MLax gets crushed at No.12 Loyola 15-6

[mat1992 2,235]

https://towsontigers.com/news/2020/2/26/mens-lacrosse-falls-at-no-12-loyola.aspx

[mat1992 2,235]

This was brutal but predictable. Who didn't think we would get destroyed on face-offs 16-9 but Joey Chestnutt went 6 of 12 so there is some hope because Santoro started and went 3 for 13. But that's not the whole story. We were very careless with the ball, turning it over 19 times. Weather wasn't a factor early, but it was late with the rain and fog. Still a 6-5 game in the third quarter and then Towson completely self-destructed. At least three turnovers led to easy goals and went 16 of 22 on clears. A lot of that was due to not having a clearing machine like Kobe Smith, who was out some sort of leg injury. Hopefully, he'll be back by the UMBC game next Tuesday.

Without Smith and Gray Bodden, Towson played a lot of zone. Saunders Healy and freshman Reagan McNemar started. The freshman from Boys' Latin also played a lot last week when Bodden went down in the first quarter. Healy has mainly played man-down defense in his brief career.

Not only were we down two close defensemen, but also Jake McLean, our best two-way middie, who was being used on the wings of face-offs. He could have played on the second midfield was well, which is not good. But one good thing coming out of McLean's injury (4-6 weeks) is the fact that freshman Reece Potter has emerged as a strong and physical defensive middie. He and Brandon Hund are the present and the future at that position. Add a healthy Kobe and Bodden with Zungalia (who had 3 turnovers) or McNemar and I think we'll be ok in a few weeks once conference play.

However, the offense is the real problem. Middie James Avanzato had a pretty goal tonight, but also had four turnovers. Austin Stewart had three assists, but doesn't seem like a threat to score. Mazza  was held scoreless and had just one shot. Some of that is on him, but that is completely unacceptable if you're the new OC and your best or second-best offensive player (Brody?) gets one shot. 

Then there was Nads picking up a bench penalty and a two-minute unreleasable one where they scored two goals. And that was ballgame.

I knew we'd be down some after losing Sunday, Woodall and Goodrich, but I never in a million years thought we'd be this bad with the likes of Kobe Smith, Bodden, Mazza back, Brody Mac, Fromert and Maloof. Not to mention two pretty good transfers in Stewart and Avanzato.

[mat1992 2,235]

https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/analysis/preston/bs-sp-loyola-towson-lacrosse-preston-20200227-4bywjd4f35hujoqfjrn6hz6c2m-story.html

[mat1992 2,235]

 

[Blazer49 186]

Somehow have to get things straightened out before conference play.  The only chance to get in now.

[sr16 158]

As I mentioned on the other thread. Started watching at 6-5.. Wanted to wait until around halftime to make sure we were in it to start watching. Wow was I in for a treat. The offensive turnovers seemed like we had straight freshman on the field. Cant imagine how frustrated Nads is

Edited February 27, 2020 by sr16

[mat1992 2,235]

Not making excuses but the weather started turning really bad in the second half due to fog and rain. They handled it fine and we couldn’t handle their pressure. They had horrible turnovers in the first half, which was probably the only reason it was close, Thought we came out with a good defensive gameplan to protect all the new players. But on offense, we tried to just hold the ball and our biggest issue this year is 6x6. We score in transition a lot easier but not having Kobe takes that away or at least most of it.

[mat1992 2,235]

Bodden now out 4-6 weeks along with Jake McClean. Hopefully Kobe is back next week.