dslyank

I don't think AE was ever more than the fifh-best league anyway, but formation of Big East pushed us further from the top. The MAAC is now at or near full scholarship, which not only makes them better (Siena has already beaten Hartford and Stony Brook) but also thins the pool of scholarship-level recruits, as does the addition of a few new teams lately. America East may be hurt more by this - top recruits will still go to Princeton or Syracuse, but other players don't see much difference between AE, MAAC, and NEC schools. As for Albany, we actually were even with Bucknell in faceoffs, but groundballs and defense are still a problem - maybe the defense is just slow. Marr used to say if you got athletes you could teach them lax skills, but that doesn't seem to be working in either part now. The Thompsons were supposed to be these tremendous recruits, but I haven't seen results yet. Sometimes watching them trying to get a shot off looks like Suero driving the lane one on four. 72, excellent overall assessment, especially your comparison Suero & Thompsons. As far as only being the fifth best league, I read on inside lacrosse that the am.east is the only league in history to send four different teams to the elite 8 (UA, SB, UMBC and maybe bingo years back? and the only league to send 3 different teams to the final four {UA, SB and UMBC}. I may have this somewhat wrong or remember the article incorrectly (I never researched it); but clearly Inside lacrosse thought very highly of the america east. Anyhow, I guess the league has/will slip in their estimation as other leagues, as you say appear to be catching up.

America East 9-36. Once considered one of the premiere lacrosse leagues. What is the league and UA in particular doing WRONG? All opinions and ideas welcomed.

96, I definitely AM NOT trying to sell anything. I am just trying to figure what's going on. Why the collapse? How or why has Marr lost it? Just trying raise some discussion, and see what others think. Anyhow, thanks for your response. Not much being blogged about lacrosse, when there really is a lot to say/question?

What??????? Nobody talking. It must be worst than I thought, or is everyone away, or no one cares? Also, no stadium news--shouldn't bids be signed by NOW?

I missed the latest loss; just got back from a long weekend in Tampa scouting my namesakes. Men's lacrosse is in deep trouble. 0 and 6 with a really good Bucknell, an improving Bingo and than Hopkins coming up. Marr does not seem to have any answers, unless he is saving them for america east play? But before we scream for his head, consider the following: if he goes, I bet we lose the Thompsons and I bet they end up in Syracuse. Considering they have connections there and considering SU is strong on defense, goal and midfield; but weak offensively. If they ended up there, a national championship next year would not be surprising, and we would really look like schmucks. Marr could also end up on SU's staff. Considering he is not a very hot commodity right now, what better place to try and revive his career than as a top assistant at Syracuse? OK, I know this sounds like a bad conspiracy novel; but I really fear losing him maybe as bad/worst as keeping him. So, when I say we are in "deep" trouble. I mean more than the loses piling up and the last several years of mediocracy.

What lax forum where? Is this just speculation? Under Albany Great Danes 2012 http://network.laxpower.com/laxforum/viewforum.php?f=1 I'd bet it's true. Therefore, having some experience for Huber will benefit the team next year... if he's the chosen one. uofalabany, Thanks for the link. I never knew it was there. A lot of real lacrosse info. Thanks again.

What lax forum where? Is this just speculation?

I am a bit (actually a lot) confused by these recruiting blogs? It seems we have commitments from Lassen and Bruxvoort, yet we graduate no one except Iati (maybe). We made offers to at least one big for next year? Anyone KNOW HOW ALL THIS IS POSSIBLE? I am interested in your thoughts, even if it just speculation, because I feel I must be missing something somewhere? HELP!

Huber was first team all state. I know Illinois may not be a hot bed of lacrosse, but the game is expanding all over the country and some real quality players are coming out of some non typical places lately. I think we really need to give him a shot. Carroll had only four saves vs Drexel {and I thought the defense was playing pretty well for the most part}; and let in a number of "easy" (not that there is really such a thing) ones. Cathers was only so/so last year (inconsistent at best). Huber may be our best hope?????

Just got back from the lacrosse match. Carroll awful again and too many unforced turnovers. I tried to be kind after the Syacuse game, after all SU in the dome enough said. Of SU's 10 goal run last week, I said maybe 4 or 5 were legit. Someone today who knows far more about lacrosse than I, said he felt only 2 were legit unstoppable shots. Anyhow, more of the same today. Drexel had two empty netters @ the end and one from 1/2 court/field when Carroll's pass was intercepted and fired back into the empty net, as he raced back to try and recover--most said he would have been better off either backing slowly towards the goal or attacking the shooter and try to cut down the angle But I actually do not fault him for any of those three goals, but of the other ten; I only thought two or three were unstoppable. Scott warmed up the freshman Huber @ half time, but stuck with Carroll. I do not get it. Carroll has had three years to show what he's got and after seeing two games this year, I feel he still does not have it and if he does not have it yet, he probably is not going to find it. I know I am rambling, but am very frustrated over what was actually a very winnable game. The Drexel keeper put on a clinic and in spite of that and numerous unforced errors we scored 8 (plus one disallowed for who knows why--Scott was incensed and still complaining about it a full ten minutes afterwards--everyone in the stands saw it hit the back of the net, except the refs?). So, I really hate being mean spirited and pick on student athletes, but I think UA needs to give Huber a try. I do not think he can be any worse than Carroll.

Just got back form Syracuse and a couple of days in Rochester visiting family, so I am just now posting my thoughts on the SU vs UA lax game. Carroll was just plain terrible. He seems to have the same problem he did as a starter two and three years ago. Early on he just does not seem to pick-up the ball at all and gives up a lot of early goals. It seems as the game goes on he improves; but without really checking, I am sure you would find his goals allowed and average for periods 1 & 2 are disproportionally high. He simply does not seem to warm-up until halfway through period three and by then it is usually too late. I hate to pick on the kid because as I always try to be fair to "student athletes" which is what they are and should; be first and foremost. But I think Carroll really may not be cut out as a DI goalie. When Dan Di Lella lost his starting quarterback job, he did not sulk. He came back his senior year, worked hard and had an awesome year and as I just saw in another post has NFL possibilities. I was hoping Carroll would do similarly. I know it is early, but let's face it Carroll lost his starting job last year to a freshman, who had only a so-so year. If Carroll had any ability at goal at all, he should have been able win his job back from Cathers who was inconsistent at best. And after one game this year, and I know Syracuse is a tough test (this is supposedly a rebuilding year for them), I have not seen anything from Carroll to convince me I am wrong about him. Believe me, I wish I am proven wrong!

Just speculating but I would guess BU lax would effect Vermont and Hartford recruiting more so than Albany?

Inside Lacrosse has rated UA in the top 10 in attack; top 13 midfield and 0 accolades on defense. So if "pre-season poles" mean anything, we will go as far as our defense allows?

Inside Lacrosse has UA beating Towson 11-10 in a scrimmage yesterday. Albany was trailing 8 to 9 in the fourth and came back to win. Anyone know--any home scrimmage before Syracuse on the 19th??

I believe it will be a little bit of both... Click, What do you mean by this? Can you be more specific or at least share your speculation?