Navy 2024

[WandL99]

Xavier Airline will have more than 100 points this year and will have more than 7 points against the Mount, you heard it here first.

[WandL99]

Xavier Airline will have more than 100 points this year and will have more than 7 points against the Mount, you heard it here first.

[youthathletics]

Xavier Airline will have more than 100 points this year and will have more than 7 points against the Mount, you heard it here first.

Hope your right, but your track record is usually only right after the fact. If he can control the TO's, 24 is flirting with more TO's than points. Attackman often have the highest TO's of players on the field, but 24's numbers are not good. Last I checked, TO's give the other team the ball. Not to mention a shooting percentage barely cresting .200...that number must get closer to .375.

[Turnandrake]

Xavier Airline will have more than 100 points this year and will have more than 7 points against the Mount, you heard it here first.

100 points maybe during the football season. Lacrosse is 1 goal 1 point not 6 points…..

[Turnandrake]

Xavier Airline will have more than 100 points this year and will have more than 7 points against the Mount, you heard it here first.

100 points maybe during the football season. Lacrosse is 1 goal 1 point not 6 points…..

[old salt]

https://www.capitalgazette.com/2024/02/ ... 4-preview/

Navy men’s lacrosse has something to prove in 2024, coach Joe Amplo says
Midshipmen coming off ‘disappointing’ 8-8 campaign
Coming off a disappointing 8-8 season, coach Joe Amplo says Navy men’s lacrosse has something to prove this year. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
By BILL WAGNER | [email protected]
PUBLISHED: February 2, 2024 at 1:50 p.m. | UPDATED: February 2, 2024 at 4:40 p.m.

Coach Joe Amplo says Navy men’s lacrosse has something to prove this season.

The Midshipmen are coming off a 2023 campaign that Amplo described as “disappointing.” Navy finished with an 8-8 record after losing to Loyola Maryland in the quarterfinals of the Patriot League Tournament.

Midfielder Max Hewitt and close defenseman Jackson Bonitz spearhead a senior class that arrived in Annapolis amid much fanfare and, quite frankly, has not accomplished a whole lot.

“This senior class came in with a lot of hype and hasn’t done what they set out to do. We’ve been mediocre during their careers,” Amplo said. “There is an edge to this group of seniors. They know they left a lot on the table last season and feel there is more for them to do here at the academy. They want to help this program reach its full potential.”

Amplo, entering his fifth season on the sideline, includes himself in the “something to prove” statement. Navy has compiled a 26-19 record and failed to win a Patriot League Tournament game during his tenure.

“This coaching staff is at the point where the identity of the program has to be ours. I have to be held accountable for the results,” Amplo said. “We have plenty of talent and depth. That needs to translate into more consistency and success on the field.”

Navy returns eight starters and a slew of other key players while adding a strong freshman class. The Midshipmen’s most significant losses were All-American midfielder Patrick Skalniak, starting close defenseman Kyle Fairbanks, starting goalie Pat Ryan and primary faceoff specialist Anthony Ghobriel (transfer to Virginia).

There figures to be plenty of offensive firepower as the top five scorers from last season are back. Hewitt led the team in scoring with 36 points on 24 goals and 12 assists, while attackmen Xavier Arline (17 goals, 16 assists) and Mac Haley (16, 14) both displayed superb balance in totaling 33 and 30 points, respectively. Henry Tolker, who split time between attack and midfield, led the Mids with 27 goals.

At present, it appears that Arline, Haley and Tolker will start on attack in Saturday’s season opener against Mount St. Mary’s at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. However, Amplo said Tommy Hovivian, Race Ripley and Carter Ash are all pushing for playing time.

This marks the first season that Arline can focus fully on lacrosse as he is no longer a member of the varsity football program. Arline, who was rated the nation’s No. 5 overall recruit by Inside Lacrosse coming out of Shoreham-Wading High on Long Island, has only played in 18 career games.

“Xavier is fully engaged and I expect him to play with an edge you haven’t seen before,” Amplo said. “I want nothing more than for Xavier to reach his full potential in his last season of lacrosse.”

Jon Jarosz, a Severn School product who posted 25 points last season, has moved from attack to midfield and has found a spot on the first line alongside Hewitt and Dane Swanson. Jarosz is a lead and downhill dodger at 6 feet 5 and 230 pounds.

Navy's Max Hewitt works around the front of the Loyola goal as Payton Rezanka defends against him in the first quarter. The visiting Loyola Greyhound defeated the Navy Midshipmen, 18-7, in men's college lacrosse, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, April 9, 2022.
Paul W. Gillespie/Capital Gazette
Navy’s Max Hewitt works around the front of the net as Loyola Maryland’s Payton Rezanka defends him April 9, 2022. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
With Skalniak missing most of the season with a severe injury, Hewitt stepped into the top spot on midfield and delivered despite drawing the long pole every game.

“Max was our best player last season and he just keeps getting better and better. He’s very consistent and extremely reliable,” Amplo said. “Max is a very dynamic offensive player who can shoot with both hands and is very effective working with or without the ball in his stick.”

Swanson, a powerful midfielder with a cannon crank shot, only appeared in nine games last season because of injury and managed only five goals. The 6-4 McDonogh graduate was Navy’s second-leading scorer as a sophomore with 38 points.

“Dane needs to get seven or eight shots per game because of his ability to stretch the defense,” said Amplo, who believes the first midfield is a “matchup nightmare” for opposing defenses.

Navy has a new offensive coordinator in Dave Cottle, a member of the Intercollegiate Lacrosse Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The 67-year-old Cottle, who won 280 games across 28 seasons at Loyola Maryland and University of Maryland, has already put his stamp on the unit.

“Our offense will be a bit different. A lot of what we are doing is similar to last season with some fine-tuning,” Amplo said. “Time will tell whether we utilize all the new stuff that has been installed.”

Cottle has placed particular emphasis on shooting percentage after Navy ranked second-to-last in the country in that department. He believes the Midshipmen need to be closer to 30% after scoring 164 goals on 727 shots (.226) a year ago.

Bonitz, who was an honorable mention All-American last season, is the unquestioned leader of the close defense. The McDonogh product is a real vacuum cleaner, having scooped 103 career ground balls. He is also disruptive, having amassed 50 caused turnovers.

“Jackson does everything with an elite mentality and has very high expectations for himself. I think that example has been contagious for our guys,” said Amplo, noting that Bonitz was recently named “captain of captains” at the Naval Academy.

Nick Licalzi is the other returning starter on close defense with the unit being rounded out by highly touted freshman A.J. Marsh, who was named All-Metro Player of the Year by The Baltimore Sun.

Navy’s coaching staff still has not settled on a starting goalie and Amplo said it could be a game time decision Saturday. Sophomore Dan Daly, who appeared in six games with two starts last season, is the most experienced of the candidates. Seniors Gabe Craven and Andrew Calabrese are also in the mix.

There are three guys I could put between the pipes and feel like we can win games,” Amplo said. “It has been an unbelievable competition throughout preseason.”

Zach Hayashi, another McDonogh alum, has emerged as the top faceoff specialist. The first team All-MIAA A Conference and first team All-Metro selection has impressed Amplo with his unique playing style.

“Zach is a really exciting player to watch. There is an energy and spirit he brings to the field that is captivating,” Amplo said. “He is ultra-competitive and has a bunch of faceoff tricks.”

Marsh and Hayashi are among many plebes that will get a chance to contribute this season. St. Mary’s product Nick Golini could factor into the offensive midfield depth, while Severn School graduate Justin Queen is part of the short stick defensive midfield rotation.

“I expect a bunch of freshmen to play and many in pivotal roles,” Amplo said. “AJ Marsh is certainly the headliner and he’s earned that notoriety. He’s a very impactful player and allows us to do certain things we haven’t been able to do here.”

Junior Bobby Kittelberger and sophomore Sean Gallagher are the top long stick defensive midfielders, while senior Jackson Peters is a real difference-maker who anchors the short stick defensive midfield.

“Jackson Peters is one of our best players and I think he is wildly underrated nationally,” Amplo said. “I think he is going to be terrific and have a great senior season.”

Amplo has put together a challenging non-conference schedule that features Penn State and Johns Hopkins, which are ranked fourth and fifth in the Inside Lacrosse preseason media poll. Navy was picked to place fourth behind defending champion Army, Boston University and Loyola in the Patriot League preseason poll.

“We don’t deserve anything more right now. We have to earn our way back up there,” Amplo said of being viewed as a middle of the pack program within the Patriot League. “We know deep down inside how much we need to prove.”

[KnowingWizardofODAC]

Xavier Airline will have more than 100 points this year and will have more than 7 points against the Mount, you heard it here first.

100 points maybe during the football season. Lacrosse is 1 goal 1 point not 6 points…..

It is Arline’s team this year, watch some film bud he’s getting at least 100, especially paired up with Ripley. Along with that he can hit Jaroz or Swanson whenever he pleases. The kids a mix of Sowers and Panell. Watch the film.

[TheGoat1999]

Zero chance #24 - Aka Mikey Powell has 100 points this season.

24 is used to special treatment, only practices 2 days a week and lacks the respect of his teammates. 100 points will never happen.

[essorcalveritas]

I predict Navy will bounce back from from last year and have a breakthrough season. The team is ripe and mature and will sneak up on many who wrote them off.

[Dip&Dunk]

Rolling….looking good in all phases. 11-3.

[Dip&Dunk]

15-6 early 4th qtr. while so far many aspects have been favorable for the Mids, if I had to pick one as a representative trait, I would pick physicality.

MSM was not ready nor able to adjust to Navy’s overall advantage physically. SSDMs bodying their middies, our middies running through their SSDMS, Navy’s picks allowing free hand shots, 50/50 balls going to Navy, etc.

Only one issue so far IMO (and this is picky): lots of open shots by MSM from up top that where not on cage.

[gymman1031]

No beginning of the season letdown today! Navy looked very good. Don't forget that several more of the regular players are Amplo's now.

[old salt]

https://www.capitalgazette.com/2024/02/ ... -st-marys/
Navy employed three midfields from the outset and rotated five attackmen. The Mids played a total of seven defensive midfielders (four short stick, three long stick). That depth wore down Mount St. Mary’s and Amplo is hopeful that will continue to be an advantage.
“Our vision five years ago when we got here was to build a team that could go at [opponents] in waves. That’s how we’re going to play,” he said.

[old salt]

Podcast w/ Coach Amplo -- season preview & working with Coach Cottle.

https://sites.libsyn.com/482490/site

[lorin]

No beginning of the season letdown today! Navy looked very good. Don't forget that several more of the regular players are Amplo's now.

Please just enjoy the win against a team ranked 60 and above , and don’t talk start talking stupid.

Colgate beat # 5
Loyola beat GT #12
Lehigh who lost a bunch of guys and coach almost upset
#14 rank team. So it looks like making top 4 in Patriot leauge will be hard once again.

[blue angels]

No beginning of the season letdown today! Navy looked very good. Don't forget that several more of the regular players are Amplo's now.

Please just enjoy the win against a team ranked 60 and above , and don’t talk start talking stupid.

Colgate beat # 5
Loyola beat GT #12
Lehigh who lost a bunch of guys and coach almost upset
#14 rank team. So it looks like making top 4 in Patriot leauge will be hard once again.

Why would you feel the need to come on the Navy thread and denigrate their nice opening win, regardless of opponent?

[youthathletics]

https://www.capitalgazette.com/2024/02/ ... -st-marys/
Navy employed three midfields from the outset and rotated five attackmen. The Mids played a total of seven defensive midfielders (four short stick, three long stick). That depth wore down Mount St. Mary’s and Amplo is hopeful that will continue to be an advantage.
“Our vision five years ago when we got here was to build a team that could go at [opponents] in waves. That’s how we’re going to play,” he said.

Probably need to up re-up my subscription to the crabwrapper. Paywall got me.

Slow start, could have been dangerous if another opponent.

Some observations....

1. MSM was playing some form of a 3-3 zone/match-zone and it appeared Navy did not really have a zone offense.
2. Our wings still get smoked of the whistle and seem to be late to the GB more times than not. Would love to see someone stat the loose GB off the whistle.
3. Our Defense is solid. Starting Goalie looked comfy and disciplined. My concern is that when we get beat on a 1v1, too many slide. I saw a handful of times 3 of our guys on 1 MSM player. Had MSM moved the ball faster than they did, and shot with more accuracy, this game would have been far tighter and we may not have seen as many Navy players touch the field.
4. MSM was getting solid looks, but my goodness, their shooting as really bad.
5. Ball is still dying in sticks after we get the defense rotating. It's like our guys do not recognize that a 2nd defensive player is sliding or even 'show sliding' and for us to move the ball 1-2 more times and re-attack the backside.
6. Loved seeing the poles push transition a handful of times.
7. Still not a fan of #10 being buried on the crease. They are significantly undervaluing his capabilities and have seemed to resign the fact that he will just play the trashman. AS noted last year, bury 9 inside and put 10 on the wing. And when #24 was behind trying to find a spot feed, our inside pick-pop/slip players were not getting to a comfort level that 24 would feed them. Maybe it's a trust thing, concern over a TO, or just not enough practice on how to get men open. At one point, 24 gave up and climbed upfield around the crease directly into a double and turned it over.
8. I like that we have more depth at attack and the fact that we have at least 4+ lefties in the pipeline (seeing the field), it just seems like we have not yet figured out how best to use them. An to be fair to the staff, I would presume their decision really comes down to who turns the ball over the least in practice.
9. #36 is good. I could see him being moved to 2nd midfield after logging more game minutes.

I still want to see much faster ball rotation and more motion/flow from the players to disrupt the defense, gain a half-a-step, and ultimately have 6 guys on the field that the opponent has no clue how to scout them. We need more #43 type players, that can and want to attack the cage.....STAT!

[gymman1031]

No beginning of the season letdown today! Navy looked very good. Don't forget that several more of the regular players are Amplo's now.

Please just enjoy the win against a team ranked 60 and above , and don’t talk start talking stupid.

Colgate beat # 5
Loyola beat GT #12
Lehigh who lost a bunch of guys and coach almost upset
#14 rank team. So it looks like making top 4 in Patriot leauge will be hard once again.

Sure looks like I was enjoying the win when I typed my initial post. Yes, the Patriot League will be competitive.

[gymman1031]

Sorry to change the program for a second. But I am still cheering for former Navy player JL Reppert to get things going at Holy Cross. What a hard worker and a great guy! Things aren't looking great so far against Providence, though. 10-3, Friars at the half.

[fsclax]

I'd like to see Arline playing above GLE more. Every time he attacked from behind MSM slid early and there was little/no space. If he were out front, not necessarily as a midfielder but in an area that had more space, I think he could do much more damage. He was above once yesterday on a short stick and gave up the ball too soon, in my opinion.