Questions re: next year

[BillSU]

I am a Lacrosse fan and know some things about the game. Love that we have been national champions, leading the nation in that regard and are nationally recognized every year. Say what you want about Gary Gait he is IMO the best that has ever played and a good coach for MD, SU Women and now starting with the men.

I was on cuse.com looking at what we will have for players next year then started counting Fr., So., Jr., Sr. Gr. players on this year's roster. By my count, we have 46 rostered players, 10 of whom are seniors who will not be here next year. Spallina, McCool, Rhoa, Leo, Thomson, Dwan, Kellogg and Figueiras among them. That in my opinion is a big loss.

I don't know how many really talented players we have as Sophs and Juniors and began worrying about our status taking the field '26-27?

Will someone please let me know if we are dropping off next year a cliff or am I worrying needlessly? And do we have players coming out of HS who are very good and is there a transfer portal in lacrosse? Thank you.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Abandon all hope.

 

[Hawknate144]

Well Mccool, Figgy, and Kellogg are likely coming back, the HS guys +Peck do look promising, should still be a Tourney team, but I think this is our last shot at a Championship for the foreseeable future

 

[wgdsr]

I am a Lacrosse fan and know some things about the game. Love that we have been national champions, leading the nation in that regard and are nationally recognized every year. Say what you want about Gary Gait he is IMO the best that has ever played and a good coach for MD, SU Women and now starting with the men.

I was on cuse.com looking at what we will have for players next year then started counting Fr., So., Jr., Sr. Gr. players on this year's roster. By my count, we have 46 rostered players, 10 of whom are seniors who will not be here next year. Spallina, McCool, Rhoa, Leo, Thomson, Dwan, Kellogg and Figueiras among them. That in my opinion is a big loss.

I don't know how many really talented players we have as Sophs and Juniors and began worrying about our status taking the field '26-27?

Will someone please let me know if we are dropping off next year a cliff or am I worrying needlessly? And do we have players coming out of HS who are very good and is there a transfer portal in lacrosse? Thank you.

of the guys you listed, i believe mccool, kellogg and figueiras have eligibility. deere may be back if healthy for attack, and there's a highly touted att hoo is already on campus, name escapes me. help is coming on d with james at least.

the biggest hole may be with an orchestrator @ att unless one emerges.

lacrosse players have always been able to transfer without sitting a year. occasionally blocked if in conference but no longer.

 

[Hawknate144]

of the guys you listed, i believe mccool, kellogg and figueiras have eligibility. deere may be back if healthy for attack, and there's a highly touted att hoo is already on campus, name escapes me. help is coming on d with james at least.

the biggest hole may be with an orchestrator @ att unless one emerges.

lacrosse players have always been able to transfer without sitting a year. occasionally blocked if in conference but no longer.

Hanson Peck for the Attack already here. Would also expect we look for a feeder/orchestrator in the portal, but have no clue who that would be

 

[nocohalo]

The team will be fine next year if we're going off of just talent. It's coaching that is the issue. I have very little faith the current staff can get the best out of the roster. Cuse state media will never ask the actual hard questions.

 

[OttosDad]

I actually think they are in a better spot for next year than people think.

They lose a ton on offense. But on defense a large majority is back. Add in the fact that McCool, Mullen, and Angelo are back.

Certainly would like to see them hit the portal for another seasoned attack and maybe a player who could be in the top 6 as an Offensive middie. Have to think Bear and Deere(if healthy) will be penciled in with either Peck or a guy from the Portal

 

[ColdAnger]

Anderson, Banks, Bucktooth, Deere, Hahn, Hottle, Kellogg, Kraftson, McIntee, Meyer, O’Farrell, Peck, Pike, Rawson, and Schell eligible to return.

Four stars Rayfield, Schniedwind, and Prater arriving with three stars Mabel and Cullum.

There is a top nine in that group that will be ACC worthy.

 

[GrowTheGame]

Everyone is so worried about offense, but glazing over how well we’ve recruited defensively. We have some studs coming in.

Might not be 15-14 wins if the offense doesn’t click, but I’ll take a championship built on a defense letting up less than 8 per game.

 

[ColdAnger]

Same exercise for the D:

FOGO - Angelo, Mullen, Olenik and incoming three star Huang

SSDM - Kittleberger, McCarthy, Ochoa and Spallina

Goalie - Bartlow, Ferguson, Ippoliti and McCool

Poles - Behan, Bolognino, D’Agostino, Figueiras, Filardi, Ryan, Scott, Spallina, and Stephen’s with Five Star James and Four Star Perfetti arriving.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Anderson, Banks, Bucktooth, Deere, Hahn, Hottle, Kellogg, Kraftson, McIntee, Meyer, O’Farrell, Peck, Pike, Rawson, and Schell eligible to return.

Four stars Rayfield, Schniedwind, and Prater arriving with three stars Mabel and Cullum.

There is a top nine in that group that will be ACC worthy.

SU will almost assuredly be on the look out for an attackman in the portal. Deere returns but the entire starting attack departing is a massive loss and while they are high on Kraftson and Meyer I don't think Banks or Bucktooth project to make an impact. Peck projects to get a look as soon as this fall but hard to ask him to come in and be the QB of the entire offense with one half season of a RS and what will essentially be his frosh year.

Deere returning will be a big help but as we know he's not much of a dodger and obviously is coming off a pretty big injury. Rayfield I have heard maybe moved to attack but I think a lot depends on what they do with Bear and if he is going to move back to attack or stay at mid.

I'd be pretty surprised if SU didn't add at least one high end O player in this years portal or at least pursue one if not 2 heavily.

 

[GrowTheGame]

Same exercise for the D:

FOGO - Angelo, Mullen, Olenik and incoming three star Huang

SSDM - Kittleberger, McCarthy, Ochoa and Spallina

Goalie - Bartlow, Ferguson, Ippoliti and McCool

Poles - Behan, Bolognino, D’Agostino, Figueiras, Filardi, Ryan, Scott, Spallina, and Stephen’s with Five Star James and Four Star Perfetti arriving.

Cullum & Schell should be SSDM and Perfetti has been playing back at middie for his HS team (he only really played pole during summer tournaments) so don’t be surprised if he gets a look at SSDM too.

We also flipped a great DMV pole from Navy (Owen James) for next year, he’s signed but not showing up on recruiting sites for Cuse.

I believe all of that group is 6’1”+ and athletic

 

[Hawknate144]

Cullum & Schell should be SSDM and Perfetti has been playing back at middie for his HS team (he only really played pole during summer tournaments) so don’t be surprised if he gets a look at SSDM too.

We also flipped a great DMV pole from Navy (Owen James) for next year, he’s signed but not showing up on recruiting sites for Cuse.

I believe all of that group is 6’1”+ and athletic

the Owen James stuff is that hes class of 25, but reclassed when he committed to Navy...after already graduating HS. So he is listed in class of 25 on IL


and yes, I have very high expectations for him based on accolades and highlights

 

[Hawknate144]

the Owen James stuff is that hes class of 25, but reclassed when he committed to Navy...after already graduating HS. So he is listed in class of 25 on IL


and yes, I have very high expectations for him based on accolades and highlights

or i guess reclass is the wrong word, hes doing a postgrad

 

[Bayside44]

the Owen James stuff is that hes class of 25, but reclassed when he committed to Navy...after already graduating HS. So he is listed in class of 25 on IL


and yes, I have very high expectations for him based on accolades and highlights

When he goes btb on a clear (yes he can) this place will lose it's collective mind

 

[Hawknate144]

When he goes btb on a clear (yes he can) this place will lose it's collective mind

This is true

 

[GrowTheGame]

Yes super excited for both James’s to be on campus for sure, really hoping at least one puts the work in to be our next 4x AA at close


EDIT: as an aside I really love the Cuse strategy here recruiting wise… they lost out on some stud offensive players, but they hit on the defensive guys who are five star rubber stoppers. Only way to shut down ND/UNC next few years is a stiffing D. Then we hope and pray some guys decide to transfer instead of sitting the bench there on O. Cuse REALLY needs to throw NIL money at the next Mullen though to shore up that unit. It’s a given you need two studs these days instead of just one.

 

[BillSU]

Is there anyone even close to Spallina's offensive prowess coming up or in. The offense is what I'm really concerned about.

 

[BillSU]

SU will almost assuredly be on the look out for an attackman in the portal. Deere returns but the entire starting attack departing is a massive loss and while they are high on Kraftson and Meyer I don't think Banks or Bucktooth project to make an impact. Peck projects to get a look as soon as this fall but hard to ask him to come in and be the QB of the entire offense with one half season of a RS and what will essentially be his frosh year.

Deere returning will be a big help but as we know he's not much of a dodger and obviously is coming off a pretty big injury. Rayfield I have heard maybe moved to attack but I think a lot depends on what they do with Bear and if he is going to move back to attack or stay at mid.

I'd be pretty surprised if SU didn't add at least one high end O player in this years portal or at least pursue one if not 2 heavily.

Thank you everyone esp. JeremyCuse

 

[GrowTheGame]

Is there anyone even close to Spallina's offensive prowess coming up or in. The offense is what I'm really concerned about.

With seniors graduating this will be Bear’s offense to run imo.

Anderson or Krafston I imagine take over Joey’s role… Max Kruger is under the radar in the 2027 class and should also be someone who can feed well when he comes to campus if you’re looking more for a 1:1 comparison to Joey.

Peck by all means is projecting to take that lefty Leo/Hiltz role as a lethal shooter. I could see Kraftson/Bear/Peck/Deere (if back) rotation with them recruiting a portal add if possible. But they also have O’Farrell and Jake Meyer who have the talent, but haven’t gotten real opportunities yet so they could surprise us. Cupboard definitely isn’t bare, but it will look different than the past four seasons on how we score.

I’d imagine first line midfielders will be Hottle, McGintee and Hahn, while the three freshmen middies could all potentially get some looks. Prater seems to be having a monster senior season at #1 Culver. Also I know Schniedwind is compared to Hahn a lot so I’m hopeful he can make an instant impact somewhere.

I’d also look for Kellog/Rawson to take another step up with more opportunities.

 

[Powellfan]

Definitely encouraged by what the Orange are due to bring back next year. Anderson isn't coming off his best game, and he'll have to answer questions about how he performs against ACC poles, but he's got the tools to be a very good Alpha attackman. I don't think there is much of a drop off from Thomson to Deere in terms of finishing ability (as long as Deere can regain his form post injury). The first midfield could be pretty good with Hottle, McIntee and Hahn. They should have some depth with Rawson, Kellogg and the freshmen middies. Not sure where Peck fits into all this, but I don't really see him as a "QB" type, which is what the offense will need. Perhaps midfield is where he gets his start?

Obviously that third attack spot is a big question mark. Owen O'Farrell and Jake Meyer are probably leaders in the clubhouse, but Spallina's cleats will be awfully big to fill. No idea what the transfer market will look like, but it's not going to be like the covid years. I don't think there is an Ivy Player due to have an extra year of eligibility that he can't use at his current school. And if a big name does come on the market, even if other teams have stacked rosters, there will be stiff coemption for their services. Curious to see how the coaching staff addresses this issue.

Defense has me a little worried, just based on their recent form. You have great starting blocks in McCool and Figuerias and Chuck K. And the SSDMs should be decent. But I am worried about the next crop of long poles if Jayden James isn't ready to step in right away. I haven't been super impressed with the younger long poles on the team recently, though it's a hard position to judge with not a lot of playing time. We shall see how this shakes out.

All that said, the rest of the ACC brings back a ton of talent. This UNC team loses almost no one. UVA brings back the Millon brothers. Duke losses more than most (McGuire, Sloat, Johnson and Bard) and ND losses some key players, but all these teams have been recruiting on another level the last few years. Could see the Orange being at the bottom of the conference, though still with a chance for a NCAA birth. Would have a hard time seeing them compete for a title, but I guess a lot depends on who that third starter on attack is.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Definitely encouraged by what the Orange are due to bring back next year. Anderson isn't coming off his best game, and he'll have to answer questions about how he performs against ACC poles, but he's got the tools to be a very good Alpha attackman. I don't think there is much of a drop off from Thomson to Deere in terms of finishing ability (as long as Deere can regain his form post injury). The first midfield could be pretty good with Hottle, McIntee and Hahn. They should have some depth with Rawson, Kellogg and the freshmen middies. Not sure where Peck fits into all this, but I don't really see him as a "QB" type, which is what the offense will need. Perhaps midfield is where he gets his start?

Obviously that third attack spot is a big question mark. Owen O'Farrell and Jake Meyer are probably leaders in the clubhouse, but Spallina's cleats will be awfully big to fill. No idea what the transfer market will look like, but it's not going to be like the covid years. I don't think there is an Ivy Player due to have an extra year of eligibility that he can't use at his current school. And if a big name does come on the market, even if other teams have stacked rosters, there will be stiff coemption for their services. Curious to see how the coaching staff addresses this issue.

Defense has me a little worried, just based on their recent form. You have great starting blocks in McCool and Figuerias and Chuck K. And the SSDMs should be decent. But I am worried about the next crop of long poles if Jayden James isn't ready to step in right away. I haven't been super impressed with the younger long poles on the team recently, though it's a hard position to judge with not a lot of playing time. We shall see how this shakes out.

All that said, the rest of the ACC brings back a ton of talent. This UNC team loses almost no one. UVA brings back the Millon brothers. Duke losses more than most (McGuire, Sloat, Johnson and Bard) and ND losses some key players, but all these teams have been recruiting on another level the last few years. Could see the Orange being at the bottom of the conference, though still with a chance for a NCAA birth. Would have a hard time seeing them compete for a title, but I guess a lot depends on who that third starter on attack is.

Johnston will likely be back, he only played in 3 or 4 games his frosh year prior to injury so he will likely get a Med RS. They do lose Sloat, McGuire and I think a few other starting defenders. Most of the O is back though save for Sloat and the UVA transfer Mencke.

UVA brings back a lot offensively and could be very dangerous again but they do lose Sunderland, Marek (starting goalie), and multiple starting defenders including Murnane and Shroter and I believe at least 1 SSDM. They also some ancillary pieces in Balsamo, Inderlied etc. Terenzi is also technically a SR but I think also likely a candidate for a med RS for injury. He may actually have 2 years left

UNC returns almost everyone on offense and should be the unanimous pre-season #1. They have some losses on defense including both starting SSDM's and 1 long pole but that's about it. If your looking for a silver lining their current JR class is like this years SR class for SU, a lot of talent will be leaving next year including Duffy, Petro, Wambach, starting LSM and others.

ND is a mixed bag. Return a lot but lose Yago and a # of others.

 

[wgdsr]

Definitely encouraged by what the Orange are due to bring back next year. Anderson isn't coming off his best game, and he'll have to answer questions about how he performs against ACC poles, but he's got the tools to be a very good Alpha attackman. I don't think there is much of a drop off from Thomson to Deere in terms of finishing ability (as long as Deere can regain his form post injury). The first midfield could be pretty good with Hottle, McIntee and Hahn. They should have some depth with Rawson, Kellogg and the freshmen middies. Not sure where Peck fits into all this, but I don't really see him as a "QB" type, which is what the offense will need. Perhaps midfield is where he gets his start?

Obviously that third attack spot is a big question mark. Owen O'Farrell and Jake Meyer are probably leaders in the clubhouse, but Spallina's cleats will be awfully big to fill. No idea what the transfer market will look like, but it's not going to be like the covid years. I don't think there is an Ivy Player due to have an extra year of eligibility that he can't use at his current school. And if a big name does come on the market, even if other teams have stacked rosters, there will be stiff coemption for their services. Curious to see how the coaching staff addresses this issue.

Defense has me a little worried, just based on their recent form. You have great starting blocks in McCool and Figuerias and Chuck K. And the SSDMs should be decent. But I am worried about the next crop of long poles if Jayden James isn't ready to step in right away. I haven't been super impressed with the younger long poles on the team recently, though it's a hard position to judge with not a lot of playing time. We shall see how this shakes out.

All that said, the rest of the ACC brings back a ton of talent. This UNC team loses almost no one. UVA brings back the Millon brothers. Duke losses more than most (McGuire, Sloat, Johnson and Bard) and ND losses some key players, but all these teams have been recruiting on another level the last few years. Could see the Orange being at the bottom of the conference, though still with a chance for a NCAA birth. Would have a hard time seeing them compete for a title, but I guess a lot depends on who that third starter on attack is.

i don't think you want peck running things, he's a pietramala type.
they will have some puzzle pieces to fit together. if deere IS back, by just ranking individually the top 3 guesses for att to choose from with those there -- you might have deere, anderson and possibly peck.
they're all lefties and none of them are feeders. that'd be a tough workout for marsh.

shannehan BU imo would be the one sure thing to have if he were ever available. but he's now in the business school that gray didn't get into. not sure hoo else makes sense.

johnson - duke is back.

 

[JeremyCuse]

i don't think you want peck running things, he's a pietramala type.
they will have some puzzle pieces to fit together. if deere IS back, by just ranking individually the top 3 guesses for att to choose from with those there -- you might have deere, anderson and possibly peck.
they're all lefties and none of them are feeders. that'd be a tough workout for marsh.

shannehan BU imo would be the one sure thing to have if he were ever available. but he's now in the business school that gray didn't get into. not sure hoo else makes sense.

johnson - duke is back.

Syracuse needs a bigger name to jump into the portal or a mid level feeder type to get in that would be handle to the uptick in competition. I don't think they will go the D2 or D3 route, history has shown attackmen rarely are able to make save for a few exceptions. I also doubt they go the JUCO route, that pipeline of talent has really dried up the last decade +.

 

[wgdsr]

Syracuse needs a bigger name to jump into the portal or a mid level feeder type to get in that would be handle to the uptick in competition. I don't think they will go the D2 or D3 route, history has shown attackmen rarely are able to make save for a few exceptions. I also doubt they go the JUCO route, that pipeline of talent has really dried up the last decade +.

the kid from cnu is a v good player. but he is a senior and... a lefty.