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Message: [QUOTE="JeremyCuse, post: 5340047, member: 43"] Yup good stuff. Good stuff, as I noted in my post a few days ago there's not a lot to go on with Vermont not having played a game yet and only some anecdotal scrimmage notes out there. Vermont also has zero online presence as far as a fan or message board with the only site I could find last having a post from 2017. That said there are a few things we can surmise about the game on Friday. As we both noted Vermont returns a lot but they did lose some important pieces. They lost one half of their top scorers with Brock Haley graduating. He led the team with 31 assists and will be a big loss though Luke Reiter returns who had 27 assists. Vermont returns most of their defense as they started two true freshmen at close and their LSM is a true Soph who played a lot last year and is on the pre-season all conf 1st team. However, they did lose the top close defender Tim Manning to graduation along with their starting goalie George Egan. I also believe they lost their top three SSDM's which could bode very well for SU's midfield. From a defensive standpoint Vermont could pose some issues. Pope is the big gun for sure but Reiter the top returning attackmen and Whittaker another returning middie put up 44 and 39 pts respectively. Vermont also added D3 grad transfer Zack Davis who put up 53 points in 2023 at Union. If your Syracuse I think you have to at least consider double pollign the midfield and I would not put Caccamo on Pope. Nothing against him but you need to bump Grace to LSM for this matchup as I am sure that's probably the plan for Weisshaer on Monday, might as well get some practice with it now. Now I assume Syracuse is not going to do this so watch and see if they make a mid game move here. Unclear if they would slot Caccamo at that the 3rd close spot or go to someone else. McCool likely to get his first real challenge, how does he respond? Dodge their FOGO jumps out as a potential issue as well. Johnny started off a little slow last week but got into a groove and was 60%+ by the end of the game. Dodge struggled in this game last year but obvioulsy that doesn't mean much for Friday. If Johnny struggles or needs to miss a few draws for violations it appears Richiusa is the #2 for now which is a bit suprising. He was 3 for 6 against Jaxville and is a veteran presence but I think most assumed Drew Angelo was likely to get that 2nd spot. Something to watch as the season evolves. From an offensive standpoint it would appear SU has some clear advantages. Vermont returns some solid D pieces including two first teamers (one at close and their LSM) that said they do appear to lose a large chunk of their rope unit and their top close defender from last year not mention their goalie. Friday's starting goalie seems likely to be true Sophomore Ryan Daley who saw action in 3 games last year. Needless to say the two O mids for SU drawing short sticks will likely be initiating a lot and I assume SU will also look to set picks to get Thomson and Hiltz on a short stick matchup. SU presenting Rhoa, Leo and English on that 1st line creates incredible matchup problems for most defenses. I doubt Vermont has the ability to double pole but will be something to watch. Very intriguing game on Friday. I know the line is 12 but to me that seems high. Vermont has some major issues defensively on paper but that Offense should be good especially if they keep Pope at middie and create matchup issues with who to short. I am a big John Mullen fan but there's a lot of pressure on him to be good game in and game out. SU just doesn't have that secondary guy with Kohn gone. Angelo may ultimately become that guy but he's only a true frosh currently. If Mullen has some issues it's unclear who Gait will go to. Richiusa is a veteran guy but not sure he's a realistic option beyond a handful of draws a game. Also interested to see how the wing guys look on Friday, could be a huge piece if most draws become a scrum. Overall this should be a nice test for SU especially with the next two games being huge steps up in terms of competition, Towson will present a massive challenge on Monday. The Vermont game should give a good look at the LSM spot, face off wings, and probably the defense overall. I certainly expect a comfortable win but I think it could be a lot closer then it looks on paper. [/QUOTE]

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