Maryland has the best off-ball offense in college lacrosse. Blue Jays can do better (as we saw in the first game), but they have done a good job defending off-ball this season.HopFan16 wrote: ↑Thu May 04, 2023 7:34 pm There is some truth to the "it's hard to beat the same team twice" narrative, especially when the coach of the other team is Tillman. He made the adjustments they needed to make and that's why he makes the Final Four pretty much every year.
The Jays have not played their best after emotional wins. This has been a trend all season. Beat then-#3 Georgetown by one? Lay an egg against UNC a week later. Beat Petro/Cuse up in the Dome? Come out flat against Navy and almost blow a game to an inferior opponent. Get the Rutgers monkey off your back on senior day? Blow a big first quarter lead and lose in 2OT to PSU. Beat Maryland in the Rivalry game?....lose to Maryland in the Rivalry game. It's been a pretty clear pattern.
I'm not really worried about the off-ball miscues today. I would be if that were a longterm trend, but that hasn't really been a problem all year. They'll sort it out. I don't know what they're going to do in goal though. I can't see them making a move now after we've gotten this far but it goes without saying #10 has to step up if this team is going to make a run.
I hope they don't abandon the deep midfield because of this loss. It has been a boon for us all year. We didn't lose today because we played too many guys. What's *very* clear to me though is Brooks English should not be rotated out ever. He creates offense every single time he steps on the field. If they want to mix and match Evans, Chauvette, Peshko, etc. then fine but don't play those games with Collison and English. Get them out there every other shift at absolute minimum.
Frankly, I think the Blue Jays should solidify their lineups for their top two midfields and keep them together the rest of the way. Want to play three midfields … sure, keep those legs fresh. But I think the mix-and-match should stop.
Agree with keeping Collison and English on the field. Collison’s work against the Maryland triple team (for an assist) was eye-opening. He is fearless and I think Collison is the best true middie Hopkins has.
DocBarrister