Cornell vs Virginia

[RichH]

[quote semsox]My most anticipated event of the weekend (not like graduation's THAT big of a deal).  That being said, really hard to feel good about the matchup.  This is definitely one of those games where I would love to win, but I'm certainly not expecting it.  Granted, maybe we're due.  I felt we were the better team in '07 and we lost that game.  Maybe this will be the other way around.  Key to this game is unequivocally limiting turnovers.  I'll go out on a limb and say Glynn will hold his own vs. Gaudet in the faceoff circle, but unforced errors is where we've won and lost games this year.  They reared they're ugly head vs. Syracuse and with Virginia's speed, it's going to be more important than ever to take care of the ball.  Honestly, if we have less than 10 turnovers, I like our chances.  

Oddly, I'm not as worried about Virginia's offense as most people are.  Tambroni came up with a sparkling game plan against Princeton, and I'm sure he'll do the same against Virginia.  Despite the injury to Moyer, I think our defense is peaking at the right time.  They're tough, they're physical, they're executing the game plan absolutely selflessly, and that will win you a lot of games.  

For goal, Myers played very well last week and you just have to sort of let him go.  If it comes down to rotating goalies midgame, this one's already over.  So as weak as we've been in goal this year, this is the game where you just send Myers out there and hope for the best.  If our defense can play like they did last week, I believe he can be an asset between the pipes and make the saves he needs to.  

I think our attack is where we can do some damage.  Pannell has been so great all year long, and I think he'll come up big again.  The Princeton D is without a doubt better than the Virginia D, and if we're patient enough, we're going to score on them.  This game is simply going to come down to possession.  If we take care of the ball and let Pannell dictate the offense we'll be in it until the end.  I don't foresee this being a game like Duke's second game against UVA.  If we do win this game, it won't be by more than 2 goals.  Get pumped everyone.  It all comes down to this.  LET'S GO RED![/quote]

Good post.  Myers had a very solid game last week...great time for him to turn it on.  My impression was that the defense was playing at the top of their game.  It was an impressive performance, and we need that to continue.

One thing that calmed me most about my hopes for this tournament was that we were very good on the ground balls and didn't make a whole lot of mistakes on the clears, especially given the very windy conditions.  The long-pass gaffes have been a bugaboo for us in the past.

While I don't give us a great chance tomorrow, I still give us a chance.  

I for one am going to enjoy getting to see at least one more game with Seibald and Pannell on the same field.  No offense to any of the other players, but those two are generational talents for this program.  It's been a joy to watch Max during this run, and knowing that Pannell is only a Freshman makes me very very happy.

Let's Go Red!!  Let's do this.  Let's do this now.

[billhoward]

Weekly pick 'em of a dozen Inside Lacrosse experts is unanimous on outcome of Cornell-Virginia game. http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/05/22/warrior-may-madness-inside-lacrosse-staff-pick-em-ncaa-championship-weekend-edition/

[billhoward]

[quote French Rage][quote JasonN95][quote Kyle Rose][quote billhoward]It will be nothing like the rush we might feel this coming Monday. Here's hoping. Nearly half of all Cornell alums and current students weren't born the last time Cornell hoisted the trophy.[/quote]
I am sick and tired of your woofing.  You pulled this shit in March, also.  Just stop, please: enjoy the moment if it happens, but leave your anticipation unstated.[/quote]

Bill said "might" and "Here's hoping." I think his statements are sufficiently devoid of hubris such that the Woofing Gods will not take issue.   ;-)[/quote]

But just to be safe we really should tar and feather Bill.[/quote]

You'd think Lynah fans would have enough already of standing in line.

[peterg]

Nice article

NY Times blog piece

[Tom Pasniewski 98]

Screw 'em.  

IT IS SATURDAY!  IT IS TIME TO ROCK!

[Jacob '06]

I really wish our defenders would stop stopping right at the midline if there are enough people back. Just carry the ball up, give it to an attackman and then get back.

[Greenberg '97]

[quote Jacob '06]I really wish our defenders would stop stopping right at the midline if there are enough people back. Just carry the ball up, give it to an attackman and then get back.[/quote]

The first time they did that, I thought it was offside waiting to happen.  The second time, it happened.  Could've been a turning point if it led to a goal.

[French Rage]

4-1 after 1, definitely playing more our speed.

[Jacob '06]

Well other than the issues at midfield on the clear, that was a great quarter for Cornell. If we can keep the posession game up for the rest of the game we should get a good result. They had some nice goals off of inside feeds in the first from the attackmen.

[Greenberg '97]

[quote French Rage]4-1 after 1, definitely playing more our speed.[/quote]

No, you were right.... 5-1.  

[French Rage]

God I wish the announcers would shut up.

[French Rage]

8-2 at the half.

[French Rage]

Dumb turnover, cmon, game aint over yet.

[French Rage]

[quote French Rage]Dumb turnover, cmon, game aint over yet.[/quote]

And we get it right back. :-}

13-6.

[Jacob '06]

Don't really understand Glynn taking a faceoff up by 9 goals with 6 minutes left in the game.