ACC Tournament- Notes
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 9:11 pm
FSU took their 4th straight title in the early spring tournament. This tournament has really come together nicely over the years thanks to the continued participation of Clemson, FSU, NCSU and now Wake. We at Tech appreciate you all being committed to this tournament. Its a lot to ask of a team so early in the season; playing 3 games in less than 3 days.
We had a high school game Sat AM and our women played the nightcap Saturday night.
We have made small strides as well:
- When we first started, we played 2 games each on Saturday. Now we all get in a game Friday night and Sunday as well.
- Crowds have grown which is great to see
- Its really become a nice parents weekend for all teams invloved
- Weather has been GREAT the last 2 years. When we first started this 6 years ago it used to be just nasty!
- Sunday games- for the first time in 5 years, NO 8:45am game!!!
- Scoreboard- nice addition. we got a lot of compliments from the parents on this added bonus. Flip scoreboards are nice and all, if you have had your lasik surgery done
- Pizza for the away teams, thanks to Papa Johns!
Soon to come- bleachers!!
Now- the teams
People all know the scores- but from my honest somewhat unbiased view-
NCSU- team is always gamers. These guys come to play no matter what. In both losses they faced some 4-6 goal defecits and just kept fighting. #21 on defense has a great stick and snagged some amazing groundballs and passes all weekend. Their finally settled in attack plays well with the ball and sees through defenses. Face off guy is strong, and their middies just do not stop. Nice to see George back, until he got hurt against Wake.
Wake- a team that will challenge soon on the A level. They lost Nick 2 weeks ago, were down a few players this weekend due to MCAT's (i feel the pain, coaching at one of these 'gasp' smart schools). Buff has his guys going strong. I think once they get the hang of the bigger more aggresive style of the top part of A divsion they will settle in just fine. They have beaten Clemson and did not quit this weekend. A solid group of guys that really appreciate the opportunity to play lacrosse. That is a real important part of success for teams at this level. If they believe, stay with it and enjoy the sport they can really make their program excel cause people buy into it. MDIA ball is all about the players, THEY make this league, conference and team prosper. People before program. Big difference from varsity IMO. sorry for the rant....
anyway
FSU- they are as explosive on offense as before, if not more solid from different people. No real shocker to me their when I saw them play. Grover will fill Quinn's shoes just fine once he settles in a little more. Attack is solid, middies a threat as always. Kevin looked good all weekend. Defense- they are much improved. They still have some room to grow there and will. they are a real atheltic bunch. Nate being back helps, and evan is solid as always. Only thing that was glaring, and this was obvious to all there this weekend- they can hurt themselves. Way too many penalties and teams with solid offensive bases can see through their aggresive slides (we of course do not have that offensive mind set yet). Their face off guy Dunning was amazing all weekend.
GT- i have my own feelings there and I am sure some people will chime in. A great weekend of lacrosse all around. Exciting action in every game and I know dave adams will have some great pics from the weekends action. Hope your feeling better dave!
Best of luck the rest of the way guys, hope to see you all back again in Atlanta for the SELC's!
We had a high school game Sat AM and our women played the nightcap Saturday night.
We have made small strides as well:
- When we first started, we played 2 games each on Saturday. Now we all get in a game Friday night and Sunday as well.
- Crowds have grown which is great to see
- Its really become a nice parents weekend for all teams invloved
- Weather has been GREAT the last 2 years. When we first started this 6 years ago it used to be just nasty!
- Sunday games- for the first time in 5 years, NO 8:45am game!!!
- Scoreboard- nice addition. we got a lot of compliments from the parents on this added bonus. Flip scoreboards are nice and all, if you have had your lasik surgery done
- Pizza for the away teams, thanks to Papa Johns!
Soon to come- bleachers!!
Now- the teams
People all know the scores- but from my honest somewhat unbiased view-
NCSU- team is always gamers. These guys come to play no matter what. In both losses they faced some 4-6 goal defecits and just kept fighting. #21 on defense has a great stick and snagged some amazing groundballs and passes all weekend. Their finally settled in attack plays well with the ball and sees through defenses. Face off guy is strong, and their middies just do not stop. Nice to see George back, until he got hurt against Wake.
Wake- a team that will challenge soon on the A level. They lost Nick 2 weeks ago, were down a few players this weekend due to MCAT's (i feel the pain, coaching at one of these 'gasp' smart schools). Buff has his guys going strong. I think once they get the hang of the bigger more aggresive style of the top part of A divsion they will settle in just fine. They have beaten Clemson and did not quit this weekend. A solid group of guys that really appreciate the opportunity to play lacrosse. That is a real important part of success for teams at this level. If they believe, stay with it and enjoy the sport they can really make their program excel cause people buy into it. MDIA ball is all about the players, THEY make this league, conference and team prosper. People before program. Big difference from varsity IMO. sorry for the rant....
anyway
FSU- they are as explosive on offense as before, if not more solid from different people. No real shocker to me their when I saw them play. Grover will fill Quinn's shoes just fine once he settles in a little more. Attack is solid, middies a threat as always. Kevin looked good all weekend. Defense- they are much improved. They still have some room to grow there and will. they are a real atheltic bunch. Nate being back helps, and evan is solid as always. Only thing that was glaring, and this was obvious to all there this weekend- they can hurt themselves. Way too many penalties and teams with solid offensive bases can see through their aggresive slides (we of course do not have that offensive mind set yet). Their face off guy Dunning was amazing all weekend.
GT- i have my own feelings there and I am sure some people will chime in. A great weekend of lacrosse all around. Exciting action in every game and I know dave adams will have some great pics from the weekends action. Hope your feeling better dave!
Best of luck the rest of the way guys, hope to see you all back again in Atlanta for the SELC's!