LaxPower Back-Up Stick

9-9 at start of the fourth. I’m heading somewhere so I will only get digital updates. No more insight from me.

This goofy zone W&L is running (one short stick on the crease, one down low) is not working very well.

5-0 York run making it 13-9. York’s top midfield line is currently exposing whatever weaknesses W&L has.

Overall thoughts:

York - I want to see how W&L does the rest of the season, but this defense could be very, very good. Great on-ball play and well-timed, hard slides (with a few exceptions). They have some good outside shooters, and moved the ball very well to get them clean looks. Efficient man-up and at times good face offs will net them a few free goals per game. Lots of sloppiness on the clears--but that is almost expected for a season opener, and can be cleaned up easily. I had them higher than most in the forum poll, and am feeling pretty comfortable with that placement right about now.

W&L - Attack and GK units had good games that kept this one respectable. Great, hard rides created many of their opportunities. Desperately need more initiation from their midfielders: at some point, if the other team is only going to half-slide to you, you have to drive to the cage and get a shot off through contact. This game is really, really hard to win if you can't force a slide against a SSDM. I'm usually an advocate of the early-season zone wrinkle, but York's passing and outside shooting were picking it apart--I was surprised they kept coming out in it throughout the fourth quarter.