WHO: Syracuse and St. Johns
WHERE: Kennesaw, GA
WHAT: Cobb County Lacrosse Classic
WHEN: Saturday, March 8 @ 4 pm
SYRACUSE
Woof. What a rough road it’s been. Despite stellar performances on offense and the same defense as previous seasons, the Orange’s shortcomings all come down to one factor: realignment.
In 2015, NCAA lacrosse divisions and conferences are being reorganized to better reflect other sports in the league and allow for further expansion. With that said, a few teams have been realigned this season: Syracuse is one of them.
Welcome to the ACC, Orange. Glad to have you (to our advantages).
Maryland. Duke. North Carolina. Johns Hopkins. Name a long-known lacrosse program that’s competed at the highest levels. They’re in the ACC (also, Baltimore/Eastern Seaboard area).
Syracuse is also a strong program, but their competition is becoming recognized for its different caliber styles. Now that they’re transitioning into a new conference, the competition is less understood/predictable. Travel can be further, impacting energy levels. And, let’s be honest. The competition is MUCH stronger.
The Orange have had solid wins this season already, but the opponents were from the previous conference: Towson, Siena, Albany. All fantastic programs and quickly catching up with the ACC. But, they’re not the ACC.
If Syracuse can find that inner spark they started the season with, I think they can come alive. Once they started playing ACC teams like Maryland and Virginia (granted, they’re No.1 and No.4), the team morale and enthusiasm seemed to escape them.
I hope they rediscover their energies this weekend.
ST. JOHNS
Intriguing is the first word that comes to my mind when reflecting on the Red Storm’s record thus far in 2014.
They seem to have lost to easier competition (Yale, Drexel) in comparison to the other games (Siena, Holy Cross). Both victories were at home, both losses away.
St. Johns is an incredible story on its own. Coming from NYC, the area and island are known for strong lacrosse programs. Long Island and Baltimore, Maryland seem to have an unofficial rivalry for best sport competition.
The Red Storm are equally comparable to Syracuse in performance and experience. Historically speaking, the Orange are a more consistent team but St. Johns has its own bursts of success.
Watch for explosive offenses to battle toe-to-toe with united defenses. Offenses will be mobile and active while defenses will slide and communicate.
PREDICTION
Syracuse 14 St. Johns 12
