#7 Maryland vs Princeton Saturday @ 7:30

[PulpExposure]

Maryland won by 5 early in the year. Princeton had a lot of guys seeing playing time for the first time in their careers. A lot of player development has taken place since then and offensive and def rotations have been settled.

Maryland won by 6. You make it seem like Princeton hadn't played anyone, but that was Princeton's 3rd game, so not sure how many of those guys hadn't seen the field yet (especially since the two games for Princeton before were blowouts). Yes, the freshman have been getting better, but Kabiri had a monster day (4 goals). Gianforcaro also had a great day (61% saves, above his average this year) else the score would have been more out of hand.

I do think Princeton is playing better right now, and Maryland is playing worse, so I'm less confident in this result than had they played 3 games ago. But I think this is the Terps game to win.

My fault, Maryland won by 6 not 5…..as for experience, I am talking about relatively experience. Who were those first two games against? That competition got those greenhorns up to speed for Maryland. Anyway, I see the game being more competitive….maybe not. Maryland could win by 7 or 8 this time instead of something closer…..you left out the part where I said I would bet on Maryland and I expect the game to be closer. I could be wrong. Maybe Maryland blows them out. This is a gravy season for Tigers. Little was expected.

Fair enough. Sorry - not my intention to mislead. I don't think this is a blowout (unless Princeton blows out the Terps). Definitely more competitive for sure. With respect to your gravy comment, at this point, I think neither team has any real expectations - even the odds favor Princeton so Maryland losing wouldn't be a shock to anyone.

[AreaLax]

Chris Cotter & Paul Carcater calling this game

[keno in reno]

As HopFan16 said, face-offs. Maryland won 21 of 24 in the Terps-Tigers game earlier this year. Princeton has improved a lot since that game, and McKeekin has looked strong in some games; the Tigers need to neutralize Wierman to have a realistic chance of winning.

need to put it in perspective though. 2 of his last 3 games were vs Yale, who resorted to using a 1 legged Fogo. That was easy pickings. He went 56% vs Penn, who is ranked 56th out of 73 D1 lax teams at .461 win percentage on the year. He has looked good, but he done it vs some poor competition. Will be interesting to see, if he has grown or it was just poor competition

Yes, all three of Yale's FOGOs were carrying substantial injuries, and Yale even resorted to having a few LSMs take some face-offs late in both Princeton games. Princeton's top FOGO McKeekin also went 65% against Duke, 39% against Lehigh, 50% against Brown. If he can't solve Wierman, I think Princeton will find it tough to win at Maryland.

I will be surprised if McMeekin is 1-16 versus Maryland at this point in the year. Maryland won by 5 early in the year. Princeton had a lot of guys seeing playing time for the first time in their careers. A lot of player development has taken place since then and offensive and def rotations have been settled. I give a slight edge to Maryland but Princeton has been better on both sides of the ball over the course of the season than Maryland. I would bet that Maryland’s offensive and defensive efficiency are the lowest they have been in 8 years. I would actually bet on Maryland but I suspect a competitive game. Time will tell. It is house money for Princeton this year. Next year is a different story.

They have a final 4 defense. They struggle on offense, especially creating space dodging.

They have a (Maryland) hall of fame defender. I think the rest of the defense is good when McNaney plays well, which is about 50% of the time. Otherwise, the defense is average and sometimes below when McNaney cant see the ball. It probably looks better than it is because of Wierman's wins and 79.5 second offensive sets. They looked great against JHU, but it turns out the JHU offense is pretty impotent right now.

[coda]

As HopFan16 said, face-offs. Maryland won 21 of 24 in the Terps-Tigers game earlier this year. Princeton has improved a lot since that game, and McKeekin has looked strong in some games; the Tigers need to neutralize Wierman to have a realistic chance of winning.

need to put it in perspective though. 2 of his last 3 games were vs Yale, who resorted to using a 1 legged Fogo. That was easy pickings. He went 56% vs Penn, who is ranked 56th out of 73 D1 lax teams at .461 win percentage on the year. He has looked good, but he done it vs some poor competition. Will be interesting to see, if he has grown or it was just poor competition

Yes, all three of Yale's FOGOs were carrying substantial injuries, and Yale even resorted to having a few LSMs take some face-offs late in both Princeton games. Princeton's top FOGO McKeekin also went 65% against Duke, 39% against Lehigh, 50% against Brown. If he can't solve Wierman, I think Princeton will find it tough to win at Maryland.

I will be surprised if McMeekin is 1-16 versus Maryland at this point in the year. Maryland won by 5 early in the year. Princeton had a lot of guys seeing playing time for the first time in their careers. A lot of player development has taken place since then and offensive and def rotations have been settled. I give a slight edge to Maryland but Princeton has been better on both sides of the ball over the course of the season than Maryland. I would bet that Maryland’s offensive and defensive efficiency are the lowest they have been in 8 years. I would actually bet on Maryland but I suspect a competitive game. Time will tell. It is house money for Princeton this year. Next year is a different story.

They have a final 4 defense. They struggle on offense, especially creating space dodging.

They have a (Maryland) hall of fame defender. I think the rest of the defense is good when McNaney plays well, which is about 50% of the time. Otherwise, the defense is average and sometimes below when McNaney cant see the ball. It probably looks better than it is because of Wierman's wins and 79.5 second offensive sets. They looked great against JHU, but it turns out the JHU offense is pretty impotent right now.

When the goalie isn’t seeing the ball well it isn’t always bad defense. Sometimes it’s just bad goalie play. Goalie and defensive play are usually correlated, but not always

[keno in reno]

As HopFan16 said, face-offs. Maryland won 21 of 24 in the Terps-Tigers game earlier this year. Princeton has improved a lot since that game, and McKeekin has looked strong in some games; the Tigers need to neutralize Wierman to have a realistic chance of winning.

need to put it in perspective though. 2 of his last 3 games were vs Yale, who resorted to using a 1 legged Fogo. That was easy pickings. He went 56% vs Penn, who is ranked 56th out of 73 D1 lax teams at .461 win percentage on the year. He has looked good, but he done it vs some poor competition. Will be interesting to see, if he has grown or it was just poor competition

Yes, all three of Yale's FOGOs were carrying substantial injuries, and Yale even resorted to having a few LSMs take some face-offs late in both Princeton games. Princeton's top FOGO McKeekin also went 65% against Duke, 39% against Lehigh, 50% against Brown. If he can't solve Wierman, I think Princeton will find it tough to win at Maryland.

I will be surprised if McMeekin is 1-16 versus Maryland at this point in the year. Maryland won by 5 early in the year. Princeton had a lot of guys seeing playing time for the first time in their careers. A lot of player development has taken place since then and offensive and def rotations have been settled. I give a slight edge to Maryland but Princeton has been better on both sides of the ball over the course of the season than Maryland. I would bet that Maryland’s offensive and defensive efficiency are the lowest they have been in 8 years. I would actually bet on Maryland but I suspect a competitive game. Time will tell. It is house money for Princeton this year. Next year is a different story.

They have a final 4 defense. They struggle on offense, especially creating space dodging.

They have a (Maryland) hall of fame defender. I think the rest of the defense is good when McNaney plays well, which is about 50% of the time. Otherwise, the defense is average and sometimes below when McNaney cant see the ball. It probably looks better than it is because of Wierman's wins and 79.5 second offensive sets. They looked great against JHU, but it turns out the JHU offense is pretty impotent right now.

When the goalie isn’t seeing the ball well it isn’t always bad defense. Sometimes it’s just bad goalie play. Goalie and defensive play are usually correlated, but not always

Totally agree. PSU was a disaster all around. JHU was a low-key goalie disaster in the beginning with the extreme low angle side shots that got past him despite fine coverage. In a 7-5 game, that was the difference. But he was good after that.

It's tough, because he was the best player in the final 4 2 years ago, and if he played horribly on Monday the Terps may not have been an all time team. But he's not that player now. There's only player from that team who has maintained that level of play. It does show that it's a lot easier to look great when you're surrounded by great teammates.

[jrn19]

This is McNaney's first season coming back from a full blown ACL tear. Some grace and caveats are probably needed there. He's had some struggles for sure, he's also had a lot of highs this year. Here's his save percentage by month

February (4 gms): 59%
March (5 gms): 42%
April (3 gms): 64%

The Penn State game was a full blown defensive failure. Before that game he was at 53%, which is actually better than his save percentage in 2021 (52%) when the team made the title game.

If the team comes out locked in on Saturday, I believe he'll play pretty darn well

[keno in reno]

This is McNaney's first season coming back from a full blown ACL tear. Some grace and caveats are probably needed there. He's had some struggles for sure, he's also had a lot of highs this year. Here's his save percentage by month

February (4 gms): 59%
March (5 gms): 42%
April (3 gms): 64%

The Penn State game was a full blown defensive failure. Before that game he was at 53%, which is actually better than his save percentage in 2021 (52%) when the team made the title game.

If the team comes out locked in on Saturday, I believe he'll play pretty darn well

Not sure what grace and caveats means here, just talking in an unbiased manner about what I see in the games this season, after it was acknowledged and appreciated that he saved the national championship and historical season in 2022. Also not sure what the monthly breakdowns significance is? Does that mean that he had a great season? He was good at times and he was bad at times. Then there was the clearing stuff.

[10stone5]

Almost a pick-em game according to Massey's - not quite but just about.

[BlueJaySince1947]

Princeton romps...

[AreaLax]

Shame this game didn’t have the 2:30 time slot. It’s been beautiful in MD. Rain storms moving in at 7

[gymman1031]

I think Maryland is due for an excellent performance and will do exactly that and win!

[10stone5]

Shame this game didn’t have the 2:30 time slot. It’s been beautiful in MD. Rain storms moving in at 7

Too bad,

or maybe better for the Terps, a little wetness.

[BlueJaySince1947]

Why the heck are they playing lacrosse on a football field...?

[10stone5]

They can ride Wierman and that defense to the quarterfinals.

[HopFan16]

Maryland +1.5 was free money

[middleAgedBear]

Why the heck are they playing lacrosse on a football field...?

Nice stadium but not for lacrosse. Looks empty even with a crowd.

[coda]

I have seen this Maryland offense in a long time

[baylax72]

Maryland looking great. Is there a way to just mute Carc?

[DocBarrister]

I’m going to take a nap.

DocBarrister

[mdk01]

McNaney was solid early. Combined with Wierman dominating faceoffs this got Maryland rolling at the start.