Notre Dame Lacrosse Open thread

[arrowryan]

Is Paul Longo in charge of strength and conditioning for lax?

 

[arrowryan]

Embarrassing

 

[irishrb]

That's Notre Dame lacrosse in a nutshell. So discouraging!

 

[stpeteirish]

Have we ever won an overtime game? I can't remember one.

 

[IrishLax]

Have we ever won an overtime game? I can't remember one.

2012 Albany is the only tourney game in the past 10 years that ND has won in OT.

I’m pretty frustrated with the play they called out of that timeout with 40 seconds left (more for the execution than design) but the way we lost that faceoff in OT was shockingly clean and I don’t really understand why we didn’t try to ride it back harder.

 

[FDNYIrish1]

There’s no excuse for playing out of control and dodging to traffic in the middle of the field with a three goal lead. That is not a game that should have been lost.

 

[IrishLax]

Both the Duke collapse and this loss were a direct product of the team running out of gas. So weird, because usually we’re doing that to other teams and our strength is depth.

Maryland is the most talented team in the country but this was a huge missed opportunity for ND who had their most talented team in ages. They will be MUCH worse facing off and playing defense next year, so it’s hard to say when they will next have this good of a chance to win a title.

 

[stpeteirish]

Both the Duke collapse and this loss were a direct product of the team running out of gas. So weird, because usually we’re doing that to other teams and our strength is depth.

Maryland is the most talented team in the country but this was a huge missed opportunity for ND who had their most talented team in ages. They will be MUCH worse facing off and playing defense next year, so it’s hard to say when they will next have this good of a chance to win a title.

bummer. but there's so many guys transferring now with that extra COVID year in their pocket that it'll be hard to predict next year's roster at any school.

 

[irishrb]

Big time coaches either instill confidence in their players to win big games, or are big X and O guys who draw things up to win big games. Corrigan has built this program from bare bones, and has done a phenomenal job, but NEVER wins the big games. And make no mistake about it, he's had PLENTY of opportunities with the talent to do it. IMO, it's time...Time for some fresh new blood, that either instills the confidence, masters the X's and O's, or ideally has a good mix of both! Obviously he chooses when he wants to go...I'm just hoping it's sooner than later.

 

[Picasso]

Big time coaches either instill confidence in their players to win big games, or are big X and O guys who draw things up to win big games. Corrigan has built this program from bare bones, and has done a phenomenal job, but NEVER wins the big games. And make no mistake about it, he's had PLENTY of opportunities with the talent to do it. IMO, it's time...Time for some fresh new blood, that either instills the confidence, masters the X's and O's, or ideally has a good mix of both! Obviously he chooses when he wants to go...I'm just hoping it's sooner than later.

I actually believe Coach Corrigan had his best year as a HC this year. He recruited extremely well and had the boys ready to play this Spring. Every coach can make better tactical decisions or be a better emotional leader. What I saw on the sideline this year was the emotional maturation of a seasoned coach. Compared to the KC of the past, he's taken a huge step forward. What I see is ND still needs to recruit more players with great lacrosse IQ. The mental mistakes in the collapse vs Duke and and the loss to Maryland were 100% player related.

 

[irishrb]

I actually believe Coach Corrigan had his best year as a HC this year. He recruited extremely well and had the boys ready to play this Spring. Every coach can make better tactical decisions or be a better emotional leader. What I saw on the sideline this year was the emotional maturation of a seasoned coach. Compared to the KC of the past, he's taken a huge step forward. What I see is ND still needs to recruit more players with great lacrosse IQ. The mental mistakes in the collapse vs Duke and and the loss to Maryland were 100% player related.

I disagree....“It was a give and go. There wasn’t anything complicated about that. Our guy relaxed off ball and got beat on a jump cut on a give and go.” Kevin Corrigan
A well coached team doesn't let that happen in OT in the quarterfinals.

 

[stpeteirish]

I disagree....“It was a give and go. There wasn’t anything complicated about that. Our guy relaxed off ball and got beat on a jump cut on a give and go.” Kevin Corrigan
A well coached team doesn't let that happen in OT in the quarterfinals.

That happened due to fatigue, IMO. Big problem this year, the late game collapse. Mental and physical. I guess that falls under the umbrella of "coaching" and as Lax pointed out this has usually been a strength under Corrigan.

We need to take a hard look at this in the offseason and make changes.

 

[IrishLax]

I disagree....“It was a give and go. There wasn’t anything complicated about that. Our guy relaxed off ball and got beat on a jump cut on a give and go.” Kevin Corrigan
A well coached team doesn't let that happen in OT in the quarterfinals.

To be fair, this is the kind of crap that happens when you get tired. You get physically tired first, then mentally tired right after. Defense is about staying 100% locked in for 100% of the time because all it takes is one player losing focus for 1% of the time to get you beat.

I was really happy with the adjustments ND made from the Drexel game to the Maryland game to put the offense in position to succeed. I was less of a fan of what they did after Westlin had to leave with injury... I don't think shortening the bench and putting Jackoboice at attack was the right call. Similarly, I get what they were going for in the last play of regulation, but those were not the matchups you wanted to attack. They played it very safe and were content to go to OT rather than give Maryland a chance to score going the other way... which I understand in theory, because of the faceoff dominance, but I don't love it. I would've rather they put in some fresh legs like Mikey Drake to initiate or let McCahon start it from the midfield and try to set up a shot for Yorke or Dobson.

Maryland was clearly the better team by the eye test and ND leaned heavily on faceoffs + goal tending to gain control of the game. I think Maryland wins that game 7 out of 10 times. Hard to see ND getting over the hump unless they can recruit another Gallagher from somewhere and reload on defense. I've heard good things about two of the poles waiting in the wings, but none of them are (allegedly) as good as Kielty.

 

[irishrb]

My junior son in high school stated right away that they weren't playing to win at the end of regulation and it was going to bite them. In his words, "Play your game and put this away." In discussing the breakdown that lost the game with him, in his words, "Mental toughness has to take over." Agreed and agreed...IMO, both coachable moments...both didn't happen...
Dominant faceoffs, better goalie play, and at home....ND absolutely should have won this game...No excuses

 

[Picasso]

I disagree....“It was a give and go. There wasn’t anything complicated about that. Our guy relaxed off ball and got beat on a jump cut on a give and go.” Kevin Corrigan
A well coached team doesn't let that happen in OT in the quarterfinals.

Agreed, it was a simple give and go, ND relaxed and a savy pair of Terps took advantage of the Irish. Completely confident covering a cutter closely is coached consistently by the Irish staff. Based on the portal window activity, the DC is rebuilding the close D from the ground up with some very strong transfers. However, not confident they're addressing their biggest needs which are the rope unit. They need more athleticism and IQ at both the pole and SSDM positions to win a title. When you look at UVA and UMD their rope units were markedly better than ND's. Watch the final 4 and championship games and you'll see that both of their units regularly produced points. We need a Sexton and 2 Near quality recruits every other year to shore up the D. In my opinion, you can make a strong argument, our keeper was the best goalie in the Elite Eight. Offensively, we should be in great hands with the two K brothers on attack but need to develop more field awareness and lacrosse IQ at the middle position across both lines. Hope the recruits at the FO X pan out as we need a lot of depth at this position.

 

[stpeteirish]

Crazy find while channel surfing...Jared Bernhardt has another national title-QB for Ferris St which just won the D2 Football title. Option QB. What an athlete this guy is.

Correction-I guess they lost in the finals this year. He may have won one earlier though

 

[IrishLax]

Crazy find while channel surfing...Jared Bernhardt has another national title-QB for Ferris St which just won the D2 Football title. Option QB. What an athlete this guy is.

Correction-I guess they lost in the finals this year. He may have won one earlier though

He’s a beast. I expect him to get a long look in the upcoming NFL draft. His future is probably at WR, but he’ll need a few years of practice squad development.

 

[IrishLax]

Just received this email with the ND schedule for next year:

Lacrosse alumni and friends,

I hope this finds each of you slowing down to enjoy the Holiday season. The guys have finished exams and have headed home to see their families, and we get to enjoy the calm before the storm of second semester.

It has been great to be back in school and back on the field again this fall. We had it fairly normal last year compared to most schools, and I speak for everyone here when I say how grateful we were that Notre Dame put their foot in the ground and said back to school, back to the dorms, and back on the fields until someone proves we cant. This fall was a continuation of that determination, and included playing a fall contest here against former player and coach Matt Karwecks Colgate squad.

Our roster has grown to unprecedented numbers, but our guys continue to be great teammates and competitors. The culture of the program is strong, and in fact has been enhanced by both the ND 5th years and the transfers from outside the program. We have talent and depth at every position and will compete at the highest level again this year.

I am attaching our 2022 schedule. As always, it is one of the toughest and best schedules in the country, with at least 9 games vs top 20 teams. We have a great home schedule too - so I hope you can get out here to see us play.

In normal circumstances, 2022 is a foreign tour year for the team. Rob and I have been planning a trip to Germany but unfortunately the administration has asked us to put our plans on hold until we can figure out what COVID is going to look like both here and abroad. We hope to make a decision about this trip by March 1and as always your support will be critical.

While it has been challenging, Rob continues to lead the charge on helping our guys get the best possible jobs. We miss the annual trip to New York and some of the other travel opportunities to network with you all. We are planning a trip to Chicago this spring and will continue to reach out to you on behalf of our current players. Your help is more valuable now than ever and more appreciated by us as well.

Thank you for the continued generous support that you have graced us with - whether it is time, money, or personal and professional opportunities - you continue to advise and support us better than any alumni group in the country. Thank you.

I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas and we see you in the New Year.

Peace,

Kevin



NOTRE DAME MENS LACROSSE

2022 SCHEDULE

JANUARY

Saturday, 1/22 AIR FORCE (Scrimmage) Notre Dame 7:00 pm

FEBRUARY

Sunday, 2/6 CLEVELAND STATE (Scrimmage) Notre Dame 11:00 am

Saturday, 2/19 DETROIT Notre Dame 7:00 pm

Saturday, 2/26 GEORGETOWN Notre Dame TBD

MARCH

Saturday, 3/5 MARYLAND Notre Dame TBD

Saturday, 3/12 Ohio State Columbus, OH TBD

Saturday, 3/19 MICHIGAN Notre Dame 12:00 pm

Saturday, 3/26 Virginia Charlottesville, VA 1:00 pm

APRIL

Saturday, 4/2 SYRACUSE Notre Dame 2:00 pm

Thursday, 4/7 Duke Durham, NC 8:00 pm

Tuesday, 4/12 Marquette Milwaukee, WI TBD

Thursday, 4/21 NORTH CAROLINA Notre Dame 6:00 pm

MAY

Sunday, 5/1 Syracuse Syracuse, NY 11:00 am

Saturday, 5/7 DUKE Notre Dame 12:00 pm

 

[IrishLax]

First game of the season is today on ESPN+/ACC Network against Detroit Mercy. 7 PM start. Should be a bloodbath.

 

[irishrb]

Les Get It!!! Looking forward to see how they do at face, how the new D poles move, and how their depth on offense plays out!

 

[IrishLax]

Already emptying the bench in 2Q. ND is up 14-1 20 minutes into the game.

 

[stpeteirish]

back ups handled Detroit Mercy 9-0

 

[stpeteirish]

Highly touted face off specialist Wil Lynch from Chaminade looked great. Won the first 6 and did it with apparent ease. Things got a little ragged after that but we were so far ahead it didn't matter. Kavanaugh brothers were awesome. They really know how to set each other up. Chris, the freshman, looks like he's already as good as Pat.

 

[IrishLax]

The “weak” link on the offense is going to be Quinn McCahon. Jackoboice will not be guardable by SSDMs and Dobson is too physical with a big outside shot. McCahon is the guy who is going to get favorable matchups all year and is going to need to make plays.

Mirer must be hurt because I didn’t see him out there. That’s a shame, because I think he’s a guy that consistently can get his own shot and would thrive with the current attack.

Only things that could snakebite this team are inexperience at FOGO, LSM, and the 3rd pole on defense.

 

[irishrb]

I was looking for Mirer most of the game, wondering what was going on. I didn't think he got enough opportunities last year and was looking forward to seeing what he was going to bring to the table this year...I finally spotted him at the end in street clothes, so ya, something is definitely going on with him. Hopefully it's nothing too serious!

 

[irishrb]

Ugh...Horrible face off and a step too slow on D. I don't know if I've ever shut a ND lacrosse game off, but I just did it.

 

[arrowryan]

Turns out they stink

 

[stpeteirish]

thought the game started at 2 PM. Guess I should be glad I missed the first half.

 

[stpeteirish]

different story in2nd half

 

[stpeteirish]

3 goals by Mirer in 3rd quarter so he's not injured after all.