nelaxman wrote: ↑Sun May 19, 2024 9:54 am
This Tufts Championship run could be the easiest path ever. It's hard to believe they went through the first three games without facing a ranked team. That seems almost unheard of for a team with a Pool C bid. That said, I think they will dominate W&L tonight.
It seems like Washington and Lee might have a different mentality than St. John Fisher did coming into this weekend. St. John Fisher was just happy to be there and playing with house money. It’s a horrible way to approach a playoff game with a mindset of "whatever happens, happens." At this point in the season, you better have the mindset that you can win games, not just try and survive until the end.
The lacrosse gods are with Tufts. They got knocked out of the NESCAC playoffs early on, giving them two weeks of rest before the NCAA tournament.
My prediction: Tufts will be playing RIT next week!
I don't disagree with the prediction, but I'd be surprised with a domination...I guess it goes to say what you determine as dominate. I'd be surprised if the final spread is more than five goals. Having watched both teams this season, I feel like they are somewhat similar in the ways they do some things.
I think W&L's ability to stop huge runs with the face-off man, could make it hard for Tufts to go on those soul crushing 9-0 runs. The one thing though that Tufts does well is manage personnel, and the expectation that the next guy up can make a play. It's been fun to watch the evolution of some of their young defenders...Clarke, Rutherford has gotten more run, Lee has been good. Also, getting an All-American in Ayers back too has been massive, he does so much for that team.
I do know that both coaching staffs, with the extra time to prepare during the day, will have both squads ready to play.