Ok, so this is the part where I give my opinion...
Normally this is the part where I bag on ND. I'm not going to do that this time. They are, without a doubt, the best Women's lacrosse team in the country. I am, however, going to make some points.
First off, you're over a week late on the ND #1 news. You can thank Cornell for that. If they don't shock 'Cuse in the Dome the Orange are still on top.
Second, both polls are a little bit flawed in my opinion. I'm not saying that ND isn't #1 mathematically or otherwise, but the rest of the rankings don't stack up. Hopkins suffered losses to Princeton and Syracuse, yet is still atop both. In fact, Princeton is nowhere to be seen. They've fallen off after losing a legendary coach to Denver... who is having a tremendous year as a result. Hop plays a really, really light schedule most of the way through every year; Stinkers like Manhattan, UMBC and Siena.
On to Cornell... Sure they beat the Orange in Upstate NY's iconic athletic facility, but they're also sporting losses to Virginia (a good one to take) and to Army, a team struggling to stay alive in a very weak Patriot League. Meanwhile, Syracuse has played a tougher schedule than all the above and won many of them in convincing fashion. Inside Lacrosse
The Polls should read #1 - ND, #2 - Syracuse #3 - Cornell. Let it be noted that Laxpower.com (the "Bible" known only to those in the circle) has ND with a computer rating that places them in 4th place. Hmmm....
As for the game at hand...
I have a hard time believing that Notre Dame walks into Dome Sweet Dome and leaves with a W. Even without stud attackman Tim Desko (likely out with an infected knee), the Orange offense is simply just too potent. They're outscoring opponents 137-94, the have 82 assisted goals on the season (see also: great ball movement/unselfish play) and they average 35 shots a game. JoJo Marasco can score on anybody in the game. Stephen Keogh (Tewaaraton nominee) is a Canadian sniper that scores at will. These two are supported by names like Daddio, Amidon and Palasek - (see video for intros) all legitimate scoring threats. Middie Jovan Miller brings explosive speed between the boxes, can play responsible defense and has a shot to rival any in the country. Local product Jeremy Thompson (who I have the misfortune of playing against in the box circuit every summer) and his braided hair are a face-off winning machine. Defensively, Syracuse has the best Long Stick Midfielder in the country in Joel White (Tewaaraton nominee). He shuts down the teams leading scorer game-in-and-game-out and has even stuck a few shots himself. Along with Close Defenseman John Lade (Tewaaraton nominee) they shut down shooters before Goalie John Galloway (NCAA all-time wins leader, Tewaaraton nominee. That's four in total if you're following along) even has to see a shot. This is a star-studded lineup and WILL be on the field in Baltimore on Memorial Day weekend.
The Dome is a tough place to play in. The acoustic effects are strange, the crowd always excited. Goalies struggle with seeing the ball. Also, Notre Dame wears Adidas lax gear...gross. I'm predicting somewhere in the neighborhood of a 13-7 Syracuse victory.
Unfortunately my plans to see the game live have been foiled as I'll be fighting for my life against the Six Nations Slash on the Six Nations Reservation in Ontario, CAN.
2 comments:
I'm watching on tape delay tomorrow so no updates prior to then please.
As for being late, yes I realize I waited a week to post it. Been a little tied up with work lately, which has been noted by my approximate three week absence in posting.
For the game, I agree I'm not sure if ND will pull it off tonight but know that they will be up for the challenge and if 'Cuse faithful think this will be a cake walk thh are sorely mistaken.
Go Irish!
Big one at the dome. I favor Syracuse with no knowledge whatsoever of the preceeding events.
Post a Comment