Game 9 - Delaware visits UMASS Saturday April 2 1:00 pm

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Game 9 - Delaware visits UMASS Saturday April 2 1:00 pm

Post by econalum » Sat Mar 26, 2022 6:26 pm

Delaware is ranked at #20 right now in the Media Poll, with a 6-3 record.

https://bluehens.com/sports/mens-lacrosse/schedule/2022

They lost Saturday at Villanova 13-18 and are only 1-3 as visitors.

Game is scheduled for streaming on the Lax Sports Network.
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Re: Game 9 - Delaware visits UMASS Saturday April 2 1:00 pm

Post by econalum » Thu Mar 31, 2022 10:16 pm

Thoughts on UMASS vs, Delaware=, via Lacrosse Bucket.
https://lacrossebucket.com/2022/03/31/w ... se-season/

UMass vs Delaware: Opening weekend of CAA play will see the UMass Minutemen host the Delaware Blue Hens in a battle that not only pits two teams with Revolutionary War-inspired nicknames against each other, but arguably two of the best teams in the league. The Blue Hens are led by Mike Robinson on one end while freshman goalie Paul Reidy has shined as of late on the other. UMass has battled through some injuries this season, but with that duo of Kevin Tobin and Gabriel Procyk that offense can be as dangerous any.
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Re: Game 9 - Delaware visits UMASS Saturday April 2 1:00 pm

Post by Old Cage » Fri Apr 01, 2022 7:48 am

More than you wanted to know:

Delaware Blue Hens 2022

Post by Henpecked » Thu Mar 31, 2022 8:52 am
The Hens have gone head-to-head with UMass 12 times since 2000 and have won 6 and lost 6 during that period. In nearly every contest, with a few exceptions, the teams have had close games with the winning squad coming out on top by 1-3 goals. Last year, in the CAA regular season finale the Hens fell behind 6-5 at halftime but shut out the Minutemen for the remaining 30 minutes while scoring 4 goals to win 9-6. Mike Robinson had 3 goals and 9 ground balls in this game playing the second half on the faceoff wing. Delaware had 11 caused turnovers and outshot UMass 43-32. Goalie Matt Knote made some spectacular second-half saves to keep the Minutemen in the game and finished with 14 on the day.

UMass Coming in HOT
UMass has played its normal tough out-of-conference schedule this year and has held its own against Army and Yale, losing both of these games by just one goal. And while they experienced a blowout loss to Boston University in their second game of the season, they are freshly coming off their biggest win of the year, holding Brown to just 7 goals while scoring 10 in Providence last weekend. Junior goaltender Matt Knote had a terrific game making 14 saves.

So the Hens are catching a hot UMass squad at Garber in the midst of a four-game winning streak. The weather looks promising (sunny and 53), which is a far cry from the last time Delaware opened the CAA in Amherst back in 2017. The Hens lost that game 9-6 on a 28 degree April day with snow and sleet falling throughout the game.

What should the Hens expect from UMass?
The Hens are heading into probably their most physical game of the year. The Minutemen scratch and claw for every inch of the field and have dominated ground balls all year (currently out-ground-balling the competition 222-176). That is nothing unusual for UMass. The Minutemen are not the biggest team physically. In fact, they might be considered undersized. But they make up for lack of size by constantly pressuring out on defense and fighting for every loose ball.

Their offense is led by grad student Kevin Tobin (5g 13a) who along with brother Mike (10g 5a) and Canadian Gabriel Procyk (15g 4a) divebomb the crease without regard for their bodies. Graduate transfers Liljeberg (Sacred Heart) with 10 goals and James Caddigan (Colgate) have helped offset the loss of injured Chris Connelly. Sophomore middies Grant Breyo and Shane O’Leary have each contributed 10 goals this year while last year’s freshman sensation Dillon Arrant has been slow out of the gate, with just two goals on 14 shots.

On Defense, UMass is led by Sam Eisenstadt and Jake Dulac who anchor this formidable unit. As mentioned earlier, the Minutemen do not sit back on defense. They pick up players outside of the box and force opponents to win the one-on-one battles. They make opponents take shots from bad angles that Knote gobbles up like post-game cheeseburgers. They are not going to allow the Hens to spin the ball on offense. They will be on the Hens’ gloves all day.

UMass has been using two FOGOs this year with pretty good success (.516). Mainstay Zack Hochman has been off from his usual self, winning just 42% of his draws while Caleb Hammett has taken over the lead spot winning 56% of his draws (72-128). Logan Premtaj will have his hands full.

What do the Hens need to do to win?
Delaware will need to win the one-on-one battles in order to score 12 goals, which is what I think they will need to win the game. JP Ward has done well beating his man from X but will most likely be covered by Eisenstadt, who is a steady as a rock. I would imagine that the Hens will rely more on initiating from up top with Clay Miller and Nick Jessen speed dodging to draw slides. Mark Beida has also had success against UMass in the past, taking a shorty to X and creating one-on-one offense, but I am sure that he will draw a pole the whole game.

Defense will have to play better. Sounds simple but the last three weeks the Hens zone defense has been extremely porous and left both goalies defenseless against shots inside of 10 yards. The UMass offense is made up of smaller shifty players who can turn ankles and get inside with ease. Would a zone work better against these guys versus Villanova? Perhaps. Villanova had bigger players who could find seams in zones and just crank away from outside. That is not really the Minutemen’s style of play. Also, Reidy or Kilkeary will need to have big games. Neither has really played that well this year. They have both made the expected saves but have never really played a game that makes anyone say “that is the #1 guy.” I think Kilkeary will get the start.

Anyway, should be a fun game and an interesting season. The CAA is always a grind. Only four teams make the playoffs so you gotta get three wins to ensure a place in West Philly in early May. Can’t wait.
"Jack didn’t have any envy in him," Calipari said. "He was the greatest coach to ever coach here."

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Re: Game 9 - Delaware visits UMASS Saturday April 2 1:00 pm

Post by Old Cage » Fri Apr 01, 2022 10:17 am

Nice that we are getting some attention. One more: https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/college/ ... g-caa-play
"Jack didn’t have any envy in him," Calipari said. "He was the greatest coach to ever coach here."

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Re: Game 9 - Delaware visits UMASS Saturday April 2 1:00 pm

Post by econalum » Fri Apr 01, 2022 2:01 pm

Here is Inside Lacrosse's take:

Delaware at UMass, 1 p.m. Saturday — It doesn’t appear like there’s some magic formulate that’s led to UMass’ recent run of four wins. It’s a very Greg Cannella-like team that’s just gotten steadily better as the campaign has gone on. It matters more now with CAA play starting, and Delaware is as good of a first league test as there can be.

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/ ... offs/59268
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Re: Game 9 - Delaware visits UMASS Saturday April 2 1:00 pm

Post by econalum » Fri Apr 01, 2022 2:03 pm

Old Cage wrote: Fri Apr 01, 2022 10:17 am Nice that we are getting some attention. One more: https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/college/ ... g-caa-play
Wow - did not know Connolly has an Achilles injury, after the ACL last year - bad luck.
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Re: Game 9 - Delaware visits UMASS Saturday April 2 1:00 pm

Post by Jack » Sat Apr 02, 2022 12:33 pm

Down 6-4 in the second after a Liljeberg wrap around. UMass wearing those God awful Grey Jersey/Black Shorts uniforms - those should be burned along with the football grey uniforms. :lol:

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Re: Game 9 - Delaware visits UMASS Saturday April 2 1:00 pm

Post by KahunaK » Sat Apr 02, 2022 1:07 pm

^Agree-burn away! Not looking good against Delaware. How far UMASS has fallen. Can't really beat a good team.

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Re: Game 9 - Delaware visits UMASS Saturday April 2 1:00 pm

Post by econalum » Sat Apr 02, 2022 2:02 pm

Great comeback by UMass winning 11-10 in Overtime. K Tobin gets hattrick/ 2nd middie line yields 4 goals. Knote a super-hero in goal with 21 saves. 80% wins at fogo.

https://umassathletics.com/sidearmstats/mlax/summary
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Re: Game 9 - Delaware visits UMASS Saturday April 2 1:00 pm

Post by Old Cage » Sat Apr 02, 2022 3:21 pm

Made my first Garber appearance this year. Great attendance - stands were full. Excellent comeback. Second straight week of lockdown D in second half. Not sure what Kahuna is bitching about.
"Jack didn’t have any envy in him," Calipari said. "He was the greatest coach to ever coach here."

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Re: Game 9 - Delaware visits UMASS Saturday April 2 1:00 pm

Post by KahunaK » Sat Apr 02, 2022 6:59 pm

KahunaK wrote: Sat Apr 02, 2022 1:07 pm ^Agree-burn away! Not looking good against Delaware. How far UMASS has fallen. Can't really beat a good team.
Watched the first half and gave up on them. I guess I should stuck around to see the comeback! Go Gorillas!

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Re: Game 9 - Delaware visits UMASS Saturday April 2 1:00 pm

Post by Old Cage » Sat Apr 02, 2022 7:59 pm

^ Second straight week of a total second half lockdown.
"Jack didn’t have any envy in him," Calipari said. "He was the greatest coach to ever coach here."

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Re: Game 9 - Delaware visits UMASS Saturday April 2 1:00 pm

Post by econalum » Sun Apr 03, 2022 8:50 am

In close games, FOGO dominance is so important. Nice summary by Coach on the Twitter feed from UMass.
https://twitter.com/UMassMLacrosse/stat ... it%2F59284

Nest week - we travel to Towson, which is 4-6 playing a very hard schedule.
https://towsontigers.com/sports/mens-l ... edule/2022
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Re: Game 9 - Delaware visits UMASS Saturday April 2 1:00 pm

Post by Old Cage » Sat Apr 09, 2022 9:22 am

CAA Award:

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Matt Knote, UMass
Junior | Goalkeeper | Speonk, N.Y. / Eastport-South Manor
Knote was terrific between the pipes for the Minutemen as UMass opened CAA play 1-0 with an 11-10 overtime victory over Delaware. The junior goalkeeper recorded a season-high 20 saves, posting a .667 save percentage for the second straight game. Twelve of his 20 saves came in the second half and overtime, limiting Delaware to one goal over the final 32:59 as UMass erased a five-goal deficit to prevail in overtime. It marks Knote’s seventh double-digit save performance in the past eight games, and he leads the CAA with a 10.34 goals-against average mark this spring.
"Jack didn’t have any envy in him," Calipari said. "He was the greatest coach to ever coach here."

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