Class of 2023 New Transfer: Matt Wright (ON / Hill Academy) LSM / Grad Transfer from UNC

[DMVCuseLax]

If he's back would have 2 year left assuming he took a shirt for his injury this year.

He will be back.

 

[sutomcat]

Ya Kol slipped my mind there for a sec he's another guy who has had some struggles but also success. Your looking at Wright, Olexxo, Clary, Caccamo, Kol, Dwan and Figuerias for 4 spots and that's not counting Sagedar who came on strong late. Good luck sorting that out. Scott seems a lock to RS at this point.

No lax expert but it seemed to me as though the defense got tired late in games a lot this season.

Thinking more depth here could allow the players to get some rest during games and avoid getting totally gassed in the fourth quarter...

 

[Laxfanshutt]

11	Riley Figueiras	D	R-Fr.
25	Nick Fraterrigo	D	Sr.
26	Chuck Kuczynski	D	R-Fr.
28	Nick Caccamo	D	R-Jr.
30	Landon Clary	D	R-Jr.
32	Jack Witherspoon	D	R-Jr.
33	Cadel Kol	D	R-Jr.
35	Billy Dwan	D	So.
41	Jordan Beck	D	So.
	Donny Scott	D	Fr.
6	Kyle Gonsiorek	LSM	R-So.
17	Tommy Drago	LSM	R-Jr.
42	Dylan Sageder	LSM	So.
48	Saam Olexo	LSM	Sr.
90	Jordan Vincent	LSM	R-Fr.
	Brett Spallina	LSM	Fr.
	Matt Wright	LSM	Gr.

I still think they should try Donny Scott at SSDM.. he’s used to using the short stick in box

 

[Powellfan]

At some point last year Quint K said the Orange lacked true ACC level defenders. Well the coaches went out and got one the of the better proven ACC defenders out there. Kudos to the coaches for not messing around.

I have no idea how things shake out with the lineup on the defensive side of the ball. Where Saam Olexo ends up to me is the big X factor. Like others, I doubt that they run either Wright or Olexo at backup LSM, and given that Olexo has experience now at close, I'm guessing they move him down there permanently. He was really impressive at that spot, though it is hard to give up his transition prowess.

I also think Riley Figuerias has to see time as a starter (baring he comes back fully healthy) given his reputation. I personally think Billy Dwan should be given the third spot given that he has size and off-ball skills that would work really well with two ball stoppers in Olexo and Figuarias. That leaves Caccamo as the odd man out. The coaches played him as the LSM last year when the injuries hit and they had to move Olexo to close. He was really impressive as a freshmen at close (avg 2 CT a game) and he obviously played out of position last year. Hard to imagine he might not be a starter after all the promise he showed two years ago though.

Petro will have a lot of hard choices to make next year. Landon Clary looked so strong before his injury last year but did not look good at all by the end of the year. Caden Kol looked out of his depth but is still young and is a captain. Jordan Beck saw time as a man down specialist. Someone who saw lots of time last year is not going to see much time next year. Hopefully that serves as motivation for the returning players next year. This defense needs a wakeup call.

Last point but our face-off wing game sees a boost with Wright as well. His groundball totals weren't terribly impressive last year, but that might have had something to do with the Tar Heels face-off struggles. He averaged 50.5 between his sophomore and junior years so the history is definitely there. Combined with Jake Stevens the Orange wings have really been improved. Now they just need a FOGO to really complete that unit ...

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[Shrmdougluvr]

I still think they should try Donny Scott at SSDM.. he’s used to using the short stick in box

Yup. We need shorties. Who’s got the best feet?

 

[ForCuseSake]

This is great for saving Olexxo's wheels.

I remember the first Duke game when he was marking McAdorey and running wing on FOs - that's a big ask for any elite defenseman.

 

[W'boro'Cuse315]