Semifinal One -- Florida v. NU

[Seacoaster(1)]

Thought I'd make thread for these two games.

Semi No. 1: unseeded Florida against the prohibitive (my view) favorite. I was impressed with Florida against Maryland, but this is a different mountain to climb. Better defense than Maryland; exponentially better offense than Maryland. 18-11?

[Justalaxdad]

I'm going with the upset here. Florida 12-10

Florida is big, physical and fast all over the field. If they can give Izzy and Erin a not so easy time with clear paths to the goal, they can hang around.
The only drawback to this game will be the incessant flopping from both teams.

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

Oh my goodness--not to start a spite bout or anything but you are boxed out of your mind if you think any of what you predict will come to pass this Friday. Northwestern is in their postseason locomotive-barreling-down-the-track mode. Florida's "Natty" this year was making the Final Four by upending Maryland on their home field hockey turf. I don't care how much film they watch--the Gator's have no stinky idea of what awaits them.

NU easily by 5-ish.

[Seacoaster(1)]

I'm going with the upset here. Florida 12-10

Florida is big, physical and fast all over the field. If they can give Izzy and Erin a not so easy time with clear paths to the goal, they can hang around.
The only drawback to this game will be the incessant flopping from both teams.

Your lips to God’s ears. Please.

[ultravisitor]

I think Florida will keep it uncomfortably close for a bit, but they haven't been tested over the course of their season the way the Wildcats have been, so ultimately the moment will be too much for the Gators.

Or maybe it will be a NU blowout, which would surprise no one.

[NULax2]

Thought I'd make thread for these two games.

Semi No. 1: unseeded Florida against the prohibitive (my view) favorite. I was impressed with Florida against Maryland, but this is a different mountain to climb. Better defense than Maryland; exponentially better offense than Maryland. 18-11?

Sounds about right. Florida will keep it close for a quarter may be a half before NU pulls away.

[laxdadpat]

Both teams race down the field in transition. I think NU can get sloppy in transition and it will happen against Florida. Florida will be +8 or more on the draw and can play make it take it better than any team in the country. Florida will put the pressure on Northwestern. I'm thinking(hoping) Florida wins by 1 or 2, but hard to not think both teams score above 15 goals apiece. get out the popcorn, this may be the most entertaining game of the weekend.

[GratefulRed]

Both teams race down the field in transition. I think NU can get sloppy in transition and it will happen against Florida. Florida will be +8 or more on the draw and can play make it take it better than any team in the country. Florida will put the pressure on Northwestern. I'm thinking(hoping) Florida wins by 1 or 2, but hard to not think both teams score above 15 goals apiece. get out the popcorn, this may be the most entertaining game of the weekend.

Love this^^ Weather favors Florida--gonna be HOT. If the Gators play loose and keep it close, as the game wears on fatigue could be a factor. Hoping they beat each other up for 60 minutes and then go to 3 OTs.

[Seacoaster(1)]

Both teams race down the field in transition. I think NU can get sloppy in transition and it will happen against Florida. Florida will be +8 or more on the draw and can play make it take it better than any team in the country. Florida will put the pressure on Northwestern. I'm thinking(hoping) Florida wins by 1 or 2, but hard to not think both teams score above 15 goals apiece. get out the popcorn, this may be the most entertaining game of the weekend.

Love this^^ Weather favors Florida--gonna be HOT. If the Gators play loose and keep it close, as the game wears on fatigue could be a factor. Hoping they beat each other up for 60 minutes and then go to 3 OTs.

This is my fall back; short of the upset, please exhaust the winner. Don't hydrate.

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

Ten-day forecast calling for mostly cloudy skies in the mid-80s with variable winds at this point. Doesn't sound like that serious of a weather game--especially if the sun is obscured by clouds.

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

All the top teams Florida defeated this year were either having a bad year by their standards (JMU, Maryland), decimated by injuries (North Carolina), or just weren't that great a team in the end (Princeton, Virginia). They haven't played a close game in months and they certainly haven't played anyone remotely close to Northwestern. It will be a rude awakening for the Gators in much the same way it was for Denver last year.

[user1020]

All the top teams Florida defeated this year were either having a bad year by their standards (JMU, Maryland), decimated by injuries (North Carolina), or just weren't that great a team in the end (Princeton, Virginia). They haven't played a close game in months and they certainly haven't played anyone remotely close to Northwestern. It will be a rude awakening for the Gators in much the same way it was for Denver last year.

Is there any team that you think is good? Good grief man

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

All the top teams Florida defeated this year were either having a bad year by their standards (JMU, Maryland), decimated by injuries (North Carolina), or just weren't that great a team in the end (Princeton, Virginia). They haven't played a close game in months and they certainly haven't played anyone remotely close to Northwestern. It will be a rude awakening for the Gators in much the same way it was for Denver last year.

Is there any team that you think is good? Good grief man

Plenty of good ones, just a few great ones.

[uncfan1013]

I love this Florida run but I feel like they haven’t faced a really powerful offense like Northwestern has. I think they put up a fight, close game for most of the game but at the end Northwestern goes on a run to win by 3-4.

[DMac]

Gotta keep your eyes on Emily Heller, she's a pretty good scorer.
Really have no idea whether or not Florida can hang with the
dynamics of Northwestern. Have seen little of the Gators but
what I've seen left me with the impression they're pretty good.
Good enough to outdo them Wildcats.....not thinkin' so.

[laxdadpat]

I like Florida because their offense is different from others in lacrosse. Maggi Hall attacking from the low side left is just not utilized enough in women's lacrosse, of course you need a good lefty attack. Both low sides are soft spots that can really collapse a defense and create passing lanes for offenses, I just don't see it enough in the game today.
It's probably why I like Cuse because they play from X more than other teams. The offense should use the whole field, not just trying to run down the center of the field(looking at you Tar Heel fans).

[forthelaxofit]

I feel I am on an island with Florida. Maybe Northwestern offense will be too much - no arguing the talent. But if there is a defense out there as physical as Northwestern's, it might be Florida. On the other side of ball, Florida may not have the skill of Northwestern big 3, but they have speed to burn. I expect this to be a hard fought, psychical game. Refs will be important in this game. If they let them play, I think Florida will have a shot. If Taylor gets the call every time she hits the ground, then Northwestern will have huge FP edge. I am taking the points and hoping for the upset.

[DMac]

What, a 76% FPS shooter????
Yup, as it should be. Gators
came to play so far.

[SocalGeoff]

Thought I'd make thread for these two games.

Semi No. 1: unseeded Florida against the prohibitive (my view) favorite. I was impressed with Florida against Maryland, but this is a different mountain to climb. Better defense than Maryland; exponentially better offense than Maryland. 18-11?

[Madlax59]

What, a 76% FPS shooter????
Yup, as it should be. Gators
came to play so far.

What’s the over under on Madison Taylor falls I’m going with 8.
2 already .