Joel Matthews is flattened as he scores the game-winning goal (photo by the author).
Detroit’s true home opener was well-worth the price of admission, including a bit of bonus lacrosse in the form of an overtime period. Perhaps more importantly, the Titans came away with a big win to move to 2-0 in MAAC play and 5-4 overall (the first time they’ve ever had a winning record).
Tempo Free
From the official box score, a look at the tempo-free stats:
| Marist 2012 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Marist | Detroit | ||
| Faceoff Wins | 6 | Faceoff Wins | 12 |
| Clearing | 15-19 | Clearing | 16-20 |
| Possessions | 29 | Possessions | 36 |
| Goals | 7 | Goals | 8 |
| Offensive Efficiency | .241 | Offensive Efficiency | .222 |
Detroit won this game, in part, by doing something they very rarely do: win faceoffs. They took home 2/3 of the draws on the day, and that allowed them to have an off day offensively and still come away with the win.
Good teams find ways to win when things aren’t going well, and Detroit is on the path to being considered a good team (though they still have lots more to accomplish before they can say they’ve arrived).
Notes
A switch on faceoffs made a huge difference. Brandon Davenport started the game, but Tyler Corcoran entered in the second or third quarter, and had much more success. Both performed well enough – against a decent faceoff specialist – but Corcoran won seven of eight draws, while Davenport “only” won half against a good FOGO in Matt Dugan. Corcoran also had a couple clean wins that led to unsettled possessions, though I don’t think any goals were scored immediately off the draw.
Offensively, the Titans looked out of sync for much of the day. Joel Matthews could hardly get anything going in regulation (and still managed to notch three assists, a testament to his ability as a player (a check of the boxscore only credits him with two, but I’m 90% certain he was responsible for the one credited to Adams)), and there were plenty of unforced turnovers. Speaking of Adams, he’s still playing more of a complementary role in recent games.
Speaking of Matthews, the game-winning goal was a thing of beauty:
Other multi-point scorers included Scott Harris (3G) and Alex Maini (1G, 1A).
Defensively, Detroit looked very strong. Marist had pretty good stick skills across the lineup, and although they made a few mistakes with the ball here and there, most of their trouble was caused (directly or indirectly) by Detroit’s players.
Both teams went through long stretches – most of the first three quarters, in fact – where they were generating decent shot opportunities, but getting off weak attempts that were directly off the keeper for easy saves. It was probably contagious to a degree, and I got the impression that if these two squads played again, you’d see more scoring.
When the intensity turned up a bit, A.J. Levell played pretty well. Again, he was only truly tested a few times, but he made nearly all the saves he should, and a couple that you wouldn’t expect him to make. Chalk that up a win.
This was only the third time I’ve seen UDM this season, and I was a little surprised, based on stats from prior contests, to see Troy Dennis get as much run with the first offensive midfield as he did – that is, until I saw him playing. He has the best stick skills of any midfielder on UDM’s squad (by a significant margin), and also the mass to go through/over defenders just as easily as around them. He didn’t get a chance to show off much from a shooting perspective, but I was impressed by his play.
Detroit – as they so often will, with their defensive style – took seven penalties, and allowed two man-up goals. It might be interesting to review some game film (obviously a luxury I do not have) and see the net benefit of playing the aggressive style they do. Of course, it pays off in lots of caused turnovers, but there is an big risk element involved, as well.
I made fun of Marist defenseman Zach Baddalucco for being tiny in the preview, but man, was that a little guy. He’s a good player, so I intend it as no insult, but it has to be tough seeing guys that are as much as a foot taller than him out there.
Elsewhere
Video festival from the UDM official site. Coach Holtz postgame:
Joel Matthews postgame:
Official site recap from UDM, and one from Marist. Game photos.
Up Next
On Saturday, UDM travels to Manhattan in the quest to maintain their perfect record in the MAAC.
Following the game in Riverdale, they’re home for three consecutive weeks before going to VMI to end the season.
Great report… I saw the game too, and I would agree Detroit was definitely out of sync on offense…I would say Marist and Detroit have no love for each other as both teams were jacked up for the game…When that happens, you sometimes get some sloppy play… Detroit’s defense looked stellar at times, but I thought the first 3 Marist scored looked like easy goals… Detroit needs to do something about their man up opportunities.. Big goose egg for 4 opportunities…and statistically, they have not fared well all season for having some snipers on offense. They can’t let down against Manhattan, as they seem to play well in the Big Apple… Big win beating Marist… Go Titans!
Something on the film showed the coaches that right in front of the crease was wide open in past Marist games when they were man down. They showed it as a point of emphasis to the players so they tried to force it in there even if it really wasn’t that open. Because of that they squandered a number of their man up opportunities. There were a ton of penalties in the 1st quarter, but the teams seemed to settle down as the game went on and they worked the emotions out.
Wow whoever this Tim guy is he better get his facts straight….First of all to suggest that Shayne somehow was credited with one of Joels assists is a Joke…lf you were there you would have witnessed the pass from Shayne to Alex Maini also to suggest Shayne is purely a secondary offensive player is JUST WRONG 1 goal 1assist 2gb 1ct which lead directly to a Titan goal….Not to mention clearing the left crease of the defenseman by rolling to the top which created the 1 on 1 matchup for Joel….Just saying maybe open up your eyes next time you watch a Detroit Titan game… you may actually learn something……
Joel Matthews: 23 goals, 15 assists, 59 shots.
Shayne Adams: 19 goals, 3 assists, 50 shots.
Again, he’s not the focal point of the offense, like he was last year. That’s not a bad thing (it’s probably actually better for both him and the team), it’s just the truth.
Craig you’re right on 2 things. Shane for sure had the assist on Maini’s goal. It was a behind the back feed to the crease that was the nicest assists I’ve ever seen from a Titan. Also, Shane drew Marist’s top pole in junior Ethan Fox. He was the adjacent D and probably the hot slide as far away as the crease D was. He locked onto Shayne and there was no way he was going to leave him open when Matthews drove. Gave him a clear path to the goal.
There’s no big screen showing replays and I don’t have a copy of the game film yet, but that was for sure Shane’s assist. Good game, great win.
I was totally wrong on Shayne’s assist, that’s my fault.
As for drawing the top pole – that’s life as a talented attackman. You’re going to draw the opposition’s best, and open things up for your teammates. Again, that’s not a bad thing (certainly from the team perspective), it just makes the individual a smaller part of the team’s offense in favor of a bigger opportunity for others.
That’s nothing to be ashamed (or, for some bizarre reason, very very angry) about, just part of the game.
As you admit you don’t have the luxury of reviewing game film, and if you did you would be eating your spiteful words about Shayne Adams. He played a great game, pulled the defense towards him for Joel to be able to score that GWG. You seem to always want to cause a riff between these two very talented players. As I posted after your last rant, these are 2 very different players, there is no “I” in team here…something of which you just don’t understand. If you did, you would see what each player offers this team and not continually try to drive a wedge between the two of them…as for the assist that you seem to think Adams didn’t get, if you had film, you would have been able to see the sweetness of that assist that did indeed belong to Adams. Perhaps what you should do is watch it more carefully as you do the Michigan games…
I have not “ranted,” nor am I trying to “drive a wedge” anywhere. I’m simply pointing out that, while last year Adams was pretty much the entire offense, with the return of Matthews, he’s taken on more of a complimentary role. If anything it’s better for the team – and probably both players. For someone who drops a quote about there being no “I” in “team,” you sure seem to care a lot more about pumping up Shayne than looking with an analytical eye at what is actually happening on the field. The fact of the matter is, Joel has been a bigger part of the offense. That doesn’t mean Shayne has done anything wrong, or that he’s not as good a player as he was last year, it’s simply an observation.
I never really thought they were spiteful. Saying he was 90% sure means he didnt get a perfect look, so should have been taken with a grain of salt. I wouldnt take that as a personal attack on Shayne. As for his other comment, he only said he was complementary, not secondary (at least in this article). Shayne is a great finisher, and complements joel, who is a great initiator. By saying complementary I read it to mean that each player had a role in the offense. Pippin complemented Jordan and that seemed to work out ok.
Tim, glad to have your coverage. If anything, fan sites and actual opinion pieces like this are a sign that people are caring and show that the team and even sport are higher profile than in the past. Teams like syracuse are highly scrutinized. Or just imagine the media scrutiny if these guys were college football stars.
Lighten up guys. I’m standing 100% behind Tim on this one. He went to Michigan, writes about Michigan for a major paper and is on staff at a website focused 100% on Michigan recruiting. HE’S SUPPOSED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT MICHIGAN.
He’s a fan of the game trying to give some coverage to a team that get’s zero recognition outside of the school’s weekly press release and my Twitter account. He’s not trying to stir up trouble or drive a rift between anyone. He doesn’t have the benefit of interviewing players, coaches or watching film like I do at UDM just like I have zero access to the Michigan people. I’m glad he took the time to go to the game on his own dime and share his thoughts. It’s not like he’s making money maintaining the site. Share your thoughts too, but relax on the attacks.
There have been a few things he’s written that I don’t agree with him on and we’ve been able to have a dialogue without questioning intelligence or throwing insults.
It’s funny to hear about Tim’s background because, if anything, I (mistakenly) thought he had a pro-UDM, anti-UofM bias. Just goes to show that perceptions can be misguided. 🙂
Tim is also new to the game and still learning some of the finer points about offense, off-ball play, etc. Considering he does this all in his free time, I think he deserves a little leeway. And for us to have a professional writer pick this up is extremely fortunate for us.
I disagree with Tim time and time again, but I appreciate that he covers them. No one else does
It’s great to have folks talking about Titan Lacrosse… I was a bit dissapointed in the turnout for “Team Day”… I know there were some kids there wearing their HS Lax gear, but seemed like a lot of kids had games or practices at that time. Tough to please everyone, but one thing and one thing only will attract the masses….. KEEP WINNING TITANS!