PSU WLAX Update

[Tom McAndrew]

I don't think I've posted about PSU WLAX since their loss against Ohio State.

Following that game, PSU hosted Cornell in a mid-week game. PSU was ahead of Cornell in the weekly poll, and in Lax Power's computer rankings. Alas, PSU lost to Cornell, 7-10. Cornell was ahead at the half, 5-6. PSU caused a number of turnovers in the 2nd half, particularly late in the game, but they could not convert their chances, and got outscored in the 2nd half, 2-4. It was the first time PSU has lost back-to-back games since the end of the 2014 season. And, it also was the first time all year that I was concerned about this team. They've shown signs of brilliance, and they've also played halves and even entire games where either their D or their O were out-of-synch.

The next game on the schedule was Michigan, at Michigan. It was the 1st time that PSU had played Michigan in WLAX @ Michigan. Michigan is an interesting story. Several years ago, Florida started a WLAX program. As they were starting from scratch, and didn't have a full roster of scholarship to balance, they hit the WLAX hotbeds and reeled in a lot of top talent, in part because they could offer more $$. This approach worked, as Florida went from not having a team to winning the NCAAs a few years later. When Michigan started their program a few years ago, they took a look at what Florida did, and hired the top assistant coach from Florida's staff. She proceeded to repeat the same approach -- hit the youth/high school hotbeds of WLAX, and offer more money than other programs could. For whatever reason(s), Michigan has not duplicated Florida's success.

Anyway, PSU got their attack and their D back on track @ Michigan. They were up 10-4 at the half, and won the game 13-8. PSU went on a 7-0 run over a 17-minute stretch of the 1st half. PSU was actually trailing 1-2 before that run. PSU's D was dominate against Michigan, forcing 25 Michigan turnovers, and limiting Michigan to just 11-of-19 clears. The win maintained PSU's unbeaten record against Michigan (they are 3-0 against them). It also moved PSU into a 3-way tie for 2nd place in the B1G (with Northwestern at tOSU).

This past Saturday, PSU faced off against Northwestern. NW was ranked higher than PSU in the weekly poll (#12 vs. #14 for PSU), and also ranked higher than them in the Lax Power computer rankings. It was also Senior Day at PSU. As you might expect in a game between 2 elite teams, this was a back-and-forth battle. The game was tied 7-7 at halftime. Until the end of the game, neither team had a lead of more than 2 goals. PSU may have played their most disciplined game of the season, as they had a 20-11 advantage in draw controls, and only committed 9 turnovers the entire game (and only 2 in the 2nd half). PSU scored the last 5 goals of the game, and defeated NW 17-13. This is the 3rd straight year that PSU defeated NW. Prior to their recent run, PSU had lost the previous 18 straight games against NW.

Madison Cyr won National Player of the Week honors from Lacrosse Mag, and Madison Carter was named Big Ten freshman of the week.

So where does this leave things?

PSU now has sole possession of 2nd place in the B1G. They host 1st place Maryland on Thursday (7 pm, televised on the BTN), in their final game of the regular season. If PSU wins, they will be regular season B1G co-champs. Maryland is undefeated this year, and has looked terrific every time I've watched them play. PSU will be the underdog, but this should be a real battle.

If PSU defeats MD, or NW defeats tOSU, then PSU will be the #2 seed in the B1G tourney, and as such get a bye into the semis. If PSU loses to MD AND Ohio State defeats NW, then PSU will be the #3 seed in the B1G tourney.

 

[Colorado Man]

Thanks Tom. It is always good to hear how PSU's non-revenue teams are doing. I am disappointed in the Men's VB team not making the Final Four, especially with the tournament being at PSU.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Alas, I have to attend another LAX game on Thursday night, and as such can't provide any commentary during the PSU - MD game. Here's hoping that one or more of you will be able to post updates or comments about the game.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Tom, were you at the NW game? I heard that it was a foul-fest. NW had 53 fouls and 2 players yellowed out?

Ned, I wasn't at the game -- I was getting texts from somebody that was. It was a foul-fest. PSU was whistled for 27 fouls, while NW was whistled for 58. As for yellowing out, I believe that only 1 player reached that level, NW's Selena Lasota. She was whistled for 13 fouls, and issued two separate yellows in the 2nd half -- the 2nd one with 5:23 left. NW was issued 4 yellows -- the 2 aforementioned to Lasota, and then 1 to Spring Sanders with 2:52 left, and 1 to Lauren Murray with 1:35 left.

FWIW, the reason that Mich hasn't duplicated Florida is that potential recruits are cautious. Something isn't right at UM. Jen has burned through 4-6 assistant coaches in 3 yrs. what's up with that?

Breaks your heart, doesn't it. Jen isn't the most beloved coach in the college community.

 

[hlstone]

Hi Tom, Hi Ned,

Tom, my kid had a great time at the girls field hockey game. Thank you for introducing us to the staff. I think my kid has a crush on the goalie coach

Ned, I hope your family member is enjoying lax this year. Is it the first year of college, or last of High School?

Update on my kids season. She is undefeated in goal so far this year in 5/6 grade Lax, we have not played anyone that good yet. Her 7/8 grade team she plays defense and has been drawing charges like a seasoned basketball player. I tell her to stop it, but she tells me she can't play any other way.

For Field hockey, she was invited to play goal for her local high school team at a tourney at PSU last Saturday. She had prior obligations to her club hockey team, so she was unable to do it.

Best wishes to you and your families, and keep me updated on all the fun Lax news.

 

[hlstone]

I have heard of McD, I even know why they are called the U, thanks to LaxPower forums. Best of luck to your team on Saturday! Please give us a brief recap if you can.

Our high school team is ranked #877 in the nation. By the time my kid is a JR they will crack the top #500

 

[RLCookie]

I have concerns with the direction the women's game is headed.

I couldn't agree more. I am an official working at the college level but not D1. Many of the recent changes are moving us in the direction of the boys game. We've basically eliminated 3 seconds as a call and catching shooting space before the shot is getting harder and harder. Next year we introduce the shot clock at D1. The game is certainly changing.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Lasota's shot is scary. I know that's the sexy trend in Wlax but at 90-100mph, someone is going to get seriously injured. I saw her hit two UMD women. Too many high velocity shots coming from outside the 8 combined with defenses packing the 8 these days, someone's going to get hurt. This isn't men's game.

I have concerns with the direction the women's game is headed.

Lasota does have a surprisingly strong shot. I would not want to be playing D and get nailed by her shot.

As for the direction of the game, US Lacrosse seems to share your concerns. Their instructions to the refs this year really indicated that they felt the game was getting too physical, and things were headed in the wrong direction. That said, I don't know that the rule changes, or the directives on enforcement, have made that much of a difference. Early in the season, perhaps, but things seem to be slipping as the season grinds forward.

FWIW, shooting space did not use to be a rule in WLAX. I've actually met the lady who many claim caused the rule to be created (because she shot so hard, and so accurately - the rule was more a protection of the defenders).

Many of the recent changes are moving us in the direction of the boys game. We've basically eliminated 3 seconds as a call and catching shooting space before the shot is getting harder and harder. Next year we introduce the shot clock at D1. The game is certainly changing.

The game is changing, but I see that as a positive. FWIW, I don't see the WLAX game becoming more like the MLAX game. The shot clock is only going to be added in college, and I think it's a good move. Team's that have 3 goal or more leads and start playing keep away with 7-8 minutes to go kind of forced this. It's boring as hell to watch from a fan's perspective. From a ref's perspective, it's a hassle as it frequently caused a lot of fouls AND many of them were way out in the corners. I liken it to the old 4 corners offense in BB, where the team with the lead, or with the weaker team, would take the air out of the ball to try to milk their lead, or to neutralize the other team's skill advantage.

As for 3 seconds, it's still a call, but it's not something you call to blow up the play. In that regard, I like how it is now enforced.

I do agree with you on shooting space. While blatant calls are pretty easy, at the D1 level the girls are always flirting on the edge between good D and shooting space. Back to Ned's point, I do worry about the boundary between shooting space and good D, especially when looking at the speed of shots from shooters like Lasota.

On another note, do you know who the "LaxVigilante" is? Twitter. I think the person is out of SE PA.

I only venture on to Twitter to look up scores. I don't know who LaxVigilante is.

Tom, my kid had a great time at the girls field hockey game. Thank you for introducing us to the staff. I think my kid has a crush on the goalie coach

Happy to be of assistance. I look forward to reading about your daughter's sports adventures over the coming years.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

I was at the W&M v Towson game last Friday. Towson had 5, 3-second calls in the first half alone. There is no drawback to packing the 8. That is why Lasota let's it fly. You can see, she gets frustrated and launches it...lord help you if your in the way. I watched an Agnes Irwin girl drill one of our girls right between the eyes from a shot outside the 8 and our kid wasn't even in the 8. Our kid was out for the game...the AI kid, out for 3 min.

3 minutes? Really? In high school that should be a dangerous propel, with a mandatory card. The only question the ref has is whether the card issued is yellow or red. The yellow would be enforced for 2 minutes, and the red would be enforced for 4 minutes.

BTW, when did your daughter's team play AI? Was that in a preseason playday, or something like that? I don't see your daughter's team on AI's scheduled this year.

 

[hlstone]

I have been meaning to read up on dangerous propel. Thanks for reminding me gang.

Edit: Good thing I was reading up on the rules. This year it is illegal for a goalie to shoot/score. Last year my kid did that and boy o' boy was the other coach pissed. It was my first game ever coaching, lesson learned.

 

[hlstone]

i meant to quote Ned and pasted this instead, anyway fitting enough, my kid with me coaching in the background

 

[hlstone]

Sorry, my bad....2 min...yellow. You are correct.

Yes, it was a preseason scrimmage in Delaware. You may have heard what happened. Our coach pulled our girls just before the end of the 1st half. It was a scrimmage, and it was a very physical game. Too physical. Neither team had anything to gain. If the game continued someone would have been injured.

It was an ugly and unfortunate situation. I've seen hundreds of women's games at all levels and that was a first. I will leave it at that.

Ned we had a game like that last week. The other team was slashing a lot, at halftime I asked the ump. about it, his response was, I would have to call a foul every 10 seconds. Luckily we escaped with only a couple of bloody fingers.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Yes, it was a preseason scrimmage in Delaware. You may have heard what happened. Our coach pulled our girls just before the end of the 1st half. It was a scrimmage, and it was a very physical game. Too physical. Neither team had anything to gain. If the game continued someone else would have been injured.

That was you guys? I did hear about the incident, but never was told the teams.

If you knew the history of AI's coach, it would explain a lot. She's very involved in WLAX in SE PA, but she's also had to resign positions (you can resign, or you can be fired; your choice) that most coaches would never leave, due to her offseason practices, and other assorted issues. I really don't want to go into any more in a public forum, and in her defense she does a lot for the sport -- I just don't agree with her approach.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Good thing I was reading up on the rules. This year it is illegal for a goalie to shoot/score. Last year my kid did that and boy o' boy was the other coach pissed. It was my first game ever coaching, lesson learned.

Yes, ALWAYS read the rule changes at the beginning of each season.

As you noted, there were some rule changes with the goalie, including shooting and scoring, as well as position on the field during the draw.

Your daughter scored, while playing keep, in your 1st game as a coach? That's classic.

 

[hlstone]

Yes, ALWAYS read the rule changes at the beginning of each season.

As you noted, there were some rule changes with the goalie, including shooting and scoring, as well as position on the field during the draw.

Your daughter scored, while playing keep, in your 1st game as a coach? That's classic.

I was the assistant last year. The head coach could not make the game late in the season. At halftime of the game the girls asked if Faye was allowed to score. I said if she wants. The girls goaded her into trying and she did with about 2 mins left in the game. She went glove side from just inside the 12. The girls freaked out and mobbed her, while the opposing coach flipped out on me. He didn't think it was nearly as fun as we did.

 

[hlstone]

At the half
Md 6 Psu 5

 

[Tom McAndrew]

so I get to watch the 2nd half of the PSU - MD match on BTN. Appears that MD is 5-6 at the half.

I got a call from someone that's at the game -- said it's pouring rain; type of game that would not have been played were it not for turf.

MD had 12 shots, and 9 shots on goal, and Emi Smith (PSU's goalie) only made 3 saves in the 1st half.

PSU had 14 shots, and 7 shots on goal in the 1st half.

Go PSU Lady LAXers!

 

[Tom McAndrew]

MD scores a minute into the 2nd half. Nice play by Taylor Cummings on the assist, so it's 5-7.

PSU won the subsequent draw. They had 2 shots on goal, but didn't score, and MD's goalie with the save so the ball is going the other way.

Look as though PSU's Ally Heavens gets a yellow due to stick contact in the head against MD's Cummings. PSU's Emi Smith with the save, so PSU with the ball, even though they're down 1 player due to the yellow on Heavens. Looks like PSU is going to slow things down, and wait to be back at even strength. Once they are back to even strength, PSU goes on the attack. Free position for PSU due to a foul in the arc by MD. PSU misses the shot off the free position, but maintains possession. ANd then a nice feed to Katie O'Donnel, and she scores from point blank, to make it 6-7. 22:52 left.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

MD wins the draw.

Emi Smith with the save, and PSU gets possession. O'Donnell's shot is wide, but PSU maintains possession. Then PSU with a turnover in their offensive end, but MD turns it over at midfield. PSU with another shot on goal, but it's wide, and MD gains possession.

Foul by PSU in their defensive arc, so MD gets a free position, but they miss on their shot. MD maintains possession. They hit the post on their shot, and PSU gains possession.

PSU calls TO with 17:42 left.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

And PSU scores quickly off the TO (Kelly Daggett), to tie it up, 7-7, with 17:25 left.

PSU wins the draw, but then turns it over while trying to set up a shot (nice defensive play by MD).

Emi Smith with a great save, and then another great save and PSU gains possession.

Then a great save by the MD goalie on a shot by Madison Cyr, and MD with possession.

14:20 to play, and MD working their offense. Defensive foul by PSU in the arc, so MD with a free position. They don't get a shot off the free position, then MD turns it over. Looked like a trip by MD, but the refs didn't call it, so a turnover by PSU. Damn.

This really is a great game. Defensive foul by PSU, so another free position for MD. No shot onthe free position. MD hits the post on a shot, and PSU with the possession. Then a TO by MD, I believe, with 12:01.

Still tied 7-7, in just a great battle. MD has been basically blowing out everyone they play this year, so this is a great effort by PSU.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

PSU nearly turns it over in their offensive zone, but they regain the ball. O'Donnell with a shot but it's wide. PSU maintains possession. Madison Cyr with a great, low shot for the score, and PSU takes the lead, 8-7, with 10:27 left!!!!!! Only the 2nd time MD has trailed in the 2nd half of a game this year.

Once again, Taylor Cumiings wins the draw. She runs down and shoots, but Emi Smith with the save, and PSU has possession. Steph Lazlo loses the ball while going to goal, but PSU gets the ground ball. Now PSU spreads out their O. After 30 sec or so, they go back on the attack. Shot by O'Donnell, but a save by the MD goalie. Then PSU gets a yellow card for hitting the goalie in the head with their stick, so PSU is down a player for 2 minutes.

PSU nearly gets a turnover, but MD gets the ball. Stoppage, and PSU is offsides. Then a 3 second call against PSU. MD gets a great feed from Cummings, and ties it up, 8-8, with 6:45 left

 

[Yboby]

This is like groundhog day all over again.

Every PSU LAX game I've seen this month has been a one point loss for PSU (men and women).

 

[Tom McAndrew]

PSU wins the draw! Then PSU turns it over on a poor play by Steph Lazo. Ugh

MD moves the ball down to their offensive zone, and is being patient setting up for a shot. Cummings is so darn good. PSU playing very tight D. Clock down to 4:20. Then MD with a shot and score to go ahead 8-9, with 4:06 left. PSu defender got somewhat tripped up by the cage, while behind the goal.

And once again, Taylor Cummings wins the draw (foul on PSU fighting for the ball). MD spreads out their O, and can play keep away. Then they go in and score to go up 8-10, with 3:07 left. I'm kind of surprised that MD took the shot there. The PSU defender got her hips turned on a 1-on-1 isolation.

Must be a TO. Not sure who called it.

PSU needs to win the draw -- tall task with Cummings taking it for MD. And PSU does win the draw. MD playing tiht D, and PSU having a tough time getting into their O. 2:30 left. Foul by MD in the arc, so Katie Smucker with the free position. Madison Carter receives a pass and shoots high, but PSU maintains possession. And another foul by MD and a free position for Steph Lazlo. And she shoots and scores, to make it 9-10, with 1:34 left.

Another huge draw for PSU. And Cummings wins the draw for MD. She is so damn fast with the stick. MD playing keep away. 1 minute left. Foul on PSU with 17 sec left. Nearly a charge, but it's called a foul by PSU with 11 sec left. And MD runs out the clock, and wins 9-10. They are the B1G champs.

PSU will be the #2 seed in the B1G tourney if NW defeats Ohio State tomorrow. If Ohio State wins, then PSU will be the #3 seed.

Great game by PSU, but they came up just a tad short.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Wow, that was very entertaining.

Agreed. Probably the best college WLAX games I've seen this year (I suspect the UNC - MD game was great to watch, but I didn't see it).

Before tonight's game, MD had defeated UNC by 1 goal, and Hopkins by 2 goals. They blew through Florida, and defeated an excellent Syracuse team by 5 goals. You have to give PSU a lot of credit for having a lead against MD in the 2nd half, and nearly pulling off the game.

It was surprising how many times the ball hit the ground in tonight's game. I'm not sure if that was due to the conditions, or a reflections of 2 elite teams battling. Probably a combination of both.

 

[baircub1!]

I couldn't agree more. I am an official working at the college level but not D1. Many of the recent changes are moving us in the direction of the boys game. We've basically eliminated 3 seconds as a call and catching shooting space before the shot is getting harder and harder. Next year we introduce the shot clock at D1. The game is certainly changing.

I assume WLAX will eventually go to helmets? Or a modified version of what the boys are wearing?

 

[Tom McAndrew]

I assume WLAX will eventually go to helmets? Or a modified version of what the boys are wearing?

Hard to say. There are strong opinions on both sides of this issue.

US Lacrosse does not seem to want this. And most ladies that played the game in the past do not seem to be in favor of it. There's also the issue of costs. It's a lot cheaper to outfit college, high school, middle school, and youth teams where the only costs are eye protection, mouth protection, a stick, cleats, and a uniform (with helmets and added padding for goalies) versus the expense for those things PLUS helmets (and possibly added padding for the players).

On the other side, there are some that feel it would bring greater safety to the girls. And a lot of the current or recent players would be in favor of helmets if it reduced all the whistles for fouls that exist to protect the players' heads.

It certainly does get discussed each year. Hard to predict how things will evolve, but in the short term it seems very unlikely that helmets will be added for WLAX.

 

[Tweedbear]

We are

 

[TheGLOV]

This is like groundhog day all over again.

Every PSU LAX game I've seen this month has been a one point loss for PSU (men and women).

HINT: Don't watch anymore Schleppy!

 

[hlstone]

Tom and Ned, I thought you might enjoy this lucky shot I captured of my little girl. Her team went 0-3 on the day but the team played hard. Our team was U12 going against some of the best club teams in NJ/PA/MD.