Powellfan
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Well it's finally here. After what felt like an eternity, the offseason is over and we actually have an honest to goodness game to look forward to. Vermont is outside the top 20 but pose a stiff test to a reconfigured Orange team. I'll try and keep these game previews a little more brief than usual.
On offense the Catamounts lose a lot, including one of the best players in their history in Thomas McConvey who left for UVA in the offseason (74 points from the midfield). They also lose their fourth and fifth leading scorers in David McCormick and Liam Limoges. But they return their second and third leading scorers in David Closterman and Brock Haley, who combined for 101 points last year. That's nothing to sneeze at. UVM also returns four other players who scored in double digits last year. They will definitely have to adjust to losing McConvey which should take some getting used to. They run a motion based offense heavily influenced by a Canadian style so the potential for this team is there. But even the best schemes need players to draw slides and finish shots. Do they have somone to put pressue on a defense and get feet moving?
For SU, Will Mark is the presumed starter and it will be exciting to see him get his first start in the Dome. Lots of questions for the SU defense, but I'm assuming that Caccamo will draw Closterman. Curious to see how the SSDMs perform as they bring in two transfers and some freshmen. This unit should have more depth this year. Also wondering who will back up Olexo at LSM.
Defensively the Mounts have a beast of a player in Nick Alviti - he's one of the returning players who scored in double digits last year (eight goals, four assists). He's not just a threat in transition, he was also second on the team in groundballs with 88 and first in Caused Turnovers with 32. You have to think that SU will spend a lot of time avoiding the Junior from Connecticut. That said, the rest of the Vermont defense is no joke as Jackson Canfield, Will Jones combined for 40 caused turnovers as well. The new look SU offense has some good news as longtime goalie Ryan Cornell (55% save percentage, 8.91 GAA) is gone.
It looks like the attack for Syracuse is set with Spallina running with Simmons and Hiltz. Who starts at midfield? How often will players be rotated? Lots of returning players who, quite frankly didn't perform that well last year will be meshed together with transfers and freshmen. Who wins out?
The biggest advantage the Catamounts will have of course will be their FOGO, as Tommy Burke comes in with a 61.4% winning percentage from last year. Syracuse has many questions in this department (I'm not even sure who the presumed starter will be). Can SU mitigate the possession discrepancy with a better defense? Who will be on the face-off wings for the Orange? If they struggle do they stick with one guy or try and throw the kitchen sink at Burke?
Alright, can't wait till Saturday. I think this could be a close game if Syracuse struggles at the face-off. I think ultimately their depth wins out and they overwhelm Vermont, but should be a good game. Maybe something like 14-10? Go 'Cuse.
On offense the Catamounts lose a lot, including one of the best players in their history in Thomas McConvey who left for UVA in the offseason (74 points from the midfield). They also lose their fourth and fifth leading scorers in David McCormick and Liam Limoges. But they return their second and third leading scorers in David Closterman and Brock Haley, who combined for 101 points last year. That's nothing to sneeze at. UVM also returns four other players who scored in double digits last year. They will definitely have to adjust to losing McConvey which should take some getting used to. They run a motion based offense heavily influenced by a Canadian style so the potential for this team is there. But even the best schemes need players to draw slides and finish shots. Do they have somone to put pressue on a defense and get feet moving?
For SU, Will Mark is the presumed starter and it will be exciting to see him get his first start in the Dome. Lots of questions for the SU defense, but I'm assuming that Caccamo will draw Closterman. Curious to see how the SSDMs perform as they bring in two transfers and some freshmen. This unit should have more depth this year. Also wondering who will back up Olexo at LSM.
Defensively the Mounts have a beast of a player in Nick Alviti - he's one of the returning players who scored in double digits last year (eight goals, four assists). He's not just a threat in transition, he was also second on the team in groundballs with 88 and first in Caused Turnovers with 32. You have to think that SU will spend a lot of time avoiding the Junior from Connecticut. That said, the rest of the Vermont defense is no joke as Jackson Canfield, Will Jones combined for 40 caused turnovers as well. The new look SU offense has some good news as longtime goalie Ryan Cornell (55% save percentage, 8.91 GAA) is gone.
It looks like the attack for Syracuse is set with Spallina running with Simmons and Hiltz. Who starts at midfield? How often will players be rotated? Lots of returning players who, quite frankly didn't perform that well last year will be meshed together with transfers and freshmen. Who wins out?
The biggest advantage the Catamounts will have of course will be their FOGO, as Tommy Burke comes in with a 61.4% winning percentage from last year. Syracuse has many questions in this department (I'm not even sure who the presumed starter will be). Can SU mitigate the possession discrepancy with a better defense? Who will be on the face-off wings for the Orange? If they struggle do they stick with one guy or try and throw the kitchen sink at Burke?
Alright, can't wait till Saturday. I think this could be a close game if Syracuse struggles at the face-off. I think ultimately their depth wins out and they overwhelm Vermont, but should be a good game. Maybe something like 14-10? Go 'Cuse.