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I watched Lombardi play three times on TV at the end of last year against elite HS teams. 'Thought he was an offensive powerhouse.
From the several shifts he took yesterday...IMO...he's already more of an offensive threat than two of our starting middies.
I respect the loyalty Coach M extends to the upperclassmen, but I'd love to see him at least "spot" Lombardi a few times a game.

VeryRustyRed wrote: ↑Wed Mar 20, 2019 7:31 am I watched Lombardi play three times on TV at the end of last year against elite HS teams. 'Thought he was an offensive powerhouse.
From the several shifts he took yesterday...IMO...he's already more of an offensive threat than two of our starting middies.
I respect the loyalty Coach M extends to the upperclassmen, but I'd love to see him at least "spot" Lombardi a few times a game.

VRR,
Lombardi obviously is a talent, but the chemistry that the top 6 on offense (Teat, Piatelli, Pettersen, Donville, Fletcher, Mccolluch) have right now in my opinion is special. We definitely have not lost games due to our offense. Our offense is our best weapon and can score with anyone, and I believe is rated as the most efficient in the nation. I know we were #1 in shooting %.

Lombardi is the future, and I believe could actually be on attack. I think he is listed as a middie, but he has attack skills and I believe has played attack before.

To me, to even be having these types of discussions just shows that the depth and the future of this program is in great shape, and will probably continue to get even better. Its a great time to be a Cornell fan.

GOBIGRED
Joewillie78

joewillie78 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 20, 2019 9:34 am

VeryRustyRed wrote: ↑Wed Mar 20, 2019 7:31 am I watched Lombardi play three times on TV at the end of last year against elite HS teams. 'Thought he was an offensive powerhouse.
From the several shifts he took yesterday...IMO...he's already more of an offensive threat than two of our starting middies.
I respect the loyalty Coach M extends to the upperclassmen, but I'd love to see him at least "spot" Lombardi a few times a game.

VRR,
Lombardi obviously is a talent, but the chemistry that the top 6 on offense (Teat, Piatelli, Pettersen, Donville, Fletcher, Mccolluch) have right now in my opinion is special. We definitely have not lost games due to our offense. Our offense is our best weapon and can score with anyone, and I believe is rated as the most efficient in the nation. I know we were #1 in shooting %.

Lombardi is the future, and I believe could actually be on attack. I think he is listed as a middie, but he has attack skills and I believe has played attack before.

To me, to even be having these types of discussions just shows that the depth and the future of this program is in great shape, and will probably continue to get even better. Its a great time to be a Cornell fan.

GOBIGRED
Joewillie78

In connection with Lombardi: Attack is probably his best position, but he has played midfield, and even began as a faceoff mid. Our offense has been efficient, but most of our production has been by the attack, not midfields. Fletcher is our only midfielder who is a consistent threat to run by his defender and draw a slide. Telesco has also shown flashes and should get more touches. We are an excellent passing team, and when a defense starts rotating we are good at taking advantage. In addition, the more threats we have out there, the harder it is to focus on Teat. In my mind, VRR's fall back position-- spot Lombardi into the midfield rotation-- makes a lot of sense. The more threats, the better, particularly if the addition is in an area in relatively short supply-- a dodger who gets separation.

VeryRustyRed wrote: ↑Wed Mar 20, 2019 7:31 am I watched Lombardi play three times on TV at the end of last year against elite HS teams. 'Thought he was an offensive powerhouse.
From the several shifts he took yesterday...IMO...he's already more of an offensive threat than two of our starting middies.
I respect the loyalty Coach M extends to the upperclassmen, but I'd love to see him at least "spot" Lombardi a few times a game.

I thought Lombardi looked terrific and believe he can contribute right now if given an opportunity. Looking ahead, I think he is probably the most likely candidate to step in to Petterson's spot on attack next year.

Lombardi came to Cornell with a host of honors including the prestigious Attackman of the Year in NE West. Concur with the thinking the current groups success shouldn't be disturbed just to put the "muscle hamster" on the field. If the offensive needs a spark would like to see Lombardi used as an inverted middie , it would provide a change of pace that most teams haven't prepared for in their game plan.

He was the best offensive player I saw play in hight school. Better than Epstein IMO, but Lombardi's challenge was staying healthy. If he can stay on the field and fully assimilate with the upperclassmen on the field he will be a big plus going forward.

I think it’s key to make the investment in time on the field for key future leaders their freshman year (think Petterson, Teat, Petelli, Doria, Salvatore.....) this creates the reload for consistency year over year. This year Irelan, Lombardi, maybe Fields....

I think Lombardi getting in at midfield this year will pay dividends this year and bonuses next....

We have big shoes to fill with Petterson next year, best to build for this now while getting returns in current year. Good for Lombardi to get used to being on the field with JT51 so they begin to know each other’s instincts.

I think our chemistry is really with our attack unit, rotating Lombardi in with 1st and 2nd mids should not interrupt this chemistry IMO.

I honestly expected a step up from Lichardi this year, but so far it seems to be a step back, maybe there is opportunity to rotate Lombardi in here while at the same time create a fire for Lichardi, his play seems a little selfish so far this year.... or he’s just trying to do to much. Curious if others have similar observations.

I still have high expectations for Lichardi but not seeing it so far this year.

Nice thoughts on Lombardi. How did Coyle look? He's another guy who was the top threat on an elite high school team (Hill) last year. In preseason, and based entirely on high school accolades, I thought either one might have had a shot at the #3 attack spot. Obviously better to see Piatelli have a big second year jump instead, but as someone mentioned above it'd be smart to get the freshmen some touches on offense where possible to hasten their growth.

I watched a highly touted FOGO who's heading to you guys next year.Perhaps the cold weather or an injury slowed him down.He better get used to practicing and playing in Ithaca.

RedIvy wrote: ↑Wed Mar 20, 2019 1:23 pm I honestly expected a step up from Lichardi this year, but so far it seems to be a step back, maybe there is opportunity to rotate Lombardi in here while at the same time create a fire for Lichardi, his play seems a little selfish so far this year.... or he’s just trying to do to much. Curious if others have similar observations.

I still have high expectations for Lichardi but not seeing it so far this year.

I have the same thoughts watching these 1st 7 games, and thought he would've been more productive by now. But I still have faith that he's a terrific player and can be a valuable cog in the machine.

laxjuris wrote: ↑Wed Mar 20, 2019 5:09 pm

RedIvy wrote: ↑Wed Mar 20, 2019 1:23 pm I honestly expected a step up from Lichardi this year, but so far it seems to be a step back, maybe there is opportunity to rotate Lombardi in here while at the same time create a fire for Lichardi, his play seems a little selfish so far this year.... or he’s just trying to do to much. Curious if others have similar observations.

I still have high expectations for Lichardi but not seeing it so far this year.

I have the same thoughts watching these 1st 7 games, and thought he would've been more productive by now. But I still have faith that he's a terrific player and can be a valuable cog in the machine.

I am not the least worried about Liccardi. He has great skills and for him to be where he is on the depth chart just shows the depth of this team on offense. Its sometimes weird how these things play out, but sometimes its just how a player fits in with players and schemes. None of us saw the Piatelli maturation and now that dude is one of the most dynamic attackmen in the country. We knew he had skills, but WOW, look at him now. liccardi down the road will also show his skill set when he is with the right mix, and he finds his comfort zone like Piatelli.

Someone asked about Coyle and Chabot, and both looked very comfortable last night. Coyle you could tell believes he belongs playing D1 and has all the confidence in the world to be a big time contributor next year.

Our future, especially on offense is so incredible right now, that we have so many guys that would easily be starting on other D1 programs. We are also set at Goalie, and if Petrakis is the real deal, then fogo also. As I said before, its a great time to be a Cornell fan.

OK, now the BAD NEWS. The Weather looks dreadful for Saturday, and do people think this will help Cornell or help Penn? Both are used to the rotten weather so I think thats a wash. I know who actually it will affect the most and thats ME. I cant wait to wear Shorts, My Namath t-shirt, and have to slop on the PF50 to avoid melanoma. Instead its LONG JOHNS, Hand warmers and Spiked Hot Bevarages.

GOBIGRED
Joewillie78

I'd like to think that the weather favors Cornell. We have many more players from Canada and upstate New York. Penn does appear to have key defensive players who have seen cold weather (Reed Junkin among them). From reading this week's Alumni Update, it sounds like the Yale game was a cause of some significant introspection by the Big Red. Also, the St. B. game looked to be a productive confidence builder. Penn will be a worthy opponent, but I think that the Cornell will be prepared.

Had no idea there was a new LaxPower page - Thank God my nephew sent me the link!

My prediction: Cornell 15, Penn 11

LGR

Massey prediction: Cornell 13-11, 64% win probability:
https://www.masseyratings.com/game.php?gid=920996414

See also:
https://lacrossereference.com/game-win- ... _20190323/

And, Cornell game notes:
https://cornellbigred.com/news/2019/3/2 ... urday.aspx

From which I learned that Matt Licciardi's brother Joe plays for Penn.

I’m thinking (maybe hoping...) that we match up better at FO against Penn. I think Raz is a good FOGO but a step down from the elite we have faced so far and may do well against Penn at similar tier.

Having said that I don’t know a lot about Penn FOGO only that he transferred from Hofstra.

If we can get more touches on offense I like our chances but D needs to step up regardless what FO win percentage we have.

I think Lombardi gets a few runs with second mids in place of Lichardi, keep first line intact.

It could be another very tough day at X. Penn's Gallagher is winning over 60%, which is even more impressive because he's faced a good fogo in every game-- the worst winning % of any of his opponents being 56.3.

As for the Lombardi discussion, giving him some runs with the second unit makes sense to me. The coaches are already sprinkling in Wolf with that group, and at times both Licciardi and Ward have sat out shifts.

Clarke Petterson was added to the Tewaaraton Watch List.

Ketch wrote: ↑Tue Mar 19, 2019 8:55 pm I have not been a Big Red fan since the mid 1970s, but having watched a couple installments of The Season, I have nothing but admiration for the Cornell lacrosse program. Count me back on board as pulling for you.

This is nothing less than shocking.
You get one of those med mj scrips, Ketch?
That's some mighty big mellowing.

another fan wrote: ↑Thu Mar 21, 2019 2:05 pm It could be another very tough day at X. Penn's Gallagher is winning over 60%, which is even more impressive because he's faced a good fogo in every game-- the worst winning % of any of his opponents being 56.3.

As for the Lombardi discussion, giving him some runs with the second unit makes sense to me. The coaches are already sprinkling in Wolf with that group, and at times both Licciardi and Ward have sat out shifts.

I’m going to go out on a limb and say Raz is 50% or better at X this coming Saturday. When he went up against the mere above average FOGO’s last year he did well especially as the season went on. He only won a few last Saturday against TD however this was a few more than he won last year. I like his fight and think he is better than his stats season to date suggest.