Men’s Lacrosse Nonconference Finale Versus No. 19 UMass Saturday

[Caliknight]

We don't finish our chances. At this level when you get them you have to can them. We also go into a shell when things don't go right. We were spinning the ball the and getting looks in the first half. Up 6-4. Come out the third Q get 4 good looks and can none of them. All of a sudden the ball starts getting stuck, we don't score for a huge stretch, and Umass keeps grinding.

They scored 11 goals. 1 was an open goal at the end, 1 was the inexplicable 10 man ride with a few seconds left in the Q and 3 were EMO goals. They scored 6 goals in settled situations. The D is doing their part.

I hate to point out Kulas again but you simply can't play him at this point. 2 penalties while missing two dunks is simply unacceptable for an attackman. I get that he's a senior and we have next to no upperclassmen on offense but he's a liability at this point.

 

[loyalson66]

I'm still sitting here in front of a blank screen, totally mystified by what I just witnessed. Why on earth, after an egg laying 3rd quarter do you employ a ride with 14 seconds left in the quarter? That goal handed all the momentum over to UMass. All the good things we saw in the first quarter vanished before our eyes. And yes, Kulas killed us in multiple ways.

If a senior isn't doing the job for me by the second half of the season, he gets a place on my bench. Sorry to say that Logan Peters has not come into the picture either. Just hasn't taken that additional step this year.

Sad to think of what is coming for us in conference. This may be beyond regrouping. If so, go with the kids, even to the point of getting a couple of young long poles some experience. With the attack we are running, our D is going to be on the field for a long time anyway. Might as well go with inexperience as opposed to a gassed defense.

 

[Local Shill]

The new AD is not going to like what he sees when this program is put under a microscope. Brecht has absolutely fallen off a cliff.

 

[Caliknight]

Not really. Recruiting is good and support is still there. I wouldn't be shocked if there was a staff position change.

 

[loyalson66]

I could see a new OC, but there is a lot of young talent in the program, and Brecht has been very good at bringing young players along. A new AD is going to have a lot of other programs to look over before dealing with lacrosse.

 

[Degaz-RU]

I could see a new OC, but there is a lot of young talent in the program, and Brecht has been very good at bringing young players along. A new AD is going to have a lot of other programs to look over before dealing with lacrosse.

I agree. Men’s lacrosse is a solid program in rebuilding mode - not a dumpster fire like many other programs.

 

[Local Shill]

Looking at 6 wins maximum - and that’s being generous. 4-11 or 5-10 is highly likely.

 

[kupuna133]

Don’t think this is a talent thing. This is a system/coaching thing. There are athletes all over the field. Staff needs to clean up fundamental mistakes and form issues. Need to coach better offensive strategy, ball movement, attack and stop with the idiotic sidearm/bad angle shots immediately. No need for many of the situational coaching mistakes (10 man ride end of quarter) bad employment of roster/substitutions and allowing bad untimely penalties. Need to coach a smarter game plan.

Staff absolutely needs to be shaken up. System change on offense. If this is not done. Brecht is sealing his fate.

 

[Caliknight]

I could see a new OC, but there is a lot of young talent in the program, and Brecht has been very good at bringing young players along. A new AD is going to have a lot of other programs to look over before dealing with lacrosse.

Lacrosse is an alum led program. Brian has a lot of good will having taken the team to the FF and Quarters three and four years ago. He hasn't had a losing since then though that might change this year.

At this point, I'd play all the young guys. Take lumps, build for the future. These are the type of games that turn into wins when you have more men on your team.

Michigan is getting absolutely boat raced by ND and just pulled their goalie. On their own field. ND is very good but they are taking Michigan's heart.

We play them very well typically. I think we have 2 losses all time to them. Wouldn't be surprised if that is a game.

We will see next week what the rest of the season is like. We have a fighting program. The guys need to come out and play with fire, which is the expectation. No one feels sorry for you in the Big Ten.

 

[Caliknight]

Don’t think this is a talent thing. This is a system/coaching thing. There are athletes all over the field. Staff needs to clean up fundamental mistakes and form issues. Need to coach better offensive strategy, ball movement, attack and stop with the idiotic sidearm/bad angle shots immediately. No need for many of the situational coaching mistakes (10 man ride end of quarter) bad employment of roster/substitutions and allowing bad untimely penalties. Need to coach a smarter game plan.

Staff absolutely needs to be shaken up. System change on offense. If this is not done. Brecht is sealing his fate.

I would say yes and no. When we are at our best we have athletes all over the field, which we do, but we also have at least two to three super skilled guys to mix in with that. Jules, AC, Mullins, Scott, Knobloch, guys that finish chances when they get them. Kulas was supposed to be one of those guys but he never developed outside of being a shooter. Vorgang who took that that behind the back shot is very skilled but he's not getting run yet outside of EMO. We need more guys that have slick sticks and finish. We do a lot of the hard work, then don't make it pay off. I'd also like to see a few most fast twitch guys on offense. Guys like Richman make things happen just because of their quickness.

 

[Caliknight]

I meant to post in another post but we need to get our stadium done asap. We have no homefield advantage anymore. We don't practice in the stadium like we used to and it makes a huge difference. The guys see the field, sightlines, etc. Now we see that field barely more than our opponents. When we play away games our opponents practice on the field we are playing on. You know every blade of turf. That is a disadvantage for us.

 

[mdk01]

We don't finish our chances. At this level when you get them you have to can them. We also go into a shell when things don't go right. We were spinning the ball the and getting looks in the first half. Up 6-4. Come out the third Q get 4 good looks and can none of them. All of a sudden the ball starts getting stuck, we don't score for a huge stretch, and Umass keeps grinding.

They scored 11 goals. 1 was an open goal at the end, 1 was the inexplicable 10 man ride with a few seconds left in the Q and 3 were EMO goals. They scored 6 goals in settled situations. The D is doing their part.

I hate to point out Kulas again but you simply can't play him at this point. 2 penalties while missing two dunks is simply unacceptable for an attackman. I get that he's a senior and we have next to no upperclassmen on offense but he's a liability at this point.

Only saw a small portion of the game. I think there is as much or more healthy talent (note healhy) as last year but not the FF team. What seems to be missing veteran leadership that Scott, Knobloch and the Kirsts provided in spades in prior years.

 

[kupuna133]

I would say yes and no. When we are at our best we have athletes all over the field, which we do, but we also have at least two to three super skilled guys to mix in with that. Jules, AC, Mullins, Scott, Knobloch, guys that finish chances when they get them. Kulas was supposed to be one of those guys but he never developed outside of being a shooter. Vorgang who took that that behind the back shot is very skilled but he's not getting run yet outside of EMO. We need more guys that have slick sticks and finish. We do a lot of the hard work, then don't make it pay off. I'd also like to see a few most fast twitch guys on offense. Guys like Richman make things happen just because of their quickness.

Agreed. The team lacks that slick with the stick lacrosse player. Need to coach up the fundamentals, limit the mistakes and give the team the best system to maximize their athleticism. I also agree run the young guns at this point. Time on the sidelines watching is the greatest motivator. And you may just find the difference maker in the process.

 

[78CollegeAve]

I agree. Men’s lacrosse is a solid program in rebuilding mode - not a dumpster fire like many other programs.

Wow, I appreciate that posters wear scarlet glasses, but from what are you “rebuilding”? RU was 1-4 in the B1G in 2023 and 1-4 in 2024. If we’re lucky, we’ll be 1-4 in 2025. That’s a helluva trendline and as much of a 3-year dumpster fire as women’s volleyball and hoops, baseball or men’s hoops. And, sorry, but unlike some others here, I don’t see evidence of good recruiting by the h.s. rankings or by the play on the field. Recent classes have been underwhelming by B1G standards. Brecht has done some great things for RU and is a great representative of the school. He deserves another year to show progress, but I fear that 2025 is more evidence that he’s a bit of a relic and the B1G has blown by him.

 

[jreinsdorf]

Wow, I appreciate that posters wear scarlet glasses, but from what are you “rebuilding”? RU was 1-4 in the B1G in 2023 and 1-4 in 2024. If we’re lucky, we’ll be 1-4 in 2025. That’s a helluva trendline and as much of a 3-year dumpster fire as women’s volleyball and hoops, baseball or men’s hoops. And, sorry, but unlike some others here, I don’t see evidence of good recruiting by the h.s. rankings or by the play on the field. Recent classes have been underwhelming by B1G standards. Brecht has done some great things for RU and is a great representative of the school. He deserves another year to show progress, but I fear that 2025 is more evidence that he’s a bit of a relic and the B1G has blown by him.

I know recruiting rankings are the Wild West but there are two ways to stock a roster and RU is recruiting below their peers from the HS ranks and the transfer portal. And now RU is regularly losing to not only the Big Ten, ACC and Ivies but to lesser conferences as well. Is the scheme more responsible? Probably. Is that a quicker fix? Probably. But no way is this roster good enough. Knowledgeable fans here recognize that the roster has too many attackers who can’t carry or struggle with accuracy ….thats crazy to have that problem at this level.

 

[MS-RU]

Another wasted season unfortunately

 

[LaxDadd]

Navy up 2-0 on Hopkins early

 

[loyalson66]

Struggling with accuracy is a common problem with talented yet inexperienced players. Aiello is a perfect example. Talented and physical, but he still needs to learn that he can't get away with things he used to do at this level. From what I have seen thus far, there are several sophomores and freshmen who simply need time to develop and refine their game.

The glass is half empty right now, but I'm confident it's going to fill up again. Don't think that will happen this season, but those who think that getting rid of Brecht is the answer are sadly mistaken.

 

[mdk01]

Navy up 2-0 on Hopkins early

Hopkins up 11-8 mid 4th. By the stat sheets their goalie and FOGO are dominant

 

[Roy_Faulker]

Staff absolutely needs to be shaken up. System change on offense. If this is not done. Brecht is sealing his fate.

Lot of this going around with RU athletics….

 

[Caliknight]

Hopkins up 11-8 mid 4th. By the stat sheets their goalie and FOGO are dominant

We’ve lit up their floor before. He’s a transfer from Loyola. He’s good but not great. Navy’s fogo is very bad.

 

[Caliknight]

Another wasted season unfortunately

Was always a learning season. How much can they learn a these losers are wins when they are more experienced.

 

[kupuna133]

Lot of this going around with RU athletics….

Yep. It’s basically status quo for the remainder of this year and next due to the fact we won’t have an AD until at least mid summer, more than likely early fall. Head coaches are safe for now. But that safety can pivot very quickly because new ad’s have no allegiance to existing coaches and staffs. Brecht needs to make changes, just like pike and to a lesser extent goody. And baseball/soccer and a few others are on the hot seat immediately.

 

[GoFish2]

Was always a learning season. How much can they learn a these losers are wins when they are more experienced.

Was it? You remarked after the Lehigh game that our #20 ranking was the lowest it would be all season. When did your perspective change?

 

[Caliknight]

Was it? You remarked after the Lehigh game that our #20 ranking was the lowest it would be all season. When did your perspective change?

When I saw we weren’t moving the ball like we had and shooting was dismal.

I underestimated our youth which was a mistake. There simply is no substitute for experience and going through the fire. Youth leads to wild inconsistencies. We saw that yesterday. First half was great. Left some out there but the ball was spinning and we were getting good looks, a few of which you simply have to have.

Second half starts and we immediately get four really good looks. We don’t can any, then the ball starts getting stuck, flow stops, and we are in mud. We are very susceptible to the whims of a game. Highs and lows. That’s inexperience. That starts impacting our D. They go up two and it feels like 4. Our older teams of the past just kept going. You never knew if they were winning or losing. Focus and effort never changed.

Our offense has no upper class leadership. Kulas is the only guy with experience and yesterday he made losing play after losing play. So don’t want to pick on him because he’s scored some huge goals for us in the past but his skill set just doesn’t fit with this attack. His stat line from yesterday was zero goal, and two one minute penalties and at least one moving pick. That’s about as bad as it gets for a attackman. Stay on man up but he can’t play in even situations anymore. Brian hopefully just goes with complete youth movement and plays the guys coming back. We will take more lumps but those lumps today turn into wins tomorrow.

 

[Wagram97]

What did happen to Kulas though? I remember that Utah game. He had 4 goals. That play where he jumped a couple feet in the air, stole a pass from the Utah goalie, then faked out the goalie for a goal. Looked like an all conference player through the out of conference schedule. Like that catch and shoot to beat Princeton. Figured it was the injuries and scheme that impacted him.

But yesterday, he used to make those goals. Those seemed to be plays set up for him exactly like he used to make.

 

[loyalson66]

I think Cali is correct that Kulas skill set doesn't work this season. It's primarily because of the new group of less experienced players he is paired with. Previously, he could find seams where Knoblock and Scott could deliver the ball to him at close range without worrying about having his hands tied up by defenders. He also benefitted when defenders had to slide to cover others, leaving him open..

The fact is that he can't carry and defenders know that, so they pressure him. I find myself holding my breath every time he tries to come from behind the cage. That leads to mistakes. He is deadly with the right supporting cast, but he doesn't have that this year.

 

[Caliknight]

What did happen to Kulas though? I remember that Utah game. He had 4 goals. That play where he jumped a couple feet in the air, stole a pass from the Utah goalie, then faked out the goalie for a goal. Looked like an all conference player through the out of conference schedule. Like that catch and shoot to beat Princeton. Figured it was the injuries and scheme that impacted him.

But yesterday, he used to make those goals. Those seemed to be plays set up for him exactly like he used to make.

He is a pure catch and shoot guy. That works when you have guys like Cameron and Ross Scott who both carry and draw a ton attention and he can just do what he does. We don’t have those guys. Our best attack unit is C Kurdyla, Murphy at at X, and Aiello with Austin Johnstone coming in for a different look. I’d also like to see Vorgnag get some minutes.

 

[Tango Two]

 

[Degaz-RU]

He is a pure catch and shoot guy. That works when you have guys like Cameron and Ross Scott who both carry and draw a ton attention and he can just do what he does. We don’t have those guys. Our best attack unit is C Kurdyla, Murphy at at X, and Aiello with Austin Johnstone coming in for a different look. I’d also like to see Vorgnag get some minutes.

Has there been any explanation why Murphy didn't play much against UMass after having such a great game against SJU?

 

[Caliknight]

Has there been any explanation why Murphy didn't play much against UMass after having such a great game against SJU?

Yes, and it makes perfect sense. I'd rather not post it here though. I'm sure we will see more of him Sat. Before people speculate, it wasn't any sort of off field issue that precipitated it.

 

[Degaz-RU]

Yes, and it makes perfect sense. I'd rather not post it here though. I'm sure we will see more of him Sat. Before people speculate, it wasn't any sort of off field issue that precipitated it.

Got it, thanks.

 

[Caliknight]

Got it, thanks.

haha, happy to tell you offline.