OrangeXtreme
The Mayor of Dewitt
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As we approach college lacrosse conference tournament time, a number of stars have emerged.
These players are new to the spotlight and they all play different roles for their teams, but share at least one trait: they're all focused on winning a league title and qualifiying for the NCAA tournament.
Here's a few players who have impressed me, so far, including what makes them special and what they need to do to be impressive in the postseason:
Ben Williams, face-off midfielder, Syracuse
The sophomore from Minnesota has taken the college lacrosse world by storm.
"It's his quickness," coach John Desko said. "Ben has great hand speed and body control. He's good at reading the other player, and can counter-move if he has to, but he's usually the first to get down on the ball."
Williams transfered from Holy Cross, where as a freshman he won 53 percent of his faceoffs. This season he has won 70 percent. He has flipped a Syracuse weakness into a strength while scooping up 96 ground balls and committing just seven turnovers.
"He's very focused on what he's doing. A little on the quiet side," Desko said. "He watches a lot of film and the work he has put in is being rewarded."
Syracuse has only one loss and is ranked No. 2 with a gigantic shot at another NCAA title, but Williams must keep improving his offensive and defensive skills. Instead of looking to run off the field right away, he can stay on and attack a weak defender. When caught on defense, he needs to better understand and execute his assignment.
http://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/quint-as-postseason-nears-stars-emerge/31642
These players are new to the spotlight and they all play different roles for their teams, but share at least one trait: they're all focused on winning a league title and qualifiying for the NCAA tournament.
Here's a few players who have impressed me, so far, including what makes them special and what they need to do to be impressive in the postseason:
Ben Williams, face-off midfielder, Syracuse
The sophomore from Minnesota has taken the college lacrosse world by storm.
"It's his quickness," coach John Desko said. "Ben has great hand speed and body control. He's good at reading the other player, and can counter-move if he has to, but he's usually the first to get down on the ball."
Williams transfered from Holy Cross, where as a freshman he won 53 percent of his faceoffs. This season he has won 70 percent. He has flipped a Syracuse weakness into a strength while scooping up 96 ground balls and committing just seven turnovers.
"He's very focused on what he's doing. A little on the quiet side," Desko said. "He watches a lot of film and the work he has put in is being rewarded."
Syracuse has only one loss and is ranked No. 2 with a gigantic shot at another NCAA title, but Williams must keep improving his offensive and defensive skills. Instead of looking to run off the field right away, he can stay on and attack a weak defender. When caught on defense, he needs to better understand and execute his assignment.
http://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/quint-as-postseason-nears-stars-emerge/31642
