I doubt we will be overly active in the portal but I'd be surprised if we don't take a few. FOGO and close defense seem like obvious areas of need.
Portal 26
- Thread starter Caliknight
- Start date
I don't believe we're "good" at attack. IMI we really need a dynamic attackman who can score.
I am sure Brian will look at that given what options are available. Ideally, we move Kurdyla back to midfield which is natural position, though this year will make him so much more effective. After getting experience at attack you can put him anywhere on the field and he will be comfortable. He's officially just a lacrosse player. Starting to remind me of Connor Kirst. He will make an impact anywhere. He could easily play DMID if you needed it.
I would give a long look at Sommer at X. That's his natural position and he has really good vision and can feed. Not to mention the quickness and athleticism needed around the crease. We also need to find an inside presence. We didn't get to see much of it but Vorang has a very slick stick. That kid put up over 350 points in 3 season in NYS lacrosse. He easily would have broken the record which puts him in rarified air. You don't put up those numbers without being a player. He also has some chemistry with Sommer that was pretty obvious in the limited time they were on the field together. He's a lefty though so that would mean Aiello has to move and you run him out of the box, which would be a real match up problem for short sticks. But then he's not on the field as much.
Agree though, if you can get a dynamic attackman who can break guys off the dribble, you take them and figure it out. There will be options with all we have coming back.
Figuring out the close D and fogo are most imperative.
Last edited:
Good point, attack is where all the young talent is right now that got a ton of playing time this year. Would think if we bring in someone on attack, it has to be a slam dunk since they'd be taking away playing time from one of the younger players and you don't want to disrupt the chemistry for someone that doesn't work out. Plus would probably cost a lot and maybe not allow for funds to be spread out among the other positions.
But if we could get another Kirst or Cameron, that would be awesome.
But if we could get another Kirst or Cameron, that would be awesome.
Things seem bizarre at Uva. Wouldn't be shocked to see some NJ talent enter the portal.
Just a hunch, but I have a feeling that Vorgang is going to be a factor next year, now that he has a year of experience in Brecht's culture. Having him on the field with fellow lefty Aiello in a top and bottom situation could cause some nasty matchups for opponents. If these two can get comfortable playing with one another at both attack and midfield you could have something special.
Would like to see what that looks like. Both are slick and Vorang definitely has the game for that inside presence. Two many games with those two would be a challenge to guard.
Watching some of the NCAA games, it's very obvious we need to develop another layer to the offense, and that being inside game. We can't just keep working for 15 yard shots. Goalies and defenses are too good. We must threaten the inside more. Our best teams were always doing that and working from the inside out, unless it was unsettled. Having one of the best shooters and slickest inside sticks I've ever seen in Charalambides definitely helped lol
If Lagunowich entered the portal he would have interest from a lot of programs and be a great addition.
Charalambides was beyond talented, and I wonder what he would have achieved barring those two torn ACLs. In his first year, I was watching him playing against Monmouth. In that game, two defenders doubled him in a sideline trap. He faked to the right, drawing both defenders to his right side, passed the stick behind his back, switch direction, and left them wondering what had just happened. Talk about slick. I was in awe wondering if I had actually seen what had occurred.
On AC, great what if is if he had been healthy in 2018. With him, Heningburg and Mullins playing together. Now that would have been some attack.
I consider him our greatest Knight. We’ve had many first team AA, players of the year, world team players you name it. As long as I’ve been around I’ve never seen anyone work as hard as he did. He wasn’t born a great player. He made himself a great player even with the obstacles. He was blessed with great hands but everything else that kid grinded for. Few people understand the work put in to get to that level. We lost that UNC quarterfinal game but that set us up for the FF run. His play in that game specifically was other worldly. Hes a Loyal Son. On my all time list without question.
No not yet. I k ow there is a big focus on development. They love what they have in the locker room. Not to say there won’t be a few additions but in typical Brian fashion, when everyone is zigging he’s zagging.
Haven’t heard of much in the portal we’d be interested in yet.
Spoke too soon. We have a stud on campus right now. Instant starter. Between us and another B1G school. We don’t want to play against him. Like our chances.
Lots going on in the portal front. We should have some news in the next week or two if not sooner.
@dconifer you should be happy. Maryland isn't just recruiting well, they are portal'ing very well. They've effectively imported 1/3 of Yale's starting lineup including two of their attackmen and arguably their best defender. Solid win for the Terps. Everyone wanted that kid. Going to be interesting to see how they use all of this talent. You are probably going to have to move Erksa to midfield. Good problem to have assuming everyone buys in, which seems to be a theme with the Terps.
As to us, let's see what the next couple of weeks bring. We've landed at least one close defensemen the staff was very high on coming out of HS. Wouldn't be shocked if we took another.
I didn't realize this but JJ Aiello was a midfielder in hs. He was moved to attack out of necessity but if one of our guys develop or we get a portal lefty, we can move him back to midfield. A first line of him, C Kurdyla and Sommer would bring some varied skill set and the the second line would stay almost intact. You could interchange Aiello and Zeller as both are strong lefties.
What's old is new. It's become apparent again, as it used to be, second line midfields need to produce for a team to be effective. Back in they day they were essentially the same in terms of talent and time played. Lacrosse got away from that with all of the specialization but it seems to be going back to that, which is a great thing.
@dconifer you should be happy. Maryland isn't just recruiting well, they are portal'ing very well. They've effectively imported 1/3 of Yale's starting lineup including two of their attackmen and arguably their best defender. Solid win for the Terps. Everyone wanted that kid. Going to be interesting to see how they use all of this talent. You are probably going to have to move Erksa to midfield. Good problem to have assuming everyone buys in, which seems to be a theme with the Terps.
As to us, let's see what the next couple of weeks bring. We've landed at least one close defensemen the staff was very high on coming out of HS. Wouldn't be shocked if we took another.
I didn't realize this but JJ Aiello was a midfielder in hs. He was moved to attack out of necessity but if one of our guys develop or we get a portal lefty, we can move him back to midfield. A first line of him, C Kurdyla and Sommer would bring some varied skill set and the the second line would stay almost intact. You could interchange Aiello and Zeller as both are strong lefties.
What's old is new. It's become apparent again, as it used to be, second line midfields need to produce for a team to be effective. Back in they day they were essentially the same in terms of talent and time played. Lacrosse got away from that with all of the specialization but it seems to be going back to that, which is a great thing.
Is the Yale close D guy (who committed to the Terps) the same "stud" we had on campus last week?
Yes. We did a great job of getting to be one of the two final schools standing but he chose Maryland. Tough one. We didn't get him and now we have to play against him. But so does every other school that recruited him which was basically everyone.
The staff takes no solace in coming in second though. We move on. That's recruiting. Next.
Well, one thing is for sure, Michigan should be thankful that the Ivy league has the rule against 5th year grads. Or else they may have been unable to field a team.
The lacrosse world is lucky the Ivy's don't have 5th years. The amount of transfers from Princeton
across the college landscape over the last 4 years from there has been insane.
If they were able to keep those guys there is no doubt they would have won a few championships.
Jungerkes was a huge W for us so I am not complaining. As much as an impact player from Princeton as there has been.
Losing out on the Alexander sweepstakes sucked but one thing is he has to prove himself after his injury. Certainly would have liked to see that in an R uniform but oh well. With the Terps landing Yale's two attackmen it would have been a coup. Staff almost made it happen but not to be. We will see him in CP in 26.
The defenseman we have gotten is an instant starter and the good news is we have him for 2 years.
across the college landscape over the last 4 years from there has been insane.
If they were able to keep those guys there is no doubt they would have won a few championships.
Jungerkes was a huge W for us so I am not complaining. As much as an impact player from Princeton as there has been.
Losing out on the Alexander sweepstakes sucked but one thing is he has to prove himself after his injury. Certainly would have liked to see that in an R uniform but oh well. With the Terps landing Yale's two attackmen it would have been a coup. Staff almost made it happen but not to be. We will see him in CP in 26.
The defenseman we have gotten is an instant starter and the good news is we have him for 2 years.
Owen Lenox (FR - Attack) heading to Jacksonville. I hear there are 6 maybe 7 other Freshmen in the transfer portal.
I haven’t heard that but it wouldn’t surprise me. We have a young team and if some of those guys aren’t playing now it might be a while before they see the field. Throw in roster size limits and unfettered freedom to transfer, and this is just the new norm. Coaches across college sports probably try to keep their core then fill in spots around them.
There is constant roster management going on that’s for sure.
There is constant roster management going on that’s for sure.
Brenden Kelly from BU is coming in. He must have been hurt last year because he had a monster year as a junior. I watched a few of their games that season and he was the best player on the field. Scored 46 goals that season. Former NJ attackman of the year out of Don Bosco.
I think this move potentially opens up Aiello back to midfield. His experience at attack will be invaluable as a middie. Same with Kurdyla.
I think this move potentially opens up Aiello back to midfield. His experience at attack will be invaluable as a middie. Same with Kurdyla.
Only thing that makes sense is the injury, last year he was 3rd on the team in points. Also, look liked he must have been feeling better towards the end of this season - 8 pts in the last 5 games.
Our resident Maryland fan should be happy. They just landed the best faceoff guy in the portal. They are importing some serious talent to go along with some serious talent.
Not sure how they keep all these guys satisfied but somehow they make it happen. Hard to get on the field there that’s for sure.
Not sure how they keep all these guys satisfied but somehow they make it happen. Hard to get on the field there that’s for sure.
New transfer coming in. Jack Lonsinger from Bryant. Another lefty sniper. I think these last two additions open up a move for Aiello back to midfield which was going to be a nightmare for shortsticks if he can get them. Based on his experience at attack this past season I could see them inverting him a lot or coming out of the box. No doubt he can draw slides from there.
2025 (Redshirt Junior)
- Started all 15 games.
- Tallied 29 points (19g, 10a), 14 ground balls, and five caused turnovers.
- Recorded five points (4g, 1a) in win over Quinnipiac on 2/22.
- Hat trick of three goals against UAlbany on 3/15. Scored game-tying and game winning goal within six seconds of each other.
- Started all 14 games.
- Set career highs in assists with nine.
- 15th in the America East in goals per game with an average of 1.93. Scored 27 of the 49 shots he put on goal.
- Recorded six hat tricks on the season including three straight to start off the year.
- Had five points (3g, 2a) in the Bulldogs win over No. 17 Boston University.
- Recorded two assists and a goal at Manhattan.
- Had a hat trick and an assist in win over Fairfield.
- Posted a season high five goals against UMass Lowell.
- Netted three goals over Brown to help the Bulldogs win their second straight Ocean State Cup.
- America East All-Rookie.
- Most goals by a freshman in DI program history.
- Finished second nationally among freshman in goals per game.
- Finished with 44 points on 42 goals and two assists.
- Scored 42 of the 64 shots he put on goal.
- Recorded seven hat tricks on the season.
- Scored seven goals vs BU which is the second-most in a game in DI program history.
- Recorded a hat trick in his first collegiate game vs Providence.
- Posted seven the following week vs BU.
- Notched four goals against Manhattan and Quinnipiac.
- Posted five goals in his home state of New Jersey at NJIT.
- Recorded a hat trick in win over Brown.
- Scored three goals in the America East Tournament, including two in the championship.
Guessing the staff wants to move Kurdyla back to midfield. Obviously you want him on the field as much as possible but if you have an attack that is scoring goals, it opens him up for what can be more effective out of the midfield.
I still like considering Sommer back to attack but a first line of Kurdyla, Sommer, Aiello is interesting. It brings two alphas right and lefty from the wings and Sommer able to distribute very well from anywhere on the field, not to mention get to the cage himself.
I'm still a little blown away that Aiello hadn't played attack before. That's a big ask of a freshman who was a midfielder. I can see him having a monster year at some point.
I still like considering Sommer back to attack but a first line of Kurdyla, Sommer, Aiello is interesting. It brings two alphas right and lefty from the wings and Sommer able to distribute very well from anywhere on the field, not to mention get to the cage himself.
I'm still a little blown away that Aiello hadn't played attack before. That's a big ask of a freshman who was a midfielder. I can see him having a monster year at some point.
Really good young man.
I don’t think people really understand how hard it is to recover from one let alone multiple severe knee injuries. Getting back to his level is nothing short of amazing
AC reached out to the younger Kamish boy at Loyola days after he suffered a very severe knee injury playing against Army his sophomore year. AC gave him advice and told him the path back was doable. That call was appreciated and helpful. Joey made it back and was a productive player, but he would tell you he was never the same player…knowing the suffering and pain it takes to climb back up the mountain is what makes AC’s accomplishments that more impressive…
Extremely talented and a good guy
RU lacrosse produces a lot of solid citizens and good guys…and of course I’m biased
Cali- I take it that Kelly is a lefty?
If that is the case, we may have an abundance of lefties next year. including Vorgang. I like the depth. That would guarantee Aiello at midfield and the new OC could draw up some switches that could create nightmares for opposing defenses.
If that is the case, we may have an abundance of lefties next year. including Vorgang. I like the depth. That would guarantee Aiello at midfield and the new OC could draw up some switches that could create nightmares for opposing defenses.
Yea he's a lefty.
Aiello at midfield looks like the move. The next OC has pieces. How he uses them will be interesting.
Aiello at midfield looks like the move. The next OC has pieces. How he uses them will be interesting.