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Message: [QUOTE="JeremyCuse, post: 4249548, member: 43"] I think part of the problem is that the current D starters are mostly the same from last year and have become I guess a bit gun shy (for lack of a better term) on when or if to slide from some of the issues last year and I think in certain games this year. If you look at some of these games there is an epidemic of Syracuse players sliding for no reason on multiple occasions. You saw it versus Albany, UNC and Cornell and even a bit against UVA as I think wgdsr noted. It's been a huge issue nearly the entire season and while it improved some in certain games ie Duke it cost SU probably 2 to 3 wins. It's a bit surprising SU didn't go with a slow to slide package even if it was just for certain defenders. Maryland did this on Sat vs Hop and only slide if it was absolutely necessary. SU should almost never be sliding when Kennedy is guarding a player, if he gets beat he gets beat but he has earned the trust as the #1 defender. Overall uneven play and youth has also been a major problem and I think also a complete inability to go with other guys when starters are struggling as mentioned by I think powellfan. Caccamo has looked outstanding as a Frosh and should be absolutely mentioned as one of the top Frosh of D1. However, he also unfortunately was heavily involved in 2 losses with his no reason to slide late against Cornell and then his turnover on a bad pass vs UNC. Not condemning him by any stretch but its hard not to see youth contributing to both. Murphy clearly has struggled all year and its unclear why we haven't tried Frattergio or someone else at the third spot. The options depth wise aren't great but give someone else a shot. SSDM's have also been up and down. Rice and Aviles have been good overall but were torched against UVA and ND and were a mess in the 2nd half of the UNC game. Rosa clearly isnt 100% as he hasn't looked right since his injury and has had trouble defending on dodges since his return. I don't know if an SSDM via the portal is a realistic option but I absolutely think Lavine and the incoming From Trujillo (spelling) should get a look as we need more depth and speed there clearly. Overall it appears to be a variety of issues contributing to the defensive issues. Cleary ill-timed or incorrect slides are the main culprit. But we've also seen games where the SSDM's have struggled necessitating slide and its been the secondary slide that SU struggled with. We have also seen the D hold up fairly well and then SU starts trying to double and creates offense for the opponent for no reason ie UNC and Cornell games. Goalie play has also been mostly horrendous though a few games I am pretty sure me or [USER=27]sutomcat[/USER] could score guys were so wide open. I think clearly things have to be simplified as way to many times the SU defense has been lost or confused on a re-start or secondary break that shouldn't happen at this level. It's also unclear why Petro says one thing in the huddle but the team then does the exact opposite. Arwe they just makign mistakes? Ignoring him? Some combo of both? Why not replace Murphy, is Petro sticking with a guy he likes or a Sr for to long like he did at Hop? There is a lot of talent incoming next year but you can't ask 3 freshmen to be Kennedy out of the gate. Petro has a big job in front of him but I hold out some hope that with all the SSDM's returning, Caccamo, Fraterrgio, Olexxo, Clary, Page, Drago there is talent there and clearly Dwan Sadeger and the St. Johns guys will add a much needed influx of talent that we can hopefully get up to speed quickly. [/QUOTE]

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