Anonymous wrote:There' s going to be at least 3 ssdm's on the all IAC team. Since when do the players who aren't good enough to shoot, pass or carry get so much shine. Any one of the halfway decent middies in the conference are better than almost every single d mid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The VISAA Division I State Championship between St. Paul VI (PVI) and St. Anne’s-Belfield (STAB) is a heavy-weight rematch. When they met early in the regular season on March 11, PVI edged out a thrilling 13−12 victory.

Both teams enter the championship on absolute tears: PVI is fresh off a grueling WCAC championship win and consecutive dominant state tournament performances (14−6 over Collegiate and 12−6 over St. Christopher's), while STAB has been crushing opponents, including an 18−7 beatdown of Blue Ridge in the semifinals.

Here are the keys to the game and what to watch for this championship showdown.

Keys to the Game
1. Midfield Transition and Pace

In their first matchup, 25 goals were scored in a track meet. STAB loves to play fast and build massive early leads (they scored 5 first-quarter goals against PVI in March). PVI, however, excels at methodical comebacks and wearing teams down late in the game. If STAB can dictate a chaotic, fast-break tempo, it favors them. If PVI forces settled 6-on-6 sets, the advantage tilts toward the Panthers.

2. The Faceoff X and Possession Control

With two high-octane offenses, the battle at the faceoff dot is paramount. Extra possessions will heavily decide this game. PVI’s ability to clean up ground balls and prevent STAB from going on multi-goal runs off the whistle will determine if they can repeat their regular-season victory.

3. Weathering the Emotional Fatigue

PVI is playing their fourth high-stakes game in less than a week, having just fought through the emotional peak of winning the WCAC tournament on May 11 before diving straight into the state bracket. STAB enters the game hungry for revenge and slightly more rested. PVI must dig deep and bring championship energy right from the opening whistle to prevent STAB from jumping out to an early cushion.

Who to Watch
St. Paul VI Panthers

The Offensive Catalysts: PVI's attack is incredibly balanced, often spearheaded by elite playmakers who thrive under pressure. Look for their primary dodgers to test STAB's close defense behind the cage and hunt for skip passes to cutting midfielders.

The Defensive Core: PVI’s defensive unit has tightened up significantly since March, holding state tournament opponents to just 6 goals per game. Their ability to slide effectively and protect the crease against STAB’s dynamic attackers will be the focal point of their game plan.

St. Anne's-Belfield Saints

The Saints' Multi-Headed Attack: STAB has been averaging nearly 18 goals a game over their last few contests. Keep your eyes on their leading attackmen—if they can establish their outside shooting early, it will pull PVI’s defense out and open up the middle of the field.

The Verdict: Expect a chess match wrapped in a physical battle. STAB has been waiting for this rematch all season, but PVI has proven they know exactly how to win close, high-pressure games in May.

Not sure I’d call PVI’s win in semi’s dominant. Down 3-1 at half and tied 4-4 going into the 4th q…Will say, all of VISAA pulling for the panthers. Nic Bell is hated

No one made you move to Richmond buddy. Start a RUM.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There' s going to be at least 3 ssdm's on the all IAC team. Since when do the players who aren't good enough to shoot, pass or carry get so much shine. Any one of the halfway decent middies in the conference are better than almost every single d mid.

This might be the worst take on a thread full of bad takes. Congratulations, I guess?

SSDMs are critical positions because they are so regularly challenged by opposing offenses. Many "halfway decent middies" aren't nearly athletic enough to be reliable, much less all-league caliber, SSDMs. In most games, SSDMs face more opposing dodgers than close defensemen or LSMs.

Every coach of the IAC and WCAC teams would take an all-league caliber athlete at SSDM above several "halfway decent middies" because of how important the position is, and they might well take a premier SSDM over a premier #1 or #2 close defensemen.

The #1 draft pick in the PLL this year was a SSDM - maybe the Archers should have taken a halfway decent O midi instead?

LOL. The GP kid literally was told he wasn't going to see the field unless he switched to dmid. I'll take 55, 9, 22 and 99 over any d mid in the league on every single shift.
BTW - the PLL doesn't take who is best, they take players who they think will play a few years because their outside earning potential won't have them quit the league right away.

Hey prep Homer, you sound beyond delusional.

55 for prep is too slow to play d middie. He is a kicker in football who is doing a PG year - he is not even D1 lax player.

99 is built like a bird, not strong enough and would get run over by a bigger more physical offensive middie. He is good HS attackman and is exceptional off-ball

The best player in the IAC this spring is the Wade boy from Bullis. He is a lockdown SSDM and I anticipate we will be hearing his name at the collegiate ranks next year at Navy.

And yes go ask any collegiate coach. They will tell you the most important position on the field is the SSDM.

Wade was great, but I actually thought there were gsmes whete he wasn’t even the best Dmid on his own team. The Hampton DMid at Bullis was nasty.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The VISAA Division I State Championship between St. Paul VI (PVI) and St. Anne’s-Belfield (STAB) is a heavy-weight rematch. When they met early in the regular season on March 11, PVI edged out a thrilling 13−12 victory.

Both teams enter the championship on absolute tears: PVI is fresh off a grueling WCAC championship win and consecutive dominant state tournament performances (14−6 over Collegiate and 12−6 over St. Christopher's), while STAB has been crushing opponents, including an 18−7 beatdown of Blue Ridge in the semifinals.

Here are the keys to the game and what to watch for this championship showdown.

Keys to the Game
1. Midfield Transition and Pace

In their first matchup, 25 goals were scored in a track meet. STAB loves to play fast and build massive early leads (they scored 5 first-quarter goals against PVI in March). PVI, however, excels at methodical comebacks and wearing teams down late in the game. If STAB can dictate a chaotic, fast-break tempo, it favors them. If PVI forces settled 6-on-6 sets, the advantage tilts toward the Panthers.

2. The Faceoff X and Possession Control

With two high-octane offenses, the battle at the faceoff dot is paramount. Extra possessions will heavily decide this game. PVI’s ability to clean up ground balls and prevent STAB from going on multi-goal runs off the whistle will determine if they can repeat their regular-season victory.

3. Weathering the Emotional Fatigue

PVI is playing their fourth high-stakes game in less than a week, having just fought through the emotional peak of winning the WCAC tournament on May 11 before diving straight into the state bracket. STAB enters the game hungry for revenge and slightly more rested. PVI must dig deep and bring championship energy right from the opening whistle to prevent STAB from jumping out to an early cushion.

Who to Watch
St. Paul VI Panthers

The Offensive Catalysts: PVI's attack is incredibly balanced, often spearheaded by elite playmakers who thrive under pressure. Look for their primary dodgers to test STAB's close defense behind the cage and hunt for skip passes to cutting midfielders.

The Defensive Core: PVI’s defensive unit has tightened up significantly since March, holding state tournament opponents to just 6 goals per game. Their ability to slide effectively and protect the crease against STAB’s dynamic attackers will be the focal point of their game plan.

St. Anne's-Belfield Saints

The Saints' Multi-Headed Attack: STAB has been averaging nearly 18 goals a game over their last few contests. Keep your eyes on their leading attackmen—if they can establish their outside shooting early, it will pull PVI’s defense out and open up the middle of the field.

The Verdict: Expect a chess match wrapped in a physical battle. STAB has been waiting for this rematch all season, but PVI has proven they know exactly how to win close, high-pressure games in May.

Not sure I’d call PVI’s win in semi’s dominant. Down 3-1 at half and tied 4-4 going into the 4th q…Will say, all of VISAA pulling for the panthers. Nic Bell is hated

Anonymous wrote:The VISAA Division I State Championship between St. Paul VI (PVI) and St. Anne’s-Belfield (STAB) is a heavy-weight rematch. When they met early in the regular season on March 11, PVI edged out a thrilling 13−12 victory.

Both teams enter the championship on absolute tears: PVI is fresh off a grueling WCAC championship win and consecutive dominant state tournament performances (14−6 over Collegiate and 12−6 over St. Christopher's), while STAB has been crushing opponents, including an 18−7 beatdown of Blue Ridge in the semifinals.

Here are the keys to the game and what to watch for this championship showdown.

Keys to the Game
1. Midfield Transition and Pace

In their first matchup, 25 goals were scored in a track meet. STAB loves to play fast and build massive early leads (they scored 5 first-quarter goals against PVI in March). PVI, however, excels at methodical comebacks and wearing teams down late in the game. If STAB can dictate a chaotic, fast-break tempo, it favors them. If PVI forces settled 6-on-6 sets, the advantage tilts toward the Panthers.

2. The Faceoff X and Possession Control

With two high-octane offenses, the battle at the faceoff dot is paramount. Extra possessions will heavily decide this game. PVI’s ability to clean up ground balls and prevent STAB from going on multi-goal runs off the whistle will determine if they can repeat their regular-season victory.

3. Weathering the Emotional Fatigue

PVI is playing their fourth high-stakes game in less than a week, having just fought through the emotional peak of winning the WCAC tournament on May 11 before diving straight into the state bracket. STAB enters the game hungry for revenge and slightly more rested. PVI must dig deep and bring championship energy right from the opening whistle to prevent STAB from jumping out to an early cushion.

Who to Watch
St. Paul VI Panthers

The Offensive Catalysts: PVI's attack is incredibly balanced, often spearheaded by elite playmakers who thrive under pressure. Look for their primary dodgers to test STAB's close defense behind the cage and hunt for skip passes to cutting midfielders.

The Defensive Core: PVI’s defensive unit has tightened up significantly since March, holding state tournament opponents to just 6 goals per game. Their ability to slide effectively and protect the crease against STAB’s dynamic attackers will be the focal point of their game plan.

St. Anne's-Belfield Saints

The Saints' Multi-Headed Attack: STAB has been averaging nearly 18 goals a game over their last few contests. Keep your eyes on their leading attackmen—if they can establish their outside shooting early, it will pull PVI’s defense out and open up the middle of the field.

The Verdict: Expect a chess match wrapped in a physical battle. STAB has been waiting for this rematch all season, but PVI has proven they know exactly how to win close, high-pressure games in May.

Anonymous wrote:If we’re really being honest it, the most important position is the FOGO

Anonymous wrote:If we’re really being honest it, the most important position is the FOGO

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There' s going to be at least 3 ssdm's on the all IAC team. Since when do the players who aren't good enough to shoot, pass or carry get so much shine. Any one of the halfway decent middies in the conference are better than almost every single d mid.

This might be the worst take on a thread full of bad takes. Congratulations, I guess?

SSDMs are critical positions because they are so regularly challenged by opposing offenses. Many "halfway decent middies" aren't nearly athletic enough to be reliable, much less all-league caliber, SSDMs. In most games, SSDMs face more opposing dodgers than close defensemen or LSMs.

Every coach of the IAC and WCAC teams would take an all-league caliber athlete at SSDM above several "halfway decent middies" because of how important the position is, and they might well take a premier SSDM over a premier #1 or #2 close defensemen.

The #1 draft pick in the PLL this year was a SSDM - maybe the Archers should have taken a halfway decent O midi instead?

LOL. The GP kid literally was told he wasn't going to see the field unless he switched to dmid. I'll take 55, 9, 22 and 99 over any d mid in the league on every single shift.
BTW - the PLL doesn't take who is best, they take players who they think will play a few years because their outside earning potential won't have them quit the league right away.

Hey prep Homer, you sound beyond delusional.

55 for prep is too slow to play d middie. He is a kicker in football who is doing a PG year - he is not even D1 lax player.

99 is built like a bird, not strong enough and would get run over by a bigger more physical offensive middie. He is good HS attackman and is exceptional off-ball

The best player in the IAC this spring is the Wade boy from Bullis. He is a lockdown SSDM and I anticipate we will be hearing his name at the collegiate ranks next year at Navy.

And yes go ask any collegiate coach. They will tell you the most important position on the field is the SSDM.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There' s going to be at least 3 ssdm's on the all IAC team. Since when do the players who aren't good enough to shoot, pass or carry get so much shine. Any one of the halfway decent middies in the conference are better than almost every single d mid.

This might be the worst take on a thread full of bad takes. Congratulations, I guess?

SSDMs are critical positions because they are so regularly challenged by opposing offenses. Many "halfway decent middies" aren't nearly athletic enough to be reliable, much less all-league caliber, SSDMs. In most games, SSDMs face more opposing dodgers than close defensemen or LSMs.

Every coach of the IAC and WCAC teams would take an all-league caliber athlete at SSDM above several "halfway decent middies" because of how important the position is, and they might well take a premier SSDM over a premier #1 or #2 close defensemen.

The #1 draft pick in the PLL this year was a SSDM - maybe the Archers should have taken a halfway decent O midi instead?

LOL. The GP kid literally was told he wasn't going to see the field unless he switched to dmid. I'll take 55, 9, 22 and 99 over any d mid in the league on every single shift.
BTW - the PLL doesn't take who is best, they take players who they think will play a few years because their outside earning potential won't have them quit the league right away.