New body for Catalino, new role for Yeatman
No one suggested to Will Yeatman that he change positions. No one suggested to Grant Catalino that he lose weight. But those are the initiatives the talented Maryland lacrosse duo took in the offseason.
The changes were in response to a year in which Maryland lost more games (seven) than any season in program history and left the talented pair less than satisfied with their individual performance.
So senior Yeatman, a career attack, suggested to coach Dave Cottle that a shift to the midfield would help him and the team. Meanwhile, junior Catalino, without prompting, was busy shedding 20 pounds.
The result is a leaner, meaner brand of Terp, with more talent spreading the field and more options at the offensive end. Maryland (3-0) has a pair of victories over top-10 teams and a 12.3 scoring average, up from last year’s 9.9 mark, with Catalino (8 goals, 7 assists) and Yeatman (6 goals) setting the pace.
“We have a lot of guys contributing, which takes the pressure off,” said Catalino. “No one person feels like they have to perform, each game, each play.”
After the build-up Catalino (6-foot-5, 225) and Yeatman (6-6, 250) received last year as king-sized weapons in the Maryland attack, both felt pressure to produce. Catalino had a solid season, leading Maryland in goals (25) and assists (22). But Yeatman, after arriving as a highly-touted transfer from Notre Dame, struggled to find a role in an already crowded attack.
When Yeatman finally found his game at midseason, scoring two goals and three assists as Maryland took Virginia to seven thrilling overtimes in a 10-9 loss, he suffered a sprained ankle that limited his effectiveness.
After the season, knowing Maryland would be thin in the midfield this year, Yeatman began thinking about a position change. As a former football tight end at Notre Dame who will play for the Terps this fall, Yeatman has the athletic ability to handle the length-of-the-field demands of the midfield.
“The thing that I like about Will is he came to us wanting to try it,” said Cottle. “He’s accepted every part of it. I’ve been very impressed with his ability and desire to make it work for the team.”
Also making it work for the team is Catalino, who is down from 245 pounds. Saturday in an 11-10 overtime victory against Duke in the Face-Off Classic, Catalino had five goals including the game-winner in overtime, sharing ACC player of the week honors with Virginia’s Rhamel Bratton.
“I decided before the season that I wanted to bring my game to another level,” said Catalino. “I had a lot of aspects — the stick skills, the shooting. But my conditioning was the one aspect of my game that was limiting what I could do.”
After Maryland’s exhilarating win at M&T Bank Stadium, Catalino sounded amazed how much difference 20 pounds could make.
“I feel a lot better, end of the game,” he said. “I could play another half right now.”
