OuttaNowhereWregget--Redux

[Dr. Tact]

You can obviously shuffle the deck on many players in the top 200 but players in the Top 10 are uniquely talented in one way or another whether you want to admit it or not. Look at least years names - North, Ortega, Trenchard, Moreno, Mastrioni etc. The same will be true this year. There will be something unique and special about each of the Top 10 players that makes them a bit better then all the rest and separates them from the pack.

Agreed. All the players have talent sufficient to land them on a college team, and more specifically on a team that regularly is a ranked team for those with greater talent. But there are a unique few that are undeniably gifted above their peers. And further still, those gifted players who can perform in crunch time makes even more separation.

There is a lot that goes into a top player. Median player around them, Program strength, Top Team Bias, Exposure, Strength of opponents, the Old boy/Girl lax network, etc. What makes number 10 better than 11 or 12, some of the above. Doesnt mean that #11 or 12 isnt a better player in her environment, for her team...I think that polls like this are, as RTC mentioned, for discussion purposes only. I also agree that there is a number (maybe not 200) as RTC points out - "the difference is razor thin"....Take many of these top players out of their high performing (high median player) teams and place them in a top 40 team, they will still be great, but wont have the same impact, notoriety, buzz, etc. They may still score like crazy (as their SOS may be lower) but may not be seen as high as their ranking with the pedigree of playing for UNC, BC, NW, MD, etc. Much of the strength of these players is the players around them.

[Madlax59]

These lists are fun for discussion, but honestly I would be careful putting too much weight in them. My daughter played with a Top 10 ranked player. Solid player, but there were 5-6 on the team equally talented. The main difference I could tell from this player being ranked vs the others not was the extend this one and her parents marketed her. With the exception of a handful of players I think the difference between the top 200 players is razor thin.

I agree completely. It is interesting to see where players land in these rankings but I think it would be even more interesting to sit in on the meetings when IL comes up with the players and the order in which they are placed and listen in on why a given player is placed where they are and what criteria is used to come up with said placement. A lot of the awards and rankings are more and more these days to do with being fair and inclusive rather than hard statistics. A perfect example was the Honda award a few months ago.

I also agree with your point on the top 200 players. How much brighter would the player shine if she was on a different team? Perfect example is Sam Geiersbach with Carolina last season.

***A perfect example is the Tewaaraton Award*** You cant lose 3 times to same team if you are that great.....

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

There's a lot of joy in the sport of women's lacrosse. Every once in a while, a stay at home defender ventures into the offensive zone and scores, much to the delight of her teammates. Here, BC's excellent Hollie Schleicher does it vs. Loyola in the quarters last year. Lots of grace, too. The title could just as well be Graceful Hollie Schleicher.

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

30. Shaylan Ahearn, M, Maryland

29. Madison Ahern, A, Notre Dame

28. Mairead Durkin, D, James Madison

27. Ashlyn McGovern, A, Virginia

26. Isabella Peterson, A, James Madison

25. Hannah Leubecker, A, Maryland

24. Emma Tyrrell, M, Syracuse

23. Emma LoPinto, A, Florida

22. Sydney Scales, D, Boston College

21. Jillian Wilson, M, Loyola

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

This little 27 second clip has stirred a lot of interest--over 6000 views. Makes me wonder why. Who are the folks sending it along for others to look at? Nothing sensational about it, no hyperbole in the description--but my, my this barely 2 second clip of coach Nielsen is generating a lot of views.

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

These lists are fun for discussion, but honestly I would be careful putting too much weight in them. My daughter played with a Top 10 ranked player. Solid player, but there were 5-6 on the team equally talented. The main difference I could tell from this player being ranked vs the others not was the extend this one and her parents marketed her. With the exception of a handful of players I think the difference between the top 200 players is razor thin.

I agree completely. It is interesting to see where players land in these rankings but I think it would be even more interesting to sit in on the meetings when IL comes up with the players and the order in which they are placed and listen in on why a given player is placed where they are and what criteria is used to come up with said placement. A lot of the awards and rankings are more and more these days to do with being fair and inclusive rather than hard statistics. A perfect example was the Honda award a few months ago.

I also agree with your point on the top 200 players. How much brighter would the player shine if she was on a different team? Perfect example is Sam Geiersbach with Carolina last season.

***A perfect example is the Tewaaraton Award*** You cant lose 3 times to same team if you are that great.....

Both the Tewaaraton award and the Honda award recognize individual achievement.

North 23 games 92 goals 23 assists 115 pts 139 draw controls

Ortega 22 games 69 goals 44 assists 113 pts 1 draw control


North vs Carolina in '22 - 11 goals 2 assists 17 dc’s

Ortega vs BC in '22 - 7 goals 7 assists 0 dc’s

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

The final top 50 hasn't been released but some of the results have leaked out. They got this one wrong. Meghan is not 24 spots better than her sister. If Emma's injury isn't taken into consideration, (and it's anyone's guess as to what she'll look like in 2023), Emma's much closer to her sister. They both belong in the top 10. And on another note, if Meghan Tyrrell is the number one player in the country according to Inside Lacrosse, then the field is wide open for this years Tewaaraton. I think if Izzy Scane is even 75% coming back from her injury, she'll be a shoo-in.

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

Thought I’d get a head start on the feature USA Lacrosse Magazine will run beginning Monday. I’m treating this in a completely subjective manner. In addition to my own preferences and biases in the answers, I'm also adding some categories and subtracting others. Answers may be multiple, or one with additional honorable mention(s). Decent way to pass the time while waiting for the 2nd Friday in February:

THE CATEGORIES

BEST MOMENT
For the best moment of the 2022 season:

BEST COMEBACK
For the game where a team was down late yet kept fighting and came back to win:

BEST REGULAR SEASON GAME:

BEST CONFERENCE PLAYOFF GAME:

BEST NCAA TOURNAMENT GAME:

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
For the graduate student player who had the most impressive year:

ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID, NEVER A BRIDE
For the team with the hardest luck, with 2022 being yet another in a long series of disappointments:

BEST WOMEN’S RECORD-BREAKER
For the women’s player whose new record is most impressive:

COACH OF THE YEAR
For the coach who had the most impressive season:

BEST GOAL
For the goal that made us watch over and over again:

BEST BREAKOUT PLAYER
For the player who quickly became a household name:

BEST IN GOAL
For the goalie who took care of business between the pipes:

BEST HIGHLIGHT
For the players prone to go viral:

BEST IN CLUTCH
For the players who embrace the biggest moments:

BEST WOMEN’S PLAYER
For the larger-than-life women’s star who stood above them all in 2022:

BEST DEVELOPMENT TO IMPROVE THE SPORT IN BROADCASTING
Considering what changes affected the broadcasting new to the sport in 2022:





Here's a good little aid if you want to scroll back through the games to refresh the memory:

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/league/WDI/scores/2022

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

Without a doubt, the best change in broadcasting last season occurred when ESPN decided to space and televise all 4 of the NCAA quarterfinal games so that each game had its own moment as the exclusive game being televised in a 2-1/2 hour time block. It didn't matter that not all of the games were competitive. What mattered is that each game had its own moment to strut and fret on the stage without distraction. If one chose, one could have parked on the couch and enjoyed 10 straight hours of NCAA Tournament quarterfinal women's lacrosse coverage. Better than Super Sunday at this address. Looking forward to more Quarterfinal Days in the coming years. (Just let's tell coach Spallina to watch the potty mouth while the cameras are lurking on the sidelines during timeouts and huddles. Lots of impressionable future players don't need to hear the gutter talk.)

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

20. Meghan Ball, D, Rutgers

19. Kasey Choma, M, Notre Dame

18. Brooklyn Walker-Welch, D, North Carolina

17. Danielle Pavinelli, A, Florida

16. Erin Coykendall, A, Northwestern

15. Ashley Humphrey, A, Stanford

14. Emily Nalls, D, North Carolina

13. Marge Donovan, D, Maryland

12. Sam Thacker, D, Denver

11. Jenn Medjid, A, Boston College

[jff97]

The top 10 came out yesterday.
#10 Caitlyn Wurzburger, A, North Carolina
#9 Cassidy Spilis, M, Rutgers
#8 Katie Detwiler, D, Loyola
#7 Emily Sterling, G, Maryland
#6 Ellie Masera, M, Stony Brook
#5 Maddie Jenner, Dr., Duke
#4 Belle Smith, M, Boston College
#3 Abby Bosco, D, Maryland
#2 Izzy Scane, A, Northwestern
#1 Meaghan Tyrrell, A, Syracuse

[Dr. Tact]

#5? Really? Sorry, nice draw specialist, but second best Middie on this list? Oh that's right, she is listed as draw, not middie....

[edit] great draw specialist, but still not sure @ #5

[Idontknowtherules]

#5? Really? Sorry, nice draw specialist, but second best Middie on this list? Oh that's right, she is listed as draw, not middie....

I would have to agree with you on this. She’s very very good at the draw, but not even a top 10. imo

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

#5? Really? Sorry, nice draw specialist, but second best Middie on this list? Oh that's right, she is listed as draw, not middie....

I would have to agree with you on this. She’s very very good at the draw, but not even a top 10. imo

Agreed!

[watcherinthewoods]

#5? Really? Sorry, nice draw specialist, but second best Middie on this list? Oh that's right, she is listed as draw, not middie....

I would have to agree with you on this. She’s very very good at the draw, but not even a top 10. imo

Agreed!

^^^ 100% many many more talented athletes ahead of #5

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

This one play, this one goal that BC’s Cassidy Weeks scored vs Maryland in the NCAA semifinal encompasses these 4 categories. Was there a more dramatic comeback? Of course—Carolina over Northwestern in the other semifinal. Best moment? Game? Goal? Maybe--but not for me. As a fan of the Eagles, this was the high point of my season.

I enjoy a lot about this goal, the patience of the BC offense until the shot they wanted opened up. The attention to detail of Jenn Medjid who ran over to North to make certain sure she understood the play they were running. The clutch catch and score of cool Cassidy Weeks under pressure for the goal that sent the defending champs back to the final for the 5th year in a row. Those lovely fluorescent yellow BC fans in the stands--hugging, jumping, arms raised in triumph. That was the goal, moment, game and comeback all in one for me in '22. 

And to do it against the Terps of all teams was especially sweet. One doesn't see the Mighty Maryland Chelonians choke away a game too often, but the winners of 15 national championships did it here in grand style on a grand stage. They let a 3 goal lead evaporate with 7 minutes to go in the 4th. In the heat of the moment, critical errors in judgment and execution did them in. Your granpappy's Terps would have never wilted like the '22 edition of the team from the Old Line State did.

All to say, that's why this one play completes the answer of these four questions, and was far and away my best moment of the 2022 campaign.

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

The errors mentioned in the previous post that cost Maryland the game:

On the first error, defender Peduzzi had no plan or clue what she was doing when she carried the ball deep into the Boston College end with more than 60 seconds left on the shot clock, and coughed up the ball before being called for a crease violation. Then Cordingley, too careless with the ball and unaware of her surroundings, allowing a fairly simple caused turnover from Cassidy Weeks. And finally, with the game tied and Leubecker with possession, another Maryland player with no plan when she got swallowed up by the BC defense before turning the ball over.

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

I have to (grudgingly) hand it to the Tar Heels in 2022 though. They were thrice superior over my beloved Eagles…

[Sunnylax]

I have to (grudgingly) hand it to the Tar Heels in 2022 though. They were thrice superior over my beloved Eagles…

Sure were!!!

[Seacoaster(1)]

The errors mentioned in the previous post that cost Maryland the game:

On the first error, defender Peduzzi had no plan or clue what she was doing when she carried the ball deep into the Boston College end with more than 60 seconds left on the shot clock, and coughed up the ball before being called for a crease violation. Then Cordingley, too careless with the ball and unaware of her surroundings, allowing a fairly simple caused turnover from Cassidy Weeks. And finally, with the game tied and Leubecker with possession, another Maryland player with no plan when she got swallowed up by the BC defense before turning the ball over.

Whenever I watch the waning moments of this game, I am happy I am not an ardent Maryland fan, because the whole end of this game is sad and frustrating. Right or wrong, I have trouble blaming Peduzzi for the turnover. She is a defender, not a regular and dependable ball carrier (which separates her from the elite defenders like Trenchard, Donovan, Detwiler, Nalls, Walker-Welch). It was on one of her teammates to get themselves in a position in which she could make a clean handoff. But Cordingly and Leubecker didn't play the way your first team women have to play. Just a dagger. In the end, it is just easier to not blame Maryland, but credit an exceptionally well-coached, really battle tested BC lineup, which had the grit and courage to pull this one out. Weeks's handle on that goal still leaves me in awe.