| Fall Easterns Games to Watch

This handy dandy schedule guide was submitted by William and Mary captain Cody Johnston. Check it out for specifics on some of Fall Easterns’ frontrunners.

Pool A

11:00–North Carolina (1) vs. UConn (9)

UNC

Lost Thomas Sayre-McCord at 2012 Carolina Sectionals—did not return for the rest of the year. Sayre-McCord played a huge role in their team, I remember watching Tufts vs. UNC at Easterns, he had something like 7 assists and 3 goals.
Despite that, UNC’s strength is in its junior class: Jon Nethercutt, Ben Snell (practice player with Truck Stop this summer), Christian Johnson (second year playing with Ring, played on the O line this year), Nathan Ward.
UNC also features Justin Moore, a grad student in his mid-20s but who has only used one year of eligibility (editor’s note: both Snell and Moore are studying abroad this fall and won’t be at Fall Easterns).
This core of returners got a ton of experience playing together WITHOUT Sayre McCord for all of Regionals and Nationals.

UConn

Coming off a disappointing Regionals performance. Ranked in the top 16 for the majority of the spring season, expected to do big things at Nationals, lost to Princeton 10-8 in the Metro East semis.
Returning 17 from last year

Talking points:

Athleticism vs. athleticism.
Depth won’t be a factor this game, which plays heavily to UConn’s favor
Can UConn shut down Christian Johnson? UNC’s offense is used to getting its first option, and if UConn can force a lot of throws (effective zone or junk?) they will get turns.

Pool B

3:00—UNC-Wimington (2) vs. Maryland (7)

UNC-W

Disappointing exit in quarters (lost to Georgetown 11-12) at Atlantic Coast Regionals after being seeded 3^rd and being the favorite to take down UNC in the semis.
8 returning A-teamers this fall, led by Truman Nottingham
Strong sophomore class: Xavier Maxstadt, Luke Hancock, Charlie Lian
Well coached by Greg Vassar and Tully Beatty

Maryland

Took down #1 seed South Carolina in quarters of 2012 AC Regionals
Sitting at 13-9 in the semis of AC regionals against NC State, Maryland was poised to break into the finals. Not sure what happened because I wasn’t there, but they ended up losing 14-15.
Lost one of their best players in Freddy Tsai but still have a ton of experience and are bringing 16 returners.
Eric Biggs, a sophomore, played at Amherst and played Junior Worlds this summer.
Marshall Schroeder is an experienced grad student/captain who never seems to run out of eligibility.

Talking points:

UNC-W scrappiness and physicality vs. UMD’s great break throws and experience
Depth? Both teams will have already played two games and will have had a bye. UNC-W runs pretty tight lines so I think this plays into Maryland’s favor.

Pool C

9:00—Ohio State (3) vs. James Madison (11)

Ohio State

Lost to Ohio in the game-to-go at Ohio Valley Regionals.
I don’t know anything specific about them except that they are very athletic and not afraid to huck.

JMU

The loss of Kyle Fredericks is big, but they are returning their two of their captains as grad students (Jordan Albro and Quin Sweeney).
Lots of experience and athleticism.
Ben Fleming: has some of the best layout Ds on undercuts I’ve ever seen. Freak athlete who’s not afraid to put his body on the line.
Lloyd Blake: big athlete (6’ 3’’+) with great hands and good throws

Talking points:

Hucks vs. hucks. Both these teams thrive on the deep ball, so it’s going to be a shootout.
Both teams will be fresh since it’s the first game of the day. I wish this game was at 11 so I could watch it!
JMU losing Kyle Fredericks will force them to play a more team-oriented game. More consistent in the long run, less big plays in the short run.

Pool D

1:00—Penn State (4) vs. Princeton (5)

I don’t know either of these teams, or any of the teams in pool D for that matter