The statement should have read "If a team has a studd draw specialist and goalie, then they can compete and win against more talented teams they face." I hope it doesn't get changed again, I misspelled some words hoping they don't get modified by AI.
No team can beat anybody with just a great draw specialist and goalie obviously, but they have the most impact on a women's lacrosse game. The team that controls the draw controls the game. It's how you hold a lead or come from behind in the final 10 minutes of any game. It's only one piece of the puzzle, but it's the biggest piece of the puzzle between 2 fairly matched teams. Teams that win the draw 2-1 win the games, it's that simple. Every player has an impact on the game, but there are certain parts of the game that impact it the most.
The men's game puts a premium on the draw and the women's game is moving in the same direction for a reason.
That MD vs Duke game was the matchup nightmare for Duke because they live and die with Maddie Jenner winning the draw. Loose the draw, get few shots(against a great defense) and loose, quite simple.
Since you detest the football analogy so much, I will use another one to prove my low lacrosse knowledge. It's the turnover law that football coaches live by, be +2 in turnovers and you win football games 85% of the time because it tilts the possession advantage in your favor. Same thing in winning the draw, first chance to score is everything in lacrosse.
Wow, time to take a breath. As one of the others posts pointed out (and you confirmed) "The Draw" is only one piece of the puzzle. I will add, the "Draw Specialist" is only one piece of "The Draw".
Many factors impact the game and the draw is just one of those factors.
