44]

And I fully expect Maryland to throttle Cornell just as they did us.

I don’t. Coaches win on Saturday players win on Monday. I think it’ll be a close game but I’m banking on a Kirst / Goldstein bounce back

 

[cuselaxss26]

I would love to know what the game plan for cuse offense and defense was n what was prepared or practice during the week. We will never know but very curious. As even maryland who normally doesn’t ride seemed to set something up not a hard ride but enough to give cuse trouble as i’m sure tillman knew we have had trouble clearing n wanted to exploit that. Which is why he’s good coach. And also why love to know what our coaches planned vs maryland. But either way won’t n either way maryland is playing on monday again.

 

[CuseBlood44]

I would love to know what the game plan for cuse offense and defense was n what was prepared or practice during the week. We will never know but very curious. As even maryland who normally doesn’t ride seemed to set something up not a hard ride but enough to give cuse trouble as i’m sure tillman knew we have had trouble clearing n wanted to exploit that. Which is why he’s good coach. And also why love to know what our coaches planned vs maryland. But either way won’t n either way maryland is playing on monday again.

Failure to clear all year was pathetic

 

[tbonezone]

i'd put our our long pole close defenders dwan, caccamo and grace against anybody . maryland attacked us from out top step down high and hard. and mccool as good as he was early i believe got shell shocked second half. as to the above post about maryland being boring ? what game did you watch ? they put on a clinic of crisp offense , excellent D and goaltending. and despite predictions won the X. our team needs to watch this tape over and over til we can achieve this level of execution. we got the talent. we lack the discipline.

 

[DoctahLexus]

First final four in 12 years. If you think everything is wrong with the approach of the staff then I don’t know what to tell you. Beyond insulting to the players and staff who got us there for the first time in 12 years to suggest that they were just happy to be there and coasting. If that was really their attitude they would not be there in the first place!

Congrats to the boys and the staff for a great year. Frustrating way for it to end, but this team has always had flaws and MD has had our number as a bad matchup. I just hate that people look at the score and how it went down and say “oh they must have not given a sheeit” or “oh they must have not prepared”. That is such bs. Talking like trolls on twitter. Ridiculous. Nothing wrong with some salt after a loss but holy crap be a little proud of the team/staff that got us to the final four for the first time in 12 years.

 

[DoctahLexus]

Agree completely with this assessment. The numbers suggest a very evenly contested matchup (both times) but everyone who watched can attest to the fact that MD generated better shots and better scoring chances. MD drew slides and Cuse did not. Athleticism of Cuse SSDMs and dodgers have been rightly questioned all year.

It ended up being a test of the ssdms/middies dodging against them on both sides. Neither team was drawing slides dodging against longpoles. Their ssdms did enough to limit the slides, while ours were often getting beat cleanly and drawing rushed slides. But I also thought there were quite a few opportunities from us where by far the main reason we did not score was McNany in cage. English and Leo were getting quality looks sweeping across the middle but every shot on the run except one from Leo was eaten up. He also stuffed Thomson and a couple others on quality looks offball. He is the guy that takes their defense to a whole other level of efficient.

 

[BillSU]

It ended up being a test of the ssdms/middies dodging against them on both sides. Neither team was drawing slides dodging against longpoles. Their ssdms did enough to limit the slides, while ours were often getting beat cleanly and drawing rushed slides. But I also thought there were quite a few opportunities from us where by far the main reason we did not score was McNany in cage. English and Leo were getting quality looks sweeping across the middle but every shot on the run except one from Leo was eaten up. He also stuffed Thomson and a couple others on quality looks offball. He is the guy that takes their defense to a whole other level of efficient.

It would be so important and excellent if we could recruit a Goalie like McNany. For a great team you have to have - an excellent Goalie, excellent FOGO, Players who can score and bigger faster players
get out and recruit Gary Gait.