If last year’s game is any indication, this will be a good one.  Lee Roggenburg’s article about that game can be found here. Taking a look at this year’s match-up, here’s what we see: Goalie Connor Poetzinger (Connecticut College) and Viper Scheele  (Bryant) of Jupiter are both college commits (sound familiar?) and represent the growing tradition of top notch goalies from Florida.  Not much else needs to be said.  Both Connor and Viper are having special seasons. Edge:   Defensively even but Scheele gives an offensive dynamic to Jupiter in the clearing game, as well as being able to generate offense himself. Face-Off Junior Alex Newhouse of St. Andrew’s has had a strong start with a .785 win percentage.  In addition, he’s a two-way middie.  Jupiter has several players who take draws, but no one has emerged yet. Edge:  St. Andrew’s Defense Both are strong, with Connor Alexander (Duke), John Flanary  and Braylen Sampson (Bryant) leading Jupiter.  St. Andrew’s counters with senior and three year starter Thomas Lounsbury, Jake Bargas (Michigan),  Alex Heatzig, Parker Sargeant and Conlan O’Hara. Edge:  FLN went back and forth on this because both units are so good.  Pretty much Pick ‘Em but do two D1 commits mean more than a possibly deeper bunch of long poles? Midfield St. Andrew’s has a solid first line with Ben Kennedy, Brandt Guldin and Jake LeGates (Roanoke).  Cole Mulligan, Oliver Beirne, Joey Osborne, Will Leas and Jacob Sami all get runs.  Jupiter is more a “rule by committee” led by three year junior starter Peter Cox who is having a fine season.  Jake Steiger, Ben White and Austin Starts are also chipping in.  Jupiter also rotates their attack and midfield around more on the offensive patterns so Crotty gets time up front too and Steiger will invert at times.  Defensive midfield has been a strength for both teams this season. Edge to SA on this one as they have the better dodgers. Attack St. Andrew’s continue to change the line-up, but two year starter lefty Addison Lutes and Zach Schwartz have been solid.  Look for Nate Low, Nick Iznaga and Keith Mahler to play X. Jupiter is very strong with three year starters Zach Crotty and  Jesse Foertmeyer anchoring, but Foertmeyer (and Davis Yates) have missed action so far this season.  In their stead Alex Derrico and Michael Dean have stepped up.  Both teams have played well and struggled at times. Edge to Jupiter as no one on Saint Andrew’s has outperformed Crotty this season. Intangibles Jupiter is the road team but is undefeated.  Last year they took SA to overtime at home and returns more starters from last season.  Both teams have played tough schedules to date and are battled tested.  The game probably means a little more to SA because they lost last week. Edge:  Slight edge to SA. This will be a good one. FLN Senior Writer Lee Roggenburg’s Prediction?  We might see a replay of last year’s overtime.  And if so he can see one of Jupiter’s long poles possibly winning the game on a fast break (how’s that for being specific?).  Jupiter 8 – SA 7 in overtime.