Big teams fall hard and North Carolina falling to Ohio State is no exception. Early in the season teams aren’t expected to play their best ball. Facing weather issues and it obviously being early in the season players will not be at 100% in their first couple games. However after a good showing in their first game against Robert Morris which showcased the most highly touted recruit out of high school in 2010 Nicky Galasso scoring four goals and adding an assist, it is a bit of a let down to have this below average showing against the Buckeyes. And don’t be mislead it was a poor showing for UNC. Being out played in almost every major statistical category by the Buckeyes (GB’s 32-18, Clears 18-20 OSU to 15-22 UNC, and Shots 33-28).
As mentioned this is the first 20% of the season, so losses like this are a lot less detrimental and a lot more excusable than they would be later in the season. Best part being they will have no shortage of opportunities to redeem themselves starting next week with unranked but highly dangerous Navy that by the way is being played on a Friday night which I am a big fan of. Keep a keen eye on Galasso. If he can continue to produce like he has in the first two then in all honesty he may be a Tewarton finalist before the seasons done. This kid had his way with the competition on Long Island and looks like he may just outshine former golden-boy Billy Bitter. That’s what Long Islanders do…outshine kid. Sorry for over shadowing OSU. Truly a great job by them with a super young cast, but after two mediocre to sub mediocre seasons they are going to have to string together a couple decent wins along with the huge UNC upset to be considered a major player (especially with a 4-3 win over improving but still bottom tier Detroit Mercy). So much of coaching is getting your team to peak at the right time late in the year. Not saying that Coach Brecci overlooked the buckeyes but I won’t rule out that they didn’t take the buckeyes as a legitimate threat.
UVA brings home a big opening win against Drexel with a still astonishingly young roster. With the Brattons being the only senior contributors and pretty much having the same roster as last year with the exception of middie Brian Carroll (who has one of the best time and room shots in the game) look for these guys to be the team to beat. Very interesting note is that senior goalie Adam Ghitelman did not start in the Cav’s opener while junior Rob Fortunato makes his first career start and puts up 12 stops against the traditionally strong offense of Drexel. Definitely a story line to follow. While on goalies Mark Manos from Drexel put up some strong numbers on Saturday stopping 19 Wahoo balls on 47 shots. This kid is legit. Since taking over from All-American Bruce Bickford this All-American has been nothing short of phenomenal finishing the last two seasons over 58% save percentage. For those who don’t know Drexel plays primarily out of a zone defense which encourages teams to shoot often from the outside leaving their goalies ton’s of opportunities to make saves however we know having the opportunity to succeed and the ability to are two different things. Keep it up Marky.
UVA has a huge one coming up Saturday in a rematch of the quarterfinal from last season vs. Stony Brook, which was by far the best and most electric games I had ever watched in my life. If you live in the Long Island area please make the effort to get out to Stony Brook for the game. With Crowley and McBride back for Stony Brook this game will not disappoint.
Hofstra another big team to watch this season started off with a good W against a solid Sacred Heart squad lead by grad transfer Stevie Serling. A former high school team-mate of mine the kid flat out can ball. I don’t need to pump his tires more than Quint did on Sunday during the Duke/ND game so I’ll let you guys get introduced to him over the next couple weeks.
Coming back to Navy they lose a heartbreaker to Loyola, which I think, proves already this is a team we will be talking about in May. With goalie RJ Wickham returning they are poised to make a run after falling to eventual Cinderella story Army in the patriot final last season. Plain and simple Richie Mead knows how to coach the game the Navy way. He’s and institution and so are the Navy Midshipmen.
For those that didn’t check out at least a little bit of the Notre Dame/UNC game shame shame. For as good of a game as the national championship was you had to give the rematch a crack. Didn’t know it was on? Laxpower has a full list of televised games, get ya fan up. What it boils down to is that if Duke can’t find a consistent stopper they are going to be in a bad way. Notre Dame had their way with Dan Wigrizer who was Duke’s guy last year down the stretch. But lets be honest with the super high-powered offense that Duke had last year, if any team could hide a weak goalie it was the 2010 Blue Devils. Hate to give Wigrizer the backhand but he’s not going to be able to get away with what he did last year. One thing is for sure though Justin Turri is one of the best there is. Too early to tell and I haven’t watched every team play yet but this kid is as good as anyone, however he aint as good as Dan Brennemen. His ability to shoot on the run, draw a slide and spectacular vision means he’s going to be a nightmare for defensive midfielders all year long. Drafted in the first round by the Lizards he is about to have a bright future in the game. Can’t wait to watch him and the Irish play this year.
Here’s to a great second week and an even better third week.
