It's Down to 2!!

SPEAKER_05 0:00

This episode of Increase is sponsored by Scorebreak. What is Score Break? Score break is the latest in sports video technology that allows you to view your practice with game stones in real time. It is the communication and collaboration software built into a stone analysis platform. Here's the ticker. Scorbreak takes live stats with the video instantly live on the sidelines or immediately after the customer scorpion is cloud technology. Corporate if coaches at any level access to powerful tools that only high-level programs have to resource to work at fast. If we move to what basis to coach workflows, corporate is rooted in a cost, and it's the reason to provide open towards at all levels. The overall mission is to save coaches valuable time and improve their efficiency. So if you schedule a demo with Scorebreak as mentioned in the preest, Scorebreak will give you 10% off your first year. So visit Scorebreak today at www.scorebreak.io.

Intro

SPEAKER_06 1:41

Yeah, so if you think about it, Danny, meteorologists, and I count, you're the chief, but I'm one too. They keep their jobs and get the weather accurate about 30% of the time.

SPEAKER_05 1:52

I know where you go.

SPEAKER_06 1:53

Which is about what we've done in all of these playoffs, probably even going back to the conference tournaments.

SPEAKER_05 1:59

You're so witty, Mr. Stenstrom. You're such a witty man. Yeah, I'm Eaton Crow. I don't have my uh tigers eating their young uh voiceover thing.

SPEAKER_06 2:12

I do it every week. We get DMs from parents, it's just great. I mean, they they call it out. I mean, let's just face facts. We were about 30%. Um that's probably giving us a little bit uh on the high side with this this year.

SPEAKER_05 2:27

I was terrible with my calls. Oh boy, with my prediction.

SPEAKER_06 2:31

And if you think about it, Danny, was we're because we'll get right into the weekend review.

Final Four Review

SPEAKER_06 2:35

All right, you think about it. The one game that we, you and I, were adamant about was in the north. Yeah, we just said, Lemoyne, let's move on. We talked about it a lot, and we even said, Mercy Hurst has got a lot of talent. Uh well, I know we talked about that. You know, I love their offensive power, they've got great defenders, you got a great goalie, great face-off, they've got all the things, but we but that but then we said, but Lemoyne, and then what happens in the game? Mercyhurst wins 11 to 10. Shocker. Shocker. And here's the other thing you remember, we talked about we we always talk about how you gotta play fast, you've got to, you've got to almost want to be four goals up against them, which mercy hearst they played fast when Lemoyne played fast. They matched them all the time, but they played them in six on six most of the game.

SPEAKER_05 3:33

Yep, they did. They did. It wasn't like a fast and furious game, like we like we think. You know, it's obviously now, it's obvious that we're not coaches, but we don't know what the hell we're talking about.

SPEAKER_06 3:47

And so all I can say is resourcefulness wins out over fast. Mercy Hurst had nine different scores, had other people stepping up because Miles Hamm and Ethan Lanymore only had a goal apiece. And we've talked about this with other games during this season. That had to be and was a total team effort to win.

SPEAKER_05 4:09

Oh my God. It was a great game, Kev. Right from right out of the gate. Yeah. Right out right from the opening face-off. Lemoy wins the opening face-off, gets it to a pole, gets it to Vavanese, Favanese goes to clear it, gets it to another pole, boom, turnover. Mercy Hurst is on the on the board in 30 seconds. I was like, wow, what a start. And what happens? Mercy Hurst uh Le Moine comes down 30 seconds later, and bang. I was like, okay, it's gonna be one of those games. And you know what? It wasn't one of those games, even though it started out so exciting right from the beginning. I mean, it was so exciting, and and there was a lot of turnovers in the beginning, a lot of guys riding, um, both teams turning the ball over a little bit.

SPEAKER_06 4:59

Um, they say fighting for those 50-50 balls, and sometimes it lasted not seconds, 30 seconds, a minute, minute and a half with that ball going around the middle of the field.

SPEAKER_05 5:12

Yeah, it was a couple of them like that. It was a really, really good game, Kevin. One of the better games I've watched all season. And Lemoyne just, you know, I think you know, Mercyhurst was able to hang in there, just hang in there with their 6v6 offense and great goalie play from Brett only.

SPEAKER_06 5:33

Well, and and that's and here's what I would say what I saw, and it's a couple of my notes were in the first during the first quarter, second quarter, I thought Lemoyne's defense looked really sharp. Yeah, they got up 4-2, and and I thought, geez, it's it looks like it's gonna be tough to beat them. They're really dialed in. But I'll tell you, Brent Only from Mercyhurst had some great saves in that first half to keep Mercyhurst in the game. You don't know it's from the stats. I mean, Vabanice had as many saves in the first half as he did, I think, or or close to it, but it was the type of saves where typically those shots should go in.

SPEAKER_05 6:16

Right. That's what type of saves they were. You know, a couple of more rebound saves, guys were there, bang, and you know, they were there to make the saves, and and there was some close, close shot saves, and just really good goalie play by both teams, Kev. You know what? And you talked about Lemoyne's defense. I felt that Mercier's defense was playing really good too.

SPEAKER_06 6:36

Yeah. Well, like you said, after those first few goals, if you look at the scores, I mean six five at half, that tells you the defenses are playing well. Yeah, yeah. And uh but then you go to the second half, and here's where I I kind of had to break down the stats. Because if you look at the stats total, these teams are like dead even almost all the way through. And it's really some of the breakdowns by quarter that made the difference. For instance, Fred only had seven saves in the third quarter. And Lemoyne had eight shots to Mercyhurst three in the third quarter, only saved seven out of the eight. So they only score once in the third quarter. Lemoyne. In the fourth quarter, Mercyhurst has more shots on goal seven to three, and Bavanese, who played great the whole game, he only had three saves. So now that's where that's where um Mercyhurst caught up and then surpassed and won by a goal. And then if you look at the face-offs, almost dead even, right? Sean Duran not having he was playing okay, but uh Nikki Nico was playing really well, but it's the fourth quarter. Duran had wins six out of eight face-offs in the fourth, has sort of that knack for answering when he needs to.

SPEAKER_05 8:11

Yeah, well, he was great in the fourth quarter, getting that possessions when you know Mercy Hurst needed possessions. But that fourth quarter, Kevin, I went back and watched the fourth quarter again because it was so good. So both teams are knotted at seven beginning the fourth quarter. Yeah. Okay. Trashete scores for Lemoyne, makes it eight, seven at the 1346 mark. At the 1232 mark, Mercyhurst answers with a nice goal from Quinn Simonson, ties it up at eight. Then that's this possession where Lemoyne was able to settle, get the ball settled, get a couple of shots on goal. Okay. Came up a little short. And then Kevin Sheehan stung one for Lemoyne, and Lemoyne goes up by one. Next two possessions, Kev, both teams in two possessions turn the ball over.

unknown 9:06

Okay.

SPEAKER_05 9:07

Now we're getting to like the seven-minute mark. Yeah. It's tied, okay? Then Mercyhurst gets one by Lefebv and ties it up at nine with 7.45 to go. Sam Lambert comes right back from Lemoy at the 533 mark, putting Lemoyne up by one again. Exactly one minute later, Nicholas Maybe scored for the Lakers and tied it up at 10 with a little over four minutes left in the game. Beautiful inside roll. And nine different scores for Mercy Harris, Kev, nine different scores. So then at the 3:30 mark, McCard picks up a ground ball after a dolphin turnover. Fast break ensues. Untouched, perfect shot on the run, and Vavanice makes the stop on a one-on-one, mono a mano. And Vavanice makes the stop. He instantly clears the ball. Sheen gets doubled and turns the ball over. The Lakers pick it up and clear it and call timeout. There's two minutes left. Tied at 10. Out of the timeout. LaFabe scored on a high bounce shot and gives the Lakers a one-goal lead, 11 to 10 with a minute and 55 left. Lemoyne on the ensuing face-off goes into a third violation and has a 30-second penalty. Lakers go man up. Landamore shot saved by Vavanese. It's like insane. Yeah. Out of the timeout, Lemoyne went into their 6v6. Sam Lambert gets shot. He gets a shot, but it's deflected, Kev. And Mercy Hurst picks the ball up. Tries to clear, but calls it up. Going back to Lemoyne, who gets it back into their zone and calls timeout with 10 seconds left in the game. Unbelievable ending. Yeah.

SPEAKER_06 11:32

But in 10 seconds, they call timeout. And we talked about this off podcast. You and I both thought, we and we didn't talk about this, we wouldn't watch at the same time. You and I both thought this game ain't over.

SPEAKER_05 11:46

It's LeMont. They got the ball back, and there's 10 seconds.

SPEAKER_06 11:50

Yeah. In their zone. Yeah. But, and that's that's what Lambert dodges to goal, but Charlie Gleason checks the ball out of his cross. And Mercer can just throw the ball up and start celebrating.

SPEAKER_05 12:06

Yeah, what a fourth quarter, man. It was like Hagler Hearns, left, right, left, right. Yeah. Like a like a heavyweight bout. And you know what? In championship NCAA lacrosse, it doesn't get much better than that. And hats off to Lemoyne. What a great season they had, you know. Just just, you know, what are they 17-1, right?

SPEAKER_06 12:33

Right. And so they lose by one goal in the final four semifinals this year. Last year they lose in double overtime, but they're always there. And it's a shame that we're going to lose them and they go to D1. Because they're a lot of fun to watch.

SPEAKER_05 12:51

I think it sucks that they're going D1, to be honest with you. Because you know what? They set the standard in Division II. And you know what? These are the they're the type of team that a lot of other teams aspire to be like, Kevin. And their coaching is so well done, and their players are so disciplined and so smart with the ball, and just, you know, just a really great team to watch, Kevin.

SPEAKER_06 13:17

Yeah, yeah. But then on the flip side, you gotta give all the props to Mercy Hurst. I'm curious to know how many people really had them winning. They've never beaten Lemoyne. They were 10-0 until that game. I mean 0-10. Yeah, they lost 10 times.

SPEAKER_05 13:45

First time in 11 tries against Lemoine.

SPEAKER_06 13:49

And you know, they we we can talk about the we talked about the nine uh different goal scores, guys, you know, picking it up when Ham and Len Landmore were kind of shut down. And I had this, I I got we got a DM from uh a parent whose son plays on the team, an offensive player, and he was praising the defensive middies. And so I went back and looked at the game and looked at them, and they they did, they played great. Uh D minis of Nate Ladshaw, Braden McCard, and Evan Anstead. In fact, Evan Anstead is the one that deflected the shot at the one-minute mark to save to save that shot. And McCard's the one that brought it down.

SPEAKER_05 14:37

Yeah, he picked up the ground ball.

SPEAKER_06 14:39

Yeah. And they they played their matches. And although the if you look at their individual stats, they get a ground ball here, maybe one cost turnover. Not not looking anything great, but if you watch them play, they dictate where their player is going. Yep. Yep. Which is exactly what you want.

SPEAKER_05 15:02

Yeah, the short stick D Middy's for the Lakers played phenomenal. And Kevin, the whole defense played good. Yeah. You know, it was just a really well-played game with two really, really, really talented teams with really, really, really good coaches. Exactly. Calling timeouts at the right time, getting the right players on the right time. There wasn't a whole lot of penalties in the game. It was a clean game. Um, didn't get too didn't get too rusty, you know, fisti-cuffy, didn't get too chippy. It was just a really well-played game.

SPEAKER_06 15:34

We we talked about that. There were only two penalties in the whole game, one on each side. And what word comes to mind when we've talked about Lemoyne before? And both of them play this way, discipline. Discipline. Disciplined. Yeah. I mean when you can play that defense like that and not get penalties, that'll tell you how good they are.

SPEAKER_05 15:54

Yeah, yeah. I love watching Le Moyne. I think they're a great team. I've loved watching them play since you know, since we started doing this podcast, Kev. You know, we had Coach Sheehan on, and we've had a couple of their players on, and just they're a fun team to watch. If you like good lacrosse and you like to watch how really good teams operate, you watch teams like Lemoyne. Yeah. And it it's gonna be tough. It's gonna stink without them in Division II. I think, you know, we need Lemoines in Division II. That's just my opinion. But I'm sure, I'm sure a lot of teams in the NE10 are glad to see them go.

SPEAKER_06 16:33

Well, here's what I'd say to that. I agree with you, but we've talked about this all year. Teams are elevating their game. And you've got teams like Mercyhurst, like St. A's, like Mercy, like Lenore Ryan, like Limestone, Wingate, Bentley, UAB, Bentley. I mean, go down the list.

SPEAKER_05 16:56

Yeah, they're all elevating. And look at the teams up and coming, the Newberries and the and and you know, the Rollinses and those teams, and you know, this is just what they're doing. And they're there's they're getting D1 caliber players to come to their schools, and they're playing high-end lacrosse. Kevin, this is it's no joke. It's no joke, and and these two teams were the epitome of really, really great lacrosse.

SPEAKER_06 17:23

Exactly. So, with that, let's move on to the South Region final. Lenore Ryan against Limestone, playing at Gaffney at Limestone's field. Lenore Ryan takes it 18 to 11, Danny.

SPEAKER_05 17:39

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_06 17:41

And really, I I would say it was more 18 to 9. I mean, they scored two, limestone scored two goals with like 20 seconds left. When it was already over. I wouldn't say they're garbage goals. I mean, one of them they got off the face-off, etc. But Lenore Ryan, it was 3-1 after one, Lenore Ryan, and then they go on a 6-2 run in the second to make it 9-3 at the half. And that was all they wrote, really. They could hold serve, which is exactly what they did in the second half. It was they each team scored five goals in the third quarter, and then Lenore Ryan scored one more goal in them in in the fourth. Really, it's more four to one until that very, like I said, the last 20 seconds, 20 seconds. And look Limestone, Lenore Ryan would not let Limestone get up on them. You know, get that momentum, get a couple goals.

SPEAKER_05 18:47

No, you're right. You know, I my first note was boy, LR seems to have the ball the whole time. Like they just controlled the first half, Kevin. Yeah, they controlled it in time of possession. They went, they ran long into the shot clock, they were moving the ball well, they were getting nice looks at they they really beat up limestone pretty good. And it was in that first half, especially that second quarter.

SPEAKER_06 19:16

Well, I mean, yeah, you're right. And first of all, uh Pensa Benny had seven saves in the first quarter. And then it looked like like just like you said, it looked like Lenore Ryan was winning more key face-offs in the second. I go back and look at the the stats, they were pretty even, but they got the ones not to give limestone any momentum just to stop them. And Lenore Ryan outshot Limestone 17 to 5 in the second quarter.

SPEAKER_05 19:49

Yeah. LR had more shots, they had more shots on goal. Yep. You know, they uh LR had 14 face-off wins, limestone had 19 face-off wins, but LR had really good wing play. A lot of 50-50 balls, you know, were falling into Lenora Ryan's hands. They were just quicker to the ball, they were just a better team, they were faster, they were quicker.

SPEAKER_06 20:12

Right. Their offense was clicking on all facets. They got transition goals, beating matchups, off ball. In fact, I went back and looked at it. 12 of the 18 of their goals were assisted goals.

SPEAKER_05 20:24

Yeah, they had excellent ball movement. They were moving the ball quick, and and everybody were getting touches and off-ball movement, guys moving and cutting without the ball, and they found themselves getting some really doorstep looks, man. A couple of them were two, three foot shots right there, standing in front of them. There's nothing, there's nothing uh Corey Lyons could do. And Corey Lyons played pretty well.

SPEAKER_06 20:47

He did. He did. In fact, we saved uh seven saves by Pensa Benny. I think he had six saves in the first quarter. So he was matching it. When they move the ball that well and they're on the doorstep, and he saved a few on the doorstep, without a doubt, Corey Lyons. You can't get all of them. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 21:07

Limestone defense was playing a lot of D out there, Kev. They were, you know, Lenore Ryan was controlling time of possession, like I said, going deep into the clock, moving the ball, doing everything. Kyle Hatcher had himself a game, man, four and two. Evan Voss had four and one, Miles Moffat had three and two, uh, Jared Huff had two, Colton McCracken had one, Ryland Say had one and one.

SPEAKER_06 21:31

I mean, Eccleston had three and two as well.

SPEAKER_05 21:33

Same as far as Eccleston, yep, Eccleston had three and two, and limestone too. Mike McGarry had three, Solkowski had two, Zach Terry had one.

SPEAKER_06 21:42

Well, and here's the thing, though. Zach Terry, who's the number one goal scorer in D two, they contained him to one goal.

SPEAKER_05 21:52

Yeah. Victor Powell, Victor Powell and the boys at back, Joey Mason and the back.

SPEAKER_06 21:58

Victor Powell had four grounds. Balls and three cost turnovers.

SPEAKER_05 22:02

Yep. And Joey Mason had four ground balls.

SPEAKER_06 22:05

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 22:06

You know, and and Pennsylvania back there in goal for LR. I mean, like I mean, I mean, just it's funny.

SPEAKER_06 22:16

I I talked about Mercy Harrison being a total team effort because they needed that. They had to, they couldn't Lenore Ryan in a lot of ways did the same thing. It was almost like they were putting on a clinic.

SPEAKER_05 22:30

That's when I said they're putting on a clinic. Somebody asked me what's the score. I go, I'll always put on a clinic. You know, I'm not taking anything away from limestone. I mean No.

SPEAKER_06 22:41

No, it's just it's just this game, Lenore Ryan had their number.

SPEAKER_05 22:46

Boy, Lenore Ryan just the last, you know, couple of games, they've looked really good too. So they knock off Limestone. Um just in typical LR fashion, but a lot of goals and good defense.

SPEAKER_06 23:02

Yeah, and you think about who they've beaten in the NCAA tournament. They take out Tampa, they take out Rollins, and then they take out a team that they're really used to, limestone. And it was the rubber match.

SPEAKER_05 23:20

Yeah. Well, Ryan is the first number five seed in the NCAA tournament in Division II history to make it to the national championship. First one.

SPEAKER_06 23:31

Yeah. And they deserve it.

SPEAKER_05 23:33

Yeah. Oh yeah. They're a good squad, man. Coach Paradine does it year in and year out. They were there two years ago. So a couple of guys on that team are kind of used to it, you know, they've been there. Some of them have been there. Yep. So it should be interesting. LR and Mercy Hurst for the National Championship. I think it's gonna be it's gonna be quite the game. And I don't think, Kevin, I don't think I have the nerve to make a prediction.

SPEAKER_06 24:03

Well, maybe we'll save that to near the end of the podcast and see what we decide to do. All right, Danny. This week there's no coach's spotlight and there's no player spotlight. Instead, as we head into championship weekend, we get to talk to the teams. And to be honest, they're being so gracious because as you know, we usually record these things Tuesday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. They got a lot on their minds, but instead of

Lenoir Rhyne

SPEAKER_06 24:30

talking to two of us knuckleheads and in the crease, but uh they've been gracious to come out and talk to us. So, first up is a few folks from the Lenore Rhine Bears. We've got coach Greg Peradine, goalie Rob Pensebenny, attackman Miles Moffat, and defender Joey Masson. So, welcome guys, how you doing?

SPEAKER_05 24:51

Great, the Bears, the Bears are in the house. How you guys doing, fellas? How you feeling? Great weekend, huh? Not a bad, not a bad weekend at all. All right, Miles Moffat, Rob Pence Benny sitting in goal. How you feeling, kid?

SPEAKER_03 25:08

Oh, pretty stoked. Uh, going back home now for for a few days. So the perfect scenario right now.

SPEAKER_05 25:14

And Joyman, how you feeling tonight?

SPEAKER_04 25:17

Go great, super excited to be uh back in the national championship. We're we're all pumped to play.

SPEAKER_05 25:21

That's great. And Coach P, how you feeling tonight?

SPEAKER_07 25:25

Awesome. You know, that I told these guys today, it's every kid's dream to be playing in the last game of the season, you know, the last possible game. And um, to play in that game is super special. And so just enjoy it. Enjoy the enjoy being together for another week, and uh, you know, we're gonna really soak up this experience and you know, go after it on Sunday.

SPEAKER_06 25:50

Yes. So let me ask you this, Miles. You got you were there in 2021, Joey. You're there too. I got other questions for you, so just hang tight. Um, made it to the championship. What does it mean to be back there again? Especially what Coach said, it's so true. It's so tough to get there even once. Yeah, so to be back there a second time while you've been at the school, although I think you're like uh I think I heard today you're in your sixth year. I want to know how you got on that program. I like that program. Sixth final, sixth and final. But how does that feel to be back there again, going back to championship weekend?

SPEAKER_00 26:24

You know, it's interesting. I've been asked that question a lot this week from family and friends, and you know, what does it feel like to go back? Um the first time, it was obviously our first time. So we're on such a high, and everything's like, Oh, we're going to the national championship. Here we are. Um, this time I don't I feel a lot more prepared, uh focused. Um, you know, the first time Coach B always said it's the show. There's a lot of distractions, and we go there, and there was a lot of distractions. There's a ton of people. We're playing in a huge, huge venue there in Hartford. And this time I'm just prepared to, I know what it's going to be like. I understand. Um, we are Joey understands too. We know what it's going to be like, the atmosphere, uh, the stadium that we're playing in. You know, it's hard to hear. The fans are loud. Um, so I just more prepared for this for this experience coming up. Obviously, still excited, but just understanding what we're going into.

SPEAKER_06 27:15

Yeah. So let me switch it now to you, Joey. I know you were there a couple years ago, but you know, we've talked on this podcast a lot about LR's offense and the the firepower that you guys have. We've talked a little bit about the defense, obviously, with Victor Powell, but your D this year has been really good. Victor wasn't in there all the time. You yourself, incredible season. 39 ground balls, 15 cost turnovers. Really been outstanding. So what is the magic there on that side of the ball for Lenore Ryan?

SPEAKER_04 27:51

I think a lot of it obviously starts with coaching, but uh a big part of it's also the chemistry we have. I mean, me, Victor, and Nate Ashley have been playing together since our freshman year. Uh, we all came in and we were thrown into the fire. We were all getting playing time our freshman year. And since then, we've been playing together. Last year, we uh we progressed from our freshman year to our sophomore year. We thought um our defense got a lot better. We had James Brueger, but I think every year, just with more experience and we understand the game plan better, we understand what we want to do better, and it makes it easier for us to help bring in young guys that knew D MIDI's and things like that, just to uh help explain things to them and not have to have the coaches trying to explain things to everyone. It just is a smoother, it just makes everything smoother, and I think the experience is definitely the biggest part of that.

SPEAKER_06 28:39

Yeah, so I assume then what you're saying too that goes with just being able to you've played together for so many years now. I mean, I'm sure the communication on the field is like lights out, yeah, definitely.

SPEAKER_04 28:52

It definitely is, and we all understand each other's tendencies as well. And Rob and when Nolan was playing, and Rob now, they've done a great job of communicating and talking to all of us and keeping everything positive, even if the other team's going on a run. And we've just done a great job. And I think one of the big things that we've been talking about this year, and Rob can touch on this, is during games, if um say our offense is doing great and the defense is too, we remind ourselves and we tell each other, like after every uh goal we score that we they're doing their job, we got to keep doing ours. And if the other team's going on a run, then we know that and we know that runs are gonna happen. So we just understand these things and just keep playing, and it all ends up working out.

SPEAKER_05 29:32

Yeah, not panic, not panicking, you know, when you know somebody goes up on a two little three goal run, they don't panic a little bit. I think that comes from maturity, you know, having that couple of years under your belt, you know, and and you know, when you talk about Miles, when you spoke before, you you said you're more prepared, but I think you seem more calm about it, you know, kind of like a been there done that type of thing. Would you agree?

SPEAKER_00 29:56

Absolutely, yeah. It's it's not new now. I mean, it's gonna be a new facility, um, new team, but the core of this team has is deep and experienced. Um, all those guys from 2021, the COVID year, like those kids that didn't get their full freshman year are still the core of this team. And and obviously 2021, our run that we had there, like majority of the guys are still on this team today and just heading back. So we're ready, we're ready for what we got ahead of us here.

SPEAKER_05 30:24

Now, this is all new for Rob now. Rob's coming in. How are you feeling about it, Rob? Now, I know that you didn't get the start in goal in the beginning of the season, but you came along somewhere in the in the middle of the season and you got your chance to burn. And boy, have you shined ever since. You've really done an amazing job in goal, son. I just gotta say that out of out of out of the gate. But how are you feeling? Because you're the kind of the young guy now. So what are the feelings like for you?

SPEAKER_03 30:55

Uh yeah, I mean, well, first off, thank you very much. I really appreciate that. Um, but it's it was a little nerve-wracking at first. Um, I was lucky to get some time playing in tournament games at my old school. Um, and I think it's one thing nice, like going back to familiar territory for this game, uh, is making the national championship a little bit easier. But in all honesty, like I've been playing college across now for four years, pretty comfortable with a lot of different things. I've gotten uh pretty blessed seeing a lot of good goalies playing a lot of big games. So I can take to take what I can get from them to uh to move forward, and that's kind of just what I'm using right now.

SPEAKER_06 31:37

Yeah, well, and like Danny said, you know, it's funny. We uh we know Nolan Hoffman when he played at Calorda Mesa last year, saw him come over, knew he was transferring over, watched him play. And then all of a sudden we see this kid named Pensa Benny in there, and it's like it's this really tall kid that but can range anywhere and get the ball. You've got great, great soft hands and and great footwork to be able to get to the ball. It's just amazing to watch. But coach, let me let me move to you. You know, we had you. I went back and looked. We actually had you on the podcast after the first week of the season. A lot of water under the bridge since then. So just give us your assessment of you know how that this whole season has helped you get to where you are and being able to go to the national championship.

SPEAKER_07 32:27

You know, I think we we've evolved over the season. I mean, we had a couple of key injuries. Um, you know, Joe Venazio went down with the ACL, and he was really a glue guy with with miles and tour. You know, Joe was a two-handed attackman. He could he could play left side, he could play the right side, he could carry, he could be, he did so many things. And when he went down, you know, that was right, it was right before the wing gate game. Um, that kind of threw us for a loot. You know, we had to move some guys around, and then Victor went down. So throughout the year, we've had some key guys kind of go in and out of lineup. Um, and I think now we've kind of solidified our our our group, Kyle Hatcher, who he had been injured through throughout the year. You know, he's been he's starting to get healthy, and he had a great game. He was four and two, but he's a guy that you know, we we were hoping to get in the lineup early in the year, but he had an ankle injury, then he got a concussion in the sack tournament. Um, so we just got him back, and that allows us really to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Um, you know, we we were able to move Evan Voss to the midfield a little bit with our second group, and he and he's just super dynamic, you know, either behind the goal or in front of the goal. So that's really how it's evolved. And we feel like with Rob now, we're we've got solid goaling. We kind of switched our face-off guy too a little bit in the last Batman CD, he was a uh transfer from Old Dominion, he was playing football. Um, and he he came in mid-year, and over the last couple of starts, I mean, he's been he's been really effective at the face-off. So we feel like going in was starting to peak. We've we've got the pieces of of the puzzle sort of intact, and you know, we're peaking at the right time.

SPEAKER_06 34:25

Yeah, that I mean, talk about wanting to peak at the right time, you're getting all those pieces together now. So let's just switch and talk about the matchup. Um, and I'll start with you, coach, and then go to because I has has Lynn or Ryan played Mercy Hearst before in 2019, I think.

SPEAKER_07 34:44

We that was the only time we played them. Played them in a mid episode that we really, you know, we're not that familiar with.

SPEAKER_06 34:52

Yeah. So how do you think uh that matchup looks to you?

SPEAKER_07 34:55

Yeah, I you know, we we think it's a sort of mirror image of our program. I I think they're I think they're very strong defensively. I think they have good goalie. Their attack is almost identical to ours in terms of the personnel that they have. Um, you know, they run a bunch of midfielders. Yeah, I think, I think the the difference maybe is in the depth of our defensive midfield. You know, we're running six defensive middies, three LSMs, where uh, you know, and between we feel really good about our guys between the lines. Um, you know, they've got a very a very good face-off guy, and that's gonna be critical too. How you know, how does that how does that go? Um, so those those are all the things that you know, you I think the first quarter of the game, it's gonna be sort of like a boxing match. Yeah. You know, where do you have advantages? Where do you need to short things up?

SPEAKER_05 35:52

Right, right. Yeah, see what the defense is doing, what they're trying to settle into, who's sliding where, and that type of thing. Or are they sliding to the shorty? Are they not? You know, you figure that out in the first quarter, and then, but you know what? You guys played, you know, Rollins and and and and and and uh limestone and just tore them up, man. Like you tore them up. And these are like two limestone's been on a run, you know that coach. They've been on a run lately. Um, and and the Rollins team has just I I said to myself, you were the hardest team that they faced. Oh, yeah, that's the one I felt. I don't think Tampa was, I don't know, man. They just weren't maybe the same team as they were the year be prior. But you guys just went on a run against these two teams. And how does that make you feel like knowing that you can throw up big points against uh, you know, some some pretty big teams? What do you think, Miles? Oh, I'm sorry, coach. Go ahead, Miles.

SPEAKER_07 36:50

I was just gonna say, well, after after the we after the uh limestone game, the SAC championship, you know, we went back and watched that film, and we felt like we did not play offense in the second half. We just we we we took some one dodge, one shot possessions. We were really quick offensively. So we went back and we said, look, we're we're too talented offensively to bail defenses out with quick bad shots. So we said, look, let's let's start playing some more, you know, six on six offense, get a little bit deeper into the shot clock, because we have very talented guys. And if if we let our guys play offense, we're gonna break down. We feel like we can break down a defense, you know, over the course of an 80-second shot clock. And that's what we've done over the last three games, you know, and it's been a pretty effective formula.

SPEAKER_00 37:41

Yeah, I feel like, you know, definitely during the side championship game, we struggled. And even the first half of the Tampa game, um, I felt we were a little rushed, we were taking shots, and you know, the defense and coach came up to us and said, Hey, like we can't keep doing this to the defense, they can't play this much defense or they're gonna crack. Like, we have to make the other team play defense. And I think as a unit, we started to figure that out and started to move the ball a little bit better, and then we saw ball starting to go in the back of the net. And then, you know, we carried that over from the Tampa game into the Rollins game, and we just kept adding to it, and we just kept making the defense work and work, and it was hot out there, and you could start to see their defense slowing down, and we just kept kept moving the ball, kept moving the ball, and it just buckets kept falling, and um, we kept scoring it and then going into limestone. You know, we've kind of played three teams in a row that kind of had a similar defense and how the how they were structurally played, and um that game we just felt as prepared as we could be, and um, I think it really showed, and um, we were sharp, I think, and I think that was one of our better games as a unit this year.

SPEAKER_06 38:42

Yeah, it's funny, Miles. I I actually have a note for that uh that I said it looked like your offense was getting goals in every way you you you want to, right? You you had some great transition goals when that was available to you and you they were unsettled, but when they weren't, you either you had somewhere you could beat your man, and when that didn't work, it you started moving the ball around, and then if someone ended up uh on the crease on the doorstep, and it was the fourth, fifth pass, and they're wide open. And you put all three of those together, and it that's how you the score ended up the way it did, you know. It really was a nine-goal difference score, not a not a uh seven-goal difference because of the two they got right at the end. That's the way I look at it. But um, so so Joey and Rob, just to to finish up and talk, we kind of talked about other other teams you played. What kind of lessons learned from those other games I helps you prepare for this game? Is there anything like that, or is it just this is a fresh slate, we've never played this team. What are you looking at there?

SPEAKER_04 39:48

I think every game you play, you you take lessons away, no matter how good you do as a defense or how good your team does, win or loss. There's things you can look at on film. And there's been definitely been games this year we've looked at. So, like after the wing gate game, we looked at that and we let up a lot of goals that game, and we realized that we needed to type tighten things up defensively. And um, we did that. And then the limestone game and the sack championship again. We felt that once again we needed uh look at things, reset, and tighten things up. And since then, we've done that and we've just tried to keep it simple. We're just trying to keep our defense tight and communicate well and keep things as simple as possible. And we're just gonna try and carry that into every game we can and not overcomplicate anything.

SPEAKER_05 40:32

Excellent, excellent answer. I like I like that answer a lot. Um, and when Rob's shouting out orders from the back, does it sound like the sound is coming from way over your head because he's so damn because he's so dang tall?

SPEAKER_04 40:45

Oh, yeah, he's doing a great job talking. Everyone can hear him, no doubt.

SPEAKER_05 40:49

Oh, that's great. Well, guys, I can't tell you enough. It's been a great year for LR. I I watch you guys all the time, as you probably know. Um, you guys, every year, perennial powerhouse, and what Coach P has been able to do there. And Miles, I feel like you've been there for like 15 years there, man. It's it's time for you to there's a lot of SAT SAT teams want to say bye-bye to you.

SPEAKER_07 41:15

I gotta find try, I gotta try to find him another year of eligibility somehow. Uh he's been there for like half the life of our entire program. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 41:26

Yeah, no, no, it's been great to watch it. And uh, Rob, you've been really good in goal, and Joe just taking care of business on the defensive end with Victor and the boys back there. I I like you guys this year, man. I uh I liked you all year. I've been saying it. I even said against the limestone, I said that they're deeper, Kevin. They're deeper. They got they got more than limestone has, and and you put up put up 18 on them, man. It was like uh it was a thing of beauty, man. You guys are getting easy doorstep shots, just really well-oiled machine. And like Coach said, you're peaking all at the right time. So, hey, I wish you all the best. I'm gonna be there this weekend, so I'm gonna get to meet all you guys, all right? I'll shake hands with all of you. I'll be looking up at Rob like this. How you know him, buddy? And uh I'm gonna get a step stool, Danny. No, I'm looking forward to meeting you guys. We'll see. I'll probably be at the practice, and uh hopefully we'll get to uh talk after the game, too.

SPEAKER_07 42:25

Awesome. Well, thanks for having us, guys. Appreciate it.

Mercyhurst

SPEAKER_06 42:30

All right, now it's time to welcome in the Mercyhurst Lakers, winners of the North Region. They had an epic battle and win over Lemoyne in the final. This team, Danny, never seems to disappoint us with great games.

SPEAKER_05 42:48

They're a great team, great team. Well coached, studs on both sides of the field, you know, and and and I picked that game all wrong, Kev. Yeah, well, I'm still eating crow on that one.

SPEAKER_06 43:00

Well, we're gonna open it up very quickly to one of our guests to begin with. Uh, so let's introduce who the who we have. We've got coach Ryan O'Hagan, he's the associate head coach. Head coach Chris Ryan wanted to be on, but you know, there are some family things that you got to take care of. And so luckily Coach Hagen, yeah, as he gets ready. And and like I said, when Lenore Ryan was on, right? So gracious that these teams are willing to come on as they're trying to prepare for a national championship, yeah. Yeah, to come on with us, knuckleheads. I can't believe it. But besides the uh Coach O'Hagan, we have one of our favorite players who we talked about since the podcast started, and now is a celebrity and it's still willing to talk to us, Ryan Scoble, and two captains, Liam Bogadane and Nick Maebe. So, welcome, guys. How are you doing?

SPEAKER_10 43:51

Doing great, happy to be here. Good. How are you? Awesome, unreal to be here.

SPEAKER_05 43:55

Excited to be back on. Coach O'Hagan Bogadane, man. It's gullible. Mercyhurst Lakers. How are you guys feeling after that big win? The guys, fellas, that that win against Lemoyne was amazing. And that fourth quarter, I actually went back and watched the fourth quarter again because it was some of the best lacrosse and the most exciting lacrosse. And and Ryan, I know you've been through a lot, but that game had to be a blood pressure, heart, heart-racing game for you. So how did that how'd that feel, man? Anybody, any one of you guys?

SPEAKER_02 44:36

Um, you know, we get caught up sometimes in like the game and everything, and you kind of forget something. So rewatching the game, it really helps you kind of realize how special it really was. But I mean, with the history that we've had with Lemoyne and the kind of troubles that we've had with them in the in the past, and to kind of kind of beat those and get get over that hump, it really felt good. And now he just kind of exposed us to this new opportunity that we have in front of us on Sunday. So we're just excited for that too. Yeah, and Liam, how did how did you feel after the game?

SPEAKER_10 45:05

Um, I mean, I think it was just smiles everywhere from everyone. Everyone I looked to was like happy. There wasn't any any uh like mal anything, it was all happiness like everywhere. I know for me personally, that fourth quarter, like I took a look around and the energy from Lemoyne's sideline, ours, the fans, everyone in attendance.

SPEAKER_06 45:22

It was the fans were crazy. You you guys traveled well that game. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 45:27

We gotta thank them too. But we traveled extremely well, and that was awesome to see.

SPEAKER_06 45:33

It was it was standing room only, Danny. If you looked around the up on the it's like in rafters, you know, and a lot of them were mercenaries.

SPEAKER_02 45:41

You've never been and like that like kind of standing area they had like up behind the field, that was really cool, and like scoring on that end was like awesome because like if you're almost surrounded by people, so that was just that was a fun atmosphere.

SPEAKER_05 45:54

Yeah, I've never been up there, but man, that fourth quarter, let me tell you something. I don't have a dog in the race, you know. So I was just watching as a fan, and let me tell you something. My heart was racing at that. Like, I could feel myself all tense in the game, like just watching the game. I can only imagine playing in the game. What was it like? Like energy-wise, like, you know what I'm trying to say?

SPEAKER_02 46:19

Yeah, there was a lot of tension on both sides. Like, I feel like when you would dodge or like someone would play defense and stuff like that, like there was just this like form of like hatred just on the field, not off the field, but it was like a form of just like you could cut you could cut the tension with a knife, and it was just I don't know, it was really fun. It brought out sides of people that I've never seen before, and it was sides that I love to see. So like it was just crazy. I don't know. It was interesting.

SPEAKER_05 46:44

It's interesting.

SPEAKER_02 46:45

All right, yeah, coach.

SPEAKER_10 46:48

Sorry, it was like the goals, it just felt like the air was cut, like every like the air went out of people when like goals were scored at the end there because it's just everyone kind of loosened up a little bit, but it was a it was a fantastic, like Danny said, a fantastic game to watch.

SPEAKER_06 47:01

But and Nick, you mentioned it, right? You guys had never beaten them before. No, and that's before that's and and if you listen to our past podcast, and like Danny alluded to it, we basically were on the Lemoyne train thinking they were gonna win. But we looked at things like they're 17-0, you've never beaten them. It just seemed like they were uh destined to go to the finals. But Coach O'Hagan, Danny and I are ready to eat some humble pie, so the floor is yours. Go right ahead, give it to us.

SPEAKER_01 47:31

No, I mean that game I mean, it tired like again, it's it's Dan Sheehan. It's you know, him and his staff, Vinny Alexander. I think he might is the best assistant coach in division two. You know, we didn't outcoach them, I just felt the guys outplayed them.

SPEAKER_05 47:50

I agree, I agree.

SPEAKER_01 47:52

I mean, it was to be honest, like I I'll take more blame for the first quarter than the guys. I think, you know, my myself and you know, CR were laughing about it, like you know, the first quarter, like we we overcoached it, and then you know, it was really Braden McCart and Liam that kind of recentered me. Like, hey, like we're trying to like you're you know, there's too much going on, just let us go out there and just be ourselves. And it was one of those things where, yeah, I mean, it it's you know, the final four, I think, even to a further extent, like we hadn't beat we were 0-10 against Le Moyne coming in, but we hadn't won an NCAA game since 2013. Um 2016, when I was a GA, we blew an eight to one lead to Tampa. 2019, the next time we were in the playoffs, we ran into Merrimack in the first round. And yeah, I think Charlie Bertrand still has singed corners into our nets during COVID. You know, the Mercy game unfortunately got canceled because of that. The and they were good that year. We turned around and you know, that Lemoyne team you know beat us 11-9 on our home field, and then last year we blew a 5-2 lead to Seton Hill. And it again, it was one of those things. I don't take any credit for the win. I just think when it came down to it, we just had players just make plays, whether it was Nick Mae scoring the game tying goal 10-10. You know, Sean Dorn was unbelievable. Um, you know, you know, Liam shut down Joey Pesamenti in the second half.

SPEAKER_06 49:34

He held him to you know, Pez had zero goals in the second half.

SPEAKER_01 49:38

Correct. And like I said, and you know, top it all off, Brett only, who's been lights out all year, you know, he had a heck of a third quarter.

SPEAKER_05 49:49

So he sure did.

SPEAKER_01 49:50

You know, I like I said, I can't take any credit for the game. You know, they're again, I look back and I watch the game, I mean like it was it, it could have gone either way, and they had their chances. And it's it's kind of funny like talking to some of the alums about it, because you know, prior to this game, a lot of the alums felt the biggest win in program history was 2011 to go to the for their first national championship win. They beat CW Post, a team that had beaten them five straight years, 14 to 4, in a game where it was as Coach Ryan said, it got the monkey, it got the CW Post monkey off their back then.

SPEAKER_08 50:29

Right.

SPEAKER_01 50:30

Lemoyne monkey is kind of off our back, and you know, it it it was I'm just really happy for our guys.

SPEAKER_06 50:36

Um you know, it sounds like coach, some of your best adjustments were listening to the players, I'm just letting them play.

SPEAKER_01 50:44

Yeah, I mean I think you know, he people know who we are, people know the type of game we play, the type of defen, like how we kind of go from defense to offense first. But yeah, I mean, just let the guys play and you know, trust their systems instead of do certain things that you know I think Lemoyne flourishes in. I mean, again, it's Dan Sheehan, it's Lemoine. It's uh you go on the field against them, you know. Coach Sheen is, I think, an 87% win percentage. They go on, they beat teams by just walking on the field and yeah, yeah. You know, it's the best coaching against, I guess, Coach Sheehan was just let the guys do their thing because it takes the coaching out of it.

SPEAKER_06 51:31

Well, and then they they stood up, you know. It to it takes some resiliency to be able to do that. And we we talked about in a past podcast about how we thought if you played Lemoyne, you had to play fast or you had to feel you had to play with urgency, like being four goals up. You had to feel like you had to be four goals up at all times. You guys were behind most of the game, except for a couple times when you tied it back up at 7-7, and then you when you tied at 10 10 and then went ahead or you know, at 1110.

SPEAKER_01 52:01

Well, I mean, I think the other thing when you think about that game is you know, just there's so many tie ties between both schools. I'd say 90% of both our rosters we recruit against each other for.

SPEAKER_06 52:16

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 52:16

Um, if you look at our roster and their roster, it's heavily influenced by Western and Central New York. So, you know, when you guys said, like, oh, you had a great alumni turnout. Well, most of our alumni live in Rochester and Syracuse. It was closer for them to go to that Le Moyne game than anyone. One of yours. Yeah, one of our games.

SPEAKER_05 52:35

Right, right, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 52:36

No, you know, it's it's always been that way. And yeah, like I said, like I think it was just file, like the guys finally just kind of said, like, we're gonna like I felt we just played the game at our pace after the first quarter.

SPEAKER_06 52:51

Hey, so moving on, Ryan. I think this game showed once again that Scoble's army is real.

SPEAKER_08 52:59

Yes, sir.

SPEAKER_06 53:00

What was it like for you, especially after coming back from all that adversity? Like you talked about when you're on the podcast, right? A lot of these upperclassmen were freshmen last time you were here. I know you've got your good friends right with you that that are our fifth years as well, but what was it like because you got to play this year? What was it like at that game and then being with this team this year since we talked to you and what you guys have been able to accomplish?

SPEAKER_09 53:26

Yeah, you know, I I I think the game um really represented what what we've been putting a lot of work in. Um, you know, we pride ourselves in being able to play four quarters of solid across. And I think us coming out in that fourth quarter and um, you know, like you said, coming back and and ultimately, you know, stamping in our first W and 11 appearances um had a lot to do with our preparation leading up to it. Um, you know, the guys we we get after it. The the fall is is really a a track practice most of the time. Um and and leading into the early spring, we we really pride ourselves in being able to play uh a full four quarters lacrosse. And I think you you saw that.

SPEAKER_06 54:06

Um yeah.

SPEAKER_09 54:08

Yeah. And coming back to the boys, I mean, like you said, I mean, it's it was it was a little to get adapted to at first. Um, you know, Braden McCard and Nathan Latshaw were were freshmen, you know, little, you know, piss not pitch weeks, but but little dudes when I was here. And now they're you know, they got facial hair and you know, they're out here and making it. And they balled out. They ball out. Yeah, I I I honestly think we have the uh, honestly, I I know we have the best uh D mini crew in in all of Division II. And um, it's it's great seeing these young guys kind of come out and and really the players that that they matured into. Um and you know, it's the same team at the end of the day, it's the same environment and the same um you know mentality moving forward. And it's it's great to be back a part of it. And uh, you know, stamping in uh a trip to Philly is pretty great as well. That's awesome.

SPEAKER_05 55:02

Yeah, that's a that's a great ending for a great career, wouldn't you say?

SPEAKER_09 55:06

I'd say so. I mean, it's it's crazy. It's crazy, Danny. I I watched um Lenore Ryan play Lemoyne, ironically, uh two years ago in the ICU. And now being able to, you know, proudly wear my uh my my green and white step on the field with my brothers. I mean, it's it's a dream come true.

SPEAKER_05 55:25

Uh I for one could not be more happier for you, Ryan. I really, from the bottom of my heart, I truly mean that. And um let's talk about you know the game against Lemoyne a little bit, Nick, going against that defense. How'd you feel going into that? Because you know, Coachin's known for his defenses. They're tough, man. They're tough. What was it like going against them?

SPEAKER_02 55:49

Yeah, so I mean, relating it back to kind of the 2021 game, so their defense is always known as this like force, and you kind of think about that a little bit when you always play the more and you think about their defense first, and then you kind of think about their offense. I mean, at least for me being playing offense, but um, they were they were good. Like, I mean, on paper, they were they were really good. So, I mean, just playing them and kind of the first quarter, kind of we were feeling them out a little bit. I mean, they're good, so they're fast, they're they're on us, they're they're making it hard for us, they're packing it in, they're really kind of making us work. And then we kind of felt them out a little bit. Second quarter, third quarter go by, we start to kind of catch fire, score some goals that we weren't scoring. And I don't know, we started feeling good. We got hot. And I mean, we just kind of took that and just wrote it. I mean, you think about their defense, and they're good, but I mean, when a team gets hot, it's kind of hard to stop them. And I think that we had some guys score some goals that they usually weren't, or maybe weren't more recently. So, I mean, that was really good. I mean, it was really fun, so we kind of figured them out later in the game.

SPEAKER_06 56:54

Yeah, so Liam, let's move to the defensive side, and we don't have to focus on Lemoyne, but we can focus on what your defense does. We always start with, and Coach O'Hagan said it, Brett only has been playing lights out, yeah. But then you look across your defense, you know, from the the close D to the D midis. Talk to us about what's so special about your defense and what can you bring, you think, against Lenore Ryan.

SPEAKER_10 57:22

Yeah, so I think like how Ryan said, like two years ago, um, those D Midis we have now, they were freshmen and they were kind of just starting to get out of like that freshman, not slump, but they weren't freshmen anymore at the end of the year. They were now becoming sophomores and they kind of had their feet under them. But now, as juniors going into their senior year, they they definitely have their feet under them. And like the confidence from that only helps the rest of us too. And I think the defense we have this year is the same defense from last year, too. So like we're just building chemistry every single day the longer we're together. And I think like that just honestly, that's the key to it is talking to each other and just playing with one another every single day as hard as you can. And having, like you said, having Brett behind us is an immense advantage. Like, I I feel so confident he's saving everything that comes at it.

SPEAKER_05 58:06

Well said, Liam. Yeah, man, he's been playing great. Just very well said, young man. Your teammates are gonna love you after they hear this one.

SPEAKER_06 58:14

That's that's that was very well said. Hey, so Coach O'Hagan, what are your thoughts on Lenore Ryan and the matchup?

SPEAKER_01 58:22

I'm interested to see what type of game I guess the I guess I'm interested to see what the game pace is played at. They're good. I mean, we obviously I'm currently in the office watching them. You know, Coach Paradine does a great job. I think Coach Crompton down there does a very good job coaching their defense. I know that you know we're we're not very familiar with them, but watching their games and watching their playoff games, I mean, they've been on a run. Um, it's you know, when you're not when you're winning Final Four games 18 to 11 and quarterfinal games 14 to 8, you know, uh and going on the road to do it. It's very impressive. I think it's funny to look at with some of their players because Torrin Eccleston and you know and uh Miles Moffitt are are from the same area as Miles Hamm and Ethan Landymore, and then they play the exact same way. You got the flying shooter, and then you got the crease guy that can finish everything.

SPEAKER_05 59:20

Right, right.

SPEAKER_01 59:21

So, and then I think uh their goalie has gotten a lot better, and I mean there's they got some big dudes on defense. I mean, Victor Powell is definitely not someone, you know, he's he's a D1 kid playing Division II, and he's tough, but he's as tough as they say. So I'm interested to see how you know I guess the game flow and the pace go.

SPEAKER_06 59:43

Yes, so one question for for for you guys, Nick, Ryan, and Liam, and coach just mentioned it, right? They seem to walk through, not walk through, but the difference in in point totals and the scores of their NCA games, 14 to 8, you know, that it seems like they had six, seven goals uh differential in each game. You guys go in there and you win two tough battles, both one goal games. Do you think that actually may help you in being like you got like you talked about either getting hot or that that uh go getting through adversity and resiliency? Just your thoughts on on how you feel based on how you played in these in this tournament going forward for against Lenore Ryan?

SPEAKER_02 1:00:30

That's a good question. Um, I think I mean you could say both ways, you know, like you could say, oh, I may maybe we play these games that are we're winning 14-8, and like we don't have to try as hard, maybe, because we're up in the end, and then we're just kind of just keeping track of the lead and not losing it. But I think in on for our side, winning those one-goal games, like I don't think this national championship is gonna be a shoot, uh, it's not gonna be a blowout either way. So I think having those two games before us, where it's a one-goal game, we've been in those games now. So I think we're gonna be ready for the next one. I think it's gonna be close. So I mean, I think overall, just us getting those games before will inevitably help us a little more.

SPEAKER_09 1:01:11

Yeah, in my opinion. Kind of building off what Nick said, uh, we've been in a lot of dog fights, and I think kind of the the fights we've been in has has prepared us to really come into this game and be ready for anything. Um, something I think these guys can all agree with um is this team handles adversity extremely well. Um there's there's no quit in this team, there never is. So um I think that that our experience really scraping and uh you know fighting for every single every goal that that we've had in these previous games is is preparing us pretty well moving forward.

SPEAKER_05 1:01:47

You know, Mercy Hearst has been a perennial powerhouse year in and year out. You guys were always in the mix, you always find yourself in the top five, top ten every year, always in the NCAAs. You know, you might have had a couple of unfortunate turns, but this year you're going to the national championship, man. Up in Philly. It's gonna be a beautiful weekend, perfect lacrosse weather, guys. Perfect lacrosse weather. Tell me, how are you gonna go to the Gino's or Pat's for Philly's for Philly Philly cheesesteaks? What do you suggest? Yeah, oh either one. Uh I like Ginos myself, so all right. All right, we'll go after Danny.

SPEAKER_09 1:02:30

Are you uh you a cheese whiz guy or are you a provolone guy?

SPEAKER_05 1:02:33

Uh either one. I'm an Irishman. If I drink beer, it doesn't matter what what what I'm eating. It's cheese whiz, provolone, forget I'll put it all on.

SPEAKER_06 1:02:45

No steak.

SPEAKER_05 1:02:46

Just no. Hey, but fellas, thank you so much for coming on the show tonight. We wish you all the luck in the world. It's it's always fun watching Mercy Hearst. Uh, Coach Ryan does an amazing job. He's a quite the character. I love the way he uh just handles himself and what he does with his teams. And um, I think it's gonna be a great national championship. Coach O'Hagan, thank you again for coming on tonight last minute.

SPEAKER_06 1:03:17

Um, appreciate it. And and guys, we're gonna be there. So we hope to be at your practices on Saturday and shake your hands and wish you luck. And you know, um, well, I don't think we're making any predictions for this one because it's too tough. Be on the right side this time, I guess.

SPEAKER_05 1:03:34

Yeah, I'm not I'm not saying nothing, man, because I've been wrong throughout the whole thing. It seems like the underdogs have been winning all the contests throughout the uh conference championships and everything, you know, throughout the whole Division II. It's actually been a really, really good year for Division II lacrosse. If you think about it, even even teams that we don't think about a lot are doing so well, like different conferences and just middle of the road teams just you know, two wins last year, seven wins this year. Like you got a lot of like more than 500 teams now in the division two, and just just getting better and better. And Mercy Hearst is always gonna be there as long as they get recruit guys like you and have Coach O'Hagan and Coach Ryan at the helm. I don't see Mercy Hearst going anywhere. I see them always being uh trouble for a lot of teams. I mean, you took down Lemoyne, bro. I mean, that was that was sick. That was that was some game. Like I said, I don't have a dog in the fight, but I was sitting on the edge of my couch going, this is a game. This is lacrosse, man. These are two teams going at it. Every possession counted. And I'm telling you, that fourth quarter, and them sons of bitches had the ball with 10 seconds left. And I was like, it's they it's Lemoyne. They got 10 seconds. I literally thought they were gonna tie it up, but then Charlie made that little stab, got the ball out there, and the game done, man. It was great to see. It was great to just a great win and just great for Division II Lacrosse. We will be there on uh Sunday, and we'll see you hopefully see you on Saturday. Maybe get to meet you guys, talk with you guys, and uh and Coach O'Hagan as well. Thank you. Awesome.

SPEAKER_02 1:05:22

Yeah, thank you, thank you for the time, gentlemen. Yeah, I look forward to seeing you in Philly.

SPEAKER_01 1:05:25

I'm gonna try to not overcoach this time. This is on

Final Thoughts

SPEAKER_01 1:05:28

them.

SPEAKER_06 1:05:28

All right, Danny. Now we got to talk to both teams. So, what do you say about the matchup this next weekend?

SPEAKER_05 1:05:36

I think it's gonna be a great matchup. It's gonna be interesting. Two contrasting styles of play. And uh I don't know, man. I can't I can't pick a winner on this one. It's gonna be an interesting game. Um again, two contrasting styles. Lenore Ryan likes to play quick, but I think Mercy Hearst can play both ways. I think they can play a slow 6v6 if they had to, or an up-tempo transition type of game, too. I think they could play. I think Dorne is going to be a big, big, big factor. If he does well, you know, it could it could fall on Mercy Hearst's way. Pennsylvania has been sitting on his head and playing out lights out at the uh at goalie for Lenore Ryan.

SPEAKER_06 1:06:28

An interesting matchup, wouldn't you agree? I I totally agree. I think exactly what you said. The difference could be in special teams, Doran, and then the goalies, Olney and Pensa Benny. But what's even more interesting is what they both teams revealed. Their attack men know each other. Miles Ham, Ethan Landymore, know Torrin Eccleson, and Miles Moffitt. So I think it'll be a really interesting game. And I'm I'm with you. I'm not gonna pick. What I'm looking forward to is a really good game. I I I would love to see it going overtime. There's nothing more that I like to see to see those teams just keep playing and playing. Yeah, be a great way to end the season.

SPEAKER_05 1:07:10

It could very well happen. You know what, Kevin? And I'm excited. I get to be in Philly, I get to hang out with you, my friend. We're gonna go eat some cheesesteaks, and we're gonna have a couple of high C's, and uh we're gonna meet the parents of the Mercy Hearst people, and we're gonna meet the parents for Lenore Ryan people.

SPEAKER_06 1:07:29

Yeah, so get ready, folks. We'll be looking for you at your tailgates.

SPEAKER_05 1:07:33

And we're gonna have a good time at the national championship of Division II.

SPEAKER_06 1:07:37

Here we go. All right, so to close out, Danny, we usually do the shout-outs, right? And I think we've got one main one for this week, and that is that USILA has dropped their regional teams for Division II, both in the north and the south. So a lot of names, a lot of great players. We're gonna just focus. So, first of all, congratulations to all of them. Whether you're honorable mention or a player of the year, that means that you have shown what you bring to your team on the field. And you've been acknowledged and by your peers and the NCAA. So we congratulate all of them. We're gonna go quickly so we don't make this a five-hour podcast and just go through uh the first team. Let's start off with I'll start off in the North Region. You can do the South. We'll start off with the top players that they meant that that were voted in. Player of the year for the North Region, Sean Doran, Mercyhurst. Offensive player of the year, Brady Kearnan, Mercy. Good player, tough. He's tough. He's a tough player. And then the defensive player of the year. These are all great picks. Ryan Slattery, St. Anselm. Well, another tough, tough one.

unknown 1:08:53

Yeah.

SPEAKER_06 1:08:54

Yeah. So now let's go through the first team. And what you'll see, the we've mentioned these names, I don't know how many times during this podcast this year, but here we go. In attack, first team, North Region. Brady Kiernan, Joey Pezamenti of Lemoyne, Miles Hamm of Mercyhurst, and Joe Duchnowski of Adelphi.

SPEAKER_05 1:09:16

Studs! All of them. All of them studs.

SPEAKER_06 1:09:21

Stand by for midfield. Here we go. First team, Anthony Caputo, pace. Kyle Steinbach, Adelphi, Jack Gibbons, Mercy. That's a killer midfield. Can you imagine having that team? That's a killer midfield right there. All right, now check out this defense. The close D. Charlie Gleason, Mercyhurst. We only mentioned his time, his name a few times this podcast. Ryan Slattery, St. A's. And Liam Bogadane, Mercyhurst. Three more studs. Faceoff, first team. Obviously, Sean Dorn, Mercyhurst. LSM. You're gonna know this one. You can guess this one. Justin Gerdville, mercy. Badass, that kid. Badass. Shorts, oh, goalie. Another one of our favorites we've talked about from Adelphi, Dylan Renner, first team, North Region. Really good. And then the first team, short stick D-mitty's Braden McCard, Mercyhurst, Will Harvey, St. Anselm. So there you go. That's North Region. How about the South Region, Danny?

SPEAKER_05 1:10:36

Okay, in the South Region, Kev. The player of the year, Willie Greco from the Wingate Bulldogs, Tacman. Offensive player of the year goes to Drew Billig, U Indy, another attack man. Yeah. And the defensive player of the year, Kevin, this kid. Yeah. I love the way this kid plays. He's a beast. He's just a flat out beast. Kyle Bosch, U Indy. Short stick D. Middy. He's just incredible. Okay. First team attack, Willie Greco. Uh also Zach Terry from Limestone. Torrin Eckston from Lenore Rhine. And Drew Billick from UI. That's your first team attack at the midfield. My man Danny Fitzpatrick. Love the way that kid plays, man. He does it all. Mike McGarry from the Limestone Saints. Riley Say from Lenore Ryan. Jay Minor from Florida Southern. And uh close defense, first team, Matthew Beto from Tampa. Yeah. Justin Eisenhower from Rollins. He had himself a great year this year, Kev. And really kind of came on towards the end of the year. This player, Josh Jackson, UI. Really tough player. Yeah. Really tough player. At faceoff, Michael Marto from Mount Olive, another really good player. At uh short stick, D. Middy, Kyle Bosch, Undy. Colton McCracken from Lenore Rhine is on that first team. Yeah. Short stick, uh Longstick LSM. Joe Carnage from Wingate. That kid is he might be all American this year. And at goalie, first team, our man, Shy Ketchadorian out of Rollins. The diesel. The diesel, the big diesel. So that's your first team, all South Regional, Kev.

SPEAKER_06 1:12:41

Well, there we go. There we go, Danny. So just to close it out, I cannot wait for this weekend. I hope we see a lot of D2 fans out there. And I guess that's all I can say, Danny. That's a wrap.

SPEAKER_05 1:12:54

That's a wrap, Kev. See you this weekend.