Recruiting

[Laxfan500]

Watch the American select 2023 championship game between Connecticut and Massachusetts on youtube. just for a little glimpse of how good Chloe Humhrey(#9 white) is. insane talent

She is a generational talent. IMO the '23 class is a strong class, but she is the best buy far. She is going to be fun to watch at Carolina.

Daughters team played Chloe Humphrey’s CT Grizzlies team several times. What stood out to me was her quickness attacking the goal. She seemed to have a different gear than others. The games were entertaining and she was fun to watch play.

Theres that "generational talent" phrase again....
Ill never forget how C. Wurtzburger was touted as the best player ever coming into Carolina. Shes a good player but not a great one. Maybe she will turn out to be that her last two years...we will see. College game is very different with big defenders coming at ya.

[TNLAX]

Shooting space is not based on where the attacker is holding her stick. Rather it is based on the positioning of the shooter and the defender.

A side arm shot can avoid a dangerous propelling call, but of course you can still hit a player with a side arm shot.

If I may be allowed to go on one of my pet rants. I’ll try to make it a mini-rant. Under the rules, a defender does not need to be hit with a ball in order for a dangerous propel call. You hardly ever see that call, however, unless a defender is hit. The only exception I can think of is that back when BTBs were new, some refs would make a dangerous propel call even if nobody got hit with a ball. That has seemed to have gone by the boards now. Don’t see that call anymore.

In my view, and I acknowledge I am close to a sole voice on this, lots and lots of these newfangled hard shots players take these days could qualify for dangerous propelling calls. When you see defenders scatter and hit the deck, that seems to me to evidence a pretty dangerous situation. Under the rules, a defender is not obligated to get out of the way of a shot, although the self preservation instinct certainly takes over.

End of rant.

Agree with you 100%. I just hope someone isn’t seriously injured or even worse before the ref’s and the powers to be realize the danger.

[DMac]

Watched a little of the game suggested, saw her shoot from the hip North style, reaching past her defender waist high and putting a ton of mustard on the shot...yes, it went in. My question is, why has it taken so long for girls to realize they can shoot like this? This is about leverage and torque, not strength. This has driven me nuts since I first started watching wlax, that shot has always been there but rarely taken and the torque and leverage thing has always been there too but realized by few. I've said the girls weren't taught to shoot right which, of course, I took a lot of heat for but it might turn out I wasn't so wrong.

To be honest shooting sidearm for most players is not the best option. North is a clear exception to the rule and there are other players as well. Less contrôl ând often an easier save for the goalie. Few girls can pull it off consistently. Better to teach girls to shoot over the top, change levéls and mostly shoot offside low. Sidearm for most players will do nothing more than lower their shooting percentage. Looks great and will make the highlight réel but that is about it. I always revert back to Taylor Cummings. Have you ever see her shoot sidearm or even à BTB? Nope. There are often better, less flashy options.

The sidearm shot is but one weapon in one's arsenal and absolutely has its place, just as the BTB shot does. On the BTB shot, many want to call that a trick shot or being flashy but often times it's the only shot the player has as it creates an angle they don't have with any other shot. Yes, sometimes players want to be hot dogish with it but it's a very nice weapon to have in the arsenal. When telegraphed, yes, the sidearm shot gives the GK a good look at the ball but if you have a quick release (more wrists than a windup with the arms) you can sneak it by the GK. Gilbert has a nice quick release on that shot and is effective with it, her speed comes into play there too. Sometimes you just can't go with the over the shoulder shot as it's going to result in a dangerous follow through, hence the sidearm shot.
Practice, practice, practice.

[DMac]

In my view, and I acknowledge I am close to a sole voice on this, lots and lots of these newfangled hard shots players take these days could qualify for dangerous propelling calls. When you see defenders scatter and hit the deck, that seems to me to evidence a pretty dangerous situation. Under the rules, a defender is not obligated to get out of the way of a shot, although the self preservation instinct certainly takes over.

End of rant.

You might not be as close to a sole voice on this as you think as I also agree with this. I see it as real dilemma in the wlax game inasmuch the safety of others in the game is a real big deal. The ability of these girls to shoot harder and harder (and you know there will be more and more of them who can as time goes on) is going to cause problems, I doubt anyone ever envisioned wlaxers being able to shoot like this. North's shot on the FPS, for example, just looks frightening and that's not the only time her shot looks frightening. None of this is going to help keep helmets and pads out of wlax.

[Kleizaster]

Watched a little of the game suggested, saw her shoot from the hip North style, reaching past her defender waist high and putting a ton of mustard on the shot...yes, it went in. My question is, why has it taken so long for girls to realize they can shoot like this? This is about leverage and torque, not strength. This has driven me nuts since I first started watching wlax, that shot has always been there but rarely taken and the torque and leverage thing has always been there too but realized by few. I've said the girls weren't taught to shoot right which, of course, I took a lot of heat for but it might turn out I wasn't so wrong.

To be honest shooting sidearm for most players is not the best option. North is a clear exception to the rule and there are other players as well. Less contrôl ând often an easier save for the goalie. Few girls can pull it off consistently. Better to teach girls to shoot over the top, change levéls and mostly shoot offside low. Sidearm for most players will do nothing more than lower their shooting percentage. Looks great and will make the highlight réel but that is about it. I always revert back to Taylor Cummings. Have you ever see her shoot sidearm or even à BTB? Nope. There are often better, less flashy options.

The sidearm shot is but one weapon in one's arsenal and absolutely has its place, just as the BTB shot does. On the BTB shot, many want to call that a trick shot or being flashy but often times it's the only shot the player has as it creates an angle they don't have with any other shot. Yes, sometimes players want to be hot dogish with it but it's a very nice weapon to have in the arsenal. When telegraphed, yes, the sidearm shot gives the GK a good look at the ball but if you have a quick release (more wrists than a windup with the arms) you can sneak it by the GK. Gilbert has a nice quick release on that shot and is effective with it, her speed comes into play there too. Sometimes you just can't go with the over the shoulder shot as it's going to result in a dangerous follow through, hence the sidearm shot.
Practice, practice, practice.

What you have to remember is that not many players can shoot sidearm with that kind of ACCURACY and VELOCITY. That's the key difference. There is a reason not many girls even dare attempt it. For a player like CH it's great option because she can ping it top corner and not break a sweat. Things like this already separate her from the pack. Ofcourse over time, more girls will develop this skill as players get better and better. But it's very rare to have that kind of tool in your arsenal as a high school underclassman. Even most collegiate players can't do that. I've been watching CH for a long time and she is just different. People want to compare her hype to CW but CW's hype was because she just scored at historic levels. Even with Basic Lax knowledge the eye test will tell you that CH is on another level compared to her peers. Her total skillset is the best i've seen since Treanor and Cummings.

[Lax247]

Watched a little of the game suggested, saw her shoot from the hip North style, reaching past her defender waist high and putting a ton of mustard on the shot...yes, it went in. My question is, why has it taken so long for girls to realize they can shoot like this? This is about leverage and torque, not strength. This has driven me nuts since I first started watching wlax, that shot has always been there but rarely taken and the torque and leverage thing has always been there too but realized by few. I've said the girls weren't taught to shoot right which, of course, I took a lot of heat for but it might turn out I wasn't so wrong.

To be honest shooting sidearm for most players is not the best option. North is a clear exception to the rule and there are other players as well. Less contrôl ând often an easier save for the goalie. Few girls can pull it off consistently. Better to teach girls to shoot over the top, change levéls and mostly shoot offside low. Sidearm for most players will do nothing more than lower their shooting percentage. Looks great and will make the highlight réel but that is about it. I always revert back to Taylor Cummings. Have you ever see her shoot sidearm or even à BTB? Nope. There are often better, less flashy options.

The sidearm shot is but one weapon in one's arsenal and absolutely has its place, just as the BTB shot does. On the BTB shot, many want to call that a trick shot or being flashy but often times it's the only shot the player has as it creates an angle they don't have with any other shot. Yes, sometimes players want to be hot dogish with it but it's a very nice weapon to have in the arsenal. When telegraphed, yes, the sidearm shot gives the GK a good look at the ball but if you have a quick release (more wrists than a windup with the arms) you can sneak it by the GK. Gilbert has a nice quick release on that shot and is effective with it, her speed comes into play there too. Sometimes you just can't go with the over the shoulder shot as it's going to result in a dangerous follow through, hence the sidearm shot.
Practice, practice, practice.

What you have to remember is that not many players can shoot sidearm with that kind of ACCURACY and VELOCITY. That's the key difference. There is a reason not many girls even dare attempt it. For a player like CH it's great option because she can ping it top corner and not break a sweat. Things like this already separate her from the pack. Ofcourse over time, more girls will develop this skill as players get better and better. But it's very rare to have that kind of tool in your arsenal as a high school underclassman. Even most collegiate players can't do that. I've been watching CH for a long time and she is just different. People want to compare her hype to CW but CW's hype was because she just scored at historic levels. Even with Basic Lax knowledge the eye test will tell you that CH is on another level compared to her peers. Her total skillset is the best i've seen since Treanor and Cummings.

Yes her skill set is def different. But do we care about shooting percentage - accuracy ? or just the way she was able to shoot. Because if you are that good shouldn't you be able to place your shots anywhere you want to and be shooting at 70%?

[njbill]

I’d be interested in the views of other old-timers, but my recollection is that back in the day, sidearm shooting was frowned upon because, it was thought, that made it easy for defenders to get sticks on the shooters’ sticks. Still, even today, a side arm shot requires a lot more open space to effectively execute.

But attackers have figured out how to find space and get off clean side arm shots. And as DMac has noted, they have figured out the advantages of torque.

The shooters in AU are among the best in the game. Many are very sophisticated side arm shooters, starting with North who is the best among them. She does a very good job of creating open space and shooting side arm. Plus, she is able to hit all the spots, with velocity. In particular, she is very good at shooting low to high.

In the high school games I watch, you see girls shooting side arm more and more. But in high school, they almost always shoot low to low. In fact, in my scouting reports, I say at least a few times a season that when player A drops her stick down, she will always shoot low. In high school at least, dropping the stick is a pretty reliable tell.

For my money, to be an effective side arm shooter, you must be able to shoot low to high. Otherwise you are effectively telling the goalie she only needs to defend 2’ x 6’.

The other skill that needs to be developed to be an effective side arm shooter is control. The shooters in AU are very good at that, but that is a skill that must be mastered.

[wlaxphan20]

I think North shoots high-low across the body way more than people think. I think sometimes people see the big wind up and call it a sidearm. Shooting around players and the goalie from the hip/sidearm is a good option only in very specific situations, and it’s just as susceptible to a dangerous follow through call as traditional high to low across the body shots and even more susceptible to getting blocked.

IMO if you don’t play on the crease you’ll seldom need it except in specific situations, and just because you haven’t seen a player do it, doesn’t mean they can’t.

From what I saw, the specific shot Humphrey took only looked good because it went in and it went in because she’s an exceptional talent. You don’t look at players like that to make the rule, they are usually the exception. But her body and momentum were moving away from goal, and I wouldn’t encourage many players, particularly younger ones, to take that shot - but that’s just me. Players also have different, yet similarly effective styles that compliment each individual’s speed, size, strength, position on the field, etc.

[njbill]

I must’ve missed the shot you are talking about. When did she take it? Is there a video available? If not, can you describe it?

She has a lot of shots in her bag, as Larry likes to say.

[wlaxphan20]

I must’ve missed the shot you are talking about. When did she take it? Is there a video available? If not, can you describe it?

She has a lot of shots in her bag, as Larry likes to say.

I think it’s the one that started this conversation at least, I’m not positive though. But it was her first goal in Connecticut vs Massachusetts

Honestly the shot itself isn’t necessarily what it think of when someone says sidearm/shooting from the hip either

[njbill]

Thx. Didn’t see that one.

[wlaxphan20]

Thx. Didn’t see that one.

Here’s the link, but I could be wrong about which shot it is that DMac was talking about

https://youtu.be/m4xAci0INX8

[DMac]

Gilbert is as good at the sidearm shot as about anyone out there. Hers is a quick release from in tight. When she pulls the trigger the shot is fired quickly, comes at you without warning unlike the North big motion and wind up which gives the GK a much longer look at the ball. CN is going to score some of those with velocity but I'm seeing more and more of those shots saved. Meanwhile, a Gilbert type shot brings the element of surprise, her quick shot, IMO, is more effective than North's and she's been putting a lot of those in. I'd bet you'll see more and more of this from the young players, I just don't see it as being all that hard to do.
Practice, practice, practice.

[Kleizaster]

September is quickly approaching. That means between September 1st and the 20th, many of the top girls from the 2024 class will be making their college committments. Thought i'd highlight a few players worth keeping an eye on and where i think they might land. This is just my opinion based on information i've gathered. In no particular order

Tess Calabria- highly touted prospect. Elite stick skills. I see this as a UNC/BC battle.

Ryann Frechette- was tearing up the florida circuits as a freshman before a season ending injury. Good chances she stays in florida or heads to an ACC school

Charlee Nyquist- Has a lethal BTB. UNC

Madison Rassas- Do it all Midfield general. Maryland

Kira Balis- draw specialist. Maryland

Ella Berg- speed. Northwestern

2024 isn't as strong as 2023 or 2022. 2025 however looks very strong with the Spallina girl headlining

[RollTheCrease]

September is quickly approaching. That means between September 1st and the 20th, many of the top girls from the 2024 class will be making their college committments. Thought i'd highlight a few players worth keeping an eye on and where i think they might land. This is just my opinion based on information i've gathered. In no particular order

Tess Calabria- highly touted prospect. Elite stick skills. I see this as a UNC/BC battle.

Ryann Frechette- was tearing up the florida circuits as a freshman before a season ending injury. Good chances she stays in florida or heads to an ACC school

Charlee Nyquist- Has a lethal BTB. UNC

Madison Rassas- Do it all Midfield general. Maryland

Kira Balis- draw specialist. Maryland

Ella Berg- speed. Northwestern

2024 isn't as strong as 2023 or 2022. 2025 however looks very strong with the Spallina girl headlining

What level of club competition did M&D Orlando play? Are they considered a top 2024 team playing top 10 teams each tournament? Isn’t Rassas the daughter of a former ND standout? If so, is she considering ND? She plays with Jenny Levy’s daughter on M&D. Does UNC have her on their radar?

[Lax247]

September is quickly approaching. That means between September 1st and the 20th, many of the top girls from the 2024 class will be making their college committments. Thought i'd highlight a few players worth keeping an eye on and where i think they might land. This is just my opinion based on information i've gathered. In no particular order

Tess Calabria- highly touted prospect. Elite stick skills. I see this as a UNC/BC battle.

Ryann Frechette- was tearing up the florida circuits as a freshman before a season ending injury. Good chances she stays in florida or heads to an ACC school

Charlee Nyquist- Has a lethal BTB. UNC

Madison Rassas- Do it all Midfield general. Maryland

Kira Balis- draw specialist. Maryland

Ella Berg- speed. Northwestern

2024 isn't as strong as 2023 or 2022. 2025 however looks very strong with the Spallina girl headlining

Spallina girl....does she go to Cuse like the whole family did/will?
or does she stay at SB since her dad touts that high profile kids dont need to leave Long Island to play competitively. SHould be interesting...

[Can Opener]

September is quickly approaching. That means between September 1st and the 20th, many of the top girls from the 2024 class will be making their college committments. Thought i'd highlight a few players worth keeping an eye on and where i think they might land. This is just my opinion based on information i've gathered. In no particular order

Tess Calabria- highly touted prospect. Elite stick skills. I see this as a UNC/BC battle.

Ryann Frechette- was tearing up the florida circuits as a freshman before a season ending injury. Good chances she stays in florida or heads to an ACC school

Charlee Nyquist- Has a lethal BTB. UNC

Madison Rassas- Do it all Midfield general. Maryland

Kira Balis- draw specialist. Maryland

Ella Berg- speed. Northwestern

2024 isn't as strong as 2023 or 2022. 2025 however looks very strong with the Spallina girl headlining

What level of club competition did M&D Orlando play? Are they considered a top 2024 team playing top 10 teams each tournament? Isn’t Rassas the daughter of a former ND standout? If so, is she considering ND? She plays with Jenny Levy’s daughter on M&D. Does UNC have her on their radar?

Answer to that question is here:
https://www.usclublax.com/team_info.php?y=2021&t=501335

[Kleizaster]

September is quickly approaching. That means between September 1st and the 20th, many of the top girls from the 2024 class will be making their college committments. Thought i'd highlight a few players worth keeping an eye on and where i think they might land. This is just my opinion based on information i've gathered. In no particular order

Tess Calabria- highly touted prospect. Elite stick skills. I see this as a UNC/BC battle.

Ryann Frechette- was tearing up the florida circuits as a freshman before a season ending injury. Good chances she stays in florida or heads to an ACC school

Charlee Nyquist- Has a lethal BTB. UNC

Madison Rassas- Do it all Midfield general. Maryland

Kira Balis- draw specialist. Maryland

Ella Berg- speed. Northwestern

2024 isn't as strong as 2023 or 2022. 2025 however looks very strong with the Spallina girl headlining

Spallina girl....does she go to Cuse like the whole family did/will?
or does she stay at SB since her dad touts that high profile kids dont need to leave Long Island to play competitively. SHould be interesting...

She's pretty much a cuse lock from everything i've seen. If not cuse then Stony brook. don't really see her going anywhere else

[Lax247]

September is quickly approaching. That means between September 1st and the 20th, many of the top girls from the 2024 class will be making their college committments. Thought i'd highlight a few players worth keeping an eye on and where i think they might land. This is just my opinion based on information i've gathered. In no particular order

Tess Calabria- highly touted prospect. Elite stick skills. I see this as a UNC/BC battle.

Ryann Frechette- was tearing up the florida circuits as a freshman before a season ending injury. Good chances she stays in florida or heads to an ACC school

Charlee Nyquist- Has a lethal BTB. UNC

Madison Rassas- Do it all Midfield general. Maryland

Kira Balis- draw specialist. Maryland

Ella Berg- speed. Northwestern

2024 isn't as strong as 2023 or 2022. 2025 however looks very strong with the Spallina girl headlining

Spallina girl....does she go to Cuse like the whole family did/will?
or does she stay at SB since her dad touts that high profile kids dont need to leave Long Island to play competitively. SHould be interesting...

She's pretty much a cuse lock from everything i've seen. If not cuse then Stony brook. don't really see her going anywhere else

The reason Im wondering is that he has showed his disdain when LI recruits leave the Island to go to other colleges....and has been quoted many times You know....disparagingly....for those that leave - so it will be curious if she does leave - how he spins it.

[wlaxphan20]

September is quickly approaching. That means between September 1st and the 20th, many of the top girls from the 2024 class will be making their college committments. Thought i'd highlight a few players worth keeping an eye on and where i think they might land. This is just my opinion based on information i've gathered. In no particular order

Tess Calabria- highly touted prospect. Elite stick skills. I see this as a UNC/BC battle.

Ryann Frechette- was tearing up the florida circuits as a freshman before a season ending injury. Good chances she stays in florida or heads to an ACC school

Charlee Nyquist- Has a lethal BTB. UNC

Madison Rassas- Do it all Midfield general. Maryland

Kira Balis- draw specialist. Maryland

Ella Berg- speed. Northwestern

2024 isn't as strong as 2023 or 2022. 2025 however looks very strong with the Spallina girl headlining

Spallina girl....does she go to Cuse like the whole family did/will?
or does she stay at SB since her dad touts that high profile kids dont need to leave Long Island to play competitively. SHould be interesting...

She's pretty much a cuse lock from everything i've seen. If not cuse then Stony brook. don't really see her going anywhere else

The reason Im wondering is that he has showed his disdain when LI recruits leave the Island to go to other colleges....and has been quoted many times You know....disparagingly....for those that leave - so it will be curious if she does leave - how he spins it.

I don't have any personal knowledge, but I'd hope he'd respect his own daughter enough to put on the "dad" hat & let her make her own decision while being there as a supporting figure. After spending his career recruiting, I'm sure he has come across all kinds of parent-athlete dynamics. It's been mentioned that the family is close, so I don't think NY schools are off the table, but again, I don't know Alexa personally. I have a lot of respect for Joe, but if he were to publicly comment on his daughter's college commitment with anything other than unwavering support (which I highly doubt he would do), I'd lose all of it on the spot.

Also, not all parents can or want to coach their own kids in college. Yes, Joe is her YJ coach, but that's very different than a top 10 D1 program.