Liberty League 2023

[Bigdawg69]

Anyone know what injury issues Peter burnes at union been dealing with? See he only played 5 games. Is there any chance he plays in the tournament?

[Leonard Washington]

https://libertyleagueathletics.com/news ... wards.aspx

Could nit pick a few selections but the only real surprise is that Manzi wins rookie of the year but can't at least get an Honorable Mention nod?

3 straight years RIT has had Coaching Staff of the year but what is more impressive is that for over a decade straight, RIT has had either the offensive player of the year, defensive player of the year or both

[ICGrad]

Coach Long has retired after 36 years leading the Ithaca Bombers

https://athletics.ithaca.edu/news/2023/ ... coach.aspx

Ithaca has had some great seasons under his stewardship, and we're always at least consistently very good and competitive (except, lately, against RIT). He'll be very difficult to replace. Here's hoping they can find a hire who is able to build upon his years of success.

[georgeoar394]

Coach Long has retired after 36 years leading the Ithaca Bombers

https://athletics.ithaca.edu/news/2023/ ... coach.aspx

Ithaca has had some great seasons under his stewardship, and we're always at least consistently very good and competitive (except, lately, against RIT). He'll be very difficult to replace. Here's hoping they can find a hire who is able to build upon his years of success.

Really? IC will have no problem filling Long's shoes imo. His authoritarian coaching style is extremely outdated and has led Ithaca to become very stagnant in the LL. Recruiting he's done ok but I think he's lacked in being able to develop players, especially the recent years.

[ICGrad]

Coach Long has retired after 36 years leading the Ithaca Bombers

https://athletics.ithaca.edu/news/2023/ ... coach.aspx

Ithaca has had some great seasons under his stewardship, and we're always at least consistently very good and competitive (except, lately, against RIT). He'll be very difficult to replace. Here's hoping they can find a hire who is able to build upon his years of success.

Really? IC will have no problem filling Long's shoes imo. His authoritarian coaching style is extremely outdated and has led Ithaca to become very stagnant in the LL. Recruiting he's done ok but I think he's lacked in being able to develop players, especially the recent years.

It is absolutely possible that Ithaca takes a step forward as they replace Long. Great school in a great conference and an amazing city that is an epicenter (with Cornell) of college and hs lacrosse, great overall athletic program, etc. It has to be seen as one of the premiere and most sought after openings of the offseason.

But it's also possible they take a step back. Long may have lost a step or three over the past few seasons, but he retires as one of the winningest coaches in college lacrosse history. And he did it playing a schedule that included a good number of national-caliber programs ()including several who have won multiple national championships).

I'm hoping his replacement helps IC take the next step forward into increased competitiveness within the LL and beyond.

[Low2high22]

Any early 2024 predictions? 5th years?

[FosterLax3]

Any early 2024 predictions? 5th years?

The boring answer is RIT is once again the favorite with SLU, Union and RPI the next favorites. I think we've seen in the past couple years how big of an impact 5th and even 6th years have had so time will tell if any of those three teams benefit from those players and to what extent. I have not heard of any specific players returning but I imagine some will be but until then it is a guessing game for where those three teams rank among each other.

As far as I am aware, Ithaca has not yet announced a new head coach so will have to see who they hire but I expect them initially to be 5th in the pecking order with the potential of moving up as their new head coach acclimates and implements his system.

[Low2high22]

Any early 2024 predictions? 5th years?

The boring answer is RIT is once again the favorite with SLU, Union and RPI the next favorites. I think we've seen in the past couple years how big of an impact 5th and even 6th years have had so time will tell if any of those three teams benefit from those players and to what extent. I have not heard of any specific players returning but I imagine some will be but until then it is a guessing game for where those three teams rank among each other.

As far as I am aware, Ithaca has not yet announced a new head coach so will have to see who they hire but I expect them initially to be 5th in the pecking order with the potential of moving up as their new head coach acclimates and implements his system.

I think it could be an interesting year. Of course RIT will bring back a ton of skill and great coaching but I’ve heard RPI is bringing everyone back and Union has a very young core. Both those teams offer special teams player that were all americans and can improve even further this offseason.

[Low2high22]

Best conference in D3!

[laxdad1434]

Best conference in D3!

Coastal Lacrosse Conference

[Leonard Washington]

Best conference in D3!

I wish that was the case.

Still 1A compared to NESCAC being #1

[goaliedad]

Top to bottom it's the best league in the country

[laxdad1434]

Top to bottom it's the best league in the country

CLC is better, 6-0 against Liberty last season.

[Leonard Washington]

Top to bottom it's the best league in the country

While quickly comparing both conferences H2H these past couple of years, I believe the NESCAC has a slight advantage of 12-11 (if my math is correct lol) against the Liberty League.

"The bottom" of the Liberty (Skidmore and Vassar) vs. NESCAC (Bates and Colby), while it isn't an apples to apples comparison necessarily, losing to Kean, Montclair and Stockton vs. Babson, Widener and WNEC;

Edge still goes to the NESCAC, IMO.

[Leonard Washington]

CLC is better, 6-0 against Liberty last season.

Better against the Liberty yes....

...the Centennial conference on the other hand

[laxdad1434]

CLC is better, 6-0 against Liberty last season.

Better against the Liberty yes....

...the Centennial conference on the other hand

True…

[Low2high22]

Anything new/upcoming for Liberty league. Any idea how the top teams are looking?