LaxPower Back-Up Stick

Penn looks poised to have a very strong year in 2020. How does the incoming class look?

Lololol.

Speaking as an interested observer (Yale fan -- Penn took 2 out of 3 from them last year) -- Penn looks really strong. They will miss graduated A Simon Mathias but they have two out three starting attackmen returning, one of whom, Goldner, put up a ton of goals.

At the midfield, the outstanding Sam Handley, Ivy Rookie of the Year, is back and nothing suggests he'll be anything but great. Another fantastic frosh in 2019 was the LSM Farrare, a ground ball monster with the ability to score those morale-killing transition goals. They've got some really strong returners at close D, including Mark Evanchick who was one of the best last year, and the very good Kyle Thornton.

And for the specialists, Penn has Kyle Gallagher returning -- yeah, the "other" impact FOGO transfer last spring (and one who stymied Ierlan head-to-head).

I don't know much about Penn's incoming class but they have two potentially hugely impactful incoming players: (1) attackman Robert Schain -- saw him play a few times for Bullis in the DMV and he has real upside to offset Mathias's loss on attack; and (2) transfer goalie Patrick Burkinshaw, who was the #1 goalie prospect in 2018 and should make Quaker fans far less nervous about the prospect of replacing excellent graduated goalie Reed Junkin.

There don't seem to be any holes. Penn should have a strong chance to repeat as Ivy champs and could also make some noise in the NCAA tournament in 2020.

Few if any Penn posters in here, but Penn's schedule once again deserves a hats off. Heavily front loaded with a Maryland-Duke-Penn State sendoff followed by Villanova-St. Joe's-Princeton-Cornell-Yale. Having one of the toughest slates in the country appears to be the way coach Murphy seems to like it, and certainly should get what looks like a powerhouse team well seasoned come May.

Watched freshman Robert Schain play several times last season as a high schooler and the kid's good. Another incoming talent is Macgregor Peterson but I don't know much about him.

Time to do or do not.

Hope they fare better at UMd than two years ago. Face offs should fall their way. We’ll see
how the offense looks after the loss of Mathias et al.

Keep your eyes on the seismographs...l

It’s going to be interesting to find out the starting lineup. There has been so little posted

Handley is out for several weeks, maybe more. Spleen injury.

Matnum PI wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2020 3:46 pm Handley is out for several weeks, maybe more. Spleen injury.

I just hate to see players go down with an injury.... Get well soon.

Matnum PI wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2020 3:46 pm Handley is out for several weeks, maybe more. Spleen injury.

Did not see that, just awful...great player

Matnum PI wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2020 3:46 pm Handley is out for several weeks, maybe more. Spleen injury.

Might explain why he wasn't on the field as much in the 4th quarter of the Maryland game. Even when he was, he wasn't initiating. He's a really good player. Hope to see him back on the field. Bummer for Penn with their game this week against Duke. Handley is THE difference maker on that team. Just so hard to guard.

Matnum PI wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2020 3:46 pm Handley is out for several weeks, maybe more. Spleen injury.

Well, that explains the fourth quarter.

"One man falls, another takes his place."

Bad news about Handley, really tough to lose one of your top players, but it wouldn't surprise me to see the Quakers step it up tomorrow without him. They were a high character team last year, and will need to show that same level of resolve given the nature of this new curveball tossed their way.

Sorry to hear about a great player like Handley. This PENN team always finds ways and I am sure next man up will be ready. Good luck to Penn this weekend and heres wishing a quick recovery to Sam. A great player and a great Kid.

GOBIGRED
Joewillie78

calourie wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2020 8:19 pm Bad news about Handley, really tough to lose one of your top players, but it wouldn't surprise me to see the Quakers step it up tomorrow without him. They were a high character team last year, and will need to show that same level of resolve given the nature of this new curveball tossed their way.

If Gallagher can dominate the X, they'll still put up points. Lulley was really good last weekend. So good that Goldner was pretty quiet. Bartolo will have to step up on the first line of midfield.

Penn might want to play DeMarco. Burkinshaw’s stats don’t look good.

Can't see the game, but the shot selection seems pretty bad. 34 shots, 17 on goal.

Too many turnovers after faceoff wins.

Uuuuuugggggllllyyyy.

Who knew that turnover festivals were a big Spring thing in NC?

Well done Quakers. Great job overcoming adversity. Lulley appears to have stepped up big time.