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Message: [QUOTE="LaxFactor, post: 4624011, member: 7349"] I don't mean to be a Debbie Downer, but the reality here is this is Cuse's first taste of "a big boy team" with our 3rd defender as our 2nd defender and our best LSM as our 1st defender (but only sometimes, as sometimes our 2nd defender has to be our 1st defender). I'm being a bit of a smart ass there, but it's true. If Clary were healthy, I'd be feeling a bit better about our chances. I'd like to go into this game optimistic because Will Mark could always stand on his head and make things more difficult than they should be for ND, but to get a win, these two things would have to happen... (1) An LSM and 3rd defender need to both play like true, ACC level #1 and #2 guys. Not only that, but #4, and #5 also have to play the best games of their lives. Jake Nelson is back on attack for ND now and has a game or two under his belt, so this ND attack is very good. (2) If Olexo ends up playing a bit of close defense in settled situations, whoever is guarding Dobson up top will have to play very well. (3) Richie USA is going to need to win 60% or more of the draws. If he splits and Will Mark has 18 to 20 saves, Cuse could be within 3 to 5 goals by the end and the game could be within reach. If he wins 60% or more and Mark has 18 to 20 saves, a win is on the table. THE REALITY, we have very little reason to believe that Richie USA is going to even win 45% of the draws. (4) As stated above, Will Mark will need to be above 18 saves for Cuse to have any chance. Offensively I think if given enough possessions Cuse can keep pace, but my worry is that those possessions as always are going to be hard to come by, and couple that with the fact Notre Dame's defense is solid and very experienced, and Entenmann is a top 5 keeper, this is likely the toughest "defense/goalie" combo Syracuse has faced all year. Maryland would be a close second although they had Dolan playing that game against Cuse. Any news on Clary? I saw an article that said he was week to week as of Hofstra. I was given the impression his injury was season ending, but apparently that's not true? Even if he were back this week, I assume he's not 100%, but it would certainly give me a bit more hope. ***CAVEAT, maybe the Cuse magic has returned with Spallina and co and we could certainly see that kick in this weekend and they could pull a crazy upset and I'll be screaming and yelling and generally embarrassing myself. So all of the above is me just trying to be objective given the recent history of these two teams and the current state of the Orange.*** [/QUOTE]

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