Mellen was part of a four-player rotation that got the prime minutes on defense in the two scrimmages. The others, all returners, should all be fixtures this season: Tyson Bomberry, Marcus Cunningham and Nick DiPietro.
The Orange's lineup continued to take shape throughout the two scrimmages, although the anticipated starters played limited minutes. Right now, the first line of attack looks like Brad Voigt, Stephen Rehfuss and Nate Solomon. Brendan Bomberry also works into that group but injury kept him out of play Sunday. Syracuse coach John Desko indicated that Bomberry could be available when the Orange hosts Yale in a scrimmage Feb. 4 (that contest is not open to the public).
The midfield looks like Peter Dearth, Jamie Trimboli and potential impact freshman Tucker Dordevic. Matt Lane, Ryan Simmons and freshman Brendan Curry worked the second midfield unit in the contest against the Dolphins.
I was a big fan of Romanos tape and glad to see him get on the stat sheet and well, really wanna see him succeed.Love that Curry has made the second line. Like having A Frosh to go with Two seniors on the second line. Also confirms that Curry is working at middie and not attack. I think O'Sullivan and Lipka and a few others can push for time on the second line if Simmons and Lane Struggle. Big fan of that first line as well, although not sure theres an elite dodger now that Salcido is gone. Really looking forward to seeing what Dordevic can do. Hoping we can get some info on whose playing SSDM, I know someone mentioned Lipka but I thought he was playing middie. I assume Schwasnick and the kid from Illinois whose name I dont dare try and type out will see major minutes with Hutchings.
SU has had some really good depth in years prior but the wealth at Midfield ( most of it young admittedly) is absolutely ridiculous. We just talked about the top two lines and made no mention of Romano, Small, Buttermore, Quinn, Lipka, Carlin, McKinney, Lauder etc. No idea how Desko will handle PT if some of these young guys start to come along as the season goes on. Will have to run 3 lines regularly perhaps.
SU has had some really good depth in years prior but the wealth at Midfield ( most of it young admittedly) is absolutely ridiculous. We just talked about the top two lines and made no mention of Romano, Small, Buttermore, Quinn, Lipka, Carlin, McKinney, Lauder etc. No idea how Desko will handle PT if some of these young guys start to come along as the season goes on. Will have to run 3 lines regularly perhaps.
The Yale scrimmage is going to be tough to gauge. Yale hasn't officially started full team practices and per Ivy rules has only been doing individual group work. Their first official team practice is 2/1, so the potential to not get a game ready squad is possible.I was a big fan of Romanos tape and glad to see him get on the stat sheet and well, really wanna see him succeed.
Like you said depth looks good. And the scrimmages are proving that.
What the freshman and others that didn't play much last year do will be a very big marker against Yale. Can't wait for that one.
Why is that an Ivy League rule ?The Yale scrimmage is going to be tough to gauge. Yale hasn't officially started full team practices and per Ivy rules has only been doing individual group work. Their first official team practice is 2/1, so the potential to not get a game ready squad is possible.
That being said, Im hoping for a top 10 battle that helps get them ready for the season opener
Why is that an Ivy League rule ?
And have they not had any scrimmages because of that? What do they do for fall ball?
Yale will be tough first scrimmage or not. I would pay to see Mellen take on that stud attack. Love the excitement over freshmen middies, but it seems much too early to turn up the heat.
When was the last time we had 3 solid midfield lines and ran them consistently. I don't have any evidence to back it up but it has always been my feeling that midfield depth is the difference for championship teams.
Jcuse - thanks for the kind wordsWelcome to the board, I know you have been over on laxpower for a number of years. Happy to have you join us over here. Can get a little slow at times but I think its the best spot on the web to talk SU lax.
Welcome! There's a lot of good lacrosse knowledge here. As Jeremy says, it can get quiet at times, but during the season it's pretty active. Just don't look for any knowledge from me - I discovered the sport my first year at Syracuse (about 100 years ago) and was introduced to the sport by the Desko, Donohue, Abbott, Storrier, etc. Love the sport!Jcuse - thanks for the kind words
As much as Lane drives everyone crazy it's going to be hard to bump him off the 2 line. I'm almost shocked Desko put him on the 2 line to begin with. But the kid just has massive size and that clip from the scrimmage he looks like he's filled out in the upper body. Watch the team congratulate him after that shot, look at how much bigger he is than everyone around him. He towers over everybody. He's going to be imposing and a real boost on that 2nd line.
Lane and Myles Jones aren't even in the same universe. Not even close. I'm just hoping Lane will be a decent role player this season.In my opinion when Desko saw the match up mismatches that Myles Jones created at Duke he wanted to find something comparable for SU. However Jones seems to be a once in a generation type of player. I can't think of any other player in college lacrosse like him.
As much as Lane drives everyone crazy it's going to be hard to bump him off the 2 line. I'm almost shocked Desko put him on the 2 line to begin with. But the kid just has massive size and that clip from the scrimmage he looks like he's filled out in the upper body. Watch the team congratulate him after that shot, look at how much bigger he is than everyone around him. He towers over everybody. He's going to be imposing and a real boost on that 2nd line.
I'm going to be ever observant of Quinn. I've seen him play a bunch, he's real thick and fast but short. He never really overwhelmed me; ya know when you're watching teams play and you say to yourself 'holy sht who is that kid'. I was always surprised by how early we offered him and over his career I've just worried that he'll be like any other player at this level. I hope he has a great great career here but he might have to wait his turn.
So, why doesn't Desko run Lane at attack? Park him in front of the net and dare defensemen to move him. Unless he doesn't have the stick skills.Lane has always shown flashes his issue has been inconsitency and the fact that hes a natural attackmen trying to play middie who isn't a natural or comfortable dodger. He has done a nice job running the point on man up and has a chance to have a very successful Senior year. That said I think the first line option has sailed, there is just to much talent on the roster at this point. Overall I am not sure what to make of Lane this year, I love his size and the fact that seems to have taken that next step but I said the same thing last year and he lost his spot on the 1st line and really struggled at times. I hope he can have a breakout senior year. If he struggles again both he and Simmons could be in danger as there is a ton of young talent trying to get on that second line.
Quinn isn't a physically imposing player but he put up some really good numbers at Nisky and was an UA. He came in with a pretty loaded midfield class so its going to take him some time and the ability to stand out in practice to get some playing time this early. He may even be a red-shirt candidate at this point with Curry and Dordevic both ahead of him.
So, why doesn't Desko run Lane at attack? Park him in front of the net and dare defensemen to move him. Unless he doesn't have the stick skills.