UVA needs a coaching change, either a change by Myers herself or a change in the traditional sense. They bring in talent every year, and end up with a passing grade -- which shouldn't be enough.OuttaNowhereWregget wrote: ↑Sat Aug 14, 2021 12:47 pmBC - Already put the target on their own collective back with North's prediction but hard to argue against it with their stellar talentseacoaster wrote: ↑Sat Aug 14, 2021 9:56 am For the sake of off-season discussion, I have been thinking about a pre-season top 10. After the first five, it is pretty hard to do:
1. Boston College -- if my memory serves, everyone is back, save Reilly, Urbank and Ngai (I think having a tested back-up is important). Defending champs, they get the No. 1 slot until proven otherwise. One of the best HCs in the business.
2. UNC -- too much back and a few good transfer pickups. I think chemistry will be a challenge. I don't even know what the freshmen class looks like, but this team will be in the final four again. I wonder if the coaching staff is having a summer of reflection?
3. Syracuse -- "but what about the losses on defense and goal?" you ask. Good question. But they have enough back to be a very formidable team. I understand that Hower is a good keeper, and there will be a competition among goalies. New and -- let's be serious -- young and untested coach.
4. Northwestern -- still gonna be a scoring machine with Dwyer, Gilbert, Scan and Coykendall back, and the Hansens and Holmes stepping into even more prominent roles. Can they put together a good defense? Good coach, but showed discipline problems in the face of a good defense.
5. Loyola -- I think everyone of note is back, and I assume Fiedler will be healthy. Still have Rosenzweig on the goalie right at GLE, and No. 9 on the goalie left, with three excellent midfielders in Fiedler, Kluegel and Wilson. If they shoot well, they will score goals. I think most of the defense is back, right? And Larssen is back. A lot of pieces of the puzzle. Unimpressed with the coaching staff last year; really could not get this team out of third gear.
Who's next? Florida? Maryland? Notre Dame? Really hard to get a bead on these teams.
Maryland has a real challenge ahead of it, integrating the numerous transfers, none of whom -- respectfully -- are Erica Evans. Folks keep talking about G. Griffin and the remaining May, but these are good role players, not players on whose shoulders a game will be turned. Great coaching, and a big challenge come fall.
Notre Dame loses Deehan, right? And Aldave. Who else?
Florida should just hire Spallina when Joey graduates from Mount Sinai....
Carolina - Quoting you here sea: "I wonder if the coaching staff is having a summer of reflection?" Would love to read this thought fleshed out...
Northwestern - A lot to prove with many returning studs--still unmatched west o' the Appalachians
Syracuse - 4th because in spite of the undeniable talent I don't know how Treanor will do in her first year
Maryland - Lots of transfers coming in with already decent core, and Reese
Stony Brook - D1 version of the Lunch Pail A.C. still beats almost everyone during the regular season
Duke - They'll miss Gabby but they have some good looking players and maybe they'll build off the Maryland win
Florida - Three transfers that I know of and an assistant coach to change the culture a bit perhaps
Loyola - What you said above
Virginia - Some good young talent (the younger Hoeg) with some vets and maybe they'll make a little more noise with the youth infusion
Duke might miss Gabby Rosenzweig, but I don't think they ever figured out how to use her to best effect. Cordrey and Humphrey move on as well. But I think Cronin, Barry and Landry are back for a fifth year. They should be good, which means about like they were last year. If they play the Terps, Duke won't beat Maryland this coming year.