With Yale’s scrimmages against Stony Brook and Providence around the corner, we’re re-posting Calourie‘s posts from May within the Yale 2020 thread:
“I agree with CollegeCrosse’s way too early 2020 assessment that the Bulldogs should be regarded as a title contender next season. Yale loses superb 1st midfield starters Tigh, Sessa and stalwart captain Daniggelis, All Ivy LSDM Mooney, EMO sniper Rooney, highly regarded SSDM B. Mackie whose promising career was disrupted by an ACL blowout but nevertheless hung in with the program for his final two years, head spiritmaster and one time starting goalie Crance, as well as 4 year backups Pula, Sullivan, Duran and Bliebtreu. The 2019 team and program owe a great debt of thanks to all the members of this most successful senior class is the history of Yale lacrosse for accomplishing what they did. The players who return have plenty of work to do to even come close to the level of success achieved by this year’s graduating group, but there are plenty of pieces remaining in place to imagine that happening. Returning attackmen Morrill, Gaudet and Brandau are likely to once again be one of the most formidable attack units in the country. Starters Fake, Hynes, Weitzel and Starr as well as back-up DeMuth all return at the defensive end which should enable them to up their efficiency and execution. 2nd line middies Cotler, Tevlin and Cropp all look capable of stepping into the 1st middie roles vacated by graduation though I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the three might be left on the second line to give it more punch, and SSDMs Eschbach, Renz and Ocken, as well as LSDM Ward all return as well. Add All Universe FOGO Ierlan and backup Neumann to this returning array, and I feel justified in my highly optimistic outlook for the coming season.
Obvioulsy there is a ton of work to do, and unforeseen changes are likely to occur between now and then. Coaches Baxter and Stimmel look to be and should be highly sought after by programs looking for a new head coach. Some unsung or lightly used players on the roster are apt to improve their status with their summer work and a whole new class of capable looking recruits will get integrated into the culture once fall rolls around. A very interesting and satisfying time to be a fan of Yale lacrosse.”
