#1 Cornell (home team) vs. #5 seed (seeding numbers not nec. ranking)
12 noon, Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, ESPN2
2:30 pm, lessee Princeton, no, Syracuse vs. Maryland
Seating chart: https://www.gillettestadium.com/patriots-seating-chart/. How cool, one of the gates is the "CVSHealth Gate," maybe I can pick up my atorvastatin refill on the way out.
Three of the four coaches are Cornell people:
* Cornell, Connor Buczek '15 MBA '17, on staff since 2015, HC 2020 - present
* Penn State, Jeff Tambroni, Hobart '92, HC at Cornell 2001-2010 (109-40), 8 NCAA tournaments, 3 seconds away from 2009 championship, 15th year at Penn State, 8 NCAA appearances including last 3
* Maryland, John Tillman '92, HC at Maryland 2015-present, champion 2015 and (2022) 9-7 over Cornell
* (Syracuse) Gary Gait, Syracuse, 2022-present
I do not know which end Cornell attacks in which quarter. You call the ticket office, they dunno or say all the seats have good views. Probably the best way to find out is to have Pete Hegseth talk about it on his mobile.
Cornell is the smallest of the four schools in the final four, to there might be increase demand for tickets. Against that: Gillette Stadium (Foxboro; Patriots) holds 68,000, the biggest semifinal turnout was 52,000 in 2007, in Baltimore, with Cornell, Hopkins, Duke, Delaware. Penn State fans have to drive 430 miles to Gillette, Maryland fans have to drive 420 miles to Gillette vs. 30 miles in 2007 to the Ravens stadium. And it's gonna rain. You will not be locked out of tickets. Typically the final draws less than the semis, though in 2009 enough Cornell and Syracuse fans rallied to bump the fnals attenance +5,000 but still 25,000 seats less than full.
As I understand it, there is / should be free parking across Route 1 from the stadium, Others may have better info.
Compared to the Ivy tournament, NCAA first round and quarterfinals, the NCAA gets stuff about how much you can bring in. God forbid you bring a camera bigger than an iPhone, or a water bottle.
Saturday at Gillette Stadium (48 hours before gametime):
57 degrees, cloudy, 6% chance of rain (was 17% at 9am)
Monday: 64 degrees, cloudy, ~0 chance rain
It looked worse earlier in the week.
Quote from: billhowardSaturday at Gillette Stadium (48 hours before gametime):
57 degrees, cloudy, 6% chance of rain (was 17% at 9am)
Monday: 64 degrees, cloudy, ~0 chance rain
It looked worse earlier in the week.
Hopefully we have fast, dry track tomorrow.
Let's go Red!
I am nervous as a cat.
Quote from: mike1960I am nervous as a cat.
This.
ESPN debases anything it touches, but these are cool camera angles.
LGR!!!!!
Goaltender U.
That's how we play the game.
Woohoo! Firth making SOG count.
Both defenses are playing really well. Our interior passes are getting snuffed. If CJ or Big Hugh can deliver good passes from the quick doubles, maybe we'll find some open shots.
I'm in Canada so can't watch, and NCAA Live Stats sucks.
Frequent updates are appreciated.
We are getting outhustled on ground balls.
PSU scores on a nifty BTB, PSU has won all FOs
2-1 PSU
Didn't push him the shooter down the lane.
Cascadden 2-2
That's like three times we did not have the backup on our own shots.
O struggling
PSU scores on settled O
PSU scores by passing off the double. That's what we need to do also.
CJ was going shoot there no matter what. Let's move the ball.
4-2 PSU
We still look chained up somehow. Is this just brilliant D by PSU or is it us?
Quote from: CU77O struggling
It seems like we're really tight. I think as the game goes on, we'll get rolling. PSU is playing inspired defense.
Kelleher to Long, 4-3
Great pass by Big Hugh to Mikey Long. Right on the stick so he's already in wind up when the ball arrives.
The Kelleher Show has started. 4-4.
Kelleher! 4-4
PSU scores, 5-4
Played Traynor's stick and not the body. Face dodge and goal. We can't let him get going.
The play by play showed a goal by Bozzi, then it disappeared, then show a PS goal. What happened?
Halftime.
PSU has done a great job jumping in our passing lanes, knocking down and intercepting passes. That's making us hesitant, not free flowing as we usually are. It's a good scheme. We need make better passes and get back to what we do well.
Nothing close to a goal by Bozzi
Quote from: CU77Nothing close to a goal by Bozzi
Well I was excited for a moment
Quote from: jjanow99The play by play showed a goal by Bozzi, then it disappeared, then show a PS goal. What happened?
I saw that too but I thought it said Luzzi. Either way it was an illusion.
Quote from: djk26Quote from: jjanow99The play by play showed a goal by Bozzi, then it disappeared, then show a PS goal. What happened?
I saw that too but I thought it said Luzzi. Either way it was an illusion.
Yes I get those 2 mixed up
Cornell is being outplayed on faceoffs and ground balls. Need to improve that
We made several sloppy passing mistakes. PSU is limiting chances but we still missed 2-3 by not handing the passes better and missed a couple short shots.
PSU has done a good job of converting the hard goals.
Need to get CJ some shots. our big 3 had about 2 good chances all half.
too many ground balls bounced away from us
should have been a delay penalty early on PSU and we still have no EM chances.
We need to not commit penalties in the 2nd and dig a hole
I did not try to slow down the Traynor goal for in the crease but he was also very close to touching before it went in.
Even worse, I'm in Nice France, about to go out to dinner where I will have no service and no Wi-Fi. Game will be over by the time we get back. Get the boys rolling and bring this one home.
LGR!!!
Quote from: upprdeckWe made several sloppy passing mistakes. PSU is limiting chances but we still missed 2-3 by not handing the passes better and missed a couple short shots.
PSU has done a good job of converting the hard goals.
Need to get CJ some shots. our big 3 had about 2 good chances all half.
too many ground balls bounced away from us
should have been a delay penalty early on PSU and we still have no EM chances.
We need to not commit penalties in the 2nd and dig a hole
I did not try to slow down the Traynor goal for in the crease but he was also very close to touching before it went in.
CJ will show up in the second half. I'm sure they are reviewing footage as we type to understand exactly what PSU is doing on CJ, and will scheme some offense around him.
Edit: I like Big Hugh drawing the double up top and swinging it to Mikey Long for a shot. I think that's worth another goal or two for us.
Cornell's first line attack has been held to one goal and one assist and yet the team only trails by one. I see reasons for optimism as you can't keep them bottled up forever.
Staub in transition, 5-5
Shut up, Quint.
LOL I assumed that would be on us at first.
Quote from: mike1960Shut up, Quint.
Man these guys are a tough listen.
CJ has missed three shots. He's off just a hair.
6-5 PSU
Kelleher with "an absolute hadouken" 6-6
Kelleher power dodge, 6-6
Looks like Cascadden starting to heat up.
they are much better on kirst than on kelleher. kirst seems off. can't shake his defender in a way that gets his hands free.
Yep. Go zone on us and see what happens.
Waldman after a long possession, 7-6 Red
got the lead back. wear them down, boys.
Quote from: ugartethey are much better on kirst than on kelleher. kirst seems off. can't shake his defender in a way that gets his hands free.
CJ's being face guarded him. They are doing what they can do deny him the ball inside.
CJ not himself, likely playimg through some sort of injury
Goldstein from Staub! 8-6
Wow! Beautiful look from Staub to Goldstein on the doorstep!
Two goal load. Let's make it three.
what a pass from Staub to Goldstein on the doorstep. time to pull away.
That's three. How about four?
Luzzi dodge! 9-6
luzzi making them pay for focusing on kirst. 9-6.
Ok there's the goal for Luzzi
That 10-6.
Keep it rolling!
Ball movement, Long, 10-6
It's a really good thing when your best offensive player has no goal and all the other guys can make up for it
End of Q3
There's a tendency to let down with a lead. We cannot let that happen. Traynor intends to take over this game in the fourth.
several chances late to make this a 5-6 goal load.. lets continue into the 4th
Excellent quarter. Keep it rolling.
Quote from: mike1960There's a tendency to let down with a lead. We cannot let that happen. Traynor intends to take over this game in the fourth.
Traynor and Kirst have both been well covered but our team has done a better job of filling the gaps - except for their 51 who has been outstanding.
TV timeouts helping PSU here.
1-3-6. lets get 12 this quarter
Connor is intense.
We should not be afraid to let go hard shots from outside in the zone.
PSU goal 10-7
Let's hit the 6X6 on out the outside shots!
PSU Matthews with his 2nd BTB, 10-8
PSU fast break goal 10-9
offense is stagnant nobody is cutting kirst has settled into being a decoy
Quote from: ugarteoffense is stagnant nobody is cutting kirst has settled into being a decoy
finally makes a move at the cage and gets unlucky but glad to see it
Quote from: ugarteoffense is stagnant nobody is cutting kirst has settled into being a decoy
We had a couple of good opportunities against the zone, but they won't go in if they miss the entire goal.
about 8-10 min with no goal vs zone with a good passing team shouldnt happen
Rain pouring down
That's it. Put the missile on goal.
Kelleher! 11-9
Hockey pass!
Deep breath. 1:20 to go.
1:20 to go, Cornell with the ball, time out. Shot clock at 58.
does the time out reset the shot clock? why take it?
Quote from: ugartedoes the time out reset the shot clock? why take it?
No sir.
Took it because he thought the ballcarrier was in trouble.
Need to find that pacemaker again.
The caravan moves on.
LGR!!
Final! 11-9 Red!
what a play by 7 to shut it down. LGR
job done. i don't think syracuse or maryland are going to be as stiff a defense. lgr!
Yes!
Thanks for all the updates. See you on Monday.
Quote from: imafrshmnjob done. i don't think syracuse or maryland are going to be as stiff a defense. lgr!
Yep. I thought the Spiders defense was the best we would see, but the Penn State defense cranked it up a notch.
GREAT job by Wyatt, Jack, and the Cornell defense too!
One step closer.
Quote from: ugartewhat a play by 7 to shut it down. LGR
Thrilling that as dominant as the PSU D was in the first half, ours was in the 2nd.
Quote from: TrotskyQuote from: ugartewhat a play by 7 to shut it down. LGR
Thrilling that as dominant as the PSU D was in the first half, ours was in the 2nd.
Absolutely. The hustle plays, the ground balls, the breakups, the grit are the foundation. The flashy offense is the penthouse.
Quote from: imafrshmnjob done. i don't think syracuse or maryland are going to be as stiff a defense. lgr!
I agree with you on Syracuse but Maryland's defense always seems tough to me. I hope I am wrong! (IF teams with Cornell alumni as head coaches go 2-0 today, which is a pretty big if--Gait & Co appear to be on "return the Orange to glory" mission.)
One thing I saw in reading is that a non goalie is not allowed to enter the crease to block a shot? is that not still a rule?
The only version of that rule that I know of is that a defenseman cannot "recklessly" enter the crease and endanger the goalie. Defensemen often go into the crease to try to block shots if the goalie is far out of the crease.
Quote from: upprdeckOne thing I saw in reading is that a non goalie is not allowed to enter the crease to block a shot? is that not still a rule?
It seems pretty clear to me that defenders may play the ball in the crease for a limited time.
Quote from: NCAA Lacrosee rule book 2025-2026 -- Section 21.aDefensive players, including the goalkeeper, with possession of the ball, may not enter the goal-crease area. The goalkeeper or a defensive player, gaining
possession of the ball within the goal-crease area, may not remain in the goalcrease area longer than four seconds.
A.R. 87. Defensive player B1 makes a save. The ball accidentally drops out of B1's crosse and lands in the crease, whereupon B1 picks up the ball again.
RULING: A new four-second count is started.
A.R. 88. B1, in the crease, makes a save. After three seconds, B1 deliberately flips the ball into the air and catches it again (while still in the crease).
RULING: The original four-second count continues.
A.R. 89. B1, in the crease, makes a save. After leaving the crease, B1 deliberately rolls or tosses the ball back into the crease, hoping to get an
additional four-second count. RULING: Technical foul on B1, ball is awarded to Team A.
https://www.ncaapublications.com/p-4708-2025-and-2026-mens-lacrosse-rules-book.aspx
Quote from: CU77The only version of that rule that I know of is that a defenseman cannot "recklessly" enter the crease and endanger the goalie. Defensemen often go into the crease to try to block shots if the goalie is far out of the crease.
That's the key term, and also the dman can't interfere with goalie play. It's a highly subjective rule but it allows the dman to stay between the ball carrier and the goal even when the ball carrier is near the crease line. When a team pulls a goalie, it's not unusual that a pole to jump in goal if there's a threat.
I wonder if Maryland will double Krist like PS did. At least it frees up other scorers.
Hell yes. One more game.
Is it just me, or did ESPN go for a Tambroni reaction shot every time Cornell scored?
Quote from: djk26Is it just me, or did ESPN go for a Tambroni reaction shot every time Cornell scored?
I noticed the same thing and thought it was strange.
Quote from: dbilmesQuote from: djk26Is it just me, or did ESPN go for a Tambroni reaction shot every time Cornell scored?
I noticed the same thing and thought it was strange.
I saw that as well
Quote from: djk26Is it just me, or did ESPN go for a Tambroni reaction shot every time Cornell scored?
He does have a great "I shouldn't have broken up with Taylor Swift" 1000 yard stare
Quote from: tretiakQuote from: djk26Is it just me, or did ESPN go for a Tambroni reaction shot every time Cornell scored?
He does have a great "I shouldn't have broken up with Taylor Swift" 1000 yard stare
I shared the anger of the jilted for a long time. I believed he left Cornell for a pay raise, big-time athletic facilities, and a culture of sports at Penn State. But I know he also left for family reasons, and it's hard to fault that. He's always carried himself well at Penn state, and he's spoken highly of his time at Cornell. Then learning today that he keeps a picture of 21 on his desk -- well, ok then.
Quote from: mike1960Quote from: tretiakQuote from: djk26Is it just me, or did ESPN go for a Tambroni reaction shot every time Cornell scored?
He does have a great "I shouldn't have broken up with Taylor Swift" 1000 yard stare
I shared the anger of the jilted for a long time. I believed he left Cornell for a pay raise, big-time athletic facilities, and a culture of sports at Penn State. But I know he also left for family reasons, and it's hard to fault that. He's always carried himself well at Penn state, and he's spoken highly of his time at Cornell. Then learning today that he keeps a picture of 21 on his desk -- well, ok then.
We all would take the PSU job in his position. Cornell wouldn't schedule PSU if there wasn't mutual respect. I want Cornell to win the title before he does. If that makes me jilted, I'm ok feeling jilted.
Well he was the coach when Boiardi died. You don't forget something like that.
Congrats to all the seniors who graduated during the game yesterday. I am glad they didn't miss out on that experience only to lose.
Quote from: ERCongrats to all the seniors who graduated during the game yesterday. I am glad they didn't miss out on that experience only to lose.
They got a shout out right at the beginning of Kotlikoff's speech.
Quote from: chimpfoodQuote from: ERCongrats to all the seniors who graduated during the game yesterday. I am glad they didn't miss out on that experience only to lose.
They got a shout out right at the beginning of Kotlikoff's speech.
I was looking for that online and I didn't see it in the University President's speech--but then I realized there was a SECOND commencement ceremony and he mentioned it in his SECOND speech. Anyone know why there were two Commencement ceremonies? Crowding?
Quote from: djk26Quote from: chimpfoodQuote from: ERCongrats to all the seniors who graduated during the game yesterday. I am glad they didn't miss out on that experience only to lose.
They got a shout out right at the beginning of Kotlikoff's speech.
I was looking for that online and I didn't see it in the University President's speech--but then I realized there was a SECOND commencement ceremony and he mentioned it in his SECOND speech. Anyone know why there were two Commencement ceremonies? Crowding?
Families and students wouldn't all fit if there was just one
Quote from: chimpfoodQuote from: djk26Quote from: chimpfoodQuote from: ERCongrats to all the seniors who graduated during the game yesterday. I am glad they didn't miss out on that experience only to lose.
They got a shout out right at the beginning of Kotlikoff's speech.
I was looking for that online and I didn't see it in the University President's speech--but then I realized there was a SECOND commencement ceremony and he mentioned it in his SECOND speech. Anyone know why there were two Commencement ceremonies? Crowding?
Families and students wouldn't all fit if there was just one
They've decided to keep it at two ceremonies since they first did it during the early years of Covid. This way they don't need to limit grads to a certain number of guests in the stadium and deal with ticketing, etc.
Some scattered thoughts:
—I almost commented before the game yesterday that I was cautiously optimistic about the game in large part because Jayson Singer has done a great job this year locking down the other team's best scorer. In Penn State's case a lot of their scoring was coming from Traynor, and I liked Cornell's defense against an offense based around one top scorer.
—I saw Box and Bozzi both getting semi-regular shifts yesterday. Maybe half of the D-middie shifts? I presume they are mostly back to full health now.
—There is ridiculous injury speculation about CJ on the Fanlax forum. I've seen it all—one guy says it's an injured shoulder, another says broken hand, another says he can't push off his right leg. One guy says to pay close attention to which hand CJ used to hold his gear, intimating that him favoring one arm indicated an injury—I checked, no signs of him favoring one arm over the other. A different poster, with three lifetime posts, says he's heard from "SEVERAL" sources CJ has had a broken hand for weeks. So this random dude claims to have inside information and yet CJ shows up for weeks with no bandage or anything on either hand? Yet a different poster says CJ limped to the sideline, and limped on the sideline, after his runout to kill clock late in the game, without stopping to question why CJ would be tasked with the runout in the first place if his he did in fact have a lower body injury, or why he was back on the field running normally on the very next play. I'm curious, if Kirst buries one of his multiple point blank chances, are people still suggesting he's injured? Are people also suggesting Syracuse's Joey Spallina (0G1A yesterday) is injured? Kirst may not be 100% but the speculation is absurd.
—The 2009 national championship game was spring of my freshman year. If Cornell wins tomorrow it would be the single greatest moment of my Cornell sports fandom but (*takes bong rip*) it is now out of our hands, we must let the universe run its course and be proud of what this team has accomplished no matter what happens. Unless Buczek leaves for another program, I am hopeful we will eventually make it to the promised land, whether tomorrow or another day.
Quote from: BearLoverSome scattered thoughts:
—I almost commented before the game yesterday that I was cautiously optimistic about the game in large part because Jayson Singer has done a great job this year locking down the other team's best scorer. In Penn State's case a lot of their scoring was coming from Traynor, and I liked Cornell's defense against an offense based around one top scorer.
—I saw Box and Bozzi both getting semi-regular shifts yesterday. Maybe half of the D-middie shifts? I presume they are mostly back to full health now.
—There is ridiculous injury speculation about CJ on the Fanlax forum. I've seen it all—one guy says it's an injured shoulder, another says broken hand, another says he can't push off his right leg. One guy says to pay close attention to which hand CJ used to hold his gear, intimating that him favoring one arm indicated an injury—I checked, no signs of him favoring one arm over the other. A different poster, with three lifetime posts, says he's heard from "SEVERAL" sources CJ has had a broken hand for weeks. So this random dude claims to have inside information and yet CJ shows up for weeks with no bandage or anything on either hand? Yet a different poster says CJ limped to the sideline, and limped on the sideline, after his runout to kill clock late in the game, without stopping to question why CJ would be tasked with the runout in the first place if his he did in fact have a lower body injury, or why he was back on the field running normally on the very next play. I'm curious, if Kirst buries one of his multiple point blank chances, are people still suggesting he's injured? Are people also suggesting Syracuse's Joey Spallina (0G1A yesterday) is injured? Kirst may not be 100% but the speculation is absurd.
—The 2009 national championship game was spring of my freshman year. If Cornell wins tomorrow it would be the single greatest moment of my Cornell sports fandom but (*takes bong rip*) it is now out of our hands, we must let the universe run its course and be proud of what this team has accomplished no matter what happens. Unless Buczek leaves for another program, I am hopeful we will eventually make it to the promised land, whether tomorrow or another day.
Right!
The fact that people would speculate that he's injured only because he didn't get a single point yet played the entire game, just goes to show you how good he is. Most players don't score points every game and no one assumes they are injured.
Quote from: ERThe fact that people would speculate that he's injured only because he didn't get a single point yet played the entire game, just goes to show you how good he is. Most players don't score points every game and no one assumes they are injured.
The production isn't as concerning to me because the last two teams also largely held him in check during the regular season.
The bigger issue is that he's not moving the way he normally does. If you watch him in the Ivy League Tournament, you'll see him in constant motion, with lots of cutting, going behind the net, etc. He really only had a couple cuts against PSU, and it got to the point that PSU felt comfortable locking off Firth at one point and going 5 on 5. His accuracy has also been way below his usual standard.
That said, he did pick up 10 ground balls against Richmond. You just hope it's not something getting progressively worse, especially given this short turnaround.
Quote from: LGR14Quote from: ERThe fact that people would speculate that he's injured only because he didn't get a single point yet played the entire game, just goes to show you how good he is. Most players don't score points every game and no one assumes they are injured.
The production isn't as concerning to me because the last two teams also largely held him in check during the regular season.
The bigger issue is that he's not moving the way he normally does. If you watch him in the Ivy League Tournament, you'll see him in constant motion, with lots of cutting, going behind the net, etc. He really only had a couple cuts against PSU, and it got to the point that PSU felt comfortable locking off Firth at one point and going 5 on 5. His accuracy has also been way below his usual standard.
That said, he did pick up 10 ground balls against Richmond. You just hope it's not something getting progressively worse, especially given this short turnaround.
I'm not a lacrosse expert or a medical expert, but CJ had 6 goals against Albany, then 2 goals, 2 assists and 10 GB against Richmond. So until yesterday there was no downturn in production at all. Yesterday, to my eye he was doubled (sometimes even tripled) almost anytime he had the ball for more than a few seconds. He got rid of it quickly almost every time he had the ball, but I couldn't tell if that was because of the double team or because he was physically limited in some way. I'll have to check the tape to see if the defense adjusted by trying to lock down Firth late, but to my eye they were still doubling CJ very late into the game. He did get better looks as the game went on. Was he cutting and dodging less? Maybe, but in the moment I thought that was because the defense was hounding him. The most visibly wrong aspect of his game was how off his shooting was. But again, the defense was on top of him.
Quote from: BearLoverQuote from: LGR14Quote from: ERThe fact that people would speculate that he's injured only because he didn't get a single point yet played the entire game, just goes to show you how good he is. Most players don't score points every game and no one assumes they are injured.
The production isn't as concerning to me because the last two teams also largely held him in check during the regular season.
The bigger issue is that he's not moving the way he normally does. If you watch him in the Ivy League Tournament, you'll see him in constant motion, with lots of cutting, going behind the net, etc. He really only had a couple cuts against PSU, and it got to the point that PSU felt comfortable locking off Firth at one point and going 5 on 5. His accuracy has also been way below his usual standard.
That said, he did pick up 10 ground balls against Richmond. You just hope it's not something getting progressively worse, especially given this short turnaround.
I'm not a lacrosse expert or a medical expert, but CJ had 6 goals against Albany, then 2 goals, 2 assists and 10 GB against Richmond. So until yesterday there was no downturn in production at all. Yesterday, to my eye he was doubled (sometimes even tripled) almost anytime he had the ball for more than a few seconds. He got rid of it quickly almost every time he had the ball, but I couldn't tell if that was because of the double team or because he was physically limited in some way. I'll have to check the tape to see if the defense adjusted by trying to lock down Firth late, but to my eye they were still doubling CJ very late into the game. He did get better looks as the game went on. Was he cutting and dodging less? Maybe, but in the moment I thought that was because the defense was hounding him. The most visibly wrong aspect of his game was how off his shooting was. But again, the defense was on top of him.
I think the prevailing sentiment is that, if anything happened, it happened after the Albany game. He went 2+2 in the Richmond game but it took a long time to get there and it was his worst shooting performance of the season, maybe ever. Lots of comments about how it looked like he was running in sand (although that was true of a couple guys). Again, could just be that the Richmond defender had his number a bit given the similar regular season performance.
Either way, hope he guts it out for one more great performance today!