The LacroCity Weekend Primer, 2/26/21
It's either this or I start an OnlyFans, right?
Welcome, subscribers and thank you for allowing me into your inbox once again. Here is a sampler platter of reflections from last week paired with a delicious assortment of options heading into another great weekend of lacrosse. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Yes, I will ask you every week. No, I don’t feel great about it.
Stat of the Week
This boxscore. Lynchburg lost the reigning DIII player of the year Kevin Rogers to High Point in 2020 and then threw down 24 goals and pitched a shutty in their season debut. It’s not like some random guy took 20 shots and had a huge day - the game had 16 different goalscorers. Say what you will about the opposition, but it is difficult to play everyone on your roster and let up zero goals at any level. Another win for the player’s coach, Steve Koudelka.
Game to Watch
Syracuse vs. Virginia
Was there EVER any doubt that this would be the game to watch this weekend? In primetime on Saturday evening, no less. How much hype can you fit on one train? The absolute chaos that could erupt from this fixture - especially if the article about Syracuse not changing personnel/schemes on defense holds true - is immeasurable.
These two teams hate each other. But it’s not a true hatred born out of animosity - it’s a rivalry of jealousy. Both programs love to tout how fun it will be to play there, how great the atmosphere is and how the other’s climate is “overrated” to attract recruits. If you’re being recruited by both of these schools prepare to enter the shade room of the one you decide not to select.
Despite the obvious dichotomy of each of these teams’ start to the 2021 season, there is top-tier scoring talent at every spot 1-6 for both teams. However, Syracuse’s strength is in their midfield and the UVA SSDM’s - while very nuanced and capable - haven’t had to face anywhere near the Cerberus that is Curry, Trimboli, and Dordevic.
If Syracuse doesn’t have an answer to Virginia’s speed-riddle of a ride, it’s going to be a long, long game. The Orange spent a lot of time trying to get the right one-on-one matchups against Army and it cost them. They will have even less time to sort those out against a Cav’s squad that cares nothing for such foolishness.
This game is destined to be a classic or a blowout; the latter of which is completely new territory.
*Make sure to log on to the Clubhouse app at halftime to get live insight from Lacrosse media pros like the PLL’s Joe Keegan and the internet’s….me.
One on One Match up to Watch
Now, we all want to see if Peter Dearth will line up against Charlie Bertrand at some point, but that more than likely won’t be the centerpiece of the showdown. We’ve also already gone over multiple facets of that game. See, talking about the big matchups is fun, but exploring some of the unwritten tundras of the lacrosse landscape is just as enjoyable. Try to keep an open mind.
Trey Edge (Shorter) vs. Ethan Brundage (Emmanuel, GA)
Shorter’s shooter has 30 shots in two games. Emmanuel’s goalkeeper leads DII in saves per game with 18. This is a classic tale of a rogue gunslinger against a sheriff protecting his town. Now, I’m sure this looks like I picked it just because it’s an obscure DII pull, but I also chose it because one of the guy’s names is plucked from the pages of a William Gibson novel not yet written and the goalie’s name sounds like the back-up left winger in the English Premier League. Reasons are just explanations with moral backing. Who doesn't love a great shooter goalie duel?
Unit to Watch
Notre Dame Defense vs. Bobby Mo’s Fun and Gun
Much has been made of the Notre Dame defense since the mid-aughts. If you’re looking for a team-first defense to show your players or teammates, you could do much much worse than a Notre Dame performance from the past ten years. However, gone is the architect of that system, Gerry Byrne, who left to take the head coaching job at Harvard prior to last season. Still, the Irish have a lot of talent on their backline with Jack Kielty and Arden Cohen protecting sophomore Liam Entenmann - one of the best young goaltenders in DI.
Robert Morris is a great first test for the Notre Dame defense because they love to attack in early offense and punish teams by marooning defenders onto two-man islands away from the safety of the center of the field. Ryan Smith (see below) is shooting at a 50% clip, Corson Kealey has 11 points and shoots 40%, and Jimmy Perkins is cheating the eligibility reaper to the tune of 10 points in three games.
Devitte Matrix Leaderboard (Powered by Lacrosse Reference)
The #DevitteMatrix, as we all know by now, is a number that combines a player’s goals and assists and subtracts their turnovers. It’s a crude, but effective, measurement of true offensive contribution. Like a metaphorical swear jar.
Chris Gray, UNC, 20 (5 DM’s per game)
Connor Shellenberger, UVA, 14 (4.67 DMPG)
Mike Robinson, Delaware, 12 (6 DMPG)
Payton Cormier, UVA, 11 (3.67 DMPG)
Ryan Smith, Robert Morris, 11 (3.67DMPG)
The most astonishing stat to come out of this is that Shellenbergwer only has one turnover. One. I don’t even understand how that is possible whilst playing in the Virginia offense. Also, Georgetown’s Jake Carraway leads everyone with 8 DM’s per game, but he has played in just one game.
Is Clark going to win this week?
Uhm. I need to find a new bit to end the newsletter because right now the only games on the Clark schedule are in April and they’re against Babson and Springfield. The NEWMAC needs to stop playing games with our hearts.