The Johns Hopkins men?s lacrosse team, after a loss Saturday to Maryland, will travel to face an up-and-coming Navy squad at noon this Saturday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.
There is more on the line for Hopkins than simply turning around a mediocre season. The Blue Jays have won 31 consecutive games against Navy, dating back to 1974, when the Midshipmen won, 13-12.
After Navy forced overtime in an eventual 9-8 loss to Hopkins at Homewood Field last season, the streak is in jeopardy.
Blue Jays head coach Dave Pietramala admitted the game is crucial for his team. However, he is not using the streak as a motivator.
“Obviously it?s a very important game for Hopkins. We find ourselves in an unusual position for us,” Pietramala said.
The Midshipmen (9-2) are now ranked No. 4 in the STX/USILA men?s lacrosse poll and No. 3 in the Inside Lacrosse Media Poll after defeating Maryland and Army in recent weeks.
“We think Navy is an outstanding team. They are very well coached,” Pietramala said. “And we know there is going to be a big crowd.”
Navy, however, will be without key midfielder Steve Looney, who had started all11 of the Mids games until this point. He broke his right collarbone in the 11-10 win over Army last Saturday.
“It?s like losing Stonewall Jackson,” Navy coach Richie Meade said in a press release.
Hopkins (5-4) will look to rebound after last Saturday?s loss broke a short two-game win streak.
Junior attack Ian Dingman has scored a team-high 25 goals, and his 33 points are second only to senior attack Jon Birsner, who has 12 goals and a team-leading 25 assists.
Aside from stopping a strong Navy attack, Pietramala said a key will be finding a way to score on a strong defense and outstanding Mids goalie.
Navy?s senior goalie Matt Russell has a 9-2 mark in goal this year with an average of 5.11 goals against in 11 games.
SHOWDOWN IN ANNAPOLIS
When: Noon, Saturday
Where: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
TV/Radio: CSTV/ 1430 WNAV
Did you know? The crowd is expected to approach a single-game NCAA lacrosse record of 19,000 … Both teams carry a pair of Tewaaraton Trophy hopefuls. Hopkins sophomores Paul Rabil and Kevin Huntley, and Navy?s Russell and junior midfielder Bill Looney were among 23 athletes nominated for the Heisman Trophy of college lacrosse. The award will be handed out June 1 … Hopkins holds a 51-25-1 advantage over Navy heading into the game.
