MLAX: Cornell vs Penn State 3/9/24

[Local Motion]

It's already been posted on the Ivy board the lack of physicality by the Cornell defense, which has been an issue for the Big Red.   For example I am currently watching the John Hopkins and Syracuse game and both teams are very physical.   There is a reason why they wear helmets and shoulder pads.

[mike1960]

It's already been posted on the Ivy board the lack of physicality by the Cornell defense, which has been an issue for the Big Red.   For example I am currently watching the John Hopkins and Syracuse game and both teams are very physical.   There is a reason why they wear helmets and shoulder pads.

It wouldn't hurt to get a little more physical, at least try to push the shooter a little off balance.

What I'm not understanding is why they are allowing free hands up top. We all know the short stick defensive middie is a super tough position to play. And Coaches Stevens and Buczek know more about lacrosse than I ever will. But I don't understand why we're not more effective at pushing the ball down the alleys. That's what most teach in basic midfield defense. Use body position to block the top so shooters can't run across in front of the goal, or if they get across, force them as high as possible.

Surely it's not that they are so much more athletic than we are. Or are they? Or this some kind of defensive approach that I'm not understanding?