LaxPower Back-Up Stick

LIU Sharks have a website up:
https://www.liuathletics.com/index.aspx?path=mlax

Tim Rotanz is one of Coach Wolf's assistants.
No schedule posted yet. Although they are on Hofstra's schedule on 2/29.

Preview of LIU on LSN
https://www.ftfnext.com/videos/2020-pre ... division-i

Glad to see LIU move up to D1. I don't think it will take long for them to become competitive. They're starting out with a strong FR goalie in Nick Squicciarini from NYS champs Massapequa. Lots of other local talent on the roster. I wish the Sharks well.

Will be interesting to see how both LIU and Merrimack do their first year. LIU has a lot offensively coming back with kids that put up big numbers, but how big of a difference will it be now that they are going against D1 talent. I think pretty decent. But will be really interesting to see.

They will probably really struggle on Faceoffs. So will have to figure out ways to get possessions. Not real sure about the defense. My understanding is that they have 2 freshman goalies battling for the starting position. Both are pretty good.

2020 outlook of their record and players:

Goalie: Looks like the freshman Will Mark will get the start. From what I have seen, he looks really good. And he better, because I have a feeling he is going to be facing alot of shots this year.

faceoff. Not sure, have seen long pole and 2 FOGO's take faceoffs. This could be a struggle this year. With that said, they have done a little better than I thought they would.

Defense: Looks like soph Rivera, Junior Blume, and Junior Harrington I believe. SSDM looks like Senior Kadnor and Senior Kadnar. I have a feeling LIU is going to lose the time of possession game this year and this group might be on the field alot. They did a decent job this past Saturday, but if LIU can't get more possessions, this unit will be seeing a ton of action.

Midfield: Looked like Seniors Grassa and Russell got the start along with Junior Snelders. 2nd line was Senior Villari, Freshman Hennessey, and Sophmore Maleski. Freshman Woodland also came in on this line. Based on what I can see, Russell, Villari, Snelders, Hennessey, and Grassa look like their best 5. I say best 5, because non of them have separated themselves from each other. Snelders is interesting because he has always been an attackman. He has a very strong lefty shot. But he struggles dodging and getting separation as a midfielder. I like him better at the attack position. The other 3 seniors look decent. Grassa has a pretty good righty shot, Russell is a decent dodger, and the same with Villari. I haven't seen Hennessey alot out there, (he transferred mid year from Air Force) but when I have seen him, he looks like he is very explosive and the type that makes things happen with a very good lefty shot. Probably the most dangerous best overall midfielder they have. But is young and needs reps. Maleski and Woodland should battle for the 6th midfield spot. They both look serviceable, but don't see much from them in being able to create much offense.

Attack was the Freshman Lacalandra, Freshman Boll, and Sophmore Gillis. Well, it is safe to say that the freshman Lacalandra is very athletic with a very good lefty shot. very quick. He is definitely their best attackman. With that said, he needs to get better at shot selection and taking care of the ball. He will learn this though. Just a freshman and will continue to learn and get better. Boll looks decent. One of their few right handed attackman. They seem to have alot of lefties. Speaking of Lefty Attackman, the sophmore Gillis rounded out the trio. Gillis has not looked as good this year as last year but can be a good facilitator. Unfortunately it looked like he hurt his ankle on Saturday which put Snelders at attack for him. Hopefully for him it is not too serious.

If Gillis is out this Saturday I would start Lacalandra, Boll, and Snelders at attack. I am torn at Midfield as no one has really separated themselves. I would play all 4 alot. Russell, Vilari, Hennessey, and Grassa.

record prediction? I would put the over under on games won at 3.5. I think it might be a tough year record wise, but I also think they are going to be very competitive in most games. With that said, the future looks bright with a good freshman goalie in Mark, Freshman lacalandra and Boll at attack, and Freshman Hennessey at Midfield. Their defense is pretty young also with 2 sophmores and a junior playing important roles this year. Probably 3 and 11 or 4 and 10 this year. Looking forward watching them play and see how they look at the end of the year compared to the beginning as I am sure there will be some growing pains. But want to see the improvement during the year.

At the LIU vs Siena game. 8-4 Siena at half. Will Mark the freshman goalie has 12 saves and playing great. Otherwise Siena would be up 12-4. Defense struggling a bit. LIU attack boll and Lacalandra playing decent. Some freshman mistakes but 2 assists by Lacalandra and 2 goals by Boll is not a bad start for those two. Ssdm kadnor and number 8 playing well. No real offensive mid threat. Shocked That Hennessey is not out there. Need to have him out there on the midfield line like boll and Lacalandra on attack. Last note of first half. LIU fans(I’m assuming parents) are very angry at the refs. :-).

Final 14-12. Good effort in the second half for LIU. Much better defense and the stack unit played well. Goalie Will Mark has a good game. Too many turnovers though were their downfall. As they play better teams, they will need to find some help from their midfield.

OK, watched three games and pretty disappointed, but with some optimism.

yes, Faceoffs are not great, but not the main problem.

The games really have not been as close as the final score. Each opponent has gotten out to a very big lead, then they relax, have stupid penalties, and LIU gets back into the game. And mind you, this is against some not very good teams. Defense really struggled for the first time yesterday, but have a feeling when they play better teams, that is going to happen.

Offense. They need some midfielders that can dodge!! The Freshman Lacalandra is the only real dodging threat, and he should stay at attack. He just needs to get coached up on better shot selection, less turnovers, and don't try to always do everything himself. He is very exciting and can give some big plays, but still too many just bad shots and turnovers.

There are alot of big kids with a couple of them with good shots on offense, but almost no one can really create. Murphy can, but can tell he is not really an offensive mid. 21 is kind of all over the place, Snelders has a really good lefty shot and can seem to distribute when he isn't trying to do it all himself as well. Boll is just a crease player. No threat to the defense to dodge and not a great outside shot. Unfortunately for him, Gillis is kind of the same thing and maybe a little better. Grassa has a really good righty outside shot, but not a threat to dodge again. Russell is ok but doesn't do a whole lot. Is the big mid year transfer from Air Force Hennessey hurt? if not, why is he not out there. Saw him play in High School last year and he was very good. Someone like that would really help with the dodging and getting the defense moving around to open up some of these other guys to shoot. He also has a a good shot and can shoot on the run, so the defense will have to respect him at the same time.

There are times and signs that they can do well, but they need to not try and do it all themselves for the highlight reel and move the ball around. Get 1 or 2 more players out there that can threaten a defense dodging, and that will help open things up. Defensively need to close the gap on players. Way too much room for players to shoot at will.

Well, I think watching LIU is over for me for a while. Four games in and I thought I would have seen some improvement or different younger players playing. I would probably keep checking them out if they were playing a couple of their younger players that are pretty good to get them some experience and see if they get better through the season. Until then. Good luck on the rest of the season LIU.