2026 Men's Lacrosse

[Cornell95]

another week with a lot of footing issues
can we get a new shoe contract ?

[BearLover]

This has to be the most lopsided loss in recent Cornell history

[jjanow99]

This has to be the most lopsided loss in recent Cornell history

I figured this to be a rebuilding year but I had no idea. Hope we make the Ivy tournament.

[jjanow99]

Not watching the game . Is Tully getting any help at all?

[Cornell95]

Not watching the game . Is Tully getting any help at all?

defense has to be exhausted by now
biggest issue may be faceoff

he hasnt made many saves at all, and they havent all been SportsCenter shots
cant believe they havent pulled him if only to give the back up some reps

[mike1960]

This is sport. Sometimes you win, sometimes, you lose, sometimes you get your backside handed to you on a platter.

The big question is how well this team learns from this experience to get better. Obviously, there's a lot to work on to turn this thing around an win the Ivy League. There's a lot of talent on this roster. They can do it.

[BearLover]

The most shocking part by far is Cascadden. I didn't watch today's game, but it's hard to understand how he could dominate his whole career and then lay two absolute eggs in a row, unless he's injured (in which case he shouldn't be playing), or it's a total fluke.

Melkonian should get the start next week.
 
I was bullish before the season on the basis that Cascadden would be a beast and the team would have enough offensive firepower that last season either wasn't available (Nurry/Nikolic) or that was buried on the depth chart under all the fifth-years. Serves me right for being optimistic! Just kidding...

[MattShaf]

This weeks face-off issues aside (we are with 59% of the draws to date), the main issues with this team are (a) size on the offensive end and (b) clears / rides.

Size - You can't teach it. Attacking and First midfield now without 6'2" Kirst and 6'3" Kelleher. Last season we moved the ball quickly and ran through people. This year we can spin the rock but can't get inside a defense.

Clears - 81% clearing success rate is not good. We are 58th in NCAA Division 1 Lacrosse (https://www.ncaa.com/stats/lacrosse-men/d1/current/team/838). Failed clears usually lead to high percentage scoring opportunities.
Rides - Opponents clearing success against us is 89%.  Too easy.

Richmond was +4 against us 2 weeks ago. That was probably the difference in the game.

 

[rss77]

Yes-This year is more of struggle than I originally thought. Am hopeful the team can make Ivy playoffs.  Princeton and Harvard look like the class of the league-am impressed with Princeton's depth.

[mike1960]

This weeks face-off issues aside (we are with 59% of the draws to date), the main issues with this team are (a) size on the offensive end and (b) clears / rides.

Size - You can't teach it. Attacking and First midfield now without 6'2" Kirst and 6'3" Kelleher. Last season we moved the ball quickly and ran through people. This year we can spin the rock but can't get inside a defense.

Clears - 81% clearing success rate is not good. We are 58th in NCAA Division 1 Lacrosse (https://www.ncaa.com/stats/lacrosse-men/d1/current/team/838). Failed clears usually lead to high percentage scoring opportunities.
Rides - Opponents clearing success against us is 89%.  Too easy.

Richmond was +4 against us 2 weeks ago. That was probably the difference in the game.

 

Clears, ground balls, turnovers, and accurate shooting. These are all things that we can fix with practice and effort. I expect to see big improvement in all these areas as our coaches and players get to work.

I don't think physical size matters nearly as much as skill, lacrosse IQ, speed, and team play on both sides of the field.  Players need to get as strong as they can in the weight room, and CJ was a bruiser, but a Rob Pannell (5-9) or Jeff Teat (5-10) can also take a team to the promised land. Gavin Adler is only 5-8 and he is one of the best long pole we've ever had.

[upprdeck]

many of the clearing and turnover issues are self-imposed.  Thats the part you can clean up hopefully.