Matt Abbott 2nd year Road Hawk team was
selected pre-season by the 2008 out going Road Hawk seniors as college impacted player of the year for Syracuse.
At the Dick’s Tournament of Champions in January, 15 graduating Sr. Road hawks were polled on who would be the number one impact player for the Orange this season? A number of names were tossed around, but at the end it was Abbott in the majority.
Some of the Sr. Road Hawk Player’s comments were: “He glides through the field like he has radar”. “Abbott does it all on the field”. “What doesn’t he do on the field; he clears the ball, faces off, puts the ball in the cage, plays the wing on the face, has a vacuum cleaner as a stick, and sees the open man.”
One player summed it up. “I think Abbott will be the impact player because he plays the whole field and can play any position on the field.” He is a perfect roll model for the way the Road Hawks teach.” “Play the whole game learn the whole be a complete player.” “Abbott may be the best overall player on the team this year.”
While speaking with many of the top division one coaches mainly those who are on the Syracuse schedule about CNY recruits and talent, I always asked usually at the end of our conversation. What do you think about Abbott this year? They all replied, as if they all spoke with one another before our conversations. Their comments were all very similar. To sum them all up: Syracuse has a number of weapons; however, we worry about Abbott, because he can do it all. He is the one player we are always aware of on the field. He is very difficult to guard against or place in your game plan, because you never know when or where he will be on the field and what roll he will be playing. Obviously with the nomination of third team All American, it’s conclusive that among some of the greatest talented offensive and defensive player’s college coaches recognize Matt Abbott ability on the field.
See link below to Syracuse.com
http://www.syracuse.com/orangelacrosse/
