NEC 2022

[Nobody]

Opening this thread very early.

What are your predictions?
Same 4 teams on top (Bryant, St. Joe’s, Hobart, LIU) or does MSM or Merrimack crash the party?

I thought MSM was a better team this year than their record indicated and Merrimack played the top teams close.

Any positive news for SHU or Wagner?

[Farfromgeneva]

Same as always I’d expect with LIU (who faded back end of season and doesn’t have great depth) and MSM fighting for the 4th spot. I like LIU because they have an elite offensive player and goalie if lacking the team depth vs MSM. The other three? Just hope they can elevate their game a bit to improve everyone in the conference.

[cuseman4133]

Merrimack could be competing in that 4th spot. Well, kinda. They're in Year 3 of that 4-year transition period so even if they finish top 4 they won't have a chance to compete in the NEC or NCAA tournaments.

[Farfromgeneva]

Could be. I see now MSM loses 5/6 top scorers plus sr goalie (furnback). Rooney’s make all the difference in the world because they’ll have to replace Sean Black and Thomas at attack but should be strong at midfield. They look like LIU to me with respect to depth at end of season though as LIU is really two schools mashed together including a historically strong CW Post in D2.

[Nobody]

I wasn’t sure what teams were actually losing for personnel as I think some teams were using grad year and others eligibility year when listing players on the roster as a FR, SO, JR, or SR. So if a player is listed as a SR on the roster they may be in their 5th year or have one more year of eligibility depending on how the team approached.

Is that right or have they standardized?

[Farfromgeneva]

I suppose all will have a few come back but we’re talking about basically private schools with limited and not high prestige graduate programs so I don’t assume too much and treat it like a “regular” year.

[Laxbuck]

Bryant
St Joe’s
Hobart
Heavy favorites to make conference tournament
MSM loses a massive amount of production
LIU v Merrimack for 4th place
Merrimack is physically over matched against the top 3. Skilled lacrosse players for sure but will get beaten up in a full season imo
LIU has a big time producer in Lacalandra and Mark is solid in goal. Would bet on them being the 4th.

SH/Wagner will struggle

[Farfromgeneva]

Wagner has added two interesting players from the portal. Cassidy should make a meaningful impact. Was pretty good in 2019&2021 for SBU. This redshirt Soph middie from Hofstra is interesting. Ben Stewart. Good size, Canadians are always intriguing and was seemingly productive at a high level in HS but no idea as he hasn’t played in college. If he’s solid and they get two good starters that could put them in the mix for that 4th spot

[Tdemling6]

Wagner has added two interesting players from the portal. Cassidy should make a meaningful impact. Was pretty good in 2019&2021 for SBU. This redshirt Soph middie from Hofstra is interesting. Ben Stewart. Good size, Canadians are always intriguing and was seemingly productive at a high level in HS but no idea as he hasn’t played in college. If he’s solid and they get two good starters that could put them in the mix for that 4th spot

Stewart was on the team in 2021.

[Farfromgeneva]

Wagner has added two interesting players from the portal. Cassidy should make a meaningful impact. Was pretty good in 2019&2021 for SBU. This redshirt Soph middie from Hofstra is interesting. Ben Stewart. Good size, Canadians are always intriguing and was seemingly productive at a high level in HS but no idea as he hasn’t played in college. If he’s solid and they get two good starters that could put them in the mix for that 4th spot

Stewart was on the team in 2021.

Ah well not always the case that a kid doesn’t get buried but less intrigue if he didn’t crack PT much I suppose. Still for Wagner this is a meaningful haul I think compared with how poor they’ve fared over the years including their prior coach stepping down to take the HC gig at D3 Montclair St. Not like Dirrygl, Haus, Stagnitta or Nelson who have been rejected at the D1 level and a signal of institutional support at wags for lacrosse.

[skillzthatkillz]

How bad is Sacred Heart? Two wins in two years. What happened over there?

[10stone5]

How bad is Sacred Heart? Two wins in two years. What happened over there?

That was a big get when Saggese transferred from Drexel.
It definitely surprised me as I saw Saggese as a four year starter at DU, but evidently that wasn’t what the coaches were thinking.

[oldbartman]

How bad is Sacred Heart? Two wins in two years. What happened over there?

That was a big get when Saggese transferred from Drexel.
It definitely surprised me as I saw Saggese as a four year starter at DU, but evidently that wasn’t what the coaches were thinking.

I think SHU found a under the radar guy in Miccio. He dropped 4 on the Statesmen. Every team goes through tough phases.

[10stone5]

Transfers——
Mitch Lachman Freshman Attack Bryant

Must have transferred.
Not on Bryant roster.

I thought Lachman was a good one for someone to take
a flyer on.
Good size, good skills, good coaching (Frank Urso),
4 years eligibility.

[Farfromgeneva]

How bad is Sacred Heart? Two wins in two years. What happened over there?

That was a big get when Saggese transferred from Drexel.
It definitely surprised me as I saw Saggese as a four year starter at DU, but evidently that wasn’t what the coaches were thinking.

I think SHU found a under the radar guy in Miccio. He dropped 4 on the Statesmen. Every team goes through tough phases.

Even w Saggese and Tuttle, who were together and unique talents in SHU lacrosse history, they got to a soft 9-6 record 2x and two losing seasons with them and at best 1-2 1st rd exits. That may be a peak like Siena under Brecht or Gate w Peter Baum.

[NELax]

Merrimack has brought Peter Burke - former Holy Cross head coach on as an assistant coach.

[10stone5]

Saint Joe’s gets a 2023 commit,

Aidan Kreydt
Saint Joseph's
Verified
Springfield High School (PA)
Class of 2023 - Midfield
6-2 | 175lbs
Right Hand

[Farfromgeneva]

Hobart got their first 23 - Jackson Faiola, G, Canandaigua

[gymman1031]

Correct me if I am wrong. But is it true that the only CURRENT NEC programs who have won the conference tournament Bryant and Hobart? Any predictions as to who the next first-time winner will be?

[oldbartman]

St. Joe's has been knocking on the door more often than not. LIU has some really nice players. So, they're my guess. Though Bryant is the front runner for the 2022 title as they bring almost everyone back.