Welcome to On the Run. Here's what happened in college lacrosse this weekend, plus some little things that I loved. Quick and easy to read while you're on the run!
The storyline that stole the show this weekend.
Before I get into Virginia, I'll just open by saying I was not happy about the streaming options this weekend.
Johns Hopkins vs Georgetown and Stony Brook vs Rutgers was on FloLive, a streaming platform that I've never heard of before, which costs a lot of money. And Loyola vs Maryland was on BTN+, which again I will not be paying for.
So by default, Michigan vs Virginia was the game I had to watch, which is fine because that's the game I was most excited about anyways.
I thought Michigan had a good chance to win this game.
Not only did they have a terrific 2023 season and an influx of notable transfers, but I thought Virginia was going to have a 'down' year by Virginia standards after losing a ton of key players.
I was wrong.
From the jump, it was clear that Virginia was the more athletic, physical, and prepared team. It's not really fair Virginia just gets to spawn new players to replace their graduated players.
McCabe Millon looked like the next great UVA attackman. Joey Terenzi looked like the next great UVA two-way midfielder. John Schroter and George Fulton didn't miss a beat down low as first-year starters. Graduate transfers Jack Boyden and Chase Yager lived up to the hype in their first game. Anthony Ghobriel and Thomas Colucci (both also transfers) went 65% and 75% at the faceoff X respectively. Highly-recruited Ryan Colsey scored his first career goal.
All of these players were not key parts of UVA's Final Four team last year. And now, many of them playing in their first career games as a Cavalier, looked amazing.
Get ready to watch the 'Hoos raise the trophy again in 2024.*
*only slightly joking
From a nifty substitution to a highlight-reel goal and everything in between. Here are the little things that maybe weren't the star of the weekend, but things I still enjoyed.
Eating this shot then selling out to the endline.
Very cool goal from the Navy attacker.
Every pass on the money.
I love the BTB's that are so emphatic that you spin a little bit at the end. Great goal, great game, big win for Army, who have Final Four hopes this season.
Mayea's been one of the best inside finishers for a while now, and you see why.
We know about the stars of college lacrosse - who's flying under the radar?
I mentioned earlier that Schroter "didn't miss a beat" in his first start down low. That's an understatement. I thought he was the best player on the field on Saturday. He's got size, terrific feet, great off the ground, and throws timely and disruptive checks. He's going to be one of the best defenseman in college lacrosse shortly.
Sticking with defenders, Deans was really impressive against Towson last Tuesday and jumped off the screen against Georgetown (I had to watch the highlights. Thanks FloLive). Deans is disruptive in the middle of the field and very comfortable in transition. Really nice player who could play at the pro level.
I hope you enjoyed this week's edition of On the run and hope to see you next week.
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