Deep South Discussion

[GrayTech75]

Not much to hang your hat on there.
Wait until Merrimack and their sudden impact freshman roll into the sunshine state.

Merrimack has a bunch of talented freshman that have beat out upper classmen to become starters already
in fall ball.... if I'm correct, 2 starting attackmen and the 4th attackmen is a frosh from Holy trinity...
one middie from your beloved long island (SWR) on first line and another mid on second line...
possibly one close defense will start if he is healthy...and few others that will contribute...
so all in all the class was the best in years .. from what i hear from there fallball tourney
is that scoring can come from anyone at any time (very good dodgers\ shooters),
defense is solid, and the goalie is exceptional (MLL material)."

Better yet...wait until Tech rolls into Lakeland. Florida Southern is going to have their hands
full trying to hang a loss on even their other northern opponent ... Pace (4-10).

Good luck to you guys down south, the bottom line is any and all growth for our sport is beneficial,
but it will be a while before you get competitive.

[laxsouth1]

I really don't expect a second year program (Florida Southern) to beat anyone from the NE10 or the ECC. A second year program anywhere would not be expected to win. One thing I do know is the Whipple family, they are lax through and through and I fully expect FS to be a player in short order. In Florida, as of today, St. Leo is the team. In their fifth year they have improved every year! They carry a full roster and play a very respectable game. Thay could very well upset Merrimack next March, and to me, it wouldn't be that big an upset as they are a legit team and would beat the majority of NE10 teams and the bottom six ECC teams without a doubt. I'm a Mercyhurst fan but am very excited about both the FS team and St. Leo.

[Sunshinelax]

It's great experience for Florida Southern to be playing teams from up north. FS has some freshman on the roster that will have a definite impact on the team. Not saying that they will beat teams like NYIT or Merrimack ( Pace maybe) but there could be a few surprises. St Leo may have some serious competition this spring.

[GrayTech75]

The coaches and administrations who grow lacrosse in new areas all deserve a tip of the hat.
Actually looking at the FS schedule, I'm thinking Whipple and company might just get a win
over a northern team...because S. New Hampshire.....HAS NO BALLS!
(sorry... I couldn't resist..seniors Mike and Sean Ball have graduated)

[Spuds]

It's great experience for Florida Southern to be playing teams from up north. FS has some freshman on the roster that will have a definite impact on the team. Not saying that they will beat teams like NYIT or Merrimack ( Pace maybe) but there could be a few surprises. St Leo may have some serious competition this spring.

I think another couple of years of recruiting classes and transfers for Florida Southern. I believe St. Leo is ready now for at least challenging and possibly winning against the top 5.

[cham 152]

I really don't expect a second year program (Florida Southern) to beat anyone from the NE10 or the ECC. A second year program anywhere would not be expected to win. One thing I do know is the Whipple family, they are lax through and through and I fully expect FS to be a player in short order. In Florida, as of today, St. Leo is the team. In their fifth year they have improved every year! They carry a full roster and play a very respectable game. Thay could very well upset Merrimack next March, and to me, it wouldn't be that big an upset as they are a legit team and would beat the majority of NE10 teams and the bottom six ECC teams without a doubt. I'm a Mercyhurst fan but am very excited about both the FS team and St. Leo.

lax south1 I agree everyone is talking about the St.Leo game against Merrimack. I think there will be a big crowd at that one.

[Sunshinelax]

Florida Southern has added Marty Ward to the coaching staff as defensive coordinator. Ward comes to FS from Limestone where he served as assistant coach in 2008, goalkeeper for 4 seasons and HM AA selection in 2005 & 2007 and goalkeeper for Iroquois Nationals program in 2006. The team will definitely benefit from Marty's experience and success in Division II lacrosse. Great choice, congrats!

[EastCoastRightCoast]

Rollins will continue to be the worst team in division II until they bring in an actual recruiting class, have an actual field, have proper funding, and have a new head coach (they don't even have a full-time assistant..... what a joke for a collegiate team). I have a friend on the team who told me they only have 25 players! Last season they had 38 players (only 2 seniors).... so where did they all go? Did they even bring in new freshmen? It's a shame that the school and athletic department can't put it together. They could bring in serious talent if the people in charge actual knew what they were doing.

[cham 152]

Does anyone have any info of NLI signings from new recruits for the South, Rollins, Mars Hill Saint Leo??

[laxfan36912]

the recruit page has st leo having a goalie and a defenseman. nothing for rollins or mars hill

[cham 152]

the recruit page has st leo having a goalie and a defenseman. nothing for rollins or mars hill

Thanks, I did see that but was wondering if anyone else that friends may be signing and not on the sight for Southern etc.

[nhflyfish]

......if school does not give athletic scholarship then they may not issue formal NLI...note NLI rules that state that financial commitment is part of NLI

[cham 152]

Not much to hang your hat on there.
Wait until Merrimack and their sudden impact freshman roll into the sunshine state.

Merrimack has a bunch of talented freshman that have beat out upper classmen to become starters already
in fall ball.... if I'm correct, 2 starting attackmen and the 4th attackmen is a frosh from Holy trinity...
one middie from your beloved long island (SWR) on first line and another mid on second line...
possibly one close defense will start if he is healthy...and few others that will contribute...
so all in all the class was the best in years .. from what i hear from there fallball tourney
is that scoring can come from anyone at any time (very good dodgers\ shooters),
defense is solid, and the goalie is exceptional (MLL material)."

Better yet...wait until Tech rolls into Lakeland. Florida Southern is going to have their hands
full trying to hang a loss on even their other northern opponent ... Pace (4-10).

Good luck to you guys down south, the bottom line is any and all growth for our sport is beneficial,
but it will be a while before you get competitive.

Who are the new Freshman? Is Merrimack playing Florida southern??

[laxsouth1]

Word on the street is there may be three more programs coming soon in the Deep South two in the Tampa area and one on the east coast. Anybody heard anything?

[GrayTech75]

Oops, my bad... when you repost from another thread (CW POST) you must credit the originator:
my info came from a post by "indepthlax" on Wed Oct 28.

As to your first question...I did a bit of research on the Laxpower Mack recruit listing and there is Melaugh
an AA kid from the Boston area...and another freshmen ...Lunny... who garnered all-state recognition in Joisy.
My guess...these two are the likely freshman starters.....if indepthlax is corrrect.

The third freshman... I have seen play...Barclay is a hardnose 'finish it" creaseman with a nice touch ...
if the close D-man slides ....wack the top corner! No slide... the dodger shoots... Catch22!

As to your other question, I guess the Mack admin thinks a final four team deserves a full time coach,
and the Merrimack players should also be rewarded with a full week in land of gators.
Checking Mack's schedule, it lists all three Florida teams...so that would answers your other question.
http://www.merrimackathletics.com



PS- Cham.....What are you doing over here?
At the moment... must be grieving. Trinity with a 6 pt return of a FG BLOCK,
and the last minute win....your ex-NFL coach must be going bonkers!

[aguynamedbert]

Word on the street is there may be three more programs coming soon in the Deep South two in the Tampa area and one on the east coast. Anybody heard anything?

I've "heard on the street" as well - have you heard of which potential schools these programs may be at?