MLAX vs Detroit Open Thread EDIT: M wins 14-13 in OT!

Submitted by WolvinLA2 on
Today at 7pm Eastern, Michigan men's lacrosse team takes on the Detroit Titans in Pontiac in what is, in my opinion at least, the biggest game in the program's short life. This is a winnable game against the only other in-state program. This would be our second win of the season and could set the tone for the other winnable games on h schedule (of which there are probably four more). It would also be a win over an already established program (unlike Mercer) which is an indication Coach Paul and the staff have Michigan moving forward. Michigan and Detroit have a common opponent, despite it being to early in the season. Both teams have played and beaten Mercer at home. The results were quite different, however, as Michigan stormed to an early lead against Mercer, winning 20-7. Mercer gave Detroit about as much as they could handle, and Detroit squeaked out a one goal victory. I'll try to post some updates here as the game goes, but because it starts at 4pm my time, this whole job thing might get in the way of that. Also, following @umichlacrosse is a great way to get updates (that's how I'll be giving most of mine, anyway). Go Blue!
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Paps

February 19th, 2014 at 4:21 PM ^

Grab a win here... It would really set a good tone for the start of this season. Michigan needs to establish themselves as a middle-of-the-road team.

Joined: 09/29/2012

MGoPoints: 2239

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

February 19th, 2014 at 4:27 PM ^

Not to be rude to anyone but can we not have the game threads be chock full of goal announcements and nothing else?  Anyone can follow Gametracker to learn when a goal gets scored.  Discussion is so much harder when the thread has 40 posts, 30 of which just say "GOAL!!"   Admittedly discussion is not that easy in the first place when it's not on TV, but regurgitating the info from Gametracker interrupts everything and makes actual comments difficult to notice.

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 41586

LSAClassOf2000

February 19th, 2014 at 5:40 PM ^

It's hard to keep that from happening in hockey threads, for example, but if you feel that numerous "GOAL!" posts are becoming an issue in this or future threads, do let me know and if available I can go though and cut the number down if not eliminate them entirely. We have almost 30 varsity sports and they all deserve consideration. Let me know either in the mod sticky or on Twitter - I will check both periodically. 

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130603

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

February 19th, 2014 at 4:33 PM ^

 

It would also be a win over an already established program (unlike Mercer) which is an indication Coach Paul and the staff have Michigan moving forward.

U of D's program is really only two years older than Mercer's.  Mercer is in their 4th year, Detroit in their 6th.  Rather more accomplished, though, with a conference title last season.  Higher on the national pecking order.  A win would be a step up from beating Mercer.

 

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 41586

mgolax

February 19th, 2014 at 7:12 PM ^

I was on my way when I realized it would be a good idea to call ahead...of course it was sold out.

 

I don't know what I was thinking, not buying a ticket in advance. I was at the last Ultimate Soccer game and it was packed...

Joined: 04/02/2010

MGoPoints: 131

WolvinLA2

February 19th, 2014 at 7:49 PM ^

That last recruiting class of guys before we turned D1 is turning into a very good bunch for not being "scholarship" players.  Gembis, Joseph, McCormack, and Portnoy all starters. Francia key contributor as well.  And Will Meter was the first one of that class to really contribute too.  

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

WolvinLA2

February 19th, 2014 at 7:35 PM ^

Michigan up 7-2 after the first quarter.  Remember the big concern was that our starting goalie is out for the year and we're starting a true frosh in net.  

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

February 19th, 2014 at 8:06 PM ^

Is it too soon to declare marked improvement in this team, of the kind we wanted to see?  I'm thinking not.  They treated Mercer like you're supposed to treat Mercer and are up 8-6 instead of down 4-3 to Detroit (which was the score last year when the game was halted.)

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 41586

WolvinLA2

February 19th, 2014 at 8:19 PM ^

Halftime stats: @umichlacrosse: Shots, 26-16, Lott 12-16 on FO's, GB's 22-18, clears 12-of-15, Zonino 4 saves. King had 8 shots, Porty, DMac 2g., 1a. apiece #GoBlue

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

WolvinLA2

February 19th, 2014 at 9:33 PM ^

The big thing here is that Michigan is closing out a game. Last year we lost a handful of close games late, and in our first real test of the year (both previous games were decided by the fourth) we were able to make up a 2 goal deficit and win in OT. Close wins are a lot better than close losses.

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

nickoko

February 19th, 2014 at 10:20 PM ^

Anyone fill me in on how the OT went? (I know they won, but not much else)

Was at the game with my 2yo and 3.5yo sons, and left with 1:30 left on the clock with Michigan holding the ball. I hate leaving games early but I figured it being past their bedtimes was a good reason. Bad decision.

Michigan was pretty much dominating the faceoffs, but after the first 8 UM goals, UD's defense really tightened up and kept Michigan from getting many good looks until later in the 4th Q.

Joined: 09/24/2010

MGoPoints: 152

mlax27

February 19th, 2014 at 10:28 PM ^

What a great win for this team. They have definitely taken a step forward from last year. They are still very young and prone to mistakes and mental lapses, but when they were on, they were able to impose their will. Brad Lott should get the game ball. He was completely dominant on face offs. UDM just had to put a long pole out there and hope to win the ground ball. He was also dominant in the 4th and overtime, when it really counted. One guy I was disappointed in was Kyle Jackson, right until the 4th quarter. For a while, it looked like he was just content to pass off the ball to his teammates, and wasn't being aggressive. That was the same fault I had as a player, so maybe I was being too critical. Thankfully though, when the game was on the line, he took control, and netted a hat trick. With the game on the line, you want your best players to step up, and he certainly did tonight, along with a few others.

Joined: 11/23/2010

MGoPoints: 2052