2013 NCAA Lacrosse Open Thread

[IrishLax]

i played on LI express till 10th grade then got hurt and express got expensive so i moved to arrowhead but the penn state players all came from LI Express and Dukes

Ah OK I was guessing Dukes by looking at your location as PA. And yeah... the expense of summer teams is outrageous.

 

[IrishSpartan]

Albany has all the tools to remain competitive. A new stadium, very good academics, very reasonable tuition (keeps some in state talent home with partials), etc. Looks like Marr is there for the long run, so stability in coaching. I have a few friends who brought the program from D3 to D1, so I have a soft spot for them.

thats awesome i was offered and was about to accept until my physical failed due to concussions and i tore my achillies senior year. Marr is my HS coaches cousin

Ah OK I was guessing Dukes by looking at your location as PA. And yeah... the expense of summer teams is outrageous.

yeah with customized equipment its getting so expensive

 

[IrishLax]

give albany 2 years and they will be a consensus top 5 team

I don't know, I think they might lack the depth to be a real serious contender. They remind me of the UMBC team from awhile back that had star power to compete with anyone but not enough depth to seriously make a run. Or maybe the UMASS team that made the championship game against Virginia is a better comparison.

Either way... they're going to be a fun team to watch. A lot of young creative and talented players on the roster right now. This is one of the things I love about lacrosse is that a Stony Brook can get a Kevin Crowley or a Delaware can get an Alex Smith and they are able to compete with the Hopkins, Syracuse, etc. It's a lot like college basketball where it's easier for David to slay Goliath on the regular if "David" can get a couple transcendent players... except in lacrosse your star players all stay for 4 years instead of jumping immediately to the pros as soon as they have a breakout year.

 

[IrishLax]

Polls are out. ND holds onto the #3 spot and moves very close to #1 in the coaches poll. Top 3 teams in coaches poll separated by 3 total vote points.

Nike Division I Top 20 Poll - 02/18/2013 | InsideLacrosse.com
USILA Division I Coaches Poll - 02/18/2013 | InsideLacrosse.com

 

[IrishLax]

Highlights of Syracuse vs. Albany. Goofy music, crappy sideline camera work... but 31 goals of action. Was a really fun, physical game. Syracuse has better highlights... that you have to pay for... SMH.

<iframe src="http://television.insidelacrosse.com/embed/1862a71a-c723-41f2-bae8-e69c88187cac" width="400" height="320" frameborder="0"></iframe>

 

[IrishLax]

Our very own IrishSpartan checking in at #6 in the MCLA ranks:

Nike MCLA Rankings - 02/19/2013 | InsideLacrosse.com

 

[IrishLax]

Post game interviews from ND-Duke:

<iframe src="http://television.insidelacrosse.com/embed/d905b5c4-6112-407e-9416-ebeecf9ce1ef" width="400" height="320" frameborder="0"></iframe>

<iframe src="http://television.insidelacrosse.com/embed/c7af84d3-49be-4321-b5f6-68bc8172ca62" width="400" height="320" frameborder="0"></iframe>

<iframe src="http://television.insidelacrosse.com/embed/19ff4a2b-b41b-421a-8cff-87e1c9bd686c" width="400" height="320" frameborder="0"></iframe>

 

[IrishSpartan]

Our very own IrishSpartan checking in at #6 in the MCLA ranks:

Nike MCLA Rankings - 02/19/2013 | InsideLacrosse.com

thanks but we will go down since we lost our first game but this weekend central is getting the beatdown

 

[Wolverine1997]

With the news of UNC getting a B1G offer and UVA next in line, wow.

If that happens, the B1G is going to turn into a "what's lacrosse?" league to an elite conference overnight. Getting #2 MD, potentially#6 UVA and #12 UNC.

 

[OchoShayneO]

Yea Albany is going to remain Albany. They will continue to get a few natives and some Long Island degenerates who are able to navigate their way over a bridge...but top 5? I thought they only legalized it in Colorado.

IL - After checking out the few games I was able to get on TV since Hop smashed Sienna I think you were pretty on with your analysis of ND and the new rules. I was under the impression (mostly from watching the NCAA tournament the last few years) that teams like ND and UMD would have to adjust to the new Timer On rule, but I didn't see that pop up often and officials did not interfere the way I imagined.

I love the absence of Horns.

Is UNC the new Georgetown? All that talent no production.

 

[Wolverine1997]

Our very own IrishSpartan checking in at #6 in the MCLA ranks:

Nike MCLA Rankings - 02/19/2013 | InsideLacrosse.com

Hopefully they jump to D1 someday. This "rivalry" the athletic department is trying to create with Detroit isn't working.

The games between Michigan and them were close towards the end of Michigan's MCLA run. Some of them were nailbiters.

 

[IrishSpartan]

Yea Albany is going to remain Albany. They will continue to get a few natives and some Long Island degenerates who are able to navigate their way over a bridge...but top 5? I thought they only legalized it in Colorado.

IL - After checking out the few games I was able to get on TV since Hop smashed Sienna I think you were pretty on with your analysis of ND and the new rules. I was under the impression (mostly from watching the NCAA tournament the last few years) that teams like ND and UMD would have to adjust to the new Timer On rule, but I didn't see that pop up often and officials did not interfere the way I imagined.

I love the absence of Horns.

Is UNC the new Georgetown? All that talent no production.

Albany has a terrific coaching staff. A young nucleus of talent and just started recruiting the whole east coast instead of just tri-state they will become a top team, just takes time.

 

[IrishSpartan]

Hopefully they jump to D1 someday. This "rivalry" the athletic department is trying to create with Detroit isn't working.

The games between Michigan and them were close towards the end of Michigan's MCLA run. Some of them were nailbiters.

can't forget about tOsu, they have some studs.

 

[Wolverine1997]

ECAC Scores-

Yesterday, #15 Fairfield took down Navy 10-9
#1 Loyola beat Towson 14-9 tonight.

 

[IrishLax]

Hopefully they jump to D1 someday. This "rivalry" the athletic department is trying to create with Detroit isn't working.

The games between Michigan and them were close towards the end of Michigan's MCLA run. Some of them were nailbiters.

Speaking of odd rivalries... I'm not sure how many people know/appreciate this but Ohio State is our "rival" for all intents and purposes for lacrosse. Has been for a very long time because we were basically the only two schools in the midwest playing DI lacrosse. Games are always super chippy and hard fought... and I correspondingly have a much higher disdain for Ohio State than most Irish fans.

I'm honestly shocked that Michigan vs. Notre Dame didn't get off the ground this year but apparently Marquette adding lacrosse really screwed with the schedule within the Big East. Maybe next year.

 

[IrishLax]

Complete highlights from the ND - Duke game... if only they could combine the camera quality of the UND.com highlights with the complete length of these then we would have something. The snow is pretty cool though:

<iframe src="http://television.insidelacrosse.com/embed/3bd28898-1624-4f2a-aa58-3c23a2a7c75a" width="400" height="320" frameborder="0"></iframe>

 

[Wolverine1997]

Speaking of odd rivalries... I'm not sure how many people know/appreciate this but Ohio State is our "rival" for all intents and purposes for lacrosse. Has been for a very long time because we were basically the only two schools in the midwest playing DI lacrosse. Games are always super chippy and hard fought... and I correspondingly have a much higher disdain for Ohio State than most Irish fans.

I'm honestly shocked that Michigan vs. Notre Dame didn't get off the ground this year but apparently Marquette adding lacrosse really screwed with the schedule within the Big East. Maybe next year.

It can't be that Michigan is ducking ND because they're going to Homewood this weekend to take their comeuppance against #4 JHU.

There were quite a decent amount of ohio fans at last year's game at The Big House. And they were still annoying like the football ones.

I was told ND was going to be Michigan's opponent at Battle at The Big House II this year, but it was moved indefinitely because of the ECAC's scheduling. Even though Michigan got them at home last year, it was non-conference so now I think the official rotation starts this year.

Perhaps next year when Michigan has to go to the snake pit for their "Showdown in the Shoe", they'll host ND at The Battle III.

 

[FDNYIrish1]

Lax, I played back in the early 90's at OWU. I used to love coming and playing you guys, Michigan State, and OSU. The Irish fans lining the field were hysterical! Very original in their line of abuse to say the least. We always had great games with you all, when you used to be able to cross divisions. There wasn't even Division 2 until my senior year. I'm just amazed at how far lax has come in the midwest in a short period. I'm not referring to the talent, just the amount of teams and competition has elevated. That midwest bid used to drive people crazy, now we have teams going to the final 4 on a regular basis. I'm so happy to see this game we love growing so quickly.
Quick question. Do you remember the name of the defenseman from Jersey who I believe was Notre Dame's first all american in division 1 from around my time? Rumor was Lou wanted him as a linebacker. I'm still trying to catch my breath from that guy hitting me on a COMA slide. Literally contoured my shaft to my body.

 

[OchoShayneO]

Albany has a terrific coaching staff. A young nucleus of talent and just started recruiting the whole east coast instead of just tri-state they will become a top team, just takes time.

If by whole east coast you mean 1 kid from CT 1 kid from MA 2 from OH and 1 from Ontario in the last 2 recruiting cycles then yea your right. Are you related to a member of their staff?

 

[IrishSpartan]

If by whole east coast you mean 1 kid from CT 1 kid from MA 2 from OH and 1 from Ontario in the last 2 recruiting cycles then yea your right. Are you related to a member of their staff?

If I didn't go to state right now i would be playing for them at the moment but the head coach is also my high school head coaches cousin and they are very close.

 

[OchoShayneO]

If I didn't go to state right now i would be playing for them at the moment but the head coach is also my high school head coaches cousin and they are very close.

I'm sure they are watching you rip it up in the MCLA and wishing right now. They might win 8 this year.

 

[IrishLax]

I'm sure they are watching you rip it up in the MCLA and wishing right now. They might win 8 this year.

Eh, looking at their schedule I'd be shocked if they don't win at least 10 games this year and their conference. For the next three seasons their attack should be one of the best in the country... they just need some more depth at midfield and D to become a team that can be successful in May.

 

[95NDAlumNM]

So is the ND v. Penn state game this weekend going to be on tv or the internet to watch?

Lax, how do you see this contest going?

 

[IrishSpartan]

I'm sure they are watching you rip it up in the MCLA and wishing right now. They might win 8 this year.

That's funny because the Michigan coach approached me and a teammate yesterday asking us if we were instrested in playing for them next year.

 

[IrishLax]

So is the ND v. Penn state game this weekend going to be on tv or the internet to watch?

I'm trying to track that down right now. Might just have to settle for a live blog. PSU really has sh*t facilities... two years ago I got pulled into doing a live blog for Inside Lacrosse because they called me up at the last moment... and they didn't even have an active internet connection at the field. They had no press box, no seat for me, and I had to squeeze onto the corner of a card table. I ended up running two extension cords to the nearest power outlet... and then setting up my Droid as a 3G hot spot for my laptop to get internet.

All outside with temperatures in the 30s. It was the pits. I learned later that apparently the "good" field was covered in snow? But I dunno... I wouldn't count on a webcast of the game because I can't find it listed anywhere online... and PSU's facilities suck from my experiences. They DID have radio guys last time though...

Lax, how do you see this contest going?

This is tough. Tambroni is a really good coach and the last two years he devised reallllllly good gameplans that stifled our offense. The aforementioned game I blogged ended up being a 3-2 squeaker heading into the 4th at which point ND manufactured some goals and won 6-2. Last year at ND, we dropped the game 4-3 in OT. Both of those PSU teams really sucked in comparison to this one. They had horrid offenses and were actually lucky to get their 2 or 3 goals in regulation. This PSU team has a pretty darn good attack line... but their midfield is still questionable at best.

The other thing that has given us issues is their goalie Austin Kaut. He is one of the best in the country and has proven really good at stopping our outside shooting... while also making miraculous saves on the doorstep. A big reason why we got to 13 goals against Duke was the accuracy of shooting from our midfield scoring goals repeatedly on long distance shots. Can we do that against PSU? I'm not sure. Another area for concern is the faceoff X... where I expect us to probably get beaten badly again this week. We just don't have difference makers taking faceoffs or off the wings that we've had in the past.

All things considered... I hope/expect ND wins by a score of something like 10-7. I don't think PSU should be able to score consistently unless they get really lucky on poor angle and distance shots. I think our attack is good enough to provide more balanced offense than we've had the past two years... we ran a LOT of different personnel against Duke and while I think we're still doing some soul searching for the right personnel groupings I'd be surprised if PSU really shuts us down as they have the past two seasons.

 

[95NDAlumNM]

Thanks Lax. Always appreciated.

 

[IrishLax]

Just got confirmation that the game Sunday has been moved to an indoor facility and that there will be no webcast. Interested to see how much this affects things because playing in a crappy turf facility = a big difference sometimes. Playing on field turf is not really a huge difference but when you do battle on bad "astro turf" it can get interesting. Different shoes, ball bounces way different than on a field, groundballs are completely different, etc.

 

[OchoShayneO]

Eh, looking at their schedule I'd be shocked if they don't win at least 10 games this year and their conference. For the next three seasons their attack should be one of the best in the country... they just need some more depth at midfield and D to become a team that can be successful in May.

I looked at the schedule. Still predicting 8.

 

[FDNYIrish1]

So they are playing on the old school astro turf? That sucks man, hard as a rock and killer burns! Where do you guys see the match ups here? Last week Penn State looked a little attack heavy and had great success with one on one goals. That #3 was real slick around the crease. I really think that cross check rule is having a mental impact on the way defense is being played early in the season. I think the Irish defense stands tall, 12-9. Enjoy the weekend guys. And good luck this weekend Irishspartan!

 

[IrishLax]

So they are playing on the old school astro turf? That sucks man, hard as a rock and killer burns! Where do you guys see the match ups here? Last week Penn State looked a little attack heavy and had great success with one on one goals. That #3 was real slick around the crease. I really think that cross check rule is having a mental impact on the way defense is being played early in the season. I think the Irish defense stands tall, 12-9. Enjoy the weekend guys. And good luck this weekend Irishspartan!

I actually spoke too soon... it's the football facility and appears to be pretty new.

Here's a link to where it's being played: Penn State Official Athletic Site - Facilities Actually looks pretty darn nice... says full field turf. Which is good because, as you said, old school astro turf is the worst. I've only played on it once in a HS tournament up at University of Maryland and by the end of the first game my knees were gushing blood. It chews you up so bad.

I think they're going to lean on their attack for sure. And they aren't as good as the players who play for Duke. The last two years with the same guys they only managed 2 and 3 goals in regulation against us... and they lost their best player and replaced him with a pretty talented Canadian frosh so that's pretty much a wash. Across the board we are better than them except probably at the faceoff X where I think they might get us 2-to-1. Our attack is better than their attack, our midfield is a LOT better than their midfield, our D is a LOT better than their D, and our goalies are pretty comparable. I think we lose this game if and only if we get dominated on faceoffs, Kaut has a great day in goal, and we give up too many cheap goals off of transition, bad angle shots, etc.

Not a high probability of all of that happening at once.