Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician

Women's Lax: Syracuse 14, Florida 13 (2OT) - The Lovely Orange Comeback Machine strikes again

2012-05-26T13:10:00Z

Um, Wow.

Seriously, ladies, what are you going to do next? After seeing a 7-3 halftime deficit grow to 12-5 with 17 minutes and change left, I was prepared to waste a couple of paragraphs here bitching about Long Island traffic (long story short, it sucked). Between twitter snippets and bits and bobs from the crowd, Things didn't seem to be going in favor of the Orange. The score was 5-3 Florida when we arrived, and Gator goalie and Liverpool native Mikey Meagher had 7 saves and 9 on the half. Curse of the hot goalie strikes again. The second half didn't start out much better.

Florida scored two quick goals on Kelsey Richardson, who came in at the start of the second half in relief of Alyssa Constantino and pushed the lead to 9-3. Katie Webster scored for the Orange to stop a five goal run by the Gators and made the score 9-4. Ashley Bruns answered a minute later to put the Gators back up 6 at 10-4. Then things got weird. Alyssa Murray scored to make the game 10-5 - or did she? The goal was put up on the board, then the zebras confabbed, took the goal off the board and went over to the side lines to have a chit chat with the head coaches. The official NCAA play by play record shows Murray as picking up a ground ball then turning it over. After a lengthy delay, play resumed, and predictably, the Gators took the ball down field a popped in a goal. Brittany Dashiell scored to put the Florida up 11-4 and give the Gators their largest lead of the game.

Michelle Tumulo and Brittany Dashiell swapped goals to put the score at 12-5 with 17:15 left. At that point, I was pondering what this recap might look like. In the preview, I said the following:

I think what we'll see in this game is one of two things - the Orange keep it close in the first half and eke out a win in the second, or they come out flat and Florida blows the doors off. It's very possible that Florida wins in a close game, but if it is close, I just can't see the Orange not winning. I'll be pleasantly shocked if the Orange blow out the Gators to win. I'm going to call it 12-11 in double overtime for the Orange, because hey, it worked last time.

At that point, it certainly looked like Florida blow out prediction rather than the double OT prediction was coming to fruition, and I honestly have to admit I did not expect the Orange to win the game at point. Florida was all over the Orange. They looked faster, were seemingly winning every ground ball and generally controlling the play. Any time the Orange tried to take control, the Gators had an answer and snuffed out the attempt. Things settled down for a bit as the Orange and Gators swapped possessions for almost six minutes until Devon Collins scored at 11:38 to make it 12-6. Michelle Tumulo and Alyssa Murray then scored for the Orange and the game was now 12-8 at the 7:49 mark.

The Orange had a faint breath of life at that point and I started to wonder if they didn't have another miracle in them. Shannon Gilroy scored for Florida thirty seconds later and it 13-8 with 7:19 left to play. Maybe not. At that point a few of the Syracuse fans in the stands around us got up and left. I felt the same way - looked like another Florida answer to stuff a potential rally. Gilroy had been a beast for Florida up to that point in the game. That was her fifth goal of the game, and she had 4 in the first half to outscore the Orange all by herself.

Kailah Kempney won the ensuing draw for the Orange, and fifty one seconds later Sarah Holden potted one to pull the Orange back to within 4 at 13-9 with 6:28 to play. I was convinced at that point that the game had titled for the Orange. What I wasn't convinced of was did they have enough time? Linley Block scooped the ball on the ensuing draw and Alyssa Murray converted a free position attempt. 13-10 Orange with 5:03 to play. Brittany Dashiell controlled the draw for Florida and the Gators went into kill the clock mode. Janelle Stegeland committed a major foul and got a two minute yellow card for a stick to the head.

I don't recall clearly at this point if the Florida shot was a free position try (I don't think it was, and the PxP record agrees) but Kelsey Richardson saved a shot by Shannon Gilroy and the Orange had the ball back with 3:52 left and down a player. No problem, right? Right. Sarah Holden scores, assist to Alyssa Murray. 13-11, 2:49 to play. Draw Control Kailah Kempney, time out Orange, 2:41 to play. Alyssa Murray scores, assist to Michelle Tumulo. 13-12, 2:20 to play. Kailah Kempney draw control, time out Orange, 2:14 to play.

That was one hell of a sequence. The Orange scored two, count 'em TWO, man down goals in twenty seconds to get within one and now had the ball with two minutes and change left to tie things up. Game over, man. Game over. Once play resumed the Orange held the ball for twenty seconds or so until Stegeland's penalty expired and they were back to even strength. Mikey Meagher denied Sarah Holden with 1:39 to play, and at that point, well, it looked like the magic might have run out, except that Meagher turned the ball over on the clear attempt and Florida started to come unglued.

Emily Dohony drew a yellow card on a major foul (on Michelle Tumulo, I think). The Orange opted not to shoot, worked the ball around and Kayla Stolins committed another major foul for a yellow card and Sarah Holden buried the free position to tie the game at 13 with thirty seconds left. Orange fans were going just a little bit nuts. Kailah Kempney controlled the draw (again!) and the Orange rushed in looking to win in regulation. Sam Farrell absolutely crushed Michelle Tumulo (Tumulo took a beating in the latter stages of the game) with 11 seconds left. Meagher saved the free position attempt by Tumulo, and it didn't matter that Florida turned the ball over on the clear, there wasn't enough time left for the Orange to generate any offense. Time for overtime.

Kailah Kempney won the draw to start the first three minute period. Sarah Holden had a free position attempt blocked a minute into the period, but Syracuse got the ball back on a forced turn over. Michelle Tumulo's shot with three seconds left went wide, and time expired. The teams switched ends for the second three minute period, and Nora Barry controlled the draw for Florida. Florida called time out, and then went into stall mode when play resumed. Gabi Wiegand appeared to win the game for Florida when she scored with 9 seconds left, leaving Syracuse almost no time to control a draw and tie the score to force a second overtime.

However, as Lee Corso likes to say, not so fast my friends. Wiegand's goal was disallowed because of an illegal stick. Not even Hollywood could make something like that up. An illegal stick? SERIOUSLY? Florida's coach argued the stick call for a good three minutes before Syracuse was awarded possession and ran out the clock to move to sudden victory overtime. Do I even need to tell you that Kailah Kempney controlled the draw to start the next overtime period? Syracuse called time out off the draw control, and Sarah Holden's goal less than a minute later to win the game was almost anti-climatic, as exciting as it was. Her stick was also legal, in case you were wondering.

I was pretty emphatic after the North Carolina game that that was the most exciting game I had seen in person in a good long time. Until last night. Brian Higgins agrees. The Orange women laxers are like a cat these last two games with these improbable escapes from apparent defeat. Hopefully they saved at least one life for tomorrow's title game against Northwestern, who beat Maryland 9-7. Also hoping Brianne LoManto (Northwestern's goalie) won't have a case of goalie on fire. Meagher finished with 15 saves last night, and last week Lauren Maksym had 11.

Two things of note here. The first is the officiating. I make no secret about the fact that I find the officiating at all levels of nearly all sports abysmal. NFL, NCAA men's hoops, my daughter's modified lacrosse games. Today was no different. There were a number length delays (3-5 minutes each) where the officials would meet on the field to discuss SOMETHING and then act as if nothing happened, nor offer up any sort of explanation as to why you were scratching your head in confusion.

The second is the women's lacrosse team itself. The NCAA had set up an autograph session with the two teams after the game. Shuttle through the line and the girls signed a poster for you. They were all extremely polite and friendly. A couple of them seemed mildly disinterested but wore a pleasant smile while they went about their business. Several thanked us for coming, and asked us if we were going to be there Sunday, which was both nice and sad. I say sad, because after having been to the Dome for a some games and seeing a crowd of a few hundred people on a regular basis, I think they were genuinely thrilled to play in front of a packed house, as LaValle was mostly full. No amount of shouting and cajoling will change the fact that for the most part, women's sporting events are largely ignored, but seriously folks, if you have a chance, go to a women's game, any game in any sport anywhere, and watch the girls get their game on. It's fun, entertaining, and won't cost you an arm and a leg unless you live at the concessions stand.

Scoring summary

Syracuse: Michelle Tumulo (3/2/5), Sarah Holden (4/0/4), Alyssa Murray (3/1/4), Devon Collins (2/0/2), Katie Webster (2/0/2), Linley Block (0/1/1)

Florida: Shanon Gilroy (5/1/6), Brittany Dashiell (4/0/0), Nora Barry (1/1/2), Ashley Bruns (1/1/2), Caroline Chesterman (1/0/1), Gabi Wiegand (1/0/1), Kitty Cullen (0/1/1)

Syracuse vs. Florida, Womens Final Four GameThread

2012-05-25T20:01:02Z

Awaiting the Orange are the number one seeded and number one ranked Florida Gators women's lacrosse team. The two teams will square off at 5:30 today at LaValle Stadium in Stony Brook. The Orange women look to advance to their first ever championship game, as do the Gators who are making their second NCAA tournament and first Final Four appearance in only their third year as a D1 program.

You should be there since the game is on ESPN3.com and that's no fun. But if you're not, we'll be here and there will be commentary in the comments. Join us as we urge our Orange to their first national championship game appearance.

Leave your pre-, in- and post-game comments below. G'ORANGE!

2012 Syracuse Football Preview: Peasants And Stalled Momentum

2012-05-25T14:35:03Z

2012 Syracuse Football Preview: Peasants And Stalled Momentum

SB Nation's Bill Connelly previews the 2012 Syracuse football season.

Syracuse Lacrosse - Know Your Foe: The Florida Gators

2012-05-25T14:24:00Z

In the national semi finals of the Women's NCAA Division 1 Lacrosse Championship Tournament, the fourth seeded and fourth ranked Syracuse University Orange women's lacrosse team makes its third ever appearance in the Final Four of the Women's NCAA Lacrosse Championship. Awaiting the Orange are the number one seeded and number one ranked Florida Gators women's lacrosse team. The two teams will square off at 5:30 today at LaValle Stadium in Stony Brook. The Orange women look to advance to their first ever championship game, as do the Gators who are making their second NCAA tournament and first Final Four appearance in only their third year as a D1 program.

Today's game will be the second meeting this season between the two teams this year and features Tewaaraton Award finalists Brittany Dashiell (Jr. Midfielder, FL) and Michelle Tumulo (Jr. Attack, SU).

The Syracuse Orange women made it to the final four thanks to a huge 17-16 comeback win against the North Carolina Tar Heels that featured some late game heroics by Michelle Tumulo and a fairly easy 15-5 win against the Dartmouth Big Green in the first round. This meeting between the Orange and the Gators is the third overall and the first in the NCAA Tournament. Syracuse won the first meeting between the two teams this season 12-11 in double overtime down in Gainsville. Syracuse was the last team to beat Florida this season, as the Gators have since reeled off fifteen straight.

The Florida Gators made it to the final four by breezing by Penn State 15-2 in the second round and squeaking out a 6-4 against the University of Albany in the first round. The Gators feature a couple of Central New York exports in Nora Barry of Marcellus and Mikey Meager of Liverpool. Meager was part of Coach Amanda O'Leary's first recruiting class and wasn't able to see what the finished lacrosse facilities at Florida would look like - they were still under construction. It may be surprising to some that Florida has managed to achieve such lofty heights (45-14, 2 NCAA appearances) in only three years, but it shouldn't, really. Spend a few million in football money to build a world class facility, hire a top notch coach and offer year round nice weather. Presto. Instant winner. Scariest part about the Florida Gators for the rest of the Women's Lacrosse world? There are no seniors on this team.



The Particulars
18-3, 8-0 Big East, At Large		19-2, 5-0 ALC Champions
Head Coach: Gary Gait (5th year, 59-23)		Head Coach: Amanda O'Leary (17th year, 207-79)
10th NCAA tournament appearance		2nd NCAA tournament appearance

Vital Statistics
Goals per Game: 15.00 (5)		Goals Per Game: 15.43 (3)
Goals Against Avg: 8.86 (10)		Goals Against Avg: 6.19 (1)
Scoring Margin: 6.14 (7)		Scoring Margin: 9.24 (1)
Ground Balls Per Game: 13.10 (87)		Ground Balls Per Game: 17.86 (15)
Caused TO per Game: 5.33 (85)		Caused TO per Game: 7.24 (48)
Draw Controls Per Game: 15.14 (6)		Draw Controls Per Game: 15.24 (5)

Scoring Leaders
Alyssa Murray (70g, 30a, 100p) (3)		Kitty Cullen (45g, 23a, 68p) (34)
Michelle Tumulo (48g, 41a, 89p) (10)		Ashley Bruns (43g, 23a, 66p) (43)
Katie Webster (38g, 15a, 53p) (92)		Brittany Dashiell (40g, 25a, 65p) (45)

Goal Keepers
Alyssa Constantino (.502 SP, 15-2) (2)		Mikey Meager (.539 SP, 16-2) (1)
Kelsey Richardson (.508 SP, 3-1)		Cara Canington (.486 SP, 3-0)

Common Opponents
Defeated North Carolina 17-16		Lost to North Carolina 11-9
Defeated Dartmouth 22-4		Defeated Dartmouth 20-4
Defeated Dartmouth 15-5 NCAA Tournament
Defeated Georgetown 22-11		Defeated Georgetown 12-9
Defeated Georgetown 7-6 Big East Tournament
Lost to Northwestern 11-9 (OT)		Defeated Northwestern 8-7
		Defeated Northwestern 14-7 ALC Tournament

There isn't a lot of precedent to draw from in trying to pick a winner in this game. The two teams have played twice previously in Gainsville, with Florida winning 16-11 in 2011 and Syracuse winning 12-11 in double overtime this year. That Syracuse win was the last loss this season for the Gators, who come into this game on a 15 game winning streak. Florida's only other loss was in the season opener to common opponent North Carolina. Both teams were undefeated against Georgetown (it's happy hour somewhere, and Georgetown still sucks) and Dartmouth. Florida has two wins this season against Northwestern and Syracuse a loss.

So far, the Women's tournament has gone completely chalk with the exception of Penn State's upset of Towson - the nonimal 8/9 game , so not much of an upset - in the first round. On paper, this game favors Florida as they have the top ranked goalie (Mikey Meagher) and defense in the country. Offensively, the teams are a push in terms of national rankings, and while Alyssa Constantino in the number two goalie in the country, she and Kelsey Richardson are coming off an abysmal performance last week against North Carolina.

My head tells me that Florida should win this game. The stats and seeding say so. There are questions about the Orange team that need to be answered - can their defense and goalies bounce back after last week? Will the team be primed for a letdown after expending a lot of emotional energy coming back to win against North Carolina to earn the bus ride to Stony Brook for today's game?

I think what we'll see in this game is one of two things - the Orange keep it close in the first half and eke out a win in the second, or they come out flat and Florida blows the doors off. It's very possible that Florida wins in a close game, but if it is close, I just can't see the Orange not winning. I'll be pleasantly shocked if the Orange blow out the Gators to win. I'm going to call it 12-11 in double overtime for the Orange, because hey, it worked last time.

WJPZ 89.1 FM will have radio coverage and Orange All-Access will have audio only. No television coverage as far as I can tell, but the game will be available via streaming video from the NCAA. I'll be tweeting this game (and the Northwestern/Maryland game) live from LaValle Stadium in Stony Brorok at @mrbankies #NCAAWLaxFF weather and batteries permitting.

Drafting the Orange: Dion Waiters Impressive in Vegas

2012-05-25T14:01:53Z

Dion Waiters took a gamble.

When he announced his intentions to leave Syracuse and enter the NBA draft, there were plenty who questioned his decision. Almost everyone recognized his talent and potential, but there was debate on whether he was truly ready, whether he needed another year of seasoning before going pro.

In true Dion fashion, he's proving all the doubters wrong.

Reports out of Las Vegas, where Dion is training at Impact Basketball, say that he's impressed scouts to the point where he's lept from fringe first rounder to mid-lottery pick in the eyes of many NBA decision makers. They like his strength, quickness and his potential to play both guard spots.

ESPN draft guru Chad Ford recently sat down with Dion and talked with him about his training, his game and his NBA future.

Even as a lottery pick, Dion is apt to come off the bench, a role he's very familiar with:

"You've got an advantage sitting on the bench because you can see things your teammates aren't taking advantage of. So, when you get in the game, you're finding spots and you're finding holes and that made me a much better player."

Ford sees Dion being virtually equal with Kendall Marchall as the best PG in the draft. Dion weights in on the possibility.

"I definitely could play point. If you look back at the tapes and see some of the games where I had seven, six assists...So, I could definitely play point a the next level."

Everyone compares Waiters to Dwayne Wade. He appears to be embracing the comparison.

"I've been hearing comparisons to a lot of big guards like Baron Davis when he was young, D-Will. A lot of comparisons I get are like D-Wade, so I kinda watch him a little bit."

Of course, training sessions are only the beginning of the process. There are individual team workouts to be held and Dion plans on attending the NBA draft combine being held June 7-8 in Chicago along with fellow Orange Kris Joseph and Fab Melo. Dion may be closer than ever to realizing his NBA dream but there are a lot of steps still left to get there. He appears to be on the right path. He just needs to make sure that what's happened in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas.

Check out the newest Orange Blog to invade the Interwebs- Bleeding Orange

Macky MacPherson Makes Rimington Trophy Spring Watch List

2012-05-25T14:01:19Z

The Rimington Trophy is awarded annually to the best center in college football. And since it's way too early to be making guesses about who's going to be up for the award this year, they've released one of those spring watch lists where they throw the names of 50 players on there and hope they stick.

Syracuse Orange center Macky MacPherson made the list!

All growns up, Macky makes the initial list for what I'm pretty sure is the first time. Most of his accolades have been academic in nature up until now (Member of 2010 Fall, 2011 Spring and 2011 Fall Athletic Director's Honor Roll, 2011 BIG EAST All-Academic Team selection) but it's nice to see that he gets consideration, even if half the centers playing FBS football are on there.

Unless I read it too quickly, Louisville and Pitt were the only other Big East schools to get a player on there.

Party at Macky's place tonight...

Syracuse Football: Get to Know Your Orange Man- #38 Cam Lynch

2012-05-25T13:00:39Z

I know you're itching for another Orangeman profile. I've got what you need.

Name: Cameron Lynch

Year: Sophomore

Nunber: 38

Position: Linebacker

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 223

Hometown: Lawrenceville, GA

High School: Brookwood

2011 Stats: Lynch was among ten true freshmen to see game action last season. He played in 10 games and recorded 35 total tackles, 23 of which were unassisted. He also threw in two sacks for 18 yards for good measure.

2012 Projections: After spring practice, Lynch is listed as the second string weakside line backer. There is, however, a big "OR" between him and the first string WLB, Dyshawn Davis. It's the only such qualifier on the depth chart, so fully expect Lynch to have a shot at the starting job and to see a good amount of time even if he's not the "starter".

How'd He Get Here?: Cam was an all-everything backer in his home state of Georgia and was a member of the Max Prep Sports-U.S. Airforce All-America Second Team. As a senior, he helped the Brookwood Broncos to a 14-1 record and a class AAAAA state championship. He must be one of those genius football players because he received offers offers from the likes of Vanderbilt, Harvard and Air Force before he went with the Orange.

What Did Scout/Rivals Say?: Both gave him three stars, which counts as the recruit lottery for Syracuse. Interpret that as you will.

Money Quote: On being thrust into action early as a frosh:

"It’s a lot of pressure on us young guys. I got some playing time against Wake Forest, so it wasn’t as bad, but other than that it went pretty well."

Links of Wonder: Young Cam talking about his decision to come to Syracuse

What Does Marrone Think?: From a tremendous improvement standpoint, HCDM thinks highly of the young man:

"I think he’s really come along well. Cam Lynch has gotten better each week. We feel very comfortable with his spot and his role."

Interesting Nugget O'Interest: Cam was a letter-winner in track and field. He was a member of the 2010 state championship team, competing in the discus throw (a man after my own heart).

Let's Get a good Look Atchya: High school game footage!

Check out the newest Orange blog to storm the Interwebs- Bleeding Orange

Online Blogging Classes Available Anytime

2012-05-25T02:22:23Z

This post is sponsored by, well, me.

I had a lot of fun teaching my three online blogging classes last week. We had a bunch of folks taking Intro To Blogging for beginners, Blogging 2.0 for next-steppers and Sports Blogging 101 for those interested in writing about sports. Some folks took all three classes while others picked the one perfect for them. I hope everyone got something out of the classes and I look forward to checking out their blogs as they grow.

Now that the classes have been completed, that means the video recordings and slides are available for anyone who might have missed the classes. Anytime you want, you can view the video of each of the three blogging classes and read-along with the slides to get all the information you could possibly need to get your blog started or keep your blog growing.

Intro To Blogging - This class is for anyone who has ever wanted to start a blog but didn't know where to begin as well as the blogger who signed up for Wordpress, wrote their first post and then realized they didn't know where to go from there. The two-hour online course will hold your hand as we go over the basics of blogging (how to start a blog, how to name it, what to write about, tips for building traffic). Everything you need to get off the ground and get blogging.

Blogging 2.0 - Not only will this class build on what's discussed in the Intro class, but it will also provide critical info for those who want to really expand their community, their traffic, their search engine optimization and make a little money while doing it. If you've already gotten a blog off the ground but need help taking it to the next level, this class should be extremely helpful for you.

Sports Blogging 101 - As a sports blogger, I know that there are certainly rules, topics and tricks that apply only to us. Building a sports community is unlike anything else on the web and this class will be all about how a sports blog goes from a voice in the crowd to leading the discussion. If you're just starting a sports blog or want to learn some tips and tricks to make your current one even more popular, this is for you. If you're interested in signing up for any or all of the classes, you can do so below.

Each class is $50 and that's good for the class video and slides. Upon payment, you'll receive an email confirmation from me that includes a link to the webinar page where the classes will take place as well as an attachment with a PDF of the class slides, which you can keep. The video link will never go away either so save the classes to watch later on as well.

Click here to get more information on the classes as well as more background on me.

Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician

Women's Lax: Syracuse 14, Florida 13 (2OT) - The Lovely Orange Comeback Machine strikes again

Syracuse vs. Florida, Womens Final Four GameThread

2012 Syracuse Football Preview: Peasants And Stalled Momentum

2012 Syracuse Football Preview: Peasants And Stalled Momentum

Syracuse Lacrosse - Know Your Foe: The Florida Gators

The Particulars

Vital Statistics

Scoring Leaders

Goal Keepers

Common Opponents

Drafting the Orange: Dion Waiters Impressive in Vegas

Macky MacPherson Makes Rimington Trophy Spring Watch List

Syracuse Football: Get to Know Your Orange Man- #38 Cam Lynch

Online Blogging Classes Available Anytime