Dinah wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 12:20 pm
Alright I'll take the first take on some score predictions for tomorrow.
Bowdoin @ Amherst - I'm fairly high on this Amherst team right now. Think they're playing really solid, complete lacrosse. Outside of the usual suspects on attack, expecting a big day from Adams (#5) in the midfield. Barnard will do enough (as he always does) to get Byrne and Fitzgerald looks, but it won't be enough in the end. 17-13 final.
Conn @ Colby - Good chance for an upstart Conn team to prove they're officially a step above some of the lesser teams in the league and notch a convincing win vs an ailing Colby program. 12-7 final.
Hamilton @ Wesleyan - Wesleyan hasn't proven they can beat a good team yet this year, trotting out fairly anemic offensive performances vs Stevens and Bowdoin. While Hamilton has been streaky, they have proven they can hang with Bowdoin and played Amherst reasonably tight in the season opener (I'm throwing out the MIT tape a bit). It will be on Brumbaugh and Wunderle to crack the zone, but think Hamilton tops the Cardinals in a 14-11 victory.
Bates @ Williams - Solid showing for Williams on Wednesday afternoon hanging with CNU for 3 quarters before the wheels came off a bit. Expecting a somewhat underwhelming performance from them on Saturday in a win vs Bates that breaks a two game skid. Freitas shows up, but the offense doesn't get off the bus until the second half. 13-5 final.
Trinity @ MIT - Will Trinity emulate Springfield's winning strategy and lock off Gerbhardt? If I were them, I'd make the next 5 beat me. Yaccino will make enough saves to make this game look a little closer than it was, but don't expect Trinity to steal one on the road in Cambridge in a bounce back win for MIT. 15-8 final.
Middlebury @ Tufts - Battle of the undefeateds and obvious game of the weekend. I'll be attending this one in person and am looking forward to catching what should be a great one live. Tufts is extremely hard to beat on Bello (and anywhere else, for that matter), but of course dropped a 21-14 rout to the Panthers up in Middlebury last year. No one is catching anyone by surprise this time around. And for the fun of it, I'll take a Panthers squad that has started to gel of late - taking advantage of a strong first half to pull ahead and fending off Tufts in the second half. With that said, keep an eye on the X.. if Tufts is able to win faceoffs at the clip they're used to (let's say 60% or above), I doubt the Panthers can score at the clip they'll need to stick around. In the end, the undefeated journey for Middlebury continues (for now) with a 18-15 road win.
Great insight as usual!
I agree with you on Amherst, their firepower is impressive, DeMallie, Krummenacher and Adams all strong players and leaders on this team. Question for me is their D. They have given up a ton of goals and the Bowdoin attack can light it up. I like Amherst as well but think the score replicates their game with Tufts with both teams in the 20's.
Bell Weather game for Hamilton this week. Will go a long way to proving if they are for real. Like them to come out swinging. Love their goalie and also look for Somer to have a hand in breaking down the Wesleyan zone with the two guys on attack.
Williams will get to rest some kids against Bates and see the score more like 20-8. Glad to see Bates get their first win but Williams will be too much for them to handle, but then again I am slightly biased.
Trinity does not have anyone capable of locking off #42. Yaccino not withstanding, Trinity goes home with an L
Going out on a limb with the Midd pick! Have seen them play a few times and love their balance on Offense, just do not see them being able to run up and down the field with the Jumbos. I will take your score but flip it.