What's the matter with Cantabene?

[Lax101]

Paul Cantabene is arguably the best faceoff man in MLL history. He had probably the best faceoff performance in the league's short playoff history, winning 20 out of 26 faceoffs in the finals last year against Long Island. But what happened this year?

Earlier in the year, Inside Lacrosse reported that Cantabene would not be playing this season, due to conflicts with his camp and coaching position at Villa Julie. But he's back in the league, but on the Philly Barrage instead of the Bayhawks. And to be frank, he's one of the worst faceoff men in the league right now. He has a 8-26 faceoff clip right now, and earlier today, Cantabene lost 18/24 faceoffs despite a decisive Barrage victory. In addition, Team USA lost 18-12 on faceoffs against Team MLL, with Cantabene on the squad.

Firstly, since when did Cantabene decide to come back, how did he end up on the Barrage, and what happened to him? Can another year on his belt drop his faceoff ability that much? I doubt it.

[HdGLaxWarrior]

Most likely he's having an off-season. Or he's contemplating his values (similar to MP). I wonder how many face-offs Cantabene took in the USA vs. MLL game.

And what's going on at Villa Julie? Wasn't he featured in IL's 2005 instructional issue?

[mshorty2]

Well I think he just has tons of pressure I mean its hard when your that good and there are people expecting him to be the best but i dont know.

[ohlax51]

I think its that there is more parity among faceoff men in the league right now, you got some dominant guys in devilliers, corno, and older guys such as inge and vhlakis.

[roycegracie47]

That is a good question. I'm flipping between the All Star game & World Cup coverage right now and the MLL All Stars seem to be sticking with Cercy (and in that case they should've been using Cantabene) but so far I've seen him going up against Harrison instead (though ESPN coverage really hasn't been focusing on the faces, using that time to talk about the helmets or player x's career).

[moondog]

hmmm...Isn't he an elementary (or middle) school teacher, as well? Not sure...

[aussielax]

I found this on another lacrosse forum, He go to philly as part of a trade.

Three Team Trade Sends Cantabene to Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA – The Philadelphia Barrage of Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier outdoor lacrosse league, entered into a trade with the Chicago Machine and Baltimore Bayhawks, that sent face off specialist Paul Cantabene to Philadelphia and midfielder Joe Boulukos to Baltimore.

With five games remaining the 2006 regular season, Philadelphia initiated a trade between with the Machine. Philadelphia gave Chicago a second round Collegiate Draft pick in 2007 and a first round Collegiate Draft pick in 2008 in exchange for Joe Boulukos. Boulukos is a 2006 graduate of Cornell University and was drafted by the Machine in this season's Collegiate Draft in the second round (16th overall). Philadelphia immediately turned and traded Boulukos to the Baltimore Bayhawks in exchange for Paul Cantabene.

Cantabene played five years for the Bayhawks as their face off specialist before not reporting to training camp this season. He played in 62 games in his career, starting 52 of them. Cantabene had 178 career shots, 48 goals, one two-point goal, and 26 assists for 75 points and collected 510 ground balls. Cantabene made five appearances in the post-season with the Bayhawks, playing in nine games and starting each one. He had 37 shots, nine goals, and two assists for 11 points and collected 74 ground balls.

"Paul is an outstanding face off guy and I'm excited to have him on the team," said head coach, Tony Resch. "He will bring more depth to the midfield and help us gain more possessions from the face off X, something we have been struggling with all season."

Cantabene made his debut on the field for the Barrage today against the New Jersey Pride (see story above).

[WHEELAX2]

he is an alternate for the USA team... and.. if I"m not mistaken,,, I believe he was injured last year..

[wilsontopowell]

wow... boulokos to baltimore, thats a great deal. look for baltimore to make a huge turn around i think now. just look at their beating of boston this week