I went to the lacrosse scrimmage vs Air Force on Saturday night at Loftus, here are my thoughts...
Attack:
Probably the quickest and slickest attack for ND in a long time. Already seeing the connection between the Kavanagh brothers, can't wait for what is ahead between 50 and 51 over the next two seasons.
Love the fact that Westlin and Kavanagh have played so much together.
Kavanagh and Kavanagh have played a ton together as brothers.
Kavanagh and Riccardelli have played a lot of lacrosse together at Taft.
All this adds up to an impressive four man rotation that the team can use throughout the year.
And you cannot beat the edge that the Kavanagh brothers play with, Pat Kavanagh just won't let this team lose.
I also liked these four on the man up unit, along with Wheaton and Dobson. Anyone of these players can score and Riccardelli was so quick with the ball in his stick when he got it in the middle. Hopefully this unit keeps it up, they looked good.
Additional thoughts on attack:
I like to watch warm ups before games and in watching the attack warm up, you can tell those who just have a different stick / feel to them. You can tell that with Pat Kavanagh and I also noticed #23, Mike Hawkins. It is a crowded top group at attack (and add in Barger and Walker and maybe Taylor), and I think Hawkins could be someone that could run on the middie line and come out of the box and provide depth and an older experience there.
Midfield:
Two Knowns: Jackoboice and Dobson are the alphas and Wheaton coming out of the box in a settled situation with the ball up top is so fun to watch. He has gotten better going to his off hand and that makes him even more unstoppable. Dobson did not get many shots, but we know the cannon that he has and I am excited to see how much his game has grown this year. Not many players like him in college lacrosse right now.
Mirer and Davis Allen: I would implement a "only three shots per game rule" with Mo. He has a great dodge up top, but his shot just doesn't seem to get home a lot. I would compare him to Pierre Byrne who had one of the quickest first steps at midfield for ND, but he just could not get his shot home. With Davis Allen getting a lot of run with the first and second line, he must have had a great fall. He has incredible size up top, and if he has a killer attitude to go with it, such an added bonus to those top lines.
McCahon: He seemed to be playing a lot of defensive middie in the scrimmage and I am hoping that that was to give other guys more play, but I do think he is one of the better two way middies in college lacrosse, so am hoping he sees a lot of first and second line runs. His tenacity, intelligence, stamina and overall game will be needed during the year.
Reilly Gray is tall and lanky and really came on at the end of last year. Could be a really good time for him to start to break out even more. Lipka provides good experience and knowledge of the game and can be a steadying force across the second or third line.
I have always wanted to see more of Buchman, but know he has been slowed by injuries during his time at ND. He has an absolute rocket of a shot, maybe he gets some chances on man up at some point.
SSDM:
The group of Parlette, Harris and Hallenbeck is really, really excellent. And while Hallenbeck gets the pre-season accolades, my favorite is Nick Harris. He has so much speed and when it is time to clear the ball, just get him the ball and get out of the way. He is a human clear. I think at the end of this year he gets recognized across all of college lacrosse as one of the best at his position.
FO:
Impressed by Will Lynch after getting off to a slow start at the beginning. Will need him to be the key cog after losing our top two from last year, and great to see a freshman come in, step up and get the job done.
Defense:
LSM:
Liked what I saw from Maximus Schalit. He has good hands and a very quick stick. He looked like he belonged out there and I am hopeful this is his year to take a step forward after two years in the program.
I hope Jose Boyer is okay as I don't think I saw him out there, hopefully he will be ready to go as we get the real season underway. #46 as his jersey #, not a bad guy to model in playing like John Sexton (to this day one of my favorite ND lacrosse players of all time).
Close defense:
Arden anchors things down, he is so intense. Not sure how to describe him, but he is so powerful and has such a relentless motor. His checks bring such force, I cannot imagine practicing against him as he would be so annoying to play against. He runs with such purpose and he plays with so much passion. He has been awesome to watch over his career at ND. Love Jason Reynolds and what he brings, he is a perfect substitute for Jack Kielty. He is so quick and he will be an asset covering the other team's quickest attackman. What an awesome pickup by you guys to bring him in (similar to Thornton last year). Was good to see Napolitano at the other spot, he has waited patiently after being so highly regarded out of California. Of course at the end of the day, the strength of the defense will be how these three play as a unit and it is a good feeling having Cohen leading the group as he brings so much experience and knowledge to the table.
I don't think I saw Burgmaster or Cochran out there so hope they are okay and healthy. I think if Napolitano continues to lock down that third spot, then Burgmaster can go back up to LSM and provide strong play there. He had an excellent freshman year, sure he is poised for greater ahead.
And Matt Douglas will provide a lot of experience on the man down unit as the fourth longpole.
Goalie:
Not much needs to be said about Liam. He has the chance to challenge for 1st team AA this year.
Big season ahead, the schedule is intense, should be a fun team to watch!
Go Irish!
Attack:
Probably the quickest and slickest attack for ND in a long time. Already seeing the connection between the Kavanagh brothers, can't wait for what is ahead between 50 and 51 over the next two seasons.
Love the fact that Westlin and Kavanagh have played so much together.
Kavanagh and Kavanagh have played a ton together as brothers.
Kavanagh and Riccardelli have played a lot of lacrosse together at Taft.
All this adds up to an impressive four man rotation that the team can use throughout the year.
And you cannot beat the edge that the Kavanagh brothers play with, Pat Kavanagh just won't let this team lose.
I also liked these four on the man up unit, along with Wheaton and Dobson. Anyone of these players can score and Riccardelli was so quick with the ball in his stick when he got it in the middle. Hopefully this unit keeps it up, they looked good.
Additional thoughts on attack:
I like to watch warm ups before games and in watching the attack warm up, you can tell those who just have a different stick / feel to them. You can tell that with Pat Kavanagh and I also noticed #23, Mike Hawkins. It is a crowded top group at attack (and add in Barger and Walker and maybe Taylor), and I think Hawkins could be someone that could run on the middie line and come out of the box and provide depth and an older experience there.
Midfield:
Two Knowns: Jackoboice and Dobson are the alphas and Wheaton coming out of the box in a settled situation with the ball up top is so fun to watch. He has gotten better going to his off hand and that makes him even more unstoppable. Dobson did not get many shots, but we know the cannon that he has and I am excited to see how much his game has grown this year. Not many players like him in college lacrosse right now.
Mirer and Davis Allen: I would implement a "only three shots per game rule" with Mo. He has a great dodge up top, but his shot just doesn't seem to get home a lot. I would compare him to Pierre Byrne who had one of the quickest first steps at midfield for ND, but he just could not get his shot home. With Davis Allen getting a lot of run with the first and second line, he must have had a great fall. He has incredible size up top, and if he has a killer attitude to go with it, such an added bonus to those top lines.
McCahon: He seemed to be playing a lot of defensive middie in the scrimmage and I am hoping that that was to give other guys more play, but I do think he is one of the better two way middies in college lacrosse, so am hoping he sees a lot of first and second line runs. His tenacity, intelligence, stamina and overall game will be needed during the year.
Reilly Gray is tall and lanky and really came on at the end of last year. Could be a really good time for him to start to break out even more. Lipka provides good experience and knowledge of the game and can be a steadying force across the second or third line.
I have always wanted to see more of Buchman, but know he has been slowed by injuries during his time at ND. He has an absolute rocket of a shot, maybe he gets some chances on man up at some point.
SSDM:
The group of Parlette, Harris and Hallenbeck is really, really excellent. And while Hallenbeck gets the pre-season accolades, my favorite is Nick Harris. He has so much speed and when it is time to clear the ball, just get him the ball and get out of the way. He is a human clear. I think at the end of this year he gets recognized across all of college lacrosse as one of the best at his position.
FO:
Impressed by Will Lynch after getting off to a slow start at the beginning. Will need him to be the key cog after losing our top two from last year, and great to see a freshman come in, step up and get the job done.
Defense:
LSM:
Liked what I saw from Maximus Schalit. He has good hands and a very quick stick. He looked like he belonged out there and I am hopeful this is his year to take a step forward after two years in the program.
I hope Jose Boyer is okay as I don't think I saw him out there, hopefully he will be ready to go as we get the real season underway. #46 as his jersey #, not a bad guy to model in playing like John Sexton (to this day one of my favorite ND lacrosse players of all time).
Close defense:
Arden anchors things down, he is so intense. Not sure how to describe him, but he is so powerful and has such a relentless motor. His checks bring such force, I cannot imagine practicing against him as he would be so annoying to play against. He runs with such purpose and he plays with so much passion. He has been awesome to watch over his career at ND. Love Jason Reynolds and what he brings, he is a perfect substitute for Jack Kielty. He is so quick and he will be an asset covering the other team's quickest attackman. What an awesome pickup by you guys to bring him in (similar to Thornton last year). Was good to see Napolitano at the other spot, he has waited patiently after being so highly regarded out of California. Of course at the end of the day, the strength of the defense will be how these three play as a unit and it is a good feeling having Cohen leading the group as he brings so much experience and knowledge to the table.
I don't think I saw Burgmaster or Cochran out there so hope they are okay and healthy. I think if Napolitano continues to lock down that third spot, then Burgmaster can go back up to LSM and provide strong play there. He had an excellent freshman year, sure he is poised for greater ahead.
And Matt Douglas will provide a lot of experience on the man down unit as the fourth longpole.
Goalie:
Not much needs to be said about Liam. He has the chance to challenge for 1st team AA this year.
Big season ahead, the schedule is intense, should be a fun team to watch!
Go Irish!
