2021—The Season in Review

[Cletus]

i dunno. you can't ignore 2020 but... I kind of put it into the "early season losses" category.

That’s the thing with Maryland though, they never had those during their dominance. If you scroll back in this thread you’ll see the year by year records of Maryland since Reese took over. The only losses they suffered during the regular season were to Carolina—especially during the latter half of the Reese dominance period. The others were postseason to Ohio State, BC, Northwestern, Carolina. But they were never a team during the latter half of the dynasty that lost early regular season games.

But the last two years have been a complete departure from that dominance—hence “declining”

Over the last two years, their combined record is 13-10; 6-10 vs ranked teams, 0-6 vs top 10. Very different numbers than what is typical if one compares with the two previous years before the decline. Over those 2 years (2018-19) their combined record was 42-3; 31-2 vs ranked teams, 17-2 vs top 10.

[Cletus]

One of my favorite moments early on in the season was Penn State's 15-13 win over Maryland. The win broke a 16 game losing streak against the Terps for the Nittany Lions.

(And as an aside, yeah, that's right--I love seeing Maryland lose. Big. F**king. Deal. Just like I love seeing the Cheatriots and Bill Belichick lose, same way I love seeing the Dallas Cowboys, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, LA Lakers (or whatever team James is on) Jerry Jones, and plenty of others--lose. I love seeing any team or player or coach or owner lose whose fan base has become so bloated with pride and entitlement that they become insufferable. That's what all these teams have in common for me. It's a time honored tradition in sports to revel in losses against teams that have won and had dynasties. Always has been, always will be. Last time I checked, women's lacrosse is a sport too.)

...But I digress

This was a great game, the result in the balance right to the end. It's always exciting for me to witness a team break a long losing streak or get their first ever win against another team--regardless of the sport, but especially when it happens in women's lacrosse.

Some bits and pieces from the recap:

- Penn State earned its first win over Maryland since 2005.
- The Nittany Lions were leading or tied for the final 54 minutes of the game.
- Midfielder Olivia Dirks led the Nittany Lions with a career-high six points, including five goals. Sammy Dupcak was a major force in the middle of the field, collecting five ground balls, four draw controls and three caused turnovers.
- In goal, Taylor Suplee made 14 saves.
- The Terrapins won the draw control battle, but the Nittany Lions were aided by 16 Maryland turnovers, including 11 caused turnovers.
- Dirks took over in the final minutes, scoring with 2:09 to go to give Penn State a 14-13 advantage. She put the game away with another goal with 44 seconds left.

Found this on YT. Not the best highlight package but it's all I could find. https://youtu.be/R7o3ipeXrXw

[seacoaster]

The 2021 Season appears to have had a lot of dead horses to beat.

[Cletus]

Sometimes I wonder if some other members have nothing better to do than to nit-pick and mischaracterize my opinions instead of just writing their own. It gets awfully f*cking tedious, let me tell you.

[Cletus]

An indeed from me as well. It's as reasonable now as has been all along however differently it might have been stated.

“however differently it might have been stated”

You mean the name calling and bullying and threatening and thinly veiled attacks? Or maybe you mean the private messages that were circulated about me? Sorry—I don’t consider that reasonable. That’s intimidation and “mob rules” which no one considers reasonable.

I responded to Matnum because he has always treated me with respect. He and I have gone toe-to-toe a few times but he never called me names or wrote his responses to mine with a sneering, condescending tone. He has treated me with fairness and respect—and that’s why I responded to him—and not to any of the other critical and disrespectful “appeals”

[FanLax Computer]

2021 Best Games (Click the link to see a better formatted version)

1- Boston College #1 11 - 10 #2 North Carolina 05/28/2021
2- North Carolina #2 21 - 9 #1 Boston College 03/06/2021
3- Boston College #1 16 - 10 #3 Syracuse 05/30/2021
4- Syracuse #3 19 - 17 #1 Boston College 04/30/2021
5- Syracuse #3 16 - 7 #1 Boston College 04/24/2021
6- Boston College #1 14 - 13 #3 Syracuse 04/22/2021
7- Boston College #1 21 - 10 #4 Notre Dame 05/22/2021
8- North Carolina #2 9 - 4 #3 Syracuse 05/02/2021
9- Boston College #1 18 - 12 #4 Notre Dame 04/17/2021
10- Boston College #1 19 - 11 #4 Notre Dame 04/15/2021
11- North Carolina #2 17 - 6 #3 Syracuse 04/03/2021
12- North Carolina #2 18 - 4 #4 Notre Dame 04/30/2021
13- North Carolina #2 11 - 10 #4 Notre Dame 04/10/2021
14- Boston College #1 17 - 15 #6 Duke 04/03/2021
15- Syracuse #3 15 - 12 #4 Notre Dame 03/14/2021
16- Syracuse #3 18 - 14 #4 Notre Dame 03/11/2021
17- Syracuse #3 21 - 13 #5 Northwestern 05/28/2021
18- North Carolina #2 12 - 11 #6 Duke 04/23/2021
19- North Carolina #2 13 - 6 #6 Duke 02/26/2021
20- Syracuse #3 15 - 5 #6 Duke 03/06/2021
21- North Carolina #2 11 - 5 #7 Florida 02/19/2021
22- North Carolina #2 14 - 11 #8 Stony Brook 05/22/2021
23- Syracuse #3 17 - 11 #7 Florida 05/22/2021
24- Notre Dame #4 17 - 16 #6 Duke 04/28/2021
25- Boston College #1 16 - 12 #9 Virginia 04/28/2021

[FanLax Computer]

2021 Best Upsets (Click the link to see a better formatted version)
I bolded the games where a Top 20 team was involved.

1 Coastal Carolina #59 13 - 12 #14 Jacksonville 04/23/2021
2 New Hampshire #93 14 - 13 #55 UMBC 03/20/2021
3 Longwood #97 11 - 10 #65 George Washington 03/13/2021
4 Virginia Tech #39 20 - 15 #9 Virginia 04/24/2021
5 East Carolina #71 12 - 11 #44 Cincinnati 04/23/2021
6 Siena #72 15 - 11 #45 Fairfield 04/10/2021
7 Coastal Carolina #59 12 - 7 #34 Davidson 03/07/2021
8 Fresno State #77 14 - 11 #52 San Diego State 04/30/2021
9 Winthrop #86 14 - 11 #64 Mercer 02/27/2021
10 Campbell #80 8 - 7 #59 Coastal Carolina 03/24/2021
11 Old Dominion #91 13 - 12 #71 East Carolina 03/21/2021
12 Saint Francis #103 9 - 7 #85 Sacred Heart 03/13/2021
13 Saint Francis #103 13 - 11 #85 Sacred Heart 04/03/2021
14 Bryant #87 12 - 11 #69 LIU 04/28/2021
15 Towson #27 13 - 7 #10 Loyola 02/24/2021
16 La Salle #75 7 - 4 #58 Bucknell 02/27/2021
17 Navy #47 10 - 8 #31 Mount St Mary's 02/20/2021
18 Furman #62 10 - 8 #46 Liberty 02/27/2021
19 Elon #29 6 - 5 #13 James Madison 03/07/2021
20 USC #42 18 - 12 #28 Colorado 03/26/2021
21 Radford #84 11 - 10 #70 William and Mary 03/27/2021
22 Colorado #28 14 - 7 #15 Denver 02/28/2021
23 Youngstown State #108 23 - 20 #96 Kent State 04/25/2021
24 Cincinnati #44 13 - 5 #32 Louisville 03/01/2021
25 Saint Joseph's #35 15 - 8 #24 Lehigh 02/27/2021

[Cletus]

2021 Best Upsets (Click the link to see a better formatted version)
I bolded the games where a Top 20 team was involved.

1 Coastal Carolina #59 13 - 12 #14 Jacksonville 04/23/2021
2 New Hampshire #93 14 - 13 #55 UMBC 03/20/2021
3 Longwood #97 11 - 10 #65 George Washington 03/13/2021
4 Virginia Tech #39 20 - 15 #9 Virginia 04/24/2021
5 East Carolina #71 12 - 11 #44 Cincinnati 04/23/2021
6 Siena #72 15 - 11 #45 Fairfield 04/10/2021
7 Coastal Carolina #59 12 - 7 #34 Davidson 03/07/2021
8 Fresno State #77 14 - 11 #52 San Diego State 04/30/2021
9 Winthrop #86 14 - 11 #64 Mercer 02/27/2021
10 Campbell #80 8 - 7 #59 Coastal Carolina 03/24/2021
11 Old Dominion #91 13 - 12 #71 East Carolina 03/21/2021
12 Saint Francis #103 9 - 7 #85 Sacred Heart 03/13/2021
13 Saint Francis #103 13 - 11 #85 Sacred Heart 04/03/2021
14 Bryant #87 12 - 11 #69 LIU 04/28/2021
15 Towson #27 13 - 7 #10 Loyola 02/24/2021
16 La Salle #75 7 - 4 #58 Bucknell 02/27/2021
17 Navy #47 10 - 8 #31 Mount St Mary's 02/20/2021
18 Furman #62 10 - 8 #46 Liberty 02/27/2021
19 Elon #29 6 - 5 #13 James Madison 03/07/2021
20 USC #42 18 - 12 #28 Colorado 03/26/2021
21 Radford #84 11 - 10 #70 William and Mary 03/27/2021
22 Colorado #28 14 - 7 #15 Denver 02/28/2021
23 Youngstown State #108 23 - 20 #96 Kent State 04/25/2021
24 Cincinnati #44 13 - 5 #32 Louisville 03/01/2021
25 Saint Joseph's #35 15 - 8 #24 Lehigh 02/27/2021

These are great! Lots and lots of games to comb through here. Thanks FLC!

[Bart]

Sometimes I wonder if some other members have nothing better to do than to nit-pick and mischaracterize my opinions instead of just writing their own. It gets awfully f*cking tedious, let me tell you.

[Cletus]

2021 Best Games (Click the link to see a better formatted version)

1- Boston College #1 11 - 10 #2 North Carolina 05/28/2021
2- North Carolina #2 21 - 9 #1 Boston College 03/06/2021
3- Boston College #1 16 - 10 #3 Syracuse 05/30/2021
4- Syracuse #3 19 - 17 #1 Boston College 04/30/2021
5- Syracuse #3 16 - 7 #1 Boston College 04/24/2021
6- Boston College #1 14 - 13 #3 Syracuse 04/22/2021
7- Boston College #1 21 - 10 #4 Notre Dame 05/22/2021
8- North Carolina #2 9 - 4 #3 Syracuse 05/02/2021
9- Boston College #1 18 - 12 #4 Notre Dame 04/17/2021
10- Boston College #1 19 - 11 #4 Notre Dame 04/15/2021
11- North Carolina #2 17 - 6 #3 Syracuse 04/03/2021
12- North Carolina #2 18 - 4 #4 Notre Dame 04/30/2021
13- North Carolina #2 11 - 10 #4 Notre Dame 04/10/2021
14- Boston College #1 17 - 15 #6 Duke 04/03/2021
15- Syracuse #3 15 - 12 #4 Notre Dame 03/14/2021
16- Syracuse #3 18 - 14 #4 Notre Dame 03/11/2021
17- Syracuse #3 21 - 13 #5 Northwestern 05/28/2021
18- North Carolina #2 12 - 11 #6 Duke 04/23/2021
19- North Carolina #2 13 - 6 #6 Duke 02/26/2021
20- Syracuse #3 15 - 5 #6 Duke 03/06/2021
21- North Carolina #2 11 - 5 #7 Florida 02/19/2021
22- North Carolina #2 14 - 11 #8 Stony Brook 05/22/2021
23- Syracuse #3 17 - 11 #7 Florida 05/22/2021
24- Notre Dame #4 17 - 16 #6 Duke 04/28/2021
25- Boston College #1 16 - 12 #9 Virginia 04/28/2021

9 of the top 10 involve BC. I can dig it. Certainly passes the eye test for me as they were an exciting and entertaining team to watch. (Maybe computers aren’t all just motherboards and RAM sticks after all )

[Cletus]

15 Towson #27 13 - 7 #10 Loyola 02/24/2021

This is the only game on the list that I watched I think. It was definitely one of the big upsets of the year, especially in light of Loyola’s loss the previous game to Syracuse. I thought for sure they would come out and blow Towson off the field. But I remember how well the Tigers played that night. They were inspired and clicking on all cylinders whereas the Hounds seemed like they were still recovering from their loss to Syracuse—almost as if they were a little shellshocked.

[Cletus]

19 Elon #29 6 - 5 #13 James Madison 03/07/2021

I didn’t see this one but I heard about it at the time. Huge win for Elon as it was their first ever program win versus the Dukes.

[Cletus]

2021 Best Games (Click the link to see a better formatted version)

1- Boston College #1 11 - 10 #2 North Carolina 05/28/2021
2- North Carolina #2 21 - 9 #1 Boston College 03/06/2021
3- Boston College #1 16 - 10 #3 Syracuse 05/30/2021
4- Syracuse #3 19 - 17 #1 Boston College 04/30/2021
5- Syracuse #3 16 - 7 #1 Boston College 04/24/2021
6- Boston College #1 14 - 13 #3 Syracuse 04/22/2021
7- Boston College #1 21 - 10 #4 Notre Dame 05/22/2021
8- North Carolina #2 9 - 4 #3 Syracuse 05/02/2021
9- Boston College #1 18 - 12 #4 Notre Dame 04/17/2021
10- Boston College #1 19 - 11 #4 Notre Dame 04/15/2021
11- North Carolina #2 17 - 6 #3 Syracuse 04/03/2021
12- North Carolina #2 18 - 4 #4 Notre Dame 04/30/2021
13- North Carolina #2 11 - 10 #4 Notre Dame 04/10/2021
14- Boston College #1 17 - 15 #6 Duke 04/03/2021
15- Syracuse #3 15 - 12 #4 Notre Dame 03/14/2021
16- Syracuse #3 18 - 14 #4 Notre Dame 03/11/2021
17- Syracuse #3 21 - 13 #5 Northwestern 05/28/2021
18- North Carolina #2 12 - 11 #6 Duke 04/23/2021
19- North Carolina #2 13 - 6 #6 Duke 02/26/2021
20- Syracuse #3 15 - 5 #6 Duke 03/06/2021
21- North Carolina #2 11 - 5 #7 Florida 02/19/2021
22- North Carolina #2 14 - 11 #8 Stony Brook 05/22/2021
23- Syracuse #3 17 - 11 #7 Florida 05/22/2021
24- Notre Dame #4 17 - 16 #6 Duke 04/28/2021
25- Boston College #1 16 - 12 #9 Virginia 04/28/2021

9 of the top 10 involve BC. I can dig it. Certainly passes the eye test for me as they were an exciting and entertaining team to watch. (Maybe computers aren’t all just motherboards and RAM sticks after all )

The more I look at the whole of the list, it's only like what, 4 main teams? The results aren't as interesting as the title suggests. I was keeping a list of great games earlier in the season but I think I inadvertently deleted it. This computer program needs to find a way to add the eye test in there somehow. For instance, Maryland at Penn St was a great game, but it's not here. There were three great games between JHU and Maryland, all one goal affairs, that don't show here. Needs a little seasoning, needs some tweaks. The cold hard numbers just ain't puttin fannies in the seats.

[Cletus]

There were more and more streamed/televised games this year than previous years. I remember early on there were a couple/few games streamed by the Big 10 that were so poorly produced it was almost funny. No sound, no commentators, no on screen score/time banner, no field mics, no nothing except a single camera mounted on the roof across the street. Then Taylor Cummings rode the keyboard warrior vehicle or whatever, and ripped the Big 10 up one side and down the other in a US Lacrosse magazine article on March 9th. Here's the part where she addresses the issue:

"On the other hand, something that isn’t so thrilling to witness as a viewer is the clear disparity in production levels between the men’s and women’s games on the Big Ten Network’s streaming platform BTN Plus. The men’s games this weekend had multiple camera angles, two announcers and an exceptionally high quality in their streams. On the other hand, I was in total shock when I turned on the Ohio State-Johns Hopkins game Friday night to find a stream that looked like practice film and to listen to … nothing. The lack of announcers and simple scoreboards for the women’s contests are unacceptable for any conference, especially one as large as the Big Ten. We are seeing games being called virtually by the ACC and other smaller conferences with higher quality streaming services at a fraction of the price. Here’s to hoping that the Big Ten Network steps up in a BIG way and gives its female teams the respect they deserve and have earned. Enough is enough."

That got enough attention so that by the next game--voila! Most of the bells and whistles were present. The pen is mightier.

There was a lot of grousing when we got to The Tournament and learned none of the 1st, 2nd, quarters would be televised although every single game would be streamed free on espn3. The quantity and quality of the broadcasts on the whole got better and better as the year went on.

[Cletus]

The Drexel Dragons accomplished a lot in 2021. Being ranked as high as they were. Most program wins in a season. And biggest of all, a first ever berth to the NCAA's. They finished the season on a seven game winning streak and slated No. 10 in the national rankings. But the postseason exposed them as being inexperienced and they weren't able to win the CAA conference championship vs JMU or their 1st round game vs Rutgers. They fought hard in both losses but sometimes losses in the postseason seem to be necessary to a programs toughening and development before the next step can be taken toward becoming champion. Fun season on the whole for the Dragons. A lot of proud accomplishments to build on for next year.


2021 Women's Lacrosse Schedule

Date Time At Opponent Location Result

Feb 20 (Sat) 12 p.m. Away Lehigh Bethlehem, Pa. W 19-17

Feb 24 (Wed) 4 p.m. Away Saint Joseph's Philadelphia, Pa. W 13-12 OT

Feb 27 (Sat) 4:30 p.m. Away Georgetown Washington, D.C. W 21-9

Mar 3 (Wed) 3 p.m. Away Temple Philadelphia, Pa. W 19-11

Mar 7 (Sun) 12 p.m. Home Villanova Vidas Field W 17-7

Mar 14 (Sun) 12 p.m. Away #18 Loyola (Md.) Baltimore, Md. L 12-17

Mar 20 (Sat) 2 p.m. Home La Salle Vidas Field W 17-9

Mar 25 (Thu) 3 p.m. Home UAlbany Vidas Field W 15-10

Mar 28 (Sun) 4 p.m. Home American Vidas Field Postponed

Apr 3 (Sat) 4 p.m. Away Hofstra Hempstead, N.Y. W 19-8

Apr 7 (Wed) 5 p.m. Away Navy Annapolis, Md. W 17-8

Apr 11 (Sun) 12 p.m. Away Delaware Newark, Del. Cancelled

Apr 13 (Tue) 6 p.m. Away #15 Towson Towson, Md. W 20-8

Apr 18 (Sun) 1 p.m. Home Hofstra Vidas Field W 15-11

Apr 23 (Fri) 4 p.m. Home #20 Towson Vidas Field W 17-7


May 7 (Fri) 4 PM Neutral Towson University Harrisonburg, Va. W 15-14 OT

May 9 (Sun) 12 PM Neutral James Madison University Harrisonburg, Va. L 12-13 OT


May 14 (Fri) 4 PM Neutral Rutgers University Stony Brook, N.Y. (Kenneth P. Lavalle Stadium) L 13-16



Overall 13-3 .812

Conference 4-0 1.000

Streak L2

Home 5-0

Away 7-1

Neutral 1-2

[LarryGamLax]

DREXEL had a terrific season and they are on their way to establishing their program as a National Power. They were a revelation and fun to watch. Jill Batcheller took ingredients left to her by Hannah Rudloff (resigned to accompany her husband on a Business assignment in Tokyo, Japan) and put her coaching style and acumen in the mix to create Drexel's most successful team ever. This team could go into a half down 2 or 3 goals and come out in the 2nd half with a whirlwind mix of Draw Controls and defensive stops, and run off 5 or 6 unanswered goals and never look back. They "Running Clocked" five opponents, the highlight of those being Georgetown at Georgetown, 21-9.

It will be interesting in West Philadelphia over the next couple of years, with Drexel's rise and Penn trying to bring their outstanding program back from a two year Hiatus(due to Covid and the Ivy League's decision not to play). Stay Tuned.

[Essexfenwick]

Bad news everybody

UMD has the #1 recruiting classes of 2021 and 2022.

Ugh.

[HVGuy]

2021 Best Upsets (Click the link to see a better formatted version)
I bolded the games where a Top 20 team was involved.

1 Coastal Carolina #59 13 - 12 #14 Jacksonville 04/23/2021
2 New Hampshire #93 14 - 13 #55 UMBC 03/20/2021
3 Longwood #97 11 - 10 #65 George Washington 03/13/2021
4 Virginia Tech #39 20 - 15 #9 Virginia 04/24/2021
5 East Carolina #71 12 - 11 #44 Cincinnati 04/23/2021
6 Siena #72 15 - 11 #45 Fairfield 04/10/2021
7 Coastal Carolina #59 12 - 7 #34 Davidson 03/07/2021
8 Fresno State #77 14 - 11 #52 San Diego State 04/30/2021
9 Winthrop #86 14 - 11 #64 Mercer 02/27/2021
10 Campbell #80 8 - 7 #59 Coastal Carolina 03/24/2021
11 Old Dominion #91 13 - 12 #71 East Carolina 03/21/2021
12 Saint Francis #103 9 - 7 #85 Sacred Heart 03/13/2021
13 Saint Francis #103 13 - 11 #85 Sacred Heart 04/03/2021
14 Bryant #87 12 - 11 #69 LIU 04/28/2021
15 Towson #27 13 - 7 #10 Loyola 02/24/2021
16 La Salle #75 7 - 4 #58 Bucknell 02/27/2021
17 Navy #47 10 - 8 #31 Mount St Mary's 02/20/2021
18 Furman #62 10 - 8 #46 Liberty 02/27/2021
19 Elon #29 6 - 5 #13 James Madison 03/07/2021
20 USC #42 18 - 12 #28 Colorado 03/26/2021
21 Radford #84 11 - 10 #70 William and Mary 03/27/2021
22 Colorado #28 14 - 7 #15 Denver 02/28/2021
23 Youngstown State #108 23 - 20 #96 Kent State 04/25/2021
24 Cincinnati #44 13 - 5 #32 Louisville 03/01/2021
25 Saint Joseph's #35 15 - 8 #24 Lehigh 02/27/2021

Where are you getting your data? It is faulty. Longwood did not beat George Washington. This exacerbates a problem for me with women's lacrosse. The data is faulty. I do not trust assist or ground ball #'s. While you are at it, you can throw turnover, caused turnovers, and draw controls in there also.

[Laxallday]

Bad news everybody

UMD has the #1 recruiting classes of 2021 and 2022.

Ugh.

How’d that work out so far?

[laxstan8]

Bad news everybody

UMD has the #1 recruiting classes of 2021 and 2022.

Ugh.

How’d that work out so far?

Oooooooooof