Lax: NCAA Quarterfinals

Two preview / breakdown articles from insidelacrosse.com:

Here's the breakdown for Cornell-Army and Virginia-Stony Brook.

Here's the breakdown of Maryland-Notre Dame and NC-Duke.

Quint's weekly podcast includes an interview with Rob Pannell here: [insidelacrosse.com]

Go about 23 minutes into the podcast.

In the [insidelacrosse.com] "Truth or Fiction" story, this is declared to be Fiction:

Inside Lacrosse
Notre Dame showed they belonged, Hopkins showed they didn’t.
Fiction - This has been the common theme over the last couple of days. Fact is, neither of these teams had anything to prove. The NCAA Tournament is all about the opportunity to win an NCAA title, not validation on whether or not they should have been selected. Notre Dame was brilliant against Princeton, but who is to say another bubble team such as Georgetown, Drexel, or Yale could not have taken out the Tigers? Ditto for the Blue Jays. With the way Duke played on Saturday, they may have been able to run anyone off of the field. The bottom line is the margin of separation between teams 11-20 is razor thin and this reality screams for more teams to be added to the Division I landscape so we can continue to grow the tournament and provide spots for all deserving teams.

The Hopkins-reality-denyer author, Mark Dixon, is a former Hopkins player. (Truth.) In the column, nobody plays poorly, only others play well. He does go out on a limb to declare Army-over-Syracuse to be one of the biggest NCAA tourney upsets ever.

I'd say Hopkins needed to lose respectably to avoid the ongoing thread that Hopkins was lucky, lucky, lucky to make it. Brown or Yale would have done better. Among others.

KenP
Here's a breakdown of Maryland-Notre Dame and NC-Duke. At the bottom it states "Stay tuned as Quint checks in later today to break down the other two quarterfinal matchups." If someone notices the second article, please post a link on the thread.

It's finally posted: [insidelacrosse.com]

Al DeFlorio

KenP
Here's a breakdown of Maryland-Notre Dame and NC-Duke. At the bottom it states "Stay tuned as Quint checks in later today to break down the other two quarterfinal matchups." If someone notices the second article, please post a link on the thread.

It's finally posted: [insidelacrosse.com]

"What U Need 2 Know?"

Really, Quint? It would've been too much effort to use the whole words?

Josh '99

Al DeFlorio

KenP
Here's a breakdown of Maryland-Notre Dame and NC-Duke. At the bottom it states "Stay tuned as Quint checks in later today to break down the other two quarterfinal matchups." If someone notices the second article, please post a link on the thread.

It's finally posted: [insidelacrosse.com]

"What U Need 2 Know?"

Really, Quint? It would've been too much effort to use the whole words?

Kids these days. Lazy.

I doubt he wrote those. Chances were he was emailed a template asking for his thought's on each section, including "What 2 Watch 4."

Jordan 04
I doubt he wrote those. Chances were he was emailed a template asking for his thought's on each section, including "What 2 Watch 4."

OK, true enough. But that just means my ire was misdirected, not unjustified.

Josh '99

Jordan 04
I doubt he wrote those. Chances were he was emailed a template asking for his thought's on each section, including "What 2 Watch 4."

OK, true enough. But that just means my ire was misdirected, not unjustified.

You mis-ired.

Trotsky

Josh '99

Al DeFlorio

KenP
Here's a breakdown of Maryland-Notre Dame and NC-Duke. At the bottom it states "Stay tuned as Quint checks in later today to break down the other two quarterfinal matchups." If someone notices the second article, please post a link on the thread.

It's finally posted: [insidelacrosse.com]

"What U Need 2 Know?"

Really, Quint? It would've been too much effort to use the whole words?

Kids these days. Lazy.

Or illiterate.

He was told to emulate the highest form of publishing. Formerly NYT and WSJ, now Twitter.

Thread below the Cornell-Army preview trashes Tambroni for not using his bench more. Follow on says it's probably a dad of the bench player. And notes the bench isn't all that deep vs. other teams.

Inside Lacrosse gives a scouting report on the Army game from an "anonymous coach:" [insidelacrosse.com]

Hadn't seen the time posted yet, so, from USCHO:

Saturday May 22 @ Princeton
==============================
Maryland vs. Notre Dame (12:00 p.m.)
Duke vs. North Carolina (2:30 p.m.)

Sunday May 23 @ Stony Brook
==============================
Cornell vs. Army (12:00 p.m.)
Virginia vs. Stony Brook (2:30 p.m.)

looks like the Cornell game will be on espn3.com for those without ESPNU

Cornell-Army winner will get Notre Dame in Baltimore. Irish upset Maryland, 7-5.

As we prepare to play the Cadets, there was an interesting op-ed piece in NY Times this week by a Naval Academy professor who is critical of the emphasis on Division I sports at the military academies, and feels it's compromising the integrity of those institutions.

Al DeFlorio
Cornell-Army winner will get Notre Dame in Baltimore. Irish upset Maryland, 7-5.

While it goes without saying that all teams in the tournament are talented and should not be taken lightly... man, things are falling really nicely for us, aren't they? Army instead of Syracuse in Stony Brook, and potentially Notre Dame instead of Maryland in Baltimore?

Josh '99

Al DeFlorio
Cornell-Army winner will get Notre Dame in Baltimore. Irish upset Maryland, 7-5.

While it goes without saying that all teams in the tournament are talented and should not be taken lightly... man, things are falling really nicely for us, aren't they? Army instead of Syracuse in Stony Brook, and potentially Notre Dame instead of Maryland in Baltimore?

If case anyone needs me, I'll be in corner the fetal position rocking and chanting "Bemidji, Bemidji...'

Robb

Josh '99

Al DeFlorio
Cornell-Army winner will get Notre Dame in Baltimore. Irish upset Maryland, 7-5.

While it goes without saying that all teams in the tournament are talented and should not be taken lightly... man, things are falling really nicely for us, aren't they? Army instead of Syracuse in Stony Brook, and potentially Notre Dame instead of Maryland in Baltimore?

If case anyone needs me, I'll be in corner the fetal position rocking and chanting "Bemidji, Bemidji...'

What? I couldn't hear you. I was chanting "RIT, RIT"

Roy 82

Robb

Josh '99

Al DeFlorio
Cornell-Army winner will get Notre Dame in Baltimore. Irish upset Maryland, 7-5.

While it goes without saying that all teams in the tournament are talented and should not be taken lightly... man, things are falling really nicely for us, aren't they? Army instead of Syracuse in Stony Brook, and potentially Notre Dame instead of Maryland in Baltimore?

If case anyone needs me, I'll be in corner the fetal position rocking and chanting "Bemidji, Bemidji...'

What? I couldn't hear you. I was chanting "RIT, RIT"

Not the same; we never got the opportunity to lose to RIT. New Hampshire took it, though. Well done, UHN!

ugarte

Roy 82

Robb

Josh '99

Al DeFlorio
Cornell-Army winner will get Notre Dame in Baltimore. Irish upset Maryland, 7-5.

While it goes without saying that all teams in the tournament are talented and should not be taken lightly... man, things are falling really nicely for us, aren't they? Army instead of Syracuse in Stony Brook, and potentially Notre Dame instead of Maryland in Baltimore?

If case anyone needs me, I'll be in corner the fetal position rocking and chanting "Bemidji, Bemidji...'

Not the same; we never got the opportunity to lose to RIT. New Hampshire took it, though. Well done, UHN!

What? I couldn't hear you. I was chanting "RIT, RIT"

And what were you chanting, smoking?

Those of you watching from home tomorrow, feel free to post score updates! (I'll be stuck at a family function during the game).

dbilmes
As we prepare to play the Cadets, there was an interesting op-ed piece in NY Times this week by a Naval Academy professor who is critical of the emphasis on Division I sports at the military academies, and feels it's compromising the integrity of those institutions.

No offense, sailor, but the military is having trouble handling D-III caliber opponents in real life. What's Afghanistan's RPI? Or is the prof annoyed with the Lax Swami?

ugarte

Roy 82

Robb

Josh '99

Al DeFlorio
Cornell-Army winner will get Notre Dame in Baltimore. Irish upset Maryland, 7-5.

While it goes without saying that all teams in the tournament are talented and should not be taken lightly... man, things are falling really nicely for us, aren't they? Army instead of Syracuse in Stony Brook, and potentially Notre Dame instead of Maryland in Baltimore?

If case anyone needs me, I'll be in corner the fetal position rocking and chanting "Bemidji, Bemidji...'

What? I couldn't hear you. I was chanting "RIT, RIT"

Not the same; we never got the opportunity to lose to RIT. New Hampshire took it, though. Well done, UHN!

Is too the same. More so than Bemidji. We may never get the chance to lose to Notre Dame.
(and I fixed your out of order quotes to boot.)

Zach Howell scored four goals and fifth-seeded Duke dominated ACC rival North Carolina on Saturday, reaching its fourth straight national semifinal with a 17-9 victory over the Tar Heels.

The Blue Devils (14-4) scored seven goals in the first quarter and never trailed for the final 55 minutes to improve to 4-0 against North Carolina in the NCAA tournament. They'll take on top-seeded Virginia or No. 8 seed Stony Brook at the Final Four next weekend.

billhoward
No offense, sailor, but the military is having trouble handling D-III caliber opponents in real life. What's Afghanistan's RPI?

Hmmm, let's see. Afghanistan has one top 5 win against the USSR, and a top ten win against England....

RedCast hasn't picked up yet. Hopefully they will by game time.

It's up.

Cornell 3, Army 0 - half way through one

Tom Pasniewski 98
Cornell 3, Army 0 - half way through one

Please keep attacking. Please.

Please keep the score updates coming!

Cornell 4, Army 1, 2:00 left in first

End of 1 - Still 4-1 red.

6-1 with 10:37 to go in the second quarter, Hurley already with 3 goals.

Are they going to tell us at any point what Bronzino did to get the 1-minute penalty?

Josh '99
Are they going to tell us at any point what Bronzino did to get the 1-minute penalty?

Illegal body check?

Looks like Feely decided he enjoyed scoring and wanted to do it again.

7-2 Cornell midway through the second

"In this tournament, the key is to win and move on."

In this tournament?

Army scores to make it 7-3 ensuring Cornell won't blow an 8-2 lead in this game

Mock and Hurley with three a piece. Now 8-3 Cornell - closing minute of the first half

Army can't capitalize on a turnover at midfield with ~30 seconds left and it's 8-3 at the half.

Sounds like one of Army's key players was hurt right at the half.

Trotsky
Sounds like one of Army's key players was hurt right at the half.

It was their goalie. Looked like he pulled his groin or hamstring

Afghan and US tied up. Don't know how much time left to go...

Army's got us right where they want us...

Jacob '06

Trotsky
Sounds like one of Army's key players was hurt right at the half.

It was their goalie. Looked like he pulled his groin or hamstring

Think it was his ankle and he is not starting the second half.

Cornell fails to defend an Army 1 minute extra man and with 8 to go in the third quarter it's now 8-4.

Tom Pasniewski 98

Jacob '06

Trotsky
Sounds like one of Army's key players was hurt right at the half.

It was their goalie. Looked like he pulled his groin or hamstring

Think it was his ankle and he is not starting the second half.

It was his groin and he did start the 2nd

10-4 now pannell goal

Pannell again, 11-4, 4 minutes left in third

We've taken some dumb penalties today.

15 minutes to go - let's not just hold on - let's move on with a strong fourth showing

Usually it's Al that says that. Hope He's all right...

That's what I'm talking about 12-4 Cornell with 10 to play

Just keep pouring it on, Red.

13-4 7:42 left to play, timeout Army.

Hope Al is okay as well...there should be something here about Bronzino's goal not making up for dumb penalties today or...well, I haven't seen anything else to really complain about.

14-4 6:13 to go.

14-5 Cornell, 2:30 to go; Can smell the Maryland crab cakes already and see the articles on the final four matchup between the experienced Big Red and the new Irish guys.

I heard some "Warm up the tanks!" cheers...and the announcers on ESPN3 noted it.

14-5 Final.

LGR!

Wow!! Excellent job Big Red. I also appreciate the guys finishing the job in regulation time, without blowing a lead and nail biting OT !

LGR!!

Have to root for Stony Brook in the second game if only to have a final four where Cornell is the only team to have won a national championship thus giving us a Final Four that ends with either Cornell winning another title or another team is added to the relatively small list of NCAA DI champs.

As previously discussed, it is Bemidji, not RIT. And it better not be Bemidji. *WINK*

Anyone still watching the SB game? It's quite a matchup!

Virginia 8-7 in the 4th with 13:00 left.

Wolvies got a shot at winning this.

Maryland lacrosse coach Dave Cottle resigned:

[www.baltimoresun.com]

TimV
Usually it's Al that says that. Hope He's all right...

Had a neighborhood brunch today, Tim--organized by us on the wrong date and time--and had to watch on DVR, so I couldn't check here until now. Great game by the Big Red. Everyone was so fixated on Cornell blowing big leads that they forgot that to blow a big lead, first you had to have a big lead. This team built 9-3, 11-4, 7-3, and 9-2 leads in its last four games against pretty good opponents--and won three of 'em. You've got to be a pretty darn good team to open up leads like that. Today they kept their poise until the end.

I was at LaValle today (nice facility, but not enough concession stands). Just a tremendous performance in all phases, except perhaps with FO's early on. Our young guys really came to play, and Hurley was tremendous. Other than taking a couple of bad penalties, Mike Bronzino really stood out to me. Just a ground ball machine, and great on the clear. To think he, Noble, and Fiore are Freshman, is exciting as we look ahead to future years.

But first things first -- play like that in Baltimore and we can bring home the hardware!

Tom Pasniewski 98
Have to root for Stony Brook in the second game if only to have a final four where Cornell is the only team to have won a national championship thus giving us a Final Four that ends with either Cornell winning another title or another team is added to the relatively small list of NCAA DI champs.

Be careful what you wish for. I don't believe UVA has ever won a NC.

Swampy

Tom Pasniewski 98
Have to root for Stony Brook in the second game if only to have a final four where Cornell is the only team to have won a national championship thus giving us a Final Four that ends with either Cornell winning another title or another team is added to the relatively small list of NCAA DI champs.

Be careful what you wish for. I don't believe UVA has ever won a NC.

Swampy, am i missing the sarcasm? uva won in 1972, 1999, 2003 & 2006 ... ?

Outstanding performance by Cornell, to wit playing two complete halves. Cornell made mistakes here and there but not enough to kill us. Not only did the attack click but the defense gelled.

LaValle Stadium is very nice, as is the Stony Brook campus. But you cannot, cannot allow a lax quarterfinal to be played in a stadium with just 8500 seats unless you do something like sell game 1 / game 2 tix (probably not workable). Regardless of the game being a sellou, if you worked it, you could find tickets at gametime.

Cornell put on a very nice postgame BBQ. Free. This is the new Cornell that figures the good feelings generated are more important than collecing $10 a person and having a minuscule turnout.

We don't want to look past Saturday's matchup. But Notre Dame looks like a better matchup next weekend than Maryland. Felt sorry, a little, for Stony Brook not catching and beating Virginia. Virgninia is clearly the better team, but SB played their hearts out. We can now hope for Duke and Virginia to wear each other down Saturday.

ben03

Swampy

Tom Pasniewski 98
Have to root for Stony Brook in the second game if only to have a final four where Cornell is the only team to have won a national championship thus giving us a Final Four that ends with either Cornell winning another title or another team is added to the relatively small list of NCAA DI champs.

Be careful what you wish for. I don't believe UVA has ever won a NC.

Swampy, am i missing the sarcasm? uva won in 1972, 1999, 2003 & 2006 ... ?

Not including those. Duh.

(I think he meant Duke.)

billhoward
We don't want to look past Saturday's matchup. But Notre Dame looks like a better matchup next weekend than Maryland ... We can now hope for Duke and Virginia to wear each other down Saturday.

this is a great point. we obviously have to take care of our business with ND ... but the other semi will be a battle and will certainly wear both down to the core. leaving the winner with little shy of two days to recover which is even better b/c they have the late game (6:30 pm).

it's important to keep in mind that unlike hockey teams who are conditioned to play back-to-back nights at full tilt, lax teams historically do not do well on short rest (see mid-week games).

LGR!

here's to uva/duke playing 5 ot's!!!

The scenario actually reminds me of 2007 where Hopkins had a relatively easy match in the one semifinal and you all know what happened in the other. Hopkins went into the Championship game as a fairly heavy underdog but had more in the tank because of the grueling other semifinal. Wouldn't mind seeing something similar happen this year.....

We do have a game Saturday, right?

ugarte

ben03

Swampy

Tom Pasniewski 98
Have to root for Stony Brook in the second game if only to have a final four where Cornell is the only team to have won a national championship thus giving us a Final Four that ends with either Cornell winning another title or another team is added to the relatively small list of NCAA DI champs.

Be careful what you wish for. I don't believe UVA has ever won a NC.

Swampy, am i missing the sarcasm? uva won in 1972, 1999, 2003 & 2006 ... ?

Not including those. Duh.

(I think he meant Duke.)

Doh! I never could count very well.

Yes, I did mean Duke. At least I got the state right.

Swampy
At least I got the state right.

Please tell me this is a joke.

Trotsky

Swampy
At least I got the state right.

Please tell me this is a joke.

It's definitely some sort of a joke - just a matter of whom it's on...

(sorry grammar police - just no better way to phrase that)

Tom Pasniewski 98
Have to root for Stony Brook in the second game if only to have a final four where Cornell is the only team to have won a national championship thus giving us a Final Four that ends with either Cornell winning another title or another team is added to the relatively small list of NCAA DI champs.

It's great to see new teams win championships, but if I had to choose between UVA winning another or Duke winning their first (in a hypothetical situation where they were playing in the championship game, say, and having no bearing on Cornell's chances of winning a championship), I'll pick UVA and it isn't even a difficult decision.

Well put, Josh. It could be Duke not Harvard that was cited in Doonesbury as having a self-esteem problem. "Not enough self esteem?" "No - too much."