Final four: Players to watch

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Posted: 5/7/09

Cornell

Ryan Hurley:

When looking at Cornell's season statistics, the numbers don't lie: The Big Red thrive on Ryan Hurley. He almost doubles any other teammate in goals, with 41 total on the season. For opposing defenses, the question isn't if Hurley will get quality scoring chances, but when. Hurley uses his 6-foot-3 185-pound frame to find a bevy of wide-open shots, forcing the attention of most teams' primary defenders. However, Hurley has struggled with his accuracy at times. In a game against Hofstra earlier this season, Hurley was given nine different looks on goal, converting only one on an empty net.

Max Seibald:

At Cornell's 2008 banquet, head coach Jeff Tambroni named Seibald the team's first solo captain since 1966. And with good reason. A two-way player, Seibald offers a strong hand on the Big Red attack - tallying 34 points on 25 goals and nine assists - but also on the defensive end. A poor man's Matt Abbott, Seibald is a key cog in the Big Red transition, acting as the catalyst for a potentially explosive Cornell offense. But more than that, Seibald will secure his team some much needed possessions, scooping 41 ground balls while contributing as the Big Red's secondary faceoff man, winning 19-of-21 attempts.

Jake Myers:

It almost goes without syaing that goalkeeping is a huge part of this final four, and Jake Myers is no exception. Despite splitting time with Kyle Harer this season, Myers was the guy in a defensively-charged upset over Princeton. In a game that boasted just 10 total goals, eyers was able to hold the potent Tiger attack to just four. However, the challenge for Myers this time is the nation's top offensive team in Virginia. Can Meyer manage a game like he did against Princeton when facing an offense that has six viable scoring options? If he can, the Big Red may be able to punch its ticket to the championship game.

Duke

Ned Crotty:

Crotty leads the nation with 76 points this season, averaging 4.22 a contest, which is second to Syracuse's Kenny Nims. Though Crotty scored 23 goals this season, 53 (69.7 percent) of his points came off assists, showing the 6-foot-2, 190-pound force knows how to take care of his teammates.

Crotty has 11 points already this postseason behind an eight-point game in the Blue Devils' 12-11 victory over North Carolina in the quarterfinals.

For Syracuse to defeat the Duke, it all starts with Crotty. But that's easier said than done. If he gets going, it could be a long day for SU defenseman Sid Smith and crew.

Max Quinzani

As Crotty is more known for his ability to pass, Quinzani is the finisher for Duke. He leads the squad with 43 goals this season, while also chipping in 10 assists. He ranks 13th in the nation in goals per game with an average of 2.39 per contest.

He has five points this postseason, scoring four goals. Syracuse defenseman Smith said Quinzani is a great finisher and SU is going to have to keep an extra close eye on him throughout the contest.

With Quinzani scoring and Crotty feeding, Duke scored the third-most goals in lacrosse this season.

Rob Schroeder

Duke is going to score its goals on Saturday. It's up to Schroeder to make sure those goals hold up.

The senior started all 18 games this season for Duke and has given up 7.67 goals per contest. That ranks ninth in the nation.

In only five games this season has Schroder given up double-digit goals. In those five games, Duke is 3-2. He's also had a flair for the big game. Playing against North Carolina and Duke, the top two goal-scorers on the season, he is 5-0.

Syracuse is fourth in the nation, behind Duke, in goals scored this season. If Schroeder can hold Syracuse under 10 goals, which has only happened twice this season (1-1 in such games), he could be in line for a shot at a national championship.

Virginia

Danny Glading

For a while this season, Virginia looked indestructible, and a lot of that had to do with Glading, who leads the team with 60 points. Glading made The Daily Orange's list of players to watch in the final four last season, too, and he's only gotten stronger. Glading's speed makes him dangerous, as if his talent wasn't enough. He ranks 11th in the country in points-per game, but that's only because of the other stars on UVA's trio of attack.

Garrett Billings

His 37 goals this season is good for No. 24 in the country, going into the Final Four. Billings is important more for how he rounds out the outstanding UVA attack trio than his individual accolades. Billings' experience - he has scored in 47 of his 51 career games going into his senior season - has helped UVA to an average of 13.09 goals per game.

Shamel Bratton

Bratton ranks below Glading and Billings on the stat sheet, but he deserves to grace this list even more for his pure talent. Bratton broke out this season against Syracuse, scoring four goals and tallying on an assist to help Virginia defeat then-No. 1 Syracuse. Against North Carolina in the Big City Classic, Bratton caught a clear from the UVA goalie by bending backward in the air, then landed on his feet and advanced up the field to make a play. He's still on the rise, but has plenty close-game experience and could be one of the most dangerous players this championship weekend.

--complied by The Daily Orange sports staff