Classic upstate rivalry results in a classic game. I thought my Orange were absolutely sunk when they went down 6-0, but they played with great heart and a sense of urgency that has been lacking all year. Coluccini played a gritty game, and while people will still talk about how bad he is or how he's real shakey at times, he came up HUGE for SU tonight, on a night where the defense didn't help him at all. The first 6 goals of the game were scored DIRECTLY on the crease, as were a majority of Cornell's later goals.

Just some thoughts on the game:

-SU is most likely dunzo. A hard fought effort against Cornell still resulted in a loss, meaning they have to win 4/4 for the season, with the final game against Albany casting a huge doubt over this team's tournament aspirations. They go 4-0 from here on out, they are definitely in. One slip-up though, we're going to have an Orange-less tournament. I'm sure all you orange haters out there are drooling at this thought, but as "unfair" as it may seem to some that SU has been in 23/24 final fours in the last 24 years, i still say their presence in the tournament is a good thing for the sport. However, in the end, i see a very hungry Albany team playing with great chemistry beating SU in the dome. Too little too late for SU, shoulda beaten army, loyola, etc...

-Max Seibald is an animal. Not as physically dominating as a Kyle Dixon or a Paul Rabil, but the kid has unreal skills, a great lacrosse IQ, and great heart. His only goal tonight was just picture perfect, and despite Pete's complaints, i'm pretty sure he cleared the crease with his leap. Cornell fans, be thankful you get to watch him for two more years

-Greg Niewieroski (yeah, i had to look that spelling up) had a big game, but i haven't seen somebody score 5 goals in a big game so quietly.

-Steve Brooks is continuing his tremendous season coming off a nasty knee injury, an i think he will be at least a second team all-american this year. He's a real nice guy, too.

-Cornell is nowhere near as dominating or intimidating as Virginia's team last year, but they will win the '07 title. Why? They play smart, they have great team chemistry, and they get goals and stops when they need them. SU threw the kitchen sink at them tonight and dominated faceoffs, and Cornell still managed to cause 27 turnovers, score 16 goals, and take 50 or so shots. Their offense is reallly crisp and they move constantly off the ball, and those kids don't mess around when the ball is on the ground. They really get after it and wreak havoc on transition. If Coluccini didn't make 22 stops, bloooowout.

-McGonagle was impressive, but not even the best player on his own team. Please, stop the McGonagle for Tewaaraton talk. He's just not the best player in college lacrosse this year. I think this could be the first year that the trophy goes to a non-championship winning player

-Most maddening part of the game - how does Desko NOT CALL A TIMEOUT as soon as Jerome picks up the ball off the last faceoff? They had one left and he had 3 guys on him...how do you not make that call? Honestly? The game could have gone either way even if he had, but at least SU would have had a shot to set something up at the end. What a horrible horrible mistake, i can't believe that happened...

SU, boys, how can you have so much talent but produce a 3-6 season like this? chemistry and recruiting need to be major major issues this offseason.