Jake Weil and John Jay, who fell to Somers 14-9 in last year’s Class B sectional final, hope to pick up their second straight win against the Tuskers today at 6 p.m. at Somers’ Tusker Turf Field No. 1. (Photo by Jim Stout/MaxPreps.com)
In years past, sectional title contenders would have a regular-season showdown with the possibility of playing again in the postseason.
No more — at least in Class B.
And at least in the Hudson Valley.
With geographically based realigned leagues, last year’s Class B finalists — Somers and John Jay — will be meeting not once, but twice, during the regular season.
Round 1 was April 15 and John Jay pulled out a 9-7 win.
Tonight, is Round 2. Starting time is 6 p.m. at Somers.
It shapes up as a toss-up. So to get some idea of what could happen, I turned to a neutral observer.
After coach Vin DeGregorio’s Horace Greeley Quakers fell to Somers 14-7 last Thursday, I asked him, having coached against both the defending Class B sectional champion Tuskers and John Jay this year, what team he would give the edge to entering tonight’s showdown.
“Im definitely a middle of the road guy when it comes to that,” DeGregorio said. “Having played both of these teams, theyre both excellent teams. They both have their strengths.”
Since their first meeting, John Jay has solidified its preseason Top 25 national ranking, climbing to first the No. 7 spot, and now No. 13.
Somers, meanwhile, has had its share of ups and downs, beating Lakeland/Panas and leading Horace Greeley 13-3 after three quarters in a 14-7 win, but losing to Mahopac and Iona Prep.
Untimely defensive penalties (not that there are ever timely penalties, mind you), leading to crucial man-up goals, have plagued the Tuskers, including in their Round 1 loss to John Jay.
On paper, defense was a question mark for John Jay entering the season. But so far, those questions have been answered in a positive way. That, along with balanced scoring and lacrosse IQ (which I will get to in a minute) have been the keys to the Indians strong start.
Another key has been the experience the returning players gained last year. Weve talked a lot about the fact that John Jay had 12 sophomore on the team last year, with all of them except Mike Daniello being first-year varsity players.
That year of experience has been a big benefit now. They are mentally and physically tougher. Last year, I thought Somers had a big advantage in terms of athleticism and physicality and that was one of the main reasons it beat John Jay twice – 10-7 in the regular season and 14-9 in the sectional final.
That was not the case in Round 1 in Cross River. John Jay dished out as many hits as it received, and, most importantly, was only called for two penalties, none of which Somers capitalized on. John Jay, meanwhile, cashed in on three of its six EMOs. In a two-goal game, you could argue that was the difference.
I have always felt that teams that are disciplined enough to effectively thread the fine line of playing physically while not taking many penalties have a big advantage. Bottom line in highly contested games, good teams will pounce on man-up opportunities, so you just cant give them. But at the same time, you have to play physically and with intensity. It’s a fine line.
Can Somers reverse that trend in Round 2? Stay tuned.
In another intriguing battle, Roy Colsey, a former Yorktown star who went on to become a four-time all-American at Syracuse University, returns to Charlie Murphy Field as head coach of the defending champion Ridgefield Tigers.
Colsey has coached against his alma mater before (as Horace Greeley head coach). But tonight’s 7 p.m. matchup is especially appealing since Ridgefield has won eight straight since starting the season with an overtime loss at Staples.
In other Hudson Valley games today, Albertus Magnus plays at Horace Mann, Pleasantville visits Briarcliff, Brewster hosts Tappan Zee, Haldane visits Croton, Peekskill is at Ossining, Pearl River hosts Westlake, Putnam Valley is at John F. Kennedy Catholic and Fox Lane visits Suffern in 4:30 p.m. games. At 5 p.m., Clarkstown North hosts Harrison and Byram Hills visits Rye.
In Nassau, unbeaten Manhasset hosts Floral Park, Friends Academy visits Island Trees, Mineola is at Clark,e, Syosset hosts Valley Stream Central, Baldwin plays at Plainview JFK, East Meadow hosts Herricks and Bethpage plays at Wheatley at 4:30 p.m. Port Washington hosts Oceanside at 5 p.m. and Locust Valley visits North Shore at 4:45 p.m.
Shoreham-Wading River, which is off to an 8-3 start but coming off consecutive losses to Sayville and Farmingdale, plays at unbeaten Comsewogue (11-0) at 7 p.m.. Rocky Point (8-3), which advanced to the state finals in 2008, plays at Sayville at 4 p.m. Also at 4 p.m., Half Hollow Hills West visits Elwood/John Glenn and Harborfields hosts Huntington. At 4:30 p.m., Bayport-Blue Point visits John Glenn and Southampton is at Bellport. At 5:30 p.m., Mount Sinai hosts Babylon.
In Connecticut action, unbeaten Staples, fresh off a big 10-5 win over previously undefeated Weston, plays at Bridgeport Central at 4 p.m. Wilton hosts Norwalk at 4:30 p.m. , Fairfield Prep visits Branfield and Cheshire is at Guilford at 7 p.m.
Be sure to post your thoughts and predictions on these matchups, and while you’re at your game or games today, be sure to check in here with info on the scores and game details early and often.
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Posted In: Scoreboard Central
Wogue 11, SWR 6
I think John Jay’s ability to think on its feet is crucial in these big games. Lacrosse IQ goes a long way. So does not taking penalties.
John Jay 10, Somers 6
John Jay has earned the benefit of any doubts about how they would progress this season under the new regime. Yet Somers season can start anew with a win on their home field tonight. A very interesting matchup.
John Jay 10- Somers 8
The Ridgefield Tigers will find out a bit more about themselves in the first of the games this year that will give clues to their readiness to defend the FCIAC title. One thing is certain, they’ll score goals; the question is how many they’ll give up in the process of pushing the ball upfield at every opportunity. Yorktown is no slouch at offense either; taking the over is a lock in this one.
Yorktown 13 – Ridgefield 11
Which Team has improved more over this season. Will JJ play 4 Qtrs of high Lax IQ ball or do they play like the Rye and HG games letting teams feel like they have a second chance. Who will FO go as possesion has not always been JJ’s friend. Defence has steadily improved over the season a credit to the players involved and the coaches. Will the goalie split continue to work (Personally I’m not a big fan of splitting games in 1/2, prefer to alternate games, as first 2-4 minutes of play is communication and butterfly time why have it twice in one game, but just my opinion)
Somers will the over agressiveness give way to just agressive as Joe points out above Somers has been on the wrong side of the fine line too much this season. Have they finally figured out who runs the offense and what everones roll in the offense is? Goalie has been solid all season.
Somers has advantage in team speed and goalie.
So far JJ has advantage in playing smart (some call it Lax IQ) finding the open man quicker than the defense makes the second slide(because they already know the first slide is comming), anticipating the play and being ready a few steps ahead to make the right pass to create the good shot or to give time for someone to get to x and keep the ball if shot is off target.
At the beginning of the season I favored Somers D now I think it is straight up even.
All just an opinion. I like the score from the last game and will take 9-7 JJ.
Jay 12-9 over Somers
Town 12-6 over Field
St Anthonys is at Holy Trinity today fresh off their 15-4 drubbing of Delbarton on Saturday………..Where is the love for the Friars Joe, no mention of them on Saturday or todays game? The Friars just keep putting up wins…………….
Think this one is a blowout. Somers implodes again. JJ patience and zone frustrates Red Rage. Tullgren out. Some still injured. Jay-13. Somers-7
Ridgefield – 14 Yorktown- 12
JJ – 10 Somers- 8
jj still has not beat a team that they were suppose to lose to .
St A’s-Chaminade Round 2 is what we’re all gearin up for…
JJ has not beat a team they were supposed to lose to? That statement can work in a lot of ways. Jay was the most doubted of the top 4 teams in section one for most of April. After only winning a few of their games by one and getting creamed by Manhasset, their collapse was just around the corner. Well, it still has not happened yet. Everybody went crazy over IL ranking, then got to say told you so after the Manhasset loss, but Jay is still around. Yorktown, L/P, Somers, Corning East, Syosset. A function of being 10-1 is that people expect you go to 11-1 and then 12-1 unless you are a playing an absolute powerhouse.
The objective side of me ( yes I do have one) says that today is as good a chance as any for Jay to get upset. It’s important that the team really just play one game at a time and remember just how badly the other team is going to want it. Jay has to be themselves for four quarters to win.
Friar Tuck it is really round three that is the prize though.
No team in section one is good enough to take a day off and win when playing an old power league team, too much parity. JJ is a good team but IL is out of their minds, I’ll wait until someone plays Nisky to totally jump on the band wagon for Sect 1 (I really want to).
Lets go Town beat those RField guys and show that the LP game was just the normal rivalry thing and not a trend.
Somers 10 JJ 9
Yorktown 12 Ridgefield 10
Somers’ offense have been meshing better and there intense gameplay has always been around. Longo will have a solid game. I think it’ll be back and forth through most of the game but Somers will handle the pressure at home.
Indian J,
Heard Schurr say he thought that in the Rye game J put together 2 solid halves of strong fundamental lax both on O and D. Absolutely my thoughts as I watched the game.
I’ve got J by 3. Hey if Somers plays really well, it could be a dog fight for sure.
But assuming J continues to play solid 2 way lax, they’re certainly putting themselves in a position to prove me right!
Good luck to both teams!
Can someone break down Briarcliff-Pville? Is Pville a big favorite (based on records that’s how it looks) or does Bcliff have a shot in this rivalry game?
Round 2 of Nade-St A’s is coming up quickly … next Thursday 5/13 at St A’s. I think they’re gonna try to play it at nite.
Jay is too well rounded. Somers will have to play its best defensive game of the season and Longo will have to play better in net than he did against Yorktown.
Jay 12, Somers 7
Gut-check time (once again) for Yorktown. The Huskers are an enigma wrapped in a puzzle surrounded by a firing squad. You have to figure Colsey is just dying to stick it to his alma mater. But I think the embarrassment of losing the way they did against L/P will be more than enough motivation for the Chaminade game Yorktown squad to re-emerge. Ridgefield’s best win this season was 7-3 over a 6-6 Lawrenceville squad that’s not as good as last year, so the Tigers have no idea who they really are yet either.
Yorktown 11, Ridgefield 7
P’ville beat us 7 -5 the first time through, we started off shaky but played much stronger in the second half. P’ville is a defensively oriented team, led by their goalie and strong interior defense, they tend to have low scoring games and try to control the pace. As a result, even when they are controlling the game, scores tend to be low, To play this style, they need to win faces, limit turnovers, fight for ground balls which they generally do well, I do think they can be a bit sloppy on the clear and when they try to play a bit too quickly.
As for B’Cliff, we have beaten all the teams we are supposed to be beat, and recently avenged a loss to Harrison, winning 9 -3. Our biggest problem is inconsistency, we can play great for a quarter or two, then look lost. I give us the edge offensively, but the edge goes to P’ville on faces/ground balls and defense.
As I have said many times, these schools play each other in every sport, and the record pretty much goes out the window. P’ville has to be the big favorite, but, in this year in particular, we definitely have a chance. If we can get out to a 2 -3 goal lead, it will be crucial. If P’ville jumps out first, it will be hard to come back on them
GO BEARS!!!!!
I think the true measure of where Jay is right now is broken down with one stat:
Yes, the Indians are 10-1, but to go 6-0 against their schedule in games decided by 3 goals or less speaks volumes about where this team is mentally. If you go to 4 goals or less they are 8-0. There’s simply no complacency because they seem to realize every game can be a crapshoot and Schurr has gotten them to react accordingly.
I see Jay winning the section, obviously, beating Nisky in low-scoring state quarterfinal (slow pace and defensive style will not be difficult for the Indians to deal with) and then I think they have a legitimate shot to take down Long Island in the state semis. I’m not saying they will but I think this team can play it any way you want. If GC wants to go slow-down with emphasis on D, Jay can do that. I’d worry most about Comsewogue. That team has been one of the most consistent on Long Island, regardless of classification, over the last decade. More explosive than GC but can play D with the Trojans.
Jay is the only Section 1 team that has a legitimate chance to get to Stony Brook the second weekend in June and I’m starting to believe their mental toughness is just what’s needed to get them there, as opposed to years past.
Syracuse,
An emphatic pro-Jay statement. It’s difficult to know about how certain teams will do against others. Jay has shown something. From now through sectionals, it will be about building on it still; continuing to improve mentally and physically.
Indian J,
They should get by on talent alone until Nisky. I expect we will then see how good a coach Schurr is and Jay’s overall depth will come to the fore.
An emphatic pro-Jay statement should not be a shock to you. I always give props to those who deserve it, regardless if I’m a fan of that particular team or not. Though I will admit I’ll never give the Red Sox or Patriots props for anything.
I think if they played now, GC would hand JJ a serious butt whooping…who knows what unfolds in a month’s time…
No one on this site gives Somers a chance, I love it! Just complain about penalties and how they play too rough. Guess you forgot it was a contact sport. Hope they send a message across the Section tonight and put JJ back in their place. Sorry guys you’ll be on our turf, won’t be any abnoxious cars driving by on their horns or a cute “white out” in the stands…its going to be a great show, but Somers takes it by 2 goals. Enjoy!
Oh, and P.S.
I believe we are still Section Champs till you beat us in White Plains
A few things ulikepurpleweseeRED…nobody on this blog has claimed JJ is going to blow Somers out, everybody thinks it’ll be a close game, and everyone is giving Somers a chance, but JJ has been playing better and more consistently all year which is why most people have Jay winning.
Lacrosse is a contact sport, you’re absolutely right, but there are also rules. You can blame the refs and all that, but if you get penalized as much as Somers has this year, it’s pretty clear the players aren’t playing clean, and as far as I’m concerned, they can go right ahead and keep doing it if they want, they’re only hurting themselves.
True, you’ll be on home turf, but what does the “white out” or obnoxious (with an ‘o’) car horns have to do with anything? Any real player will tell you that stuff doesn’t matter once that whistle blows.
Oh, and P.S. you want to point out where anybody has referred to Jay as the Section Champs?
Next time you feel the need and desire to post something so ignorant and nonconstructive, do us all a favor and read other people’s entries
Syracuse,
I concur . The Red Sox and the Patriots should receive no props on this site. As for Jay, I think they will be ready to play tonight too. They have been ready in similar situations all season.
Will O’Donnell scores with 6;56 left in the first. JJ leads 1-0.
Pfiffner ties it at 1-1.
PVille 16-3 no contest
Goals by Petre and Donohue give Somers a 3-2 lead after one.
Jimmy Morris and Daniello score. We’re tied at 3-3 early in the second.
Saldutti gives JJ its first lead. It’s 4-3 midway through the second. Beck assisted.
Weil makes it 5-3 with 2:38 left in the second.
JJ leads 6-3 at HT.
John Jay has pulled away and leads 10-4 after three.
Town 3 Field 2 end of 1
3 2 town after 1
Rye 11-Byram Hills 7
Town 4-2 8:40 in 2nd
Final: John Jay 12, Somers 6
Nice job John Jay. Let’s Go Town. Also, nice job Rye.
6 2 y at half.
Town 6-2 half. Town playing 3 lines on O and 10 different players on D. Town will start with ball in 3rd bench Pen on Colsey
Rye put together pretty much a full game today. A little lapse to start the 3rd quarter.
Hey great win for Jay!!
Go Town!!!
Nice job Jay and nice prediction Syracuse!
Fahey, Mariano and Thorp score Yorktown leads 9-2
9 2 town mid third.
I see good Yorktown decided to show up today …
Schuldt scores Yorktown leads 10-2
Town 11-3 3:51 left in 3rd
FL’s inuries finally catch up to them after losing 2 starters on the defensive end. they lose to suffern 11-6
Town 11-4 end of3
any score on the putnam valley game
put valley 14 kennedy 2
Putnam Valley 14 Kennedy 2
Rye beats BH 11-7.
Good effort by BH. #17, Lofrink was a clear impact player both on scoring and feeding. But the most valuable player for BH was their goalie, #1, Larrebee. He was superb in goal! If not for his great effort, IMO, Rye could have scored another 4-5 goals. He’s only a soph!
Rye played pretty solid in both half’s on both O and D starting to move the ball well on O I believe in Q2. It was good to see their offense put up double digits in goals and as I said above were getting lots of chances to score. Another key factor absent in the 1st BH game was the presence of McCormack who gave Rye good possession from FO.
Hopefully this positive “mo” will serve Rye well going forward.
Yorktown leads 11-8 1:30 left
11 8 town 115 left.
Yorktown leads 11-9 50 seconds left
Town 11-9 Final
Town wins 11-9
how does it go from 10-2 to 11-9 in just a few posts. We obviously missed some needed additional posts along the way ???
jj-12 somers-6. JJ dominated and played much better ball. Their face-offs actually looked good (even though they might have still lost in total) it looked much better. 3-1 at the end of 1Q and they went on 8-0 tear playing good O and D.
I believe scoring went something like..
Daniello-2
B. Pray- 2
J. Morris- 2
1 for B. Morris, Weil, Walter, O’donnel, Saldutti, Tom Beck
I see the good Yorktown decided to show up, but then got killed by the bad Yorktown. …
CROP,
Give us full play-by-play summation of this game.
Good win for Ytown, they needed a W coming off this weekend….They need to start rallying now (the huskers usually begin to get going this time of the year dont they?) Interlicchio continues chasing that record with 4 g’s tonight.
I did not see the game how did it go from 10-2 to 11-9 in such a short period of time. What happened?.
Congrats Town. Way to send Field back to CT!!
As with “Jeffrey” above can someone supply some color on how Field came back so strong after being way down?
Quick note on town: yes they beat a good team, but you can’t blow a lead like that. One day one of these big time colapses will come bacck to haunt them. They did the same thing against chaminade. I believe the final score was the same aswell? Needless to say a win is a win
Sight to behold from today…
Ossining and Peekskill; both teams gathered in a circle lighting it up, dancing and cheering together after their game…these are NOT prep school guys. lol.
Sportsmanship, friendship and respect.
Peekskill, you are welcome back to Ossining any time.
Thanks for visiting and keep going!
brewster – tappan zee score?
Suffern beats Fox Lane 11-6
No word on Wogue-SWR yet…
Hauppauge 10, Eastport-South Manor 9, 2 OT
Manhasset 11, Floral Park 4
Massapequa 9, Hicksville 4
Rocky Point 6, Sayville 3
John Glenn – Elwood 11, HHH West 8
Mount Sinai 8, Babylon 7, 2 OT
Harborfields 12, Huntington 10
St A’s 18, Holy Trinity 4
Oceanside 15, Port 10
Slacrosse you are certainly correct. BH goalie played a great game and kept the score much closer than it could have been.
Dad-O ,
Good to hear that. Congrats to the kids on both teams.
laxinupsec1 (and tangentally Syracuse) wassup guys?
There are no style points! LOL!
Yorktown CAN blow a lead like that, they DID blow a lead like that and they WON THE GAME. You Yorktown guys are tougher than Yankee fans! lol.
How they won has no impact on them as a team or their chances to win in the future. Go ask Coach Marr if he’s upset about winning by two instead of ten and he’ll tell you to hang on, while he finishes doing his happy dance. lol.
STYLE POINTS ARE FOR FIGURE SKATING AND SNOWBOARDING. LOL!
Okay, my rep is intact and my work here is done for the day.
Have a great night guys!
P.S. NavyEODcrab…since lectures are in order; your points are good, but your tone is nasty and will destroy any credibility you may have if you lecture people about how to behave and attack people by calling them ignorant.
If you want people on this blog to consistently read you then you have to calm down and be engaging.
Peace.
no-style-points,
Did you hear me complain about the margin of victory?
Alright, ‘cuse, I’ll let you get away with it, but you mentioned how the good Yorktown got killed by the bad Yorktown. It’s borderline Yankee fan-ish. lol.
I take it back.
Of course, from most school’s perspectives there’s no such thing as a bad Yorktown. lol. A bad Yorktown would be a team they could actually beat…once…per decade. lol.
Uh, oh, I’m starting to get a Red Sox vibe from no_style_points. Say it aint so, No…
An abundance of “Lax Trolls” at the Town / Field Game (see Rte 35 description of “Lax Dad”…weeks later and I am still cracking up over “nothing worse than Lax Dad”). A couple of major differences between Town and Ridgefield. Town goalie and defense play was far superior than Ridgefield. Also, Ridgefield offense is based on having good athletic kids beat defenders. That may work when you are playing against the lower level teams in Fairfield County…not so much when you play a team like Town that has kids and coaches with very high lax iq’s.
Well, Syracuse old boy, you nailed the Jay-Somers game. I don’t hold the same definitive attitude towards this Jay team, but you may be right. Of course, the only Jay-Somers game that will really matter will be if they meet in the sectionals. But this Jay defense is really growing on me.
And once again, every time I start believing in a team (Byram Hills, Fox Lane, Somers), they go ahead and turn in the other direction.
Nice W by Townn I am sure Dave is happy. While in the end it does not matter how many goals you win by. How one finishes a game is as important as how one starts the game. If anyone was at the game can you give a short explanation of the 1st half Yorktown team that played so well . And the 2nd half Yorktown team which had to hold on in the end. Congrats JJ and Good luck the rest of the way to all the players. No more predictions from me. I am just going to enjoy the remaindr of the season , and the Sectionals. and hopefully beyond for some of our teams. GO TOWNNNNN. This is when the fun really starts.
word from Laxpower is Wogue beats SWR in quadruple OT. Cleary again with the OT winner
Doid23 — i guess you believed in Somers prior to them playing a game.
Wow. Sounds like an unreal game kr. Anyone with details/info pls chime in!
Old Growth,
I was ecstatic at Town’s win. I’d take a 1 goal win as long as Town won.
But you say how much better Town’s D was then Ridgefield but Field still scored 9 goals in what turned out to be a close game?? How does the score jive with your comment?
No way, Doid, I’m a Pinstriper through and through…I was raised right.
Thank you, slac!
Old Growth,
Think I know the answer to my question. Teams can have ups and downs, mental relaxation, etc. Good 1st half, not as good 2nd half. Has happened to many teams this season.
Again congrats on the win Town.
Man, I feel like I’m slacking- I couldn’t make this game. Sounds like Town came out firing and ended up like the Chaminade game. I think Ridgefield was just working to get my prediction closer to the actual score haha.
9 goals left for KI. Expect a full review Friday night after Darien.
town was firing on all cylinders for the first three quarters and with a big lead going into the 4th just came out flat, more like very flat. ki was impressive and everyone got into the act on the offensive end and koelsch and the defense played well also. in the fourth quarter everything shut down and ridgefield played desperate and made a lot of shots as the defense was just giving them every opportunity. the offensive possessions in the 4th were weak and nothing went well. if town put it together for the entire game it would’ve been somewhere around 14-5
Jaybird – I showed up late tonight and the score was 3-1 Somers. I said ok, here we go. Rest of the night was all JJ – and they looked good….Really good. They will have to beat Somers once more – but tonight they were special. Shout out for this coaching staff, starting with Tim Schurr. Defense is very well coached, talented and aggressive.
Offense seems unselfish (always a problem for this group), and balanced (10 different players registered points). Starts with Daniello – and he’s been the best player on the field in most games. Coaches Bocklet and Carrozza seem to have contributed to the above. Nolan holds it all together, and that is a monumental task with this group .
Syracuse might be right. Crash and burn, maybe – but this team was unprepared for one game this year (against a top 5 team in the nation) and every other time – they showed up and won. period. (props to NO STYLE POINTS).
Thanx towntime.
Hey, “s—-t” happens!!!
I’m only pissed cause I got grief from a CT fan for predicting Town would double up the score on Field (12-6).
The only thing I’ve said negative about Somers is I believe they simply don’t have a true identity offensively without Jo-Jo. Their D is fine. Longo is probably the best goalie in the section. It just seems like this offense disappears in stretches during games and not enough guys can create their own shot. I didn’t see the Jay game but I’d think as good as Jay is defensively Somers should score more than it did.
‘cuse,
not sure about your statement on longo – (i’d take koelsh or fraylich).
question: you referenced Nisky earlier – not sure this is a classic Nisky team. Is your statement on Nisky one of historical achievement – or have you seen them this year?
the got beat up by Darien – and John Jay played Darien dead even in a scrimmage.
the boss – No, I just thought that Somer’s had hit their stride, beating BH, Rye, L/P, loss to a strong Town team, then trounced HG. Thought this would be closer, and that it was even between them and J. I guess I underestimated J.
NSPoints- phew, good to hear you were reared right, would even have accepted Mets, but definately not Red Sox. Small world, a new guy in my company is from Yorktown, we’re talking about all of the Westchester things, then he says he’s a Red Sox fan, and his parents were from Yonkers. Maybe if they were from Boston I could accept this, but I have wrote both him and his parents off.
whalebelt – sleep with your eyes open…next month has come.
ulikepurpleweseeRED…
you feeling ok? depressed? need help? we can help…might show up in a nice car on your turf – but we mean well.
We shall meet again.
I was at the Town game. Ridgefield never turned it on until the fourth quarter. If they had, it could have spelled trouble early. Town moved the ball well but still seemed out of sorts. Looked like some players were either hurt or pulled again early. Tough to do so late in the year and keep morale up–maybe thats why the fourth quarter collapse? Looked like alot of new faces on D for Town–not sure how effective the frequent changes actually were when you consider that by the fourth quarter town seemed lost in a game they were winning.
Couple of good points about town going forward: KI on fire, Porcelli and Sullivan and Schdult starting to win some(just some) face offs, Lieberman running a good settled O and keeping the ball hot (still alot of holding on to the ball by middies?)and playing well with KI– he is making sure opportunities are created for KI, Mariano got rid of the jitters and scored two nice goals last night. Mabus also showing up on the stat board. Seven kids scored 11 goals–nice stat and difficult to guard against. That said, it was a not Koelsch’s best night and other than Burke and Fahey D was inconsistent.
Town can still make a run. They need to settle on who is playing. This is the second time in as many weeks that town shook up their line up. Seems very late in season to keep doing that–kids need to be confident this late–Jekyl/Hyde stuff won’t stop if kids keep getting pulled. YTown’s D was not confident and kept looking to sidelines after Ridgefield started its comeback–a little worried about getting pulled?
Veterans like KI, Lieberman, Mabus, Schuldt and Porcelli need to take control of this very talented Town team and make the run that Town always does. A look at last year shows that this group has done it before–aside from Ranagan Lieberman, Porcelli and Schuldt pumped in major points in the playoff run last year. This group has a very hi lax IQ, great skills and has shown they can play well together. Their upside is limitless.
What I ment before was one day they might not win after blowing a lead like that, maybe next time, the lead will start to shrink 3 mins earlier, then they lose
P&G, I wouldn’t look too much into scrimmage results. Somers was beating Darien 5-0 at one point (although it was Darien’s first scrimmage, and Darien reeled off 7 straight after that), and they are not a team of Darien’s caliber. Darien played pretty poorly against J, and still got the tie. I’ll admit J looked pretty good, but I would definitely put my money on Darien in a true game.
Also, Nisky was actually a decent team, and put up a fight for a little while. Their other two losses are by 1 goal to decent Duxbury and Shenendowa teams.
haha, love you JJ fans, you guys crack me up. Lets chat after you beat some legit teams and win some hardware. But nice job taking down that tough Section 1 schedule!
Congrats to Yorktown on a convincing win. Despite the late comeback I don’t think the outcome was in doubt. Priceless moment – Marr rode the ref’s all first quarter complaining about every call. Second quarter Colsey yells “horrible call” on an out of bounds shot possession award and is immediately flagged for a bench penalty. A welcome back to be sure.
JJ enjoy the moment but 3 more games none of which should be overlooked, HG the best non playoff team in section 1, BH solid, RField came back on Town not an easy feat. The only Somers game that matters is the next one (They still own the hardware).
Sorry WhaleBelt JJ doesn’t have games with Carey, Great Neck and Levittown.
I have one word for all the JJ and GC fans “Wogue”.
Great to hear that the Ossining Peekskill game ended on a high note. It is a game and games should be fun.
Joe can you please clarify the playoff system. I heard it is a “point based system”. Is this true?
slaxie – If you are referring to Section 1, we’ve been discussing the elimination of the power league and the new system at various points the last few months here. Sorry you missed the insights. Here’s a link to the most recent discussion, including an overview of the point system:
http://laxlessons.com/blog/2010/04/readers-perspective-swlax-analyzes-new-section-1-playoff-seeding-formula/
Thanks Joe — this is another example of why you are the man!!
So let me see if I have it right. If the season were to end today Class A would be 1. L/P 2. Arlington 3. Suffern 4. Y’Town Class B 1. JJ 2. Mamo 3. Eastchester 4. FL Class C 1. Bronxville 2. Pearl River 3. Pville 4.Put Valley or Nanuet????
slaxie current standing in B as of 5/4 with lots of games to play this is only a snapshot not a forecast
1JJ
2 East Chester
3 Fox Lane
4.Mamo
5. TZ
6. Somers
7. Brewster
8 Ossining
9 Hen Hud
10 Scarsdale
11 Harrison
12 Nyack
Thanks Old Rugger!! I think I got it. Love this site.
Joe,
How many team make the section playoffs from each class?
Also, I know you were at last night’s Somers vs John Jay game for MSGVarsity but I have not seen any of your thoughts on how the game played out. Offense, defense for each team, other thoughts?
Old
Who gets a first round bye?
P&G,
No, I have not seen Nisky this year. My assumption of Jay playing them in the state quarters is based solely on two factors.
1. Class A in Section 2 had 3 teams last year that were “good.” Nisky dropped to B and now has just one team that can beat a Section 1 team — Shenendehowa (currently unbeaten I believe), but that’s Town or L/P’s problem.
2. Class B in Section 2 has traditionally been very weak. Throw a non-vintage Nisky into the mix now and they immediately become the team to beat by far. I’d even go so far as to say, strictly against Section 2 B competition, Nisky’s JV would probably be the best team.
Nisky defense-first style is the staple of the program, though last year they had some offensive punch. It looks like they still have the D and slow-down style, but less of a punch this year.
I see Jay winning that potential matchup in states easily.
Westlax –
The number of teams will be determined by how many teams qualify in each class (you must have a winning percent of 25 percent or higher) and how many petition to play. So it’s TBD.
As for John Jay’s big 12-6 win last night, a few things stuck out in my mind.
For the Indians, many have continued to talk about John Jay’s lax IQ, since we first mentioned it here after the first meeting. That certainly comes into play because Tim Schurr is a coach who likes to have his players think on their feet and play the game “above the neck.” The year of varsity experience for the 12 sophomores on the squad last year has put them and the returning seniors in a position to do this.
I thought the two big keys, though, for John Jay were offensive balance and defense. Mike Daniello, who was defended by John Bello, had two goals and one assist (with the second goal coming with time winding down), but plenty of other Indians contributed offensively. Nine players scored for John Jay, with Stephen Saldutti netting the go-ahead go, making it 4-3 after JJ trailed early 3-1.
The other big keys – John Jay was able to neutralize Somers in the faceoff X and controlled time of possession in the critical second quarter.
Finally, John Jay’s defense, led by Jameson Pickel and the close unit of Zack Waldman, Greg Smyth and Jack Lambert, and goalies Bobby Maher and Fletcher Franklin was outstanding.
Remember, Somers scored 14 goals in the sectional final vs. John Jay. It’s taken two games vs. JJ this year for Somers to equal that total.
I thought Bello had a strong game once again, Daniello is quick and has some fancy moves but I think it was the solid structure of the JJ O that left many of the other defenders flat-footed. Hopefully a big win at BH tomorrow can help build the morale and confidence moving foward
As Joe says I think the byes/outbracket games will be determined by the total number of teams in the brackets.
I am a former section 2 guy and have seen both Nisky and Shen play. Neither team has impressed me to be honest. Shen has beaten nobody significant and has feasted on the low level and new programs in 2, including the likes of Burnt Hills, Columbia and Schenectady. Not exactly top flight programs and they don’t play out of the section this year. Four of their wins have been against weaker B schools. The only tough game they played was with Nisky, a one goal win. Nisky plays a tougher schedule (Dux,Darien, Somers), and it will be interesting to see how they play against Somers. Town or LP would handle Shen fairly easy in my opinion after seeing they all play many games. Jay would handle Nisky as well. Then again, thats why they play the games. It wouldn’t shock me to see Quensbury come out of section 2 in class B.
Joe,
Having seen 5 or 6 of JJ’s games this season I want to weigh in on, your quote ” Finally, John Jays defense, led by Zack Waldman, Greg Smyth and Jack Lambert, … .. was outstanding.” is IMO the true reasons for JJ’s success ,11-1 record, so far this season, (I would add Jameson Pickel into that mix as well.)
These four (3 seniors and a freshman) have truely brough into Coach Schurr’s lacrosse ways , they have learned his systems and zones, and they continue to improve and deliver on all he has asked.of them. The 3 seniors at the core of the D are also the key component of John Jays LAX IQ, ( these are 3 school smart kids as well) and have been a strong influence on the development of the freshmen Lambert, (who in his own right is destined to be a future star.)
With the exception of Smyth being the physical/shut-down guy who always gets the oppositions top attack guy, it is hard to categorize or figure out what Coach Schurr will do with the other 3 in any given game.
Amazingly we did not see much of Waldman and Smyth as juniors, but have been a pleasant suprise to us HV lax fans …….What is your view?
Smyth does not always get matched up against the best attackmen. in fact it was only once, against Ytown and KI. Schurr doesn’t care about who the opponents best attackmen is, he has faith in all of his defensemen, and much defense in his zone d. Schurr is more concerned with offenses’ hand preferences and his D-men work off of that.