Re: Yale 2024
Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2023 7:31 pm
I bet there will be an additional game added on or about February 24. I don't think Yale has ever left an in-season weekend open on the final schedule. I agree with you Orfling on UMass.
Happy New Year to you and your loved ones, Orfling, and the same to all others reading this.The Orfling wrote: ↑Fri Jan 05, 2024 9:48 am Yale is ranked #10 in USA Lacrosse Magazine’s preseason rankings — that feels about right to me with what we know going into the 2024 season: https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/college/ ... son-top-20
Within the Ivies, Cornell (#7) is ranked ahead of Yale in this top 20 list and Yale is ranked ahead of Princeton (#14) and Penn (#17). Counting the three Ivy opponents, Yale’s schedule include 1 pre-season top 5 team; 1 pre-season 5-10 team; 2 pre-season 11-15 teams; and 2 pre-season 16-20 teams. If the teams play “to form” and Yale can get some key Ws, the schedule (although clearly not as tough as some other Ivy schedules) looks good enough to offer a path to the NCAAs (even potentially without making the ILT finals).
1. Notre Dame
2. Duke
3. Virginia
4. Penn State
5. Maryland
6. Johns Hopkins
7. Cornell
8. Army
9. Syracuse
10. Yale
11. Denver
12. Georgetown
13. Michigan
14. Princeton
15. Rutgers
16. Delaware
17. Penn
18. Boston U
19. North Carolina
20. Richmond
Yes, it is terrible luck for Sharp. I hope he recovers fully. If there's a silver lining here, it's that the team knows ahead of time about his absence and can plan/prepare around it.The Orfling wrote: ↑Tue Jan 09, 2024 4:17 pmGeez, terrible luck for Sharp — very sorry to hear it. I hope his rehab goes well.
As a fan and Yale alum, I'm a bit embarrassed to say I don't know the answer to this for sure, although I believe based on photos of early season practices every year there is not an indoor field facility and they play outside on the Reese Stadium turf. When I was at Yale (1980s) we had indoor lacrosse practices in a facility called Coxe Cage, but that was re-done in the early 2000s to make it a better indoor track venue and I think it no longer works for indoor sports practices for lacrosse. We mostly had to practice indoors in February because Yale did not have turf fields and we would have torn up the grass fields irretrievably; Yale added a half-field of turf (absurd now, it seems, to have such a literal half-measure) while I was there and we used that also.
Thanks for flagging the roster going up, Fann. Really looking forward to seeing these guys get back into action! Always fun to enjoy seeing the talent shown by the first-years and by returners who didn't see the field a lot in the prior season.FannOLax wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2024 5:23 pmYes, it is terrible luck for Sharp. I hope he recovers fully. If there's a silver lining here, it's that the team knows ahead of time about his absence and can plan/prepare around it.The Orfling wrote: ↑Tue Jan 09, 2024 4:17 pmGeez, terrible luck for Sharp — very sorry to hear it. I hope his rehab goes well.
The 2024 roster is up. https://yalebulldogs.com/sports/mens-la ... oster/2024
Looks like the #3 who impressed the heck out of me in fall ball, both at O middie and pure attack, was indeed Moynihan. I really like the way the first-years showed in fall ball, as well as some of the sophs who saw little playing time their first year.
Thanks for getting back to me. I didn't find anything on the school website indicating an indoor facility. Maybe Messrs. Tsai and Reese could lead a fundraiser for one?The Orfling wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2024 7:07 pmAs a fan and Yale alum, I'm a bit embarrassed to say I don't know the answer to this for sure, although I believe based on photos of early season practices every year there is not an indoor field facility and they play outside on the Reese Stadium turf. When I was at Yale (1980s) we had indoor lacrosse practices in a facility called Coxe Cage, but that was re-done in the early 2000s to make it a better indoor track venue and I think it no longer works for indoor sports practices for lacrosse. We mostly had to practice indoors in February because Yale did not have turf fields and we would have torn up the grass fields irretrievably; Yale added a half-field of turf (absurd now, it seems, to have such a literal half-measure) while I was there and we used that also.
Unlike Hanover NH, and even Cambridge MA, the New Haven weather is generally mild enough I think to allow for outdoor practices on the turf. The new Tsai field house has an amazing weight room but not an indoor field space so far as I know?
But others who get to campus more frequently than I or with kids who've played recently would know for sure.
The new Tsai building is on the small side, mainly for weight training and related and you'd be, um, hard-pressed to add even a ping-pong table in there, let alone having room for lacrosse. The mention of Coxe Cage reminded me that Coxe was bumped out a bit for new restrooms, meaning that lacrosse and soccer spectators no longer have to leave Reese to use the facilities; definite progress.The Orfling wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2024 7:07 pmAs a fan and Yale alum, I'm a bit embarrassed to say I don't know the answer to this for sure, although I believe based on photos of early season practices every year there is not an indoor field facility and they play outside on the Reese Stadium turf. When I was at Yale (1980s) we had indoor lacrosse practices in a facility called Coxe Cage, but that was re-done in the early 2000s to make it a better indoor track venue and I think it no longer works for indoor sports practices for lacrosse. We mostly had to practice indoors in February because Yale did not have turf fields and we would have torn up the grass fields irretrievably; Yale added a half-field of turf (absurd now, it seems, to have such a literal half-measure) while I was there and we used that also.
Unlike Hanover NH, and even Cambridge MA, the New Haven weather is generally mild enough I think to allow for outdoor practices on the turf. The new Tsai field house has an amazing weight room but not an indoor field space so far as I know?
But others who get to campus more frequently than I or with kids who've played recently would know for sure.
I agree with your analysis, Fann. I also think Leo Johnson will be his usual outstanding self -- it's probably tough to put three guys from the same unit up but all three (Brandau/Lyons/Johnson) are just terrific. I'll be interested to see how the midfield comes along (even with the big loss of Brad Sharp) -- will we see a "Special K" line of Krevsky, Keib, and Kuhl, all of whom looked good last year? Also looking forward to seeing the regular season debut of Cole Cashion (seemed like he and Moynihan made the most noise in fall-ball for the first-years?)FannOLax wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 6:20 pm
Regarding pre-season All Americans, https://yalebulldogs.com/news/2024/1/17 ... onors.aspx Brandau at 2nd team attack and Hackler as 3rd team SSDM seem about right. i think LSM Stuzin has the potential to be up there on the number teams rather than the pre-season HM; I think it's a matter of consistency, playing at or near his best every game. Lyons as HM attack, well, I'd think of that as motivational bulletin-board material given what we've already seen him do.
Special K line could work, although Bragg and Soelberg have to be considered. Bragg and Sheehan on EMO together with the terrific trio starting attack could be a fearsome unit. Moynihan should see considerable playing time somewhere. Honestly, without any sort of up-dated roster for fall ball, I don't have distinct memories of Cashion as opposed to most other first-years. Monfort, Hackler and Christian Johnson can all be outstanding SSDMs, and with Stuzin at LSM, supplemented by Garchitorena and Miklaszewski; but rest of the defense, oh the defense... would love to see FOGO improve, get consistently to 60%-plus; I suppose it's easy to wish.The Orfling wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 11:26 pmI agree with your analysis, Fann. I also think Leo Johnson will be his usual outstanding self -- it's probably tough to put three guys from the same unit up but all three (Brandau/Lyons/Johnson) are just terrific. I'll be interested to see how the midfield comes along (even with the big loss of Brad Sharp) -- will we see a "Special K" line of Krevsky, Keib, and Kuhl, all of whom looked good last year? Also looking forward to seeing the regular season debut of Cole Cashion (seemed like he and Moynihan made the most noise in fall-ball for the first-years?)FannOLax wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 6:20 pm
Regarding pre-season All Americans, https://yalebulldogs.com/news/2024/1/17 ... onors.aspx Brandau at 2nd team attack and Hackler as 3rd team SSDM seem about right. i think LSM Stuzin has the potential to be up there on the number teams rather than the pre-season HM; I think it's a matter of consistency, playing at or near his best every game. Lyons as HM attack, well, I'd think of that as motivational bulletin-board material given what we've already seen him do.
Yes, I was being a little goofy with the "Special K" nickname -- I agree that Bragg and Soelberg will be major contributors in a midfield rotation, and I assume there will still be some 2-way middle work by Hackler and Monfort on occasion? Theoretically, Yale should have solid personnel on defense -- in addition to Monfort/Hackler/C. Johnson and Stuzin and his multi-syllabic friends, Mikey Alexander and Bryce DeMuth both offer a lot of experience at close defense and Jake Cohen has another year under his belt after last year's transition from LSM to close D. There may also be some under-the-radar first and second year players who work themselves into the defensive rotation. However, I don't know if personnel is everything? It still seemed like there were some systemic breakdowns last year so I am crossing fingers for a defense with a consistent identity. I know a lot of goals get scored when you play at the pace Yale has played at these past couple of years, but pace of play hasn't been the whole story.FannOLax wrote: ↑Fri Jan 19, 2024 6:30 amSpecial K line could work, although Bragg and Soelberg have to be considered. Bragg and Sheehan on EMO together with the terrific trio starting attack could be a fearsome unit. Moynihan should see considerable playing time somewhere. Honestly, without any sort of up-dated roster for fall ball, I don't have distinct memories of Cashion as opposed to most other first-years. Monfort, Hackler and Christian Johnson can all be outstanding SSDMs, and with Stuzin at LSM, supplemented by Garchitorena and Miklaszewski; but rest of the defense, oh the defense... would love to see FOGO improve, get consistently to 60%-plus; I suppose it's easy to wish.The Orfling wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 11:26 pmI agree with your analysis, Fann. I also think Leo Johnson will be his usual outstanding self -- it's probably tough to put three guys from the same unit up but all three (Brandau/Lyons/Johnson) are just terrific. I'll be interested to see how the midfield comes along (even with the big loss of Brad Sharp) -- will we see a "Special K" line of Krevsky, Keib, and Kuhl, all of whom looked good last year? Also looking forward to seeing the regular season debut of Cole Cashion (seemed like he and Moynihan made the most noise in fall-ball for the first-years?)FannOLax wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 6:20 pm
Regarding pre-season All Americans, https://yalebulldogs.com/news/2024/1/17 ... onors.aspx Brandau at 2nd team attack and Hackler as 3rd team SSDM seem about right. i think LSM Stuzin has the potential to be up there on the number teams rather than the pre-season HM; I think it's a matter of consistency, playing at or near his best every game. Lyons as HM attack, well, I'd think of that as motivational bulletin-board material given what we've already seen him do.
Unless you are treating depression with it (and even if you are this clip might help), this is the best and only special K ever needed in life.The Orfling wrote: ↑Sat Jan 20, 2024 9:29 pmYes, I was being a little goofy with the "Special K" nickname -- I agree that Bragg and Soelberg will be major contributors in a midfield rotation, and I assume there will still be some 2-way middle work by Hackler and Monfort on occasion? Theoretically, Yale should have solid personnel on defense -- in addition to Monfort/Hackler/C. Johnson and Stuzin and his multi-syllabic friends, Mikey Alexander and Bryce DeMuth both offer a lot of experience at close defense and Jake Cohen has another year under his belt after last year's transition from LSM to close D. There may also be some under-the-radar first and second year players who work themselves into the defensive rotation. However, I don't know if personnel is everything? It still seemed like there were some systemic breakdowns last year so I am crossing fingers for a defense with a consistent identity. I know a lot of goals get scored when you play at the pace Yale has played at these past couple of years, but pace of play hasn't been the whole story.FannOLax wrote: ↑Fri Jan 19, 2024 6:30 amSpecial K line could work, although Bragg and Soelberg have to be considered. Bragg and Sheehan on EMO together with the terrific trio starting attack could be a fearsome unit. Moynihan should see considerable playing time somewhere. Honestly, without any sort of up-dated roster for fall ball, I don't have distinct memories of Cashion as opposed to most other first-years. Monfort, Hackler and Christian Johnson can all be outstanding SSDMs, and with Stuzin at LSM, supplemented by Garchitorena and Miklaszewski; but rest of the defense, oh the defense... would love to see FOGO improve, get consistently to 60%-plus; I suppose it's easy to wish.The Orfling wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 11:26 pmI agree with your analysis, Fann. I also think Leo Johnson will be his usual outstanding self -- it's probably tough to put three guys from the same unit up but all three (Brandau/Lyons/Johnson) are just terrific. I'll be interested to see how the midfield comes along (even with the big loss of Brad Sharp) -- will we see a "Special K" line of Krevsky, Keib, and Kuhl, all of whom looked good last year? Also looking forward to seeing the regular season debut of Cole Cashion (seemed like he and Moynihan made the most noise in fall-ball for the first-years?)FannOLax wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 6:20 pm
Regarding pre-season All Americans, https://yalebulldogs.com/news/2024/1/17 ... onors.aspx Brandau at 2nd team attack and Hackler as 3rd team SSDM seem about right. i think LSM Stuzin has the potential to be up there on the number teams rather than the pre-season HM; I think it's a matter of consistency, playing at or near his best every game. Lyons as HM attack, well, I'd think of that as motivational bulletin-board material given what we've already seen him do.
Like you, Fann, I've got some optimism about the FOGO position -- Ramsey and Rodriguez still have some upside potential, I think, and it will be interesting to see if Annunziato can work his way into the line-up (maybe a bit like Ball did two years ago towards the end of the season).
Kind of stating the obvious but I'm definitely looking forward to the start of the season.
Yes, Aidan Hynes, who started as a first-year in 2017, got injured in the 2018 pre-season and saw limited PT on man-down defense, started throughout 2019, then lost his senior season to Covid and didn't play anywhere else as a grad transfer.The Orfling wrote: ↑Mon Jan 22, 2024 8:00 pm FarfromGeneva, that's a great clip. Forgot about that movie -- very funny!
USA Lacrosse Magazine is out with its write-up of Yale, its pre-season #10 pick, and it is pretty fair assessment, I think: https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/college/ ... 0-yale-men
A couple of things struck me as interesting/significant:....
- The article asserts that first-year D Roman Buono will see some time -- as Fann and I like to remember fondly, not just Chris Fake but Aidan Hynes were both influential first-year additions at close D back in the day -- maybe Buono joins that list?
Let's go Elis!
That's always great to hear. Whenever I've met Shay era players I've been impressed, and that 2018 team was pretty special even for a program with an outstanding culture.