LaxPower Back-Up Stick

Handley is a guy that (and I've watched more than only the games vs Brown) just seems "not selfish enough." It's admirable, but... Maybe with Gergar out this year he's been more assertive. And in the losses to Brown last year and this, I think I've seen what his "off game" is: missing the cage high.
You're not going to be able to keep him from shooting when he wants to, but there are days when his placement is off. Opponents better hope for one of those games.

so handley not going to the portal, he's done this year & working/pll.

that's news.

And we also find out that he should have been playing X attack all along.

Very disappointed for the team. But, when you lose games you shouldn't (Brown and Villanova), this is the result. The program is now at a crossroads. A couple of final observations before we turn our attention to 2023/24:\
-No NCAA Tournament or Ivy League Champ means the 5th year experiment was a failure. That is just the facts. Murphy doubling down next year with more 5th year guys, that aren't nearly the quality of the four from this season..
-When you can't get dig yourself out of a hole...first, stop digging. #culture
-Defense/Goalie are good enough to compete with anyone
-Fogo/Wing play improved once they got rid of the coach; but needs to continue to improve
-Offense is too inconsistent; witness Friday against Princeton; plus a host of other games.
-Abbot appears to have no strategic thought behind who plays (Shipley and Schain play way too much; where was Scane, Dinola and Mulligan on Friday?)
-Big/talented class coming in next year with a now proven sophomore class of high-end contributors and freshman class that showed promise. Pair that with Rubin, Carroll, Blake, Arceri and Lavelle and you have the core of the team going forward.

Leo Hoffman coming in next year.
Top 5-10 incoming freshman probably isn’t much of an exaggeration. He looked pretty capable in the two games I viewed, midfielder which is what they need.

This just passed 5th year class got a quarterfinal and might have gone further except they had to play Yale. Last year’s team was better than this year’s but no way they had enough for a Final Four.

About par for Penn who gets into NCAAs, wins rarely, and has just the one Final Four under Seaman — this class actually won two NCAA games.
Next goal, get to another Final Four.

BC

10stone5 wrote: ↑Mon May 08, 2023 10:40 am Leo Hoffman coming in next year.
Top 5-10 incoming freshman probably isn’t much of an exaggeration. He looked pretty capable in the two games I viewed, midfielder which is what they need.

This just passed 5th year class got a quarterfinal and might have gone further except they had to play Yale. Last year’s team was better than this year’s but no way they had enough for a Final Four.

About par for Penn who gets into NCAAs, wins rarely, and has just the one Final Four under Seaman — this class actually won two NCAA games.
Next goal, get to another Final Four.

Next years success will depend on how well the young midfielders play and if they can find some sort of dodging threat at attack.

Attack:
Have some incredible finishers (Smith, Rubin, Walsh, DiNola), but lack a dodging threat. Maybe one of these guys develop into that or one of the fresh/sophs step into such a role.

Midfield:
Seems like they will return Shipley & Furey. Lots will matter on how Scane, Mullane and Mulligan continue to develop and how freshman Hoffman and Beachum (sp) play. Deeper group, but who will be the threat from M?

Defense:
Should remain super solid here. Not sure if Blake is returning, even so, they have a strong core here and Carroll in net is amongst the best.

Specialists:
Seemed to get better FO play as the year progressed, but hope that a freshman competes here. I am not sure about SSDMs. They seem to graduate their top guys.

Bluecollar wrote: ↑Mon May 08, 2023 12:11 pm

10stone5 wrote: ↑Mon May 08, 2023 10:40 am Leo Hoffman coming in next year.
Top 5-10 incoming freshman probably isn’t much of an exaggeration. He looked pretty capable in the two games I viewed, midfielder which is what they need.

This just passed 5th year class got a quarterfinal and might have gone further except they had to play Yale. Last year’s team was better than this year’s but no way they had enough for a Final Four.

About par for Penn who gets into NCAAs, wins rarely, and has just the one Final Four under Seaman — this class actually won two NCAA games.
Next goal, get to another Final Four.

Next years success will depend on how well the young midfielders play and if they can find some sort of dodging threat at attack.

Attack:
Have some incredible finishers (Smith, Rubin, Walsh, DiNola), but lack a dodging threat. Maybe one of these guys develop into that or one of the fresh/sophs step into such a role.

Midfield:
Seems like they will return Shipley & Furey. Lots will matter on how Scane, Mullane and Mulligan continue to develop and how freshman Hoffman and Beachum (sp) play. Deeper group, but who will be the threat from M?

Defense:
Should remain super solid here. Not sure if Blake is returning, even so, they have a strong core here and Carroll in net is amongst the best.

Specialists:
Seemed to get better FO play as the year progressed, but hope that a freshman competes here. I am not sure about SSDMs. They seem to graduate their top guys.

Good call on SSDM's. Tough to see an answer there w Bond gone. 51 I think is back, so that will help offset a little.

Grayson McClements coming in next year also… he’s tearing it up for nobles in the isl

Not sure if there’s a Penn 2024 thread? Good pickup for Penn from the portal of FOGO Mac Eldredge. Saw him play in HS and he was quite impressive.

IL also has Connel Kumar (transferred from Virginia, apparently took a gap year) returning to the the team for 24.