This will more than likely be my last and final blog about the inside world of college lacrosse.
I think lacrosse is a fascinating sport; it takes the endurance of soccer with the physical brutality of football.
The lacrosse fan base is nowhere near as high as football, except maybe at Duke and Virginia.
If you've never gone to a college lacrosse game, go. You may find it just as interesting as I do.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
UMBC Lacrosse
I think the UMBC men's lacrosse team, deserves much more credit then it gets.
The Retrievers are 9-2 this season after defeating tough teams such as University of Maryland, Towson, and Binghamton. Their only two losses of the season were to Johns Hopkins and Princeton, who is undoubtedly a touch match-up.
The retrievers are ranked 6th overall, and with key players like senior midfielder Peet Poillon ,and upcoming freshman Justin Radebaugh, leading the team they are up there in ranks with Duke, Maryland, Virginia and Princeton.
Just because their name may not be as recognized as Duke, or North Carolina, doesn't mean they can't outplay them.
The Retrievers are 9-2 this season after defeating tough teams such as University of Maryland, Towson, and Binghamton. Their only two losses of the season were to Johns Hopkins and Princeton, who is undoubtedly a touch match-up.
The retrievers are ranked 6th overall, and with key players like senior midfielder Peet Poillon ,and upcoming freshman Justin Radebaugh, leading the team they are up there in ranks with Duke, Maryland, Virginia and Princeton.
Just because their name may not be as recognized as Duke, or North Carolina, doesn't mean they can't outplay them.
A Victory for Maryland
On Tuesday April 14, the University of Maryland Terrapins defeated Binghamton at home on Ludwig field to post their 700th career victory.
If the game wasn't victorious enough, it was the 2009 senior game, where the seniors combined to score 9 of those 15 goals.
The 15-6 victory over Binghamton made the men's Terrapin team the fifth Division 1 team to ever reach that point.
The only other teams to reach this milestone are Johns Hopkins, Syracuse, Navy and Army.
The Terps now have an overall record of 700-236-4, in their 84 year history; a very impressive record that not many can compete with.
If the game wasn't victorious enough, it was the 2009 senior game, where the seniors combined to score 9 of those 15 goals.
The 15-6 victory over Binghamton made the men's Terrapin team the fifth Division 1 team to ever reach that point.
The only other teams to reach this milestone are Johns Hopkins, Syracuse, Navy and Army.
The Terps now have an overall record of 700-236-4, in their 84 year history; a very impressive record that not many can compete with.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
It's Coming
The NCAA Lacrosse tournament is quickly approaching...and everybody is making their bet on who will be the most successful team.
Inside Lacrosse predicts Virgina, to be a definite pick for the tournament this year.
I have no doubt in my mind that Virginia will make it this year. With a tough schedule, their only loss was to Duke this past Saturday. Between Danny Glading, Garrett Billings, and Steele Stanwick, I think it's safe to say we'll see them in the tournament.
Some say March Madness is the most wonderful time of the year...for me, it's always been NCAA lacrosse tournament time.
Inside Lacrosse predicts Virgina, to be a definite pick for the tournament this year.
I have no doubt in my mind that Virginia will make it this year. With a tough schedule, their only loss was to Duke this past Saturday. Between Danny Glading, Garrett Billings, and Steele Stanwick, I think it's safe to say we'll see them in the tournament.
Some say March Madness is the most wonderful time of the year...for me, it's always been NCAA lacrosse tournament time.
The Towson "Lacrosse Event of the Season"
On April 22nd at 7:30 p.m., the Towson Tigers will gear up to face long-time rival, the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays at Johnny Unitas Stadium.
This will be the second to last regular season game for the Tigers, who right now have a record of 5-7.
The Blue Jays, who currently have a 5-4 record and just beat other rival University of Maryland, will surely be bringing a fight also.
It's sure to be a great match for any lacrosse lover to watch.
This will be the second to last regular season game for the Tigers, who right now have a record of 5-7.
The Blue Jays, who currently have a 5-4 record and just beat other rival University of Maryland, will surely be bringing a fight also.
It's sure to be a great match for any lacrosse lover to watch.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Lacrosse Disappointments this past weekend
In the world of Salisbury and Towson lacrosse, this weekend was a big disappointment.
After loosing their first game in six years, Salisbury lacrosse suffered another upsetting loss Friday April 10th to St. Mary's College of Maryland.
This loss was the second straight Capital Athletic Association loss for the Seagulls dropping the notoriously ranked number one team down to number three. It may not appear to be a big jump, but for the team that was on a 37 game road-winning streak, it's going to take a lot to bring back their enthusiasm.
Saturday wasn't much better for the Towson Tiger lacrosse team, as they suffered a heart breaking loss to Hofstra at Johnny Unitas Stadium.
The Tigers spent most of the game ahead of Hofstra but after scoring four straight goals, the Pride ended up in the lead at the end winning 11-10.
After loosing their first game in six years, Salisbury lacrosse suffered another upsetting loss Friday April 10th to St. Mary's College of Maryland.
This loss was the second straight Capital Athletic Association loss for the Seagulls dropping the notoriously ranked number one team down to number three. It may not appear to be a big jump, but for the team that was on a 37 game road-winning streak, it's going to take a lot to bring back their enthusiasm.
Saturday wasn't much better for the Towson Tiger lacrosse team, as they suffered a heart breaking loss to Hofstra at Johnny Unitas Stadium.
The Tigers spent most of the game ahead of Hofstra but after scoring four straight goals, the Pride ended up in the lead at the end winning 11-10.
2009 Day of Rivals
Johns Hopkins and Maryland met again on Saturday April 11 for one of the most heated rivalries at the Inside Lacrosse Day of Rivals. Johns Hopkins went into the competition with a 4-4 record, and comes off a win after defeating Albany. Maryland, with a 6-4 record comes off of a two-game loosing streak after loosing to both Navy and Virginia.
After a heated battle, the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays come out on top, 10-9, a win that is sure to help them in NCAA selection time.
The Blue Jay and Terrapin rival wasn't the only intense match-up of the day. The most known rivalry of Army and Navy competed earlier in the day in a rainy Baltimore.
After loosing to Army last year, Navy came back to defeat Army 8-4.
After a heated battle, the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays come out on top, 10-9, a win that is sure to help them in NCAA selection time.
The Blue Jay and Terrapin rival wasn't the only intense match-up of the day. The most known rivalry of Army and Navy competed earlier in the day in a rainy Baltimore.
After loosing to Army last year, Navy came back to defeat Army 8-4.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Villanova Defeats Towson 13-4
Wednesday evening, Towson and Villanova laced up to compete against each other at Villanova Stadium. This game was a key match-up in the Colonial Athletic Association competition.
Towson (5-6)started out strong against Villanova (8-3) but was no match up for the Wildcat defense.
The four Towson goals were scored by Randall Cooper, Will Harrington, Pat Britton, and Sean Maguire.
The Tigers will go on to compete against Hofstra, Saturday at home.
Towson (5-6)started out strong against Villanova (8-3) but was no match up for the Wildcat defense.
The four Towson goals were scored by Randall Cooper, Will Harrington, Pat Britton, and Sean Maguire.
The Tigers will go on to compete against Hofstra, Saturday at home.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
A Look at the Ivy League Lacrosse Program
Everyone knows of Princeton, Yale and Harvard because of their high ranking academic students; but how do these schools rack up when it comes to lacrosse?
Princeton, home of the Tigers, has combined a strong academic background with a fighting lacrosse team. Ranked number 2 in the USILA coaches poll and in the Inside Lacrosse media poll, the Tigers have lost only one game this season.
The Yale University Bulldogs don't stack up anywhere near as good as the Princeton Tigers. The Bulldogs are 4-5 this season with more tough games to come; including Dartmouth, Harvard, and Maryland.
Speaking of Harvard, the number 13 ranked Harvard Crimson's record is 5-3, facing some tough competition.
All in All, when it comes to academics and an cut throat lacrosse team-Princeton is the school to look at.
Princeton, home of the Tigers, has combined a strong academic background with a fighting lacrosse team. Ranked number 2 in the USILA coaches poll and in the Inside Lacrosse media poll, the Tigers have lost only one game this season.
The Yale University Bulldogs don't stack up anywhere near as good as the Princeton Tigers. The Bulldogs are 4-5 this season with more tough games to come; including Dartmouth, Harvard, and Maryland.
Speaking of Harvard, the number 13 ranked Harvard Crimson's record is 5-3, facing some tough competition.
All in All, when it comes to academics and an cut throat lacrosse team-Princeton is the school to look at.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Towson's Will Harrington
Towson University's men's lacrosse player Will Harrington scored a career-high four goals Saturday April 4, adding to Towson's season high 16 goals in their 16-8 victory over Sacred Heart University.
Harrington, originally from Baltimore, Maryland earned first team All-Metro and All-Baltimore City honors from The Baltimore Sun while attending Friends School.
Harrington, a junior midfielder, has played in all ten games for the Tigers this season while contributing 11 goals for the Tiger offense.
Towson coach Tony Seaman told the Towson Athletic Department, "Will’s a good player and hadn’t played anywhere in two years,” Seaman added. “It has taken time for him and time for the rest of these guys to fit in together. He did a great job today and shot the ball very well.”
Harrington, originally from Baltimore, Maryland earned first team All-Metro and All-Baltimore City honors from The Baltimore Sun while attending Friends School.
Harrington, a junior midfielder, has played in all ten games for the Tigers this season while contributing 11 goals for the Tiger offense.
Towson coach Tony Seaman told the Towson Athletic Department, "Will’s a good player and hadn’t played anywhere in two years,” Seaman added. “It has taken time for him and time for the rest of these guys to fit in together. He did a great job today and shot the ball very well.”
2009 Day of Rivals-Beginning
So starts the countdown of the 2009 Smartlink Lacrosse Day of Rivals, which will be held on Saturday April 11, 2009 at M & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.
Inside lacrosse brings together two groups of the fiercest rivals to battle it out in front of a crowd of over 11,000.
Army and Navy will face off at 11:30 a.m. followed by Johns Hopkins and Maryland battling it out at 2:00 p.m..
Fans can easily purchase tickets for $20 for the lower level or $30 for club level seats to watch four of the best teams around Maryland face off.
I'll keep updating as the day gets closer...with my predictions of the champions.
Inside lacrosse brings together two groups of the fiercest rivals to battle it out in front of a crowd of over 11,000.
Army and Navy will face off at 11:30 a.m. followed by Johns Hopkins and Maryland battling it out at 2:00 p.m..
Fans can easily purchase tickets for $20 for the lower level or $30 for club level seats to watch four of the best teams around Maryland face off.
I'll keep updating as the day gets closer...with my predictions of the champions.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
The Battle for Number 1
On Saturday April 4th Stevenson University, the current holder of the number one Division 3 lacrosse team battled against rival Salisbury University, the most frequent holder of the the number one division 3 lacrosse team.
After loosing their first regular season game in almost seven years, which left Stevenson University at Number 1, Salisbury was forced to step up and try to regain their title.
It was a fight for both teams, ending in a 12-8 victory by Stevenson at Seagull Stadium with fourth largest attendance at a Men's lacrosse game in Salisbury History.
Although Salisbury won the ground battle overall, they were unable to stop Stevenson who out shot them 40-33 (According to Salisbury University Sports Information Department).
Salisbury is learning what it's like to fight to be the best.
After loosing their first regular season game in almost seven years, which left Stevenson University at Number 1, Salisbury was forced to step up and try to regain their title.
It was a fight for both teams, ending in a 12-8 victory by Stevenson at Seagull Stadium with fourth largest attendance at a Men's lacrosse game in Salisbury History.
Although Salisbury won the ground battle overall, they were unable to stop Stevenson who out shot them 40-33 (According to Salisbury University Sports Information Department).
Salisbury is learning what it's like to fight to be the best.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
CAA Player of the Week-Rob Wheeler
Rob Wheeler, a junior goalie for Towson Men's Lacrosse, was named a co-recipient of the Colonial Athletic Association's Athlete of the Week award for the week of March 23.
I think Wheeler is a great addition to the men's lacrosse team at Towson, and greatly deserves this honor.
Acording to the Towson Athletics website, Wheeler was named to the Maryland State Lacrosse Coaches Association first team, and was recognized as a first team All-City selection during his high school lacrosse career at Friends.
Now at Towson, Wheeler has been a key starter in all eight games for the Tigers, and has stopped 56.7 per cent of the shots made at goal while allowing an average of 8.51 goals per game (According to Towson Tigers Athletics website).
8.51 goals isn't many when you take into account most lacrosse games end with over 10 points for each team, and he has stopped more than half of the shots at goal.
As far as a goalie goes, Wheeler has made a strong contribution to the Tiger lacrosse defense.
I think Wheeler is a great addition to the men's lacrosse team at Towson, and greatly deserves this honor.
Acording to the Towson Athletics website, Wheeler was named to the Maryland State Lacrosse Coaches Association first team, and was recognized as a first team All-City selection during his high school lacrosse career at Friends.
Now at Towson, Wheeler has been a key starter in all eight games for the Tigers, and has stopped 56.7 per cent of the shots made at goal while allowing an average of 8.51 goals per game (According to Towson Tigers Athletics website).
8.51 goals isn't many when you take into account most lacrosse games end with over 10 points for each team, and he has stopped more than half of the shots at goal.
As far as a goalie goes, Wheeler has made a strong contribution to the Tiger lacrosse defense.
Monday, March 30, 2009
An Upsetting Weekend
This weekend I went down to Salisbury University to visit old friends and watch a battle between the undefeated Salisbury Lacrosse Champs and Gettysburg College. I knew it would be probably be a close game, and undoubtedly a good game; I had no idea what would really happen.
Gettysburg College beat the Seagulls 11-10...that's right, Salisbury lost. If you don't follow Salisbury lacrosse (which many, probably don't) this ended the Seagull winning streak of 55 consecutive wins, 87 consecutive regular-season wins, and 80 consecutive home wins (According to the Salisbury Sports Information Department). This was the first home-game loss in 6 years, talk about a tough game. This loss knocked Salisbury out of the Number One spot for division three lacrosse all the way down to number four; the first time the Seagulls haven't been number one in three seasons.
It was a game that probably every fan of Salisbury lacrosse, or lacrosse in general (If they happened to be in the stands watching) will remember. It was a fight until the very end, with every fan and player biting their nails awaiting for the final goal.
Well played Salisbury...and kudos to Gettysburg for breaking the streak.
Gettysburg College beat the Seagulls 11-10...that's right, Salisbury lost. If you don't follow Salisbury lacrosse (which many, probably don't) this ended the Seagull winning streak of 55 consecutive wins, 87 consecutive regular-season wins, and 80 consecutive home wins (According to the Salisbury Sports Information Department). This was the first home-game loss in 6 years, talk about a tough game. This loss knocked Salisbury out of the Number One spot for division three lacrosse all the way down to number four; the first time the Seagulls haven't been number one in three seasons.
It was a game that probably every fan of Salisbury lacrosse, or lacrosse in general (If they happened to be in the stands watching) will remember. It was a fight until the very end, with every fan and player biting their nails awaiting for the final goal.
Well played Salisbury...and kudos to Gettysburg for breaking the streak.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
More People Should Watch Lacrosse
I've always been a fan of lacrosse maybe because it’s one of the few sports where you're allowed to cheer, "hit him!" Although my brother played and I watched growing up as a kid, I still have yet to understand all the rules; so bear with me these next few weeks.
I guess I’ll start by saying I’m going to be focusing on mostly college lacrosse, with some high school lacrosse thrown in there, because lets face it; it’s highly unlikely you’ll play in college without some high school experience.
Growing up in Maryland, lacrosse has always been around for me…but I’m shocked at the amount of people I talk to that have never been to a lacrosse game. Many people may think it’s nothing special…but boy do I think they’re mistaking. To play the game you need the agility and quickness of a soccer player with the strength and toughness of a football player.
I guess I’ll start by saying I’m going to be focusing on mostly college lacrosse, with some high school lacrosse thrown in there, because lets face it; it’s highly unlikely you’ll play in college without some high school experience.
Growing up in Maryland, lacrosse has always been around for me…but I’m shocked at the amount of people I talk to that have never been to a lacrosse game. Many people may think it’s nothing special…but boy do I think they’re mistaking. To play the game you need the agility and quickness of a soccer player with the strength and toughness of a football player.
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