LaxPower Back-Up Stick

I agree: a lot of depth at (offensive) midfield, with ample athleticism. Okay, I'm biased, but I really think a number of O middies who saw very limited playing time for Yale last year would have seen regular PT for many/most D1 teams. I'd say that this position and FOGO are Yale's greatest strengths, although Starr could well have the potential...

Agreed- Middies look strong. Based on the fall scrimmages (and who knows what weight to put on those), I wouldnt be surprised to see a lot of FY Kuttin breaking into that top tier. That young man has an incredible first step and split... he might be a top Mid initiator/first dodge for the O. Then again, that top group is experienced and just fantastic.

So Inside Lax has Yale at Attack #2, Mids #2, and FO/Specialists #1...

A belated response to Fann's post from late December about the defense -- based on some positive noises I have heard (several times removed) from New Haven at the end of fall ball, I wonder if we might see Bryce DeMuth as the latest first-year defender (following in the footsteps of Hynes and Fake) to make an impact. Here's hoping that Aidan Hynes is healthy. I could also imagine Will Weitzel moving from LSM (where he's been excellent) to D (where he played against the US team, I believe) -- very heady player and could combine well with a more aggressive, gambling player in Fake.

IL just ranked Yale's D #2, with Weitzel and Hynes joining Fake and Starr. Yes, here's also hoping Aidan Hynes is healthy (knock on wood). As Pula hasn't been mentioned recently, I'll point out that he started at long pole against Team USA, having been deployed as a SSDM last year (in that capacity, he favorably impressed me in the Princeton game). I can imagine this unit going through some early-season permutations before the optimal combination is found.

For the third A spot, who seems to be likely to get the minutes?

Brendan Rooney certainly has the age and experience, but seems to me that Brandau is likely projected to be a big factor next year and onward.

QB type, so whether that complements Morrill or is redundant...but he'd be an impact starter on most teams as a freshman

Just looked at Rooney's major (Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry)...Impressive!

Yes, MDlaxfan76, Yale has been blessed with some impressive scholar-athletes...

Morrill and Brandau looked pretty darn good together against Team USA when Gaudet was out injured. I'd also note that Rooney started last season against Princeton and (regular season) Penn thanks to a relatively unproductive stretch from Gaudet; Rooney looked very good when starting, and then as a fourth attackman in man-up situations. I don't have a more specific answer to your question; and it wouldn't shock me if someone else forces his way into consideration.

So a number of pundits (not just at IL) have weighed in with the highest of preseason ratings and rankings for this year's Yale squad despite the graduation of the most star studded senior class that the Bulldogs have ever experienced. Much of the hype is due to the performance level that Shay, Baxter and Stimmel along with departed assistants Aspenshade and Compitello were able to to drive last year's team to along with the supposition that the same coaches aided by new assistnat arrivals Ed Williams and Colin Nesdale can do the same again this year with a talented and battle tested group of returnees augmented by the addition of TD Ierlan and a number of highly regarded FYs. Anyone familiar with Yale Lacrosse history is aware that a followup season even close to what the team accomplished last year would set a new precedent. This year's team both coaches and players alike will have to deal not only with finding their own specific identity, cohesion, camaraderie, and ability to deal with adversity, but also with outside expectations that exceed even last year's high bar when everyone included the Bulldogs in their top 10s, with Quint even listing them as preseason #2. All of this is a huge ask of a group of 20 or so year old young men, and a repeat National Championship comes close to feeling like a pipe dream, but it does feel like the pieces are in place for another outstanding season, and with the history Shay and staff have established I for one will be surprised if the Bulldogs don't make it back to the dance and give themselves a decent shot at placing the program squarely among the ranks of the elite.

So, with the end of the Ivy League Network, are we supposed to sign up for ESPN Plus to watch the Yale Lacrosse games? I don't even see a Lacrosse category or sub-category under ESPN Plus College Sports (still early of course). Any chance we keep the former Yale broadcasters? They were very good.

Mid-Lax wrote:So, with the end of the Ivy League Network, are we supposed to sign up for ESPN Plus to watch the Yale Lacrosse games? I don't even see a Lacrosse category or sub-category under ESPN Plus College Sports (still early of course). Any chance we keep the former Yale broadcasters? They were very good.

Same “homers” will do the games. Looking forward to Brown games. I went from not liking the broadcast team to those guys being my favorite. Only rivaled by the Rutgers guys...priceless. There should be an Ivy League channel offered on ESPN3 or ESPN+ but the new service is not nearly as good as the old service. I miss the archived games. You could go back years and watch games on the old ILDN.

calourie wrote:So a number of pundits (not just at IL) have weighed in with the highest of preseason ratings and rankings for this year's Yale squad despite the graduation of the most star studded senior class that the Bulldogs have ever experienced. Much of the hype is due to the performance level that Shay, Baxter and Stimmel along with departed assistants Aspenshade and Compitello were able to to drive last year's team to along with the supposition that the same coaches aided by new assistnat arrivals Ed Williams and Colin Nesdale can do the same again this year with a talented and battle tested group of returnees augmented by the addition of TD Ierlan and a number of highly regarded FYs. Anyone familiar with Yale Lacrosse history is aware that a followup season even close to what the team accomplished last year would set a new precedent. This year's team both coaches and players alike will have to deal not only with finding their own specific identity, cohesion, camaraderie, and ability to deal with adversity, but also with outside expectations that exceed even last year's high bar when everyone included the Bulldogs in their top 10s, with Quint even listing them as preseason #2. All of this is a huge ask of a group of 20 or so year old young men, and a repeat National Championship comes close to feeling like a pipe dream, but it does feel like the pieces are in place for another outstanding season, and with the history Shay and staff have established I for one will be surprised if the Bulldogs don't make it back to the dance and give themselves a decent shot at placing the program squarely among the ranks of the elite.

I suspect that's right, both that the Bulldogs will be good, likely very, very good, but also that repeating is a huge stretch, indeed even a Final 8 would be an enormous accomplishment.

I think it's particularly difficult to replicate the impact of Yale's Tewey winner, especially in the immediately following season.

Seems to me that Yale should be very pleased not just with last year's tremendous success, but simply the overall trajectory of the program.

Repeating is extremely difficult, and pretty rare nowadays. For a while after that 13-11 win over Duke, I thought repeating would be pretty much impossible... then Ierlan's transfer gave a glimmer of hope. That class of 2018 was terrific, and things really came together in a way that seemed almost magical. That may not happen again in 2019; without taking anything for granted, I think Yale in 2019 is a realistic contender to get to the Final Four... but yes, the trajectory, the foundation built of hard work and toughness, would seem to bode well for the coming years.

Agree, the Brown guys are hilarious homers and fun to listen to. Also liked the Cornell team. Hope they all come over to the ESPN Ivy broadcasts. Its a shame the archives won't be available to browse past seasons and Ivy League Tournament games and stars.

Just about worth a look, if only because Shay is featured:
https://www.laxsportsnetwork.com/videos ... on-preview

TD is the cover of the February Inside Lacrosse:

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/ ... rlan/53611

Happy 1st day of the 2019 season to the defending champs! With one practice under their belts they are off to Syracuse; one nice thing is that the Syracuse media usually does a pretty good job of reporting on scrimmages. And perhaps there will be some Syracuse posters who will report in on the forum.

US Lax Mag's pre-season write-up on Yale: https://www.uslaxmagazine.com/college/m ... ering-2019

Very interesting angle about motivating Ierlan... I think "The Case Against Yale" is spot-on. This group faces some real challenges, and it's so tough to repeat... but I bet they'll give it a good shot. By the way, ominous weather forecast for next weekend's home scrimmage.

The Orfling wrote: ↑Fri Feb 01, 2019 5:15 pm Happy 1st day of the 2019 season to the defending champs! With one practice under their belts they are off to Syracuse; one nice thing is that the Syracuse media usually does a pretty good job of reporting on scrimmages. And perhaps there will be some Syracuse posters who will report in on the forum.

In years gone by you could get a report from Cuse posters, Orfling, but no more. Scrimmages are now played in the new indoor facility (used to be in the Dome) and fans aren't allowed in to watch 'em. Not enough room in there for fans, some of the media folks are allowed in but that's about it. Have been bummed about this since they built that facility. Would gladly give you a report if I could get in to watch it.....got a Press Pass lying around anywhere?

The Orfling wrote: ↑Fri Feb 01, 2019 5:15 pm Happy 1st day of the 2019 season to the defending champs! With one practice under their belts they are off to Syracuse; one nice thing is that the Syracuse media usually does a pretty good job of reporting on scrimmages. And perhaps there will be some Syracuse posters who will report in on the forum.

What is your definition of 1 practice..... Bulldogs will be fine though.

https://www.syracuse.com/orangelacrosse ... -yale.html

Not much but it includes a box score for the scrimmage. Sounds like Yale treated the scrimmage like a regular season game. Orange defense didn't seem to have an answer for the speed and physicality of the Bulldog offense. Only bright spot for us Orange fans is that it sounds like Varello won most of his draws against Ierlan.

Thanks for the report and the link bjred. A bit more talk over on the Syracuse thread. Gaudet 4-2, Rooney 5-0, Morrill 0-5 were the big offensive numbers. 21 goals with 13 assists sounds like a nice ratio. 17-6 lead after three sounds impressive. Talk has Cuse FOGO Varello doing well against TD though Ierlan ended up 14 out of 23 all tolled against whomever. Sounds like the Bulldogs came out of the gate fired up which is a good sign, in that they only have two weeks of practice to get ready for Nova. Having the Bulldogs scrimmaging Syracuse right off the bat looks like a good set up to me.