Smith and Benesch Locked Up with Bandits

October 23, 2014

Less than two weeks ago, Buffalo Bandits General Manager Steve Dietrich announced that the franchise had given three-year contracts to forward Ryan Benesch and transition/forward Dhane Smith. The true importance of this specific announcement was the underlying message to the fans in Banditland and the rest of the NLL that the team was securing their immediate future during a very critical time in the franchise. At the current moment, Bandits…

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Offseason Check In: Manhattan College Has Loads of Potential, Working to Organize It All

October 23, 2014

Photo Credit: Manhattan College Men’s Lacrosse Website Slider Manhattan College is coming off a 5-10 2014 season where the finished only in front of first year Monmouth in MAAC conference play. This year the team will look to bounce back in hopes of winning the MAAC over such teams as Siena, Detroit Mercy, and Marist who had a great 2014.  The one thing that will be tough is this team…

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Syracuse Looking at Goaltender Options for 2015

October 23, 2014

Being a lacrosse goalie requires a number of very specialized skills that few master. The ideal player can command the defense, throw accurate 40 yard breakout passes, defend out of the cage when needed, and of course stop every type of shot thrown at them. Because of this level of specialization, most programs are never able to find someone who can do all those things at a truly elite level.  Coaches frequently…

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Mike Meinychenko Trying to Enhance Bandits Roster

October 22, 2014

Being one post away from winning the Eastern Conference championship during the 2014 postseason, the Buffalo Bandits organization came to the conclusion that while the defensive side of the ball had flourished, the offensive side needed an injection of youth and size to help them flourish for next season. Bandits head coach Troy Cordingley and Bandits GM Steve Dietrich believed that the 2014 NLL Draft would be the best place…

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Is Knighthawks Defense Ready for Big Season?

October 22, 2014

Any discussion about the Rochester Knighthawks involving the word defense needs to immediately start with Matt Vinc. The net minder has been the foundation of their three year championship run and was rewarded with his fourth career NLL Goaltender of the Year award; doubling the number anybody else has ever won. The Knighthawks tied for the second lowest shots against count in the league and Vinc was able to translate…

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Fall Ball Check In: Colgate Raiders

October 22, 2014

At the end of 2014, the Colgate Raiders were on the outside looking in when it came to the NCAA Tournament. The Raiders went 9-7 in 2014 before losing five of their last seven games to close out the season. That included two consecutive losses to Loyola in the Patriot League Semifinals and then Syracuse to end the year. What is in store for 2015? Well before we can take…

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Bandits Sign First Pick Brandon Goodwin

October 20, 2014

Buffalo Bandits General Manager Steve Dietrich today announced the team has agreed to terms on one-year contracts with Brandon Goodwin, Cody McMahon and Rance Vigneux. With Goodwin’s signing, the Bandits have now agreed to terms with all five of their 2014 draft picks. Selected with the ninth overall pick in the NLL Draft last month, Goodwin played for Adelphi University last season and notched 26 points (19+7) in 17 games….

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Bandits Match New England Offer for Petkoff

October 20, 2014

The Buffalo Bandits have matched the New England Black Wolves’ offer sheet to restricted free agent defenseman Drew Petkoff for a one-year contract for the 2015 National Lacrosse League season. Buffalo had 72 hours to match New England’s offer for the defender who possesses a scoring touch. Petkoff spent his first four seasons with the Toronto Rock before joining the Bandits where he was inactive for the 2013 season and…

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Offseason Check In: What Will the Rattlers Need for a Repeat Performance

October 17, 2014

The Rochester Rattlers recorded their best season since they came back to the league in 2011.  They rode the league’s top scoring defense and second best offense to a home playoff game and a spot in the MLL championship game.  Unfortunately their season ended with two late goals by the Denver Outlaws, which swung the game from a triumphant victory to a crushing one goal defeat.  The big task for…

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Syracuse Checkin: Offense The Key

October 16, 2014

In our offseason check in series, we’ve looked at Syracuse twice so far.  Last week, we told you about Syracuse’s first fall ball test against their Alumni All-stars  and then took a broader look at the team.  Now it’s time to do a deeper evaluation at what their offense has in store for the 2015 season. What did they lose? As a unit, the Orange boasted the third highest points…

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