Wildcard
AFC
Cincinnati Bengals over Houston Texans: Matt Schaub is not playing well right now at all. The Bengals are going to take advantage, and once again, the Texans will be a disappointment. TJ Yates could probably save the day though.
Baltimore Ravens over Indianapolis Colts: The Ravens look pretty good right now, and I fully expect Joe Flacco to play well enough in this game to get a win. Plus, Ray Rice is really good at football.
NFC
Seattle Seahawks over Washington Redskins: At first I was going to pick the Redskins to win this one, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that RG3's limitations as he recovers from his knee sprain will be key. Plus, Russell Wilson is peaking right now, and the Seahawks get CB Brandon Browner back.
Green Bay Packers over Minnesota Vikings: Aaron Rodgers won't lose to the Vikings two weeks in a row. Discount double check all day.
Division
AFC
Denver Broncos over Cincinnati Bengals: Cincinnati is playing alright, but not as well as the Broncos. Von Miller is a huge part of their defense, and he's playing well. And then Peyton Manning is playing at an MVP level again, so it shouldn't be too difficult for the Broncos.
New England Patriots over Baltimore Ravens: The Patriots offense is the best in the NFL. They're not losing to a team with a banged up Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis. Betting against Tom Brady in the playoffs is also foolish.
NFC
Seattle Seahawks over Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons always lose their first playoff game. It's not changing this year.
San Francisco 49ers over Green Bay Packers: I almost picked the Packers because a) they're good and b) I just wanted a rematch of the MNF game where MD Jennings picked off Russell Wilson, but Golden Tate "caught the touchdown." But I'm also just not sure about the Packers with guys returning from injuries and finding their place in the lineup again. They could easily prove me wrong, but the 49ers also look good to me.
Conference Championship
AFC
New England Patriots over Denver Broncos: Tom Brady...Peyton Manning...where have I seen this before? Manning is good, no doubt. The Broncos defense is good, no doubt. The Patriots defense can be shaky, sure. I don't care. Stevan Ridley is the best Patriots running back since like Laurence Maroney. Well, he was only slightly above average, so maybe Corey Dillon? Whatever, Ridley is good. Gronkowski is back, and he's the best tight end in the game, and a top five receiver. Don't bet against Tom Brady.
NFC
San Francisco 49ers over Seattle Seahawks: The Week 16 MNF matchup was disastrous for the 49ers, but it would be foolish to believe the Seahawks would repeat such a dominant performance. After all, the 49ers are actually good. Justin Smith should be back, and that is HUGE for their defense. It makes Aldon Smith better, and he is the 49ers' best pass rusher. Anyway, I think Colin Kaepernick is going to keep getting better, Frank Gore is playing some great football, and the O-Line is terrific for the 49ers generally.
Super Bowl
New England Patriots over San Francisco 49ers: Let me start with a story. During the MNF matchup between the Patriots and the 49ers, the Patriots were getting romped. Kaepernick looked terrific, and the Patriots offense couldn't really do much. As the Patriots started to slowly catch up, I tweeted that it was a comeback. I wanted the 49ers to win, so I basically jinxed the Patriots because we all know that calling it a comeback too early is a rookie mistake.
But anyway, I may be completely wrong on this. The Broncos might win, and the 49ers might lose to the Packers. But let's assume I'm right, which is generally true. Patriots are good. They are hungry for another SB win. I have a hard time believing the 49ers can switch quarterbacks midseason to a second year QB with limited experience and take down Tom Brady. Weirder things have happened. Watch out for the MNF revenge. Once again: do not bet against Tom Brady. That's a rookie mistake. That's like calling it a comeback.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Friday, January 4, 2013
2013 NFL Playoff Predictions
Walker Minot
Wildcard
AFC
Cincinnati Bengals over Houston Texans: the Texans do not look good to me right now. They have a very good team and have had a great season, but succeeding in the NFL playoffs is about peaking at the right time. From watching the Texans the last two weeks it looks to me like they've peaked and are playing their worst ball at an unfortunate time of year. The Bengals have won three in-a-row (almost eight in-a-row if they hadn't lost by one to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14) and the Texans have limped into the playoffs, missing out on a bye they should have had. They will come out flat and the Bengals will take advantage.
Baltimore Ravens over Indianapolis Colts: Ravens have not been playing well of late, however, they are a better and more experienced team than the Colts. Ray Lewis's last game in Baltimore will give him and the Ravens defense enough motivation to stop a very talented but inexperienced Andrew Luck.
NFC
Seattle Seahawks over Washington Redskins: it's hard not to like Redskins rookie Robert Griffin III, but easier not to like his team against the Seahawks in this game. The Redskins struggled to beat a mediocre Cowboy team last weekend at home; RGIII can't run well and Alfred Morris won't be able to save them against a Seattle team that has a stingy defense (unlike the Cowboys) and is riding high.
Green Bay Packers over Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson is so ridiculously good at running the football that I was tempted to pick the Vikings here. But I didn't. The Packers aren't a great team, but their defense will be able to contain Peterson enough so the Aaron Rodgers-led offense will win it.
Division
AFC
Denver Broncos over Cincinnati Bengals: the Broncos are the hottest team in the NFL right now (winners of 11 straight) with a great quarterback, good running back, and solid defense. An extra week of preparation for an all-time great like Peyton Manning is unfair, not to mention the Broncos have home-field advantage in a tough place to play.
New England Patriots over Baltimore Ravens: the Patriots are a much better team. Well-coached, great quarterback, excellent receivers, good rush defense (granted their pass defense is horrendous), plus they get the Ravens in Foxborough for this one. Baltimore will be playing hard for Ray Lewis's career to end with a win, but the Ravens just aren't good enough.
NFC
Seattle Seahawks over Atlanta Falcons: battle of the birds. For some reason I've never liked the Falcons this year. I've felt they were overrated despite their terrific record and number one overall seed in the NFC. I can't think of any reason why I would be biased against them (Iowa City native and City High/University of Iowa alumnus Tim Dwight ran a kickoff back for a TD for them last time they were in the Super Bowl so I should like them), but I just can't get on their bandwagon. And Seattle has been playing really well.
San Francisco 49ers over Green Bay Packers: the 49ers have a terrific team. Great defense, excellent coach, and really good running game. The Packers are good but they won't be able to score more points than San Fran, and when that happens, you lose.
Conference Championship
AFC
Broncos over Patriots: I'm really excited for this match-up Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have been bitter rivals for years and I'm delighted to see it continuing with Peyton in Denver. The Patriots will lose to the Broncos for the same reason they have lost in the playoffs for the last five years: poor defense. (As alluded to earlier, their pass defense is ranked 29th in the league in yards allowed. Who doesn't think Peyton won't carve that up?) The Broncos are good to terrific in all facets of the game, and while Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are amazing, their not-being-amazing-enough-to-win-the-Super Bowl-with-a-defense-that's-as-leaky-as-a-sieve streak will continue.
NFC
Seahawks over 49ers: a game of great defenses usually comes down to field goal kicking (think of the first game between LSU and Alabama last year). Are 49er fans confident that they can win that battle with Billy Cundiff and David Akers trying to kick it through the uprights? I don't think so (again, recall the first Bama-LSU game last year in which Bama was the superior team but lost because of bad kicking). Plus, Colin Kaepernick will throw multiple interceptions at very bad times, dooming San Francisco (that probably won't happen I just want to see some sort of vindication for Alex Smith, who was unceremoniously benched after stoically leading the 49ers through seven-and-a-half mostly awful years).
Super Bowl
Broncos over Seahawks: this will not be a close game. The Broncos are an excellent, well-rounded team that's playing their best football at the best time. Peyton Manning is pissed that Eli has one more ring than he does because, let's face it, Eli is an excellent QB, but he's no Peyton.
Bottom Line
I'm not as confident as I was last year, but I'm happy to take my chances with these picks. What I'm most worried about is the Seahawks. Any time you pick a rookie QB to lead a team to the Super Bowl it's debatable. I could see them losing any of their playoff games, and if RGIII were fully healthy I would have picked the Redskins in the first round game. Maybe he will be, maybe he won't, either way, it will be fun to find out. I look forward to the bragging and the shaming that will commence.
Wildcard
AFC
Cincinnati Bengals over Houston Texans: the Texans do not look good to me right now. They have a very good team and have had a great season, but succeeding in the NFL playoffs is about peaking at the right time. From watching the Texans the last two weeks it looks to me like they've peaked and are playing their worst ball at an unfortunate time of year. The Bengals have won three in-a-row (almost eight in-a-row if they hadn't lost by one to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14) and the Texans have limped into the playoffs, missing out on a bye they should have had. They will come out flat and the Bengals will take advantage.
Baltimore Ravens over Indianapolis Colts: Ravens have not been playing well of late, however, they are a better and more experienced team than the Colts. Ray Lewis's last game in Baltimore will give him and the Ravens defense enough motivation to stop a very talented but inexperienced Andrew Luck.
NFC
Seattle Seahawks over Washington Redskins: it's hard not to like Redskins rookie Robert Griffin III, but easier not to like his team against the Seahawks in this game. The Redskins struggled to beat a mediocre Cowboy team last weekend at home; RGIII can't run well and Alfred Morris won't be able to save them against a Seattle team that has a stingy defense (unlike the Cowboys) and is riding high.
Green Bay Packers over Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson is so ridiculously good at running the football that I was tempted to pick the Vikings here. But I didn't. The Packers aren't a great team, but their defense will be able to contain Peterson enough so the Aaron Rodgers-led offense will win it.
Division
AFC
Denver Broncos over Cincinnati Bengals: the Broncos are the hottest team in the NFL right now (winners of 11 straight) with a great quarterback, good running back, and solid defense. An extra week of preparation for an all-time great like Peyton Manning is unfair, not to mention the Broncos have home-field advantage in a tough place to play.
New England Patriots over Baltimore Ravens: the Patriots are a much better team. Well-coached, great quarterback, excellent receivers, good rush defense (granted their pass defense is horrendous), plus they get the Ravens in Foxborough for this one. Baltimore will be playing hard for Ray Lewis's career to end with a win, but the Ravens just aren't good enough.
NFC
Seattle Seahawks over Atlanta Falcons: battle of the birds. For some reason I've never liked the Falcons this year. I've felt they were overrated despite their terrific record and number one overall seed in the NFC. I can't think of any reason why I would be biased against them (Iowa City native and City High/University of Iowa alumnus Tim Dwight ran a kickoff back for a TD for them last time they were in the Super Bowl so I should like them), but I just can't get on their bandwagon. And Seattle has been playing really well.
San Francisco 49ers over Green Bay Packers: the 49ers have a terrific team. Great defense, excellent coach, and really good running game. The Packers are good but they won't be able to score more points than San Fran, and when that happens, you lose.
Conference Championship
AFC
Broncos over Patriots: I'm really excited for this match-up Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have been bitter rivals for years and I'm delighted to see it continuing with Peyton in Denver. The Patriots will lose to the Broncos for the same reason they have lost in the playoffs for the last five years: poor defense. (As alluded to earlier, their pass defense is ranked 29th in the league in yards allowed. Who doesn't think Peyton won't carve that up?) The Broncos are good to terrific in all facets of the game, and while Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are amazing, their not-being-amazing-enough-to-win-the-Super Bowl-with-a-defense-that's-as-leaky-as-a-sieve streak will continue.
NFC
Seahawks over 49ers: a game of great defenses usually comes down to field goal kicking (think of the first game between LSU and Alabama last year). Are 49er fans confident that they can win that battle with Billy Cundiff and David Akers trying to kick it through the uprights? I don't think so (again, recall the first Bama-LSU game last year in which Bama was the superior team but lost because of bad kicking). Plus, Colin Kaepernick will throw multiple interceptions at very bad times, dooming San Francisco (that probably won't happen I just want to see some sort of vindication for Alex Smith, who was unceremoniously benched after stoically leading the 49ers through seven-and-a-half mostly awful years).
Super Bowl
Broncos over Seahawks: this will not be a close game. The Broncos are an excellent, well-rounded team that's playing their best football at the best time. Peyton Manning is pissed that Eli has one more ring than he does because, let's face it, Eli is an excellent QB, but he's no Peyton.
Bottom Line
I'm not as confident as I was last year, but I'm happy to take my chances with these picks. What I'm most worried about is the Seahawks. Any time you pick a rookie QB to lead a team to the Super Bowl it's debatable. I could see them losing any of their playoff games, and if RGIII were fully healthy I would have picked the Redskins in the first round game. Maybe he will be, maybe he won't, either way, it will be fun to find out. I look forward to the bragging and the shaming that will commence.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Playoff Predictions 2013
Max Miceli
Wildcard Weekend
AFC
Colts over Ravens- Indy finished the season strong with a win over the Texans, and no one knows the Ravens better than former Raven Defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano and Steeler Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians. I expect Chuck and BA's game planning to be the difference in this game.
Texans over Bengals- I'm not sleeping on the Bengals, but I feel like the Texans will pull it together this weekend after two straight tough losses against playoffs teams. In the end, I see the Texans talent being too much for Cincinnati, but don't be surprised if you see that kid AJ Green do a little something like what TY Hilton did to Houston last weekend.
NFC
Seahawks over Washington- Seattle won't have it's unstoppable 12th man this weekend, but I don't see them needed it. RGIII is still a little slow from his leg injury a few weeks ago, and if any defense can contain Washington's spread option run game, it's Pete Carroll's Seahawk defense filled with hard hitting players at every (and I mean EVERY) position.
Packers over Vikings- Last week was great for the Vikings, but they aren't playing in Minnesota this time around. Christian Ponder will make or break the game for the Vikings, and I see it being hard for him to do well on the road in a hostile cold environment at Lambeau Field.
Divisional Weekend
AFC
Broncos over Colts- What a match up? am I right? Peyton against his old team and the young gun Andrew Luck. It'll shape up to be a great game, but Luck's performance on the road as been mediocre all season, and Denver has one of the most well balanced team in the NFL. Expect Von Miller to give Luck fits and Peyton to torch Indy's secondary.
Patriots over Texans- hasn't this happened before?... like, this season? It has happened, and the Pats made the Texans look stupid. I don't expect a repeat of the demolition job the Patriots did last time, but I don't see the Texans pulling this one out in Foxboro.
NFC
49ers over Packers- The 49ers have home-field advantage and the better defense. If Justin Smith is healthy for this game look for Rodgers to be under constant pressure from the likes of Justin's brother from another mother Aldon Smith.
Seahawks over Falcons- I want to pick the Falcons in this one, but Defense wins championships and Seattle has a run game that can take the area out of the Georgia Dome. The matchup that determines this game though is the Seattle secondary against Atlanta's WRs. I'll take the Adderall popping boys from Seattle. Julio and Roddy may get one or two big plays, but I think the likes of Sherman and Browner win this war.
Conference Championship Weekend
AFC
Broncos over Patriots- Denver will be at home, they have a better defense, and Peyton is very familiar with this Pats defense. It'll be close, as it always is when Peyton plays the Pats, but the Denver D will be the big difference.
NFC
49ers over Seahawks- This is a toss up. Seattle will be HOT by this point, but San Fran is at home. The 49ers don't want a repeat of last year, and Harbaugh definitely doesn't want Carroll to give him a beat down like he did in Seattle. In the end, the 12th man can't help the Seahawks in San Francisco, and the presence of the most underrated player in the league (as voted by players according to Sports Illustrated), Justin Smith, makes the difference.
Super Bowl
Broncos over 49ers- You know how I said Defense wins championships last year? You know... When I picked the Ravens and the 49ers to play in the Super Bowl? Yeah, that's how it works unless you have arguably the greatest QB of all time. Peyton will get his much deserved second ring, but it wont be easy. The 49er D will make him work for it, and Kaepernick's mobility will be a challenge for Von Miller's pass rush. I think Kaepernick's inexperience and Peyton's knowledge and experience are the key factors that give Denver the edge over the Niners.
Wildcard Weekend
AFC
Colts over Ravens- Indy finished the season strong with a win over the Texans, and no one knows the Ravens better than former Raven Defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano and Steeler Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians. I expect Chuck and BA's game planning to be the difference in this game.
Texans over Bengals- I'm not sleeping on the Bengals, but I feel like the Texans will pull it together this weekend after two straight tough losses against playoffs teams. In the end, I see the Texans talent being too much for Cincinnati, but don't be surprised if you see that kid AJ Green do a little something like what TY Hilton did to Houston last weekend.
NFC
Seahawks over Washington- Seattle won't have it's unstoppable 12th man this weekend, but I don't see them needed it. RGIII is still a little slow from his leg injury a few weeks ago, and if any defense can contain Washington's spread option run game, it's Pete Carroll's Seahawk defense filled with hard hitting players at every (and I mean EVERY) position.
Packers over Vikings- Last week was great for the Vikings, but they aren't playing in Minnesota this time around. Christian Ponder will make or break the game for the Vikings, and I see it being hard for him to do well on the road in a hostile cold environment at Lambeau Field.
Divisional Weekend
AFC
Broncos over Colts- What a match up? am I right? Peyton against his old team and the young gun Andrew Luck. It'll shape up to be a great game, but Luck's performance on the road as been mediocre all season, and Denver has one of the most well balanced team in the NFL. Expect Von Miller to give Luck fits and Peyton to torch Indy's secondary.
Patriots over Texans- hasn't this happened before?... like, this season? It has happened, and the Pats made the Texans look stupid. I don't expect a repeat of the demolition job the Patriots did last time, but I don't see the Texans pulling this one out in Foxboro.
NFC
49ers over Packers- The 49ers have home-field advantage and the better defense. If Justin Smith is healthy for this game look for Rodgers to be under constant pressure from the likes of Justin's brother from another mother Aldon Smith.
Seahawks over Falcons- I want to pick the Falcons in this one, but Defense wins championships and Seattle has a run game that can take the area out of the Georgia Dome. The matchup that determines this game though is the Seattle secondary against Atlanta's WRs. I'll take the Adderall popping boys from Seattle. Julio and Roddy may get one or two big plays, but I think the likes of Sherman and Browner win this war.
Conference Championship Weekend
AFC
Broncos over Patriots- Denver will be at home, they have a better defense, and Peyton is very familiar with this Pats defense. It'll be close, as it always is when Peyton plays the Pats, but the Denver D will be the big difference.
NFC
49ers over Seahawks- This is a toss up. Seattle will be HOT by this point, but San Fran is at home. The 49ers don't want a repeat of last year, and Harbaugh definitely doesn't want Carroll to give him a beat down like he did in Seattle. In the end, the 12th man can't help the Seahawks in San Francisco, and the presence of the most underrated player in the league (as voted by players according to Sports Illustrated), Justin Smith, makes the difference.
Super Bowl
Broncos over 49ers- You know how I said Defense wins championships last year? You know... When I picked the Ravens and the 49ers to play in the Super Bowl? Yeah, that's how it works unless you have arguably the greatest QB of all time. Peyton will get his much deserved second ring, but it wont be easy. The 49er D will make him work for it, and Kaepernick's mobility will be a challenge for Von Miller's pass rush. I think Kaepernick's inexperience and Peyton's knowledge and experience are the key factors that give Denver the edge over the Niners.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
UNC's Clash With The Titans (Men's Lacrosse)
Max Miceli
Well... it was interesting for a little while.
With Carolina playing very sloppy ball early in the game at Fetzer field Saturday, Detroit was given an opportunity to make it a game, and for about a quarter it was.
Jimmy Dunster opened the game with it's first goal about 2 minutes in, but the Titans responded quickly with a goal just about a minute later.
While the Titans never had the lead early, they did tie up the game at 2-2 with 8:21 proving that they were ready to play ball. Having early success wasn't enough however, and despite the early sloppy play, Carolina began to pull away.
In the final two minutes of the first quarter, it rained goals for the Tar Heels. After a great ride by Joey Saneky, UNC got the ball off a turnover, and rewarded Sankey with a scoring opportunity that he immediately capitalized on. Following the Sankey one man show, Davey Emala scored off an assist by Marcus Holman and drew a penalty.
In the extra man offense, Pat Foster scored with 22 seconds left, giving UNC a 5-2 lead at the end of what was overall a pretty bad quarter.
From that point on, it was all UNC however. To began the second quarter Emala gave Sankey his second goal off of a cross crease feed, and the slaughter ensued. The UNC defense tighten up, and UNC began to dominate possession.
The Final score was 18-8, but it wasn't even that close to be honest. Three of the Titan goals were in the last three minutes without starting goalie Steven Rastivo in the game and most of the other starters out as well.
Analysis
Overall it a solid performance for the Tar Heels. Scoring was spread out among a lot of guys, as you would expect out of a team with all the offensive talent we have. I was particularly impressed with the great play by the young guns again. Joey Sankey, Jimmy Bitter, and Chad Tutton had two goals a piece, and Tutton and Sankey had three goals between the two of them.
After giving up two goals early, the defense only gave up three goals before garbage time. Rastivo had a decent game, but it wasn't that great. He had 8 saves (13 shots on goal) in 45 minutes of play.
Somehow I always forget to mention this, but R.G. Keenan was fantastic as usual winning 16-18 face-offs. I guess I'm just used to him being insanely good.
STARTERS
ATTACK
Pat Foster
Joey Sankey
Marcus Holman
MIDFIELD
Jimmy Dunster
Duncan Hutchins
Davey Emala
DEFENSE
Jordan Smith
Kieran McDonald
Logan Corey
GOALIE
Steven Rastivo
UNC SCORING
GOALS
Pat Foster 2
Marcus Holman 2
Joey Sankey 2
Jimmy Dunster 3
Davey Emala 1
T.J. Kemp 1
Ryan Creighton 2
Jimmy Bitter 2
Jack McBride 1
Chad Tutton 2
ASSISTS
Pat Foster 1
Marcus Holman 2
Joey Sankey 1
Davey Emala 2
Will Campbell 2
Walker Chafee 1
Matt Shannon 1
Chad Tutton 2
Well... it was interesting for a little while.
With Carolina playing very sloppy ball early in the game at Fetzer field Saturday, Detroit was given an opportunity to make it a game, and for about a quarter it was.
Jimmy Dunster opened the game with it's first goal about 2 minutes in, but the Titans responded quickly with a goal just about a minute later.
While the Titans never had the lead early, they did tie up the game at 2-2 with 8:21 proving that they were ready to play ball. Having early success wasn't enough however, and despite the early sloppy play, Carolina began to pull away.
In the final two minutes of the first quarter, it rained goals for the Tar Heels. After a great ride by Joey Saneky, UNC got the ball off a turnover, and rewarded Sankey with a scoring opportunity that he immediately capitalized on. Following the Sankey one man show, Davey Emala scored off an assist by Marcus Holman and drew a penalty.
In the extra man offense, Pat Foster scored with 22 seconds left, giving UNC a 5-2 lead at the end of what was overall a pretty bad quarter.
From that point on, it was all UNC however. To began the second quarter Emala gave Sankey his second goal off of a cross crease feed, and the slaughter ensued. The UNC defense tighten up, and UNC began to dominate possession.
The Final score was 18-8, but it wasn't even that close to be honest. Three of the Titan goals were in the last three minutes without starting goalie Steven Rastivo in the game and most of the other starters out as well.
Analysis
Overall it a solid performance for the Tar Heels. Scoring was spread out among a lot of guys, as you would expect out of a team with all the offensive talent we have. I was particularly impressed with the great play by the young guns again. Joey Sankey, Jimmy Bitter, and Chad Tutton had two goals a piece, and Tutton and Sankey had three goals between the two of them.
After giving up two goals early, the defense only gave up three goals before garbage time. Rastivo had a decent game, but it wasn't that great. He had 8 saves (13 shots on goal) in 45 minutes of play.
Somehow I always forget to mention this, but R.G. Keenan was fantastic as usual winning 16-18 face-offs. I guess I'm just used to him being insanely good.
STARTERS
ATTACK
Pat Foster
Joey Sankey
Marcus Holman
MIDFIELD
Jimmy Dunster
Duncan Hutchins
Davey Emala
DEFENSE
Jordan Smith
Kieran McDonald
Logan Corey
GOALIE
Steven Rastivo
UNC SCORING
GOALS
Pat Foster 2
Marcus Holman 2
Joey Sankey 2
Jimmy Dunster 3
Davey Emala 1
T.J. Kemp 1
Ryan Creighton 2
Jimmy Bitter 2
Jack McBride 1
Chad Tutton 2
ASSISTS
Pat Foster 1
Marcus Holman 2
Joey Sankey 1
Davey Emala 2
Will Campbell 2
Walker Chafee 1
Matt Shannon 1
Chad Tutton 2
Sunday, February 12, 2012
No Chance (UNC v. Mercer Lacrosse Recap)
Max Miceli
So we had the same starters as we did yesterday. If you want to see the starters just check out my post from yesterday.
Today UNC played their second game in two days down in Georgia to open the season against Mercer, and it wasn't even close. Led by a real Tar Heel Trio of freshman, the Heels dominated the game from the start and won the game 20-7.
With three goals and three assists by Joey Sankey (freshman attackman), Three goals accompanied with an assist by Chad Tutton (freshman middie), and two goals with two assists by Jimmy Bitter (freshman attackman), UNC's freshman class put on a show down in Georgia against a helpless Mercer team.
To be honest they really didn't have too much of a chance from the start. UNC started the game scoring seven points in the first quarter.
If there are any concerns about this game from the Tar Heel point of view, they would have to be about the defenses inability to limit the Bears to fewer goals.
With that being said, Steven Rastivo was taken out at halftime, as were other starters. (as you would expect to happen with an 11-4 lead at half).
In summary, This weekend was great for UNC lax. Our freshies stepped up, and so did our transfers Davey Emala and Jack McBride. Once Nicky Galasso comes back, the Heels may very well be unstoppable offensively as many experts expect, including ESPN's Quint Kessenich who put UNC as having the best attack in the nation.
So Tar Heel Lax fans, Great start to the season. 2-0 is never a bad start, and mad props to Sankey, Tutton, and Bitter for great starts to what I expect to be nothing less than outstanding college careers.
So we had the same starters as we did yesterday. If you want to see the starters just check out my post from yesterday.
Today UNC played their second game in two days down in Georgia to open the season against Mercer, and it wasn't even close. Led by a real Tar Heel Trio of freshman, the Heels dominated the game from the start and won the game 20-7.
With three goals and three assists by Joey Sankey (freshman attackman), Three goals accompanied with an assist by Chad Tutton (freshman middie), and two goals with two assists by Jimmy Bitter (freshman attackman), UNC's freshman class put on a show down in Georgia against a helpless Mercer team.
To be honest they really didn't have too much of a chance from the start. UNC started the game scoring seven points in the first quarter.
If there are any concerns about this game from the Tar Heel point of view, they would have to be about the defenses inability to limit the Bears to fewer goals.
With that being said, Steven Rastivo was taken out at halftime, as were other starters. (as you would expect to happen with an 11-4 lead at half).
In summary, This weekend was great for UNC lax. Our freshies stepped up, and so did our transfers Davey Emala and Jack McBride. Once Nicky Galasso comes back, the Heels may very well be unstoppable offensively as many experts expect, including ESPN's Quint Kessenich who put UNC as having the best attack in the nation.
So Tar Heel Lax fans, Great start to the season. 2-0 is never a bad start, and mad props to Sankey, Tutton, and Bitter for great starts to what I expect to be nothing less than outstanding college careers.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
UNC Lax Opens Season With a Win
Max Miceli
Now I now that most of what we cover are the major sports, but their is a special place in my heart for lacrosse. So I will be posting about every UNC lacrosse game. Since coverage of college lacrosse is hard to find, I am going to do my best to let at least UNC fans see the good coverage lacrosse deserves.
let us start with the starters for UNC!!!
ATTACK
#1 Marcus Holman (JR)
#11 Joey Sankey (FR)
#41 Pat Foster (SO)
MIDFIELD
#20 Jimmy Dunster (SR)
#5 Davey Emala (JR Transfer: Georgetown)
#32 Duncan Hutchins (SO)
DEFENSE
#44 Logan Corey (RS JR)
#48 Kieran McDonald (JR)
#31 Jordan Smith (SO)
GOAL
#19 Steven Rastivo (RS JR)
Like the devil, the Nittany Lions went down to Georgia, but instead of looking for a soul to steal, they were looking for a win against the #6 UNC Tar Heels. The Heels came prepared, however. they rosined up their bows and ripped corners left and right.
Sophomore Mark McNeill proved that he had been working on his stick skills during the offseason and used his athleticism to score the first goal of the game.
After a PSU goal that tied up the ball game, Jimmy Dunster scored, with a flag down, to give the Heels a lead they wouldn't lose for the rest of the game.
Despite a low scoring first quarter, both teams ended with double figures in a game that UNC controlled to a 14-10 win.
By winning 21 of 30 face-offs (R.G. Keenan you are my hero!) the Tar Heels Dominated possession of the rock took to the Nittany Lions, But the real story was the new faces. Keenan himself had a personal high with 19 face-off wins.
out of UNC's 14 goals, 9 were scored by players new to the team. Davey Emala a Transfer student from Georgetown lead the game in scoring with 4 goals and an assist, and younger brother of Billy Bitter, Jimmy picked up where his older brother left off, opening his collegiate career with a hat trick on three OUTSTANDING plays. Jack McBride, transfer from Princeton, had a strong showing as well with 2 goals.
Saying that this will help the Heels in the long run this season is an understatement. As the Heels move on throughout the season look forward to seeing one of the best offenses in the nation out of the Heels. because of guys like Emala, Bitter, and Joey Sankey (another Freshman attackman that started the game), UNC will be a big time contender in the ACC and the nation this year.
Oh yeah!
I forgot to mention, This was all done without the help of Sophomore superstar Nicky Galasso who is currently out of the line up because of a foot injury. With all this fire power it's going to be hard for the Heels to figure out who to put on the field (because no matter what happens they will always leave a big time offensive weapon on the sideline).
Look forward to a great season for the Tar Heels guys. It's gonna be good.
UNC 14
PSU 10
UNC SCORING
GOALS
Emala 4
Bitter 3
Holman 3
J. McBride 2
McNeill 1
Dunster 1
ASSISTS
Foster 3
Leighton-Armah 2
Campbell 1
G. McBride 1
Holman 1
Emala 1
Dunster 1
Now I now that most of what we cover are the major sports, but their is a special place in my heart for lacrosse. So I will be posting about every UNC lacrosse game. Since coverage of college lacrosse is hard to find, I am going to do my best to let at least UNC fans see the good coverage lacrosse deserves.
let us start with the starters for UNC!!!
ATTACK
#1 Marcus Holman (JR)
#11 Joey Sankey (FR)
#41 Pat Foster (SO)
MIDFIELD
#20 Jimmy Dunster (SR)
#5 Davey Emala (JR Transfer: Georgetown)
#32 Duncan Hutchins (SO)
DEFENSE
#44 Logan Corey (RS JR)
#48 Kieran McDonald (JR)
#31 Jordan Smith (SO)
GOAL
#19 Steven Rastivo (RS JR)
Like the devil, the Nittany Lions went down to Georgia, but instead of looking for a soul to steal, they were looking for a win against the #6 UNC Tar Heels. The Heels came prepared, however. they rosined up their bows and ripped corners left and right.
Sophomore Mark McNeill proved that he had been working on his stick skills during the offseason and used his athleticism to score the first goal of the game.
After a PSU goal that tied up the ball game, Jimmy Dunster scored, with a flag down, to give the Heels a lead they wouldn't lose for the rest of the game.
Despite a low scoring first quarter, both teams ended with double figures in a game that UNC controlled to a 14-10 win.
By winning 21 of 30 face-offs (R.G. Keenan you are my hero!) the Tar Heels Dominated possession of the rock took to the Nittany Lions, But the real story was the new faces. Keenan himself had a personal high with 19 face-off wins.
out of UNC's 14 goals, 9 were scored by players new to the team. Davey Emala a Transfer student from Georgetown lead the game in scoring with 4 goals and an assist, and younger brother of Billy Bitter, Jimmy picked up where his older brother left off, opening his collegiate career with a hat trick on three OUTSTANDING plays. Jack McBride, transfer from Princeton, had a strong showing as well with 2 goals.
Saying that this will help the Heels in the long run this season is an understatement. As the Heels move on throughout the season look forward to seeing one of the best offenses in the nation out of the Heels. because of guys like Emala, Bitter, and Joey Sankey (another Freshman attackman that started the game), UNC will be a big time contender in the ACC and the nation this year.
Oh yeah!
I forgot to mention, This was all done without the help of Sophomore superstar Nicky Galasso who is currently out of the line up because of a foot injury. With all this fire power it's going to be hard for the Heels to figure out who to put on the field (because no matter what happens they will always leave a big time offensive weapon on the sideline).
Look forward to a great season for the Tar Heels guys. It's gonna be good.
UNC 14
PSU 10
UNC SCORING
GOALS
Emala 4
Bitter 3
Holman 3
J. McBride 2
McNeill 1
Dunster 1
ASSISTS
Foster 3
Leighton-Armah 2
Campbell 1
G. McBride 1
Holman 1
Emala 1
Dunster 1
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Do I Even Need to Make a Title for This?
Max Miceli
Y'all know what time it is!
It's time for the biggest single game of the year.
The Super Bowl is coming up in just a few hours and the Trio have some picks for you.
While Andrew and I have lost any chance of our pre-playoff predictions being right, Walker has predicted the playoffs with Peyton Manning like preciseness, accuracy, and intelligence so far during the playoffs.
At the expense of my ego, both of Walker's Super Bowl teams defeated mine Championship weekend due to bad fumbles and field goals.
Regardless, This weekend is about Eli trying to final out do his big brother Peyton and an Ugg wearing model marrying pretty boy trying to win a ring in his arch rivalries hometown.
needless to say, this is going to be a good one.
We all know who Walker has in this one. He picked the Giants before the playoffs started despite his allegiance to Dallas. For doing this some would call him a traitor. I would call him a prophet.
Knowing that Walker has picked the Giants, I am doing the smart thing and join the Walker Minot bandwagon. Andrew, however, is not convinced. He is picking the Pats to take win.
So without further a due here are our scores
Andrew
Patriots 34
Giants 29
Max
Patriots 24
Giants 28
Walker (our resident soothsayer)
Patriots 27
Giants 31
Y'all know what time it is!
It's time for the biggest single game of the year.
The Super Bowl is coming up in just a few hours and the Trio have some picks for you.
While Andrew and I have lost any chance of our pre-playoff predictions being right, Walker has predicted the playoffs with Peyton Manning like preciseness, accuracy, and intelligence so far during the playoffs.
At the expense of my ego, both of Walker's Super Bowl teams defeated mine Championship weekend due to bad fumbles and field goals.
Regardless, This weekend is about Eli trying to final out do his big brother Peyton and an Ugg wearing model marrying pretty boy trying to win a ring in his arch rivalries hometown.
needless to say, this is going to be a good one.
We all know who Walker has in this one. He picked the Giants before the playoffs started despite his allegiance to Dallas. For doing this some would call him a traitor. I would call him a prophet.
Knowing that Walker has picked the Giants, I am doing the smart thing and join the Walker Minot bandwagon. Andrew, however, is not convinced. He is picking the Pats to take win.
So without further a due here are our scores
Andrew
Patriots 34
Giants 29
Max
Patriots 24
Giants 28
Walker (our resident soothsayer)
Patriots 27
Giants 31
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