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Photo by Anna Scipione

By: E.J. Freeman | MCLA.us     

ATLANTA- Hello friends and welcome to another weekend of MCLA lacrosse.

We are late in the season now and playoff races are taking shape and we are close enough to the playoffs that teams may be considering their playoff futures.  Something to consider is how much to show in these late regular season games when the more meaningful playoff games against the same opponents are right around the corner.  Many coaches will certainly consider this overthinking or as the kids call it “galaxy brain” but it is a legitimate thing to consider. 

The idea of intentionally holding something back would make many coaches feel dirty and that is a fair concern.  At the same time, if you know you are most likely playing the same team a week later with more on the line it does make sense to keep that playoff game in mind. 

The Canadian men’s national team has done some version of this in the round robin meeting with the United States at several different World Lacrosse Championships.  Our neighbors to the north often build a lead early in the round robin game before changing their strategy after confirming that their game plan works.  Usually, this leads to the United States winning the round robin game and then when the teams invariably meet again for the gold medal the Canadians go back to that game plan that they know works.  This level of guile and gamesmanship is a small part of how a country with 60,000 lacrosse players regularly competes with a country with roughly 2,000,000 lacrosse players.  The idea is at least worth considering.

Experimenting with different possible solutions for the problems an opponent presents is another way to approach it and is probably the best way to approach it as it allows coaches to explore their different ideas and get them on film and review what works and what does not so they are better prepared for the playoff game.  This probably gives a coach the most information while also allows them to not openly hold something back in a late season game.  

As the saying goes there is more than one way to skin a cat and I can understand pulling out all the stops to win the regular season game and I can also understand the thought process behind holding something back.  I tend to lean toward experimenting and trying things so, I would like to have as much information as possible and try multiple different options before deciding what I like best before going into the playoff game, as I said earlier, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

This week’s guest picker is former Northeastern goalkeeper Sam Bellomy.  Sam played for Northeastern from 2022-2025 and earned first-team All Continental Lacrosse Conference (CLC) honors all four years of his career.  Bellomy was named CLC Defensive Player of the Year three times.  Bellomy earned second-team All-America honors in 2023 and first-team honors in 2024 and 2025.  During Bellomy’s career, the Huskies won the CLC tournament in 2024 and 2025 and qualified for the MCLA National Championships Presented by New Balance in 2023, 2024, and 2025.  Thank you to Sam for jumping in the hot seat and answering some questions as well as giving his picks on some games.  Sam is now coaching at Northeastern so we did not have him pick any games involving Northeastern or other CLC teams.

MCLA: What has it been like transitioning from playing to coaching?

Sam Bellomy: It's been a tough adjustment, no question. I've found that your instincts don't just turn off, every part of me still wants to be out there competing. That being said, the things I genuinely love about this game, the team environment, the preparation, the competition, I still get all of that as a coach. It just comes in a different form now.

MCLA: Your team became famous for travel nightmares during your playing career- have you guys had more luck on the road this year?  Did the travel issues bother you more as a player or coach?

SB:  No trip for us has ever been simple, that's just part of our identity at this point. But this year, things went about as smoothly as we could've asked for. What people don't really see is everything that goes into each of those travel weekends: brutal flights, long drives once you land, and then turning around and playing two games in such a short window. As a player, I definitely felt that more. You're asking guys to compete at a high level while dealing with less than ideal situations. As a coach you're not the one physically going through it in the same way.

MCLA: What was your favorite memory of your playing career?

SB: My favorite memories are playing in the Red Bandana Games. There was definitely an emotional weight to them. You can feel it in the atmosphere, in the crowd, and in the way both teams approach the game. It gives you perspective pretty quickly. You still compete as hard as you can, but you're also aware it's about honoring something far more important.

MCLA: Are your nerves worse in pregame as a player or as a coach?

SB: As a player, I never really felt nervous. I had my routine, and once the game started everything else just kind of faded out. Coaching has been different. When you're on the sideline, there is only so much of what's happening that you can control, and that's where I've felt the nerves the most. That's probably been the biggest adjustment, learning how to channel that energy into being present for the guys and making sure they feel supported and ready going into the games.

Thanks to Sam for answering some questions and good luck the rest of the season.  Now, on to this week’s games.

#3 College of Idaho vs #4 Air Force at Utah State 2pm Friday- The week starts fast and hot with an afternoon faceoff for this game.  The Yotes are undefeated after beating Montana last week while Air Force has been grounded for over a month.  The teams have one common opponent and their scores were similar.  The Yotes defense is led by two-time and defending PEARL Goalie of the Week Brogan Rice while the Falcons have been running multiple goalies out this season.  Rice has saved over 70% of the shots he has seen while all of the Air Force goalies are over 60% so the shooters better be dialed in if they hope to score.  Reigning Lacrosse Specialties Player of the Month Trevor Shoopman is joined by Greyson Flatten leading the Yotes’ offense while Mark Tang once again leads the way for the Falcons.  Efficiency is the name of the game for Tang as he has scored 17 goals on 29 shots so far this season, which has me wondering how the Falcons can get him more shots.  Both teams win over 60% of their faceoffs so there is no clear advantage there.  These two teams are very evenly matched on paper, but will they be in real life as well?  The Falcons cannot dwell on the result either way as they play Utah State roughly three hours after this one will end. Fan Pick: College of Idaho (62%)

Bellomy’s Bet: Both sit near the top of D-II, but College of Idaho has been more dominant week-to-week with a stronger scoring margin. Air Force is disciplined, but hasn’t been tested as consistently yet, which gives a slight edge to College of Idaho. PICK: College of Idaho

#5 Virginia Tech at #3 Tennessee 7pm Friday – This is another one in which the teams look to be as evenly matched as possible.  Both teams have lost to South Carolina with Tennessee losing by one and the Hokies losing by seven.  Both teams beat Liberty as well with the Vols winning by five while the Hokies dominated the Flames 17-5.  Logan Aiello leads the Vols in goals, assists, and points and is a match up problem with his size.  The Hokies defense has been strong this season and has been aided by an elite faceoff unit.  Max DeMella is an elite faceoff man himself for the Vols.  The Volunteer attack group presents an interesting problem for defenses as their attackmen have such different attributes and challenge defenders in different ways. Those who can match up well with Aiello are unlikely to handle the smaller and quicker Jake Schroll and Brooks Wehman.  The Hokies’ top five scorers are all juniors and seniors and will not be moved by the moment playing the Vols.  The Vols have shown a propensity to play some zone defense, which can cause problems for MCLA offenses, but the Hokies have some serious stretch shooters that may be able to shoot through the zone.  Volunteer goalie Kyler Gornick is saving nearly 60% of the shots he sees so the Hokies better make him move if they are going to shoot from the outside.  The Volunteers play Clemson on Sunday making up a weather delayed game from early in the season in what will be a grueling top-10 double dip for the Vols.  Fan Pick: Virginia Tech (52%)

Bellomy’s Bet: This is one of the better D-I matchups right now. Tennessee has been more productive offensively and tends to play at a slightly higher pace, while Virginia Tech has been solid defensively. If it turns into a possession-for-possession game, Tennessee’s scoring depth probably makes the difference. PICK: Tennessee

#11 Rhode Island vs #5 Montana State at Grand Valley State 9am Saturday – Get the coffee brewed for this one.  Rhode Island has solid wins against Dayton and Utah State, but has cruised otherwise.  The Rams play Grand Valley State on Friday and this game will be their second top level opponent within 24 hours.  Montana State on the other hand has played a gauntlet of a schedule.  How will the Rams handle the uptick in intensity and competition?  Their lone loss was against Division I Northeastern.  This weekend will be a measuring stick weekend for the Rams as they play Montana State, Grand Valley State, and St. Thomas.  The Bobcats played Grand Valley State and lost 15-10 Thursday and play St. Thomas on Sunday, will the Rams catch them in a moment of exhalation between games against the Lakers and Tommies? Fan Pick: Montana State (88%)

Bellomy’s Bet: Rhode Island has put together a strong season, especially on the defensive side, but Montana State has played a tougher schedule and produced more offensively.  PICK: Montana State

#1 St. Thomas at #9 Grand Valley State 3pm Saturday – These two teams played three times last season with the Tommies winning both games with hardware on the line while the Lakers won the regular season game.  The Tommies were +2 in those three games, so the teams were very even.  St. Thomas has beaten back all challengers so far this season.  The Lakers have losses to Michigan State and Florida Atlantic, but have been on a tear since the loss to Florida Atlantic.  Grand Valley played one game then sat idle for a month before starting their season in earnest in mid-March and look to have shaken off the rust.  The Tommies have been idle for two weeks themselves and may be fighting some rust of their own this weekend.  No one would be surprised if these two teams faced again in the conference and/or national tournament.  Fan Pick: St. Thomas (67%)

Bellomy’s Bet: This is the toughest call. Grand Valley has been efficient offensively, but St. Thomas is still undefeated and the standard in D-II, coming off last year’s title. In a game like this, consistency and experience in big moments lean toward St. Thomas. PICK: St. Thomas

#17 Cal Poly at #6 UC Santa Barbara 2:30pm Saturday – This rivalry game is for the top seed in the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League playoffs (WCLL) as both teams are 5-0 in conference.  Poly has generally played a defensive style this season, while the Gauchos have managed to win shootouts and marble melees.  Poly faces off at less than 50% which is worrisome in any game.  The goalies are saving similar percentages so far.  I think if goals come at a premium in this game it will favor the Mustangs, but if the tempo is a little faster the Gauchos might be able to outrun the Mustangs.  Fan Pick: UC Santa Barbara (88%)

Bellomy’s Bet: Both are having good years, but UCSB has been more consistent overall, particularly in goals allowed and game-to-game execution. Cal Poly can hang around, but UCSB’s balance on both ends gives them the edge over four quarters. PICK: UC Santa Barbara

Other Games I’ll Be Watching

San Diego at #2 Cal State San Marcos 7pm Friday – San Diego has fallen out of the rankings, but is still dangerous.  Especially if they can win 80% of the faceoffs as they have done all season.  Both teams have been off for a few weeks so I would expect a little rust early as the teams work themselves back into it.  If San Diego can dominate possession, get an early lead, and frustrate the Cougars they will have a chance to pull the upset.  If the Cougars neutralize the possession advantage and get ahead early it might be a long night for the Toreros.  Fan Pick: Cal State San Marcos (80%)

#15 North Florida at #16 Georgia Southern 3pm Saturday – While both teams will make the SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC) playoffs, this game is massive.  The winner will get the top seed in the North region and will get a bye in the quarterfinals and avoid Tampa until the conference final.  The loser will finish second and likely play Florida Gulf Coast in the quarterfinals.  Georgia Southern has been playing suffocating defense while the Ospreys have a high flying offense.  This bird battle will likely be determined by style.  Fan Pick: Georgia Southern (69%)

#1 Utah Valley at Colorado 7pm Friday – Colorado seemed to be enjoying a Rocky Mountain resurgence a few weeks ago with wins against Chapman and Cal Poly.  This weekend, as Brigham Young and Utah Valley come to town, the new look Buffs will face their toughest test.  The Buffs were up to the challenge Thursday night against Brigham Young but fell 12-11 in the end.  Utah Valley is led by Jake Lundin’s dominance at the faceoff dot and Colorado has a potential foil to Lundin’s dominance in Mike Kuligowski.  Lundin got the better of Kuligowski last season, but Kuligowski is among the nation’s best as well and will test Lundin.  Colorado has played a tough schedule and has a number of everyone’s favorite April conversation starter “good losses.”  The Buffs likely need at least a split this weekend to remain alive in the at-large conversation.  The Wolverines are likely flying high after their win against Brigham Young last weekend and could very easily take Colorado lightly and get caught.  Fan Pick: Utah Valley (80%)

West Virginia at Pittsburgh 7pm Friday – The Backyard Brawl is one of the more underrated rivalries in college athletics and the lacrosse version is just as feisty as any other.  Pitt has won three of the last five games, but the teams have split the last two with the total spread being three goals.  This was a conference game for years, but with Pittsburgh heading North to the CLC it now becomes a late season out of conference game.  Both teams will be ready to play for this one.  The teams are fairly similar statistically so it should be another close game.  Fan Pick: Pittsburgh (71%)

#16 Texas Christian at Southern Methodist 1pm Saturday – It was not that long ago that the Horned Frogs were looking like the favorites in the Lone Star Alliance (LSA).  Those days are but a distant memory now as Texas Christian has lost three of their last four games by an average of 9.67 goals.  The Battle for the Cast Iron Skillet is another rivalry with real vitriol.  Texas Christian won the regular season game last season only for the Mustangs to end their season three weeks later in the LSA playoffs.  Can the Horned Frogs find their mojo again?  Historically, the Mustangs tend to be a hard program to peg as at their best they can play with anyone, but those moments are not as common as I’m sure head coach Eric Skeen would like.  The Horned Frogs as a team win 44% of their faceoffs and early in the season goalie Cooper Coleman solidified the Horned Frogs defense and neutralized the possession disadvantage; if the Horned Frogs struggle at the faceoff dot they will need a big game from Cooper.  Both teams are expected to make the LSA playoffs and will likely be favorites in the first round against their North region counterparts.  Fan Pick: 50/50

We have our first playoff games of the season as the SELC Quarterfinals for Division I will take place this weekend.  On Friday Georgia Tech will travel to Florida State for a rematch of an early season overtime win for the Seminoles.  The game was a bit of a sliding doors moment as Florida State has gone on to have a great regular season and is ranked in the top five while Georgia Tech has a had a forgettable season.  On the other side of the bracket Central Florida will head to Georgia to face the Bulldogs in another rematch on Saturday.  The Bulldogs won the first game 16-12.  Can either underdog reverse the outcome of the first meeting?

It should be another great weekend of MCLA lacrosse as the playoff pictures get more and more settled so sit back and enjoy it.

Head coaches, get nominations for Warrior Player of the Week and PEARL Goalie of the Week to info@mcla.us by noon local time Monday.