Redman2 wrote: ↑Sat May 04, 2024 9:45 am
Wish Goldstein took a more aggressive role. He was able to beat his defender and solve the Carroll riddle the few times he stepped forward. He seems to defer to older guys
I agree. Goldstein was particularly passive in the first half, but was effective dodging from behind in the second.
Thank you Big Red for a fine season, no matter what the Sunday night selection outcome.
A couple random thoughts not already mentioned. Neither midfield line was effective last night against a great Penn defense, goalie and game plan. However the first line has been effective throughout the year. We do need more consistent production from the second line. Nikolic has gained confidence and can score, but can also press and force passes or ill-conceived shots. He is talented and wants to get to the cage and will learn from his mistakes. Dalton is a smart player, unfortunately all left, not a dodger, but is an opportunistic sniper. Holmes showed the speed to separate, and finally got a goal on a hard shot. In my mind, he ought to replace 28 as the starter on the second line and look more aggressively for his shot, which based on last night has improved in velocity and accuracy.
We don't get many emo opportunities, but need to capitalize more frequently. As noted elsewhere spacing was bad and multi minute unreleasables were wasted. The absence of Long was very obvious. I also don't think 23 has been effective on the emo as he was last year, and I'd like to see somebody who can be more of an offensive threat.
People have mentioned Gilmartin's superb play all season and very obviously last night. He was a very high scoring o mid in HS and could do the same for us-- except he quickly transitioned to a great defensive player. If Smith, Bozzi, and Box stay healthy, what a luxury it would be to let 77 play offense. There is an under the radar recruit, Jimmy Troy, who has been a lock down d mid in HS. I also thought Jaxon Smart had great potential as a d mid, but did not see him on the field at all this year and wonder if he was injured. And if 77 was on offense and got caught in defense, he'd be an asset, not liability. Probably a pipe dream though to switch him given our question marks at ssdm and his great play there.
In addition to 77, Staub has been a late season stand out. He looks faster, plays aggressively, and is great off the ground.
The future is bright-- hopefully it's not all next year.