Tonight?s game at Villanova will be a big test for the Towson men?s lacrosse team.
Not only are the Tigers seeking a crucial non-conference win heading into the Colonial Athletic Association season, but they?ll be doing so without their key face-off guy, senior Matt Eckerl.
“It changes things tremendously because he?s such a good face-off guy ? and he?s so versatile for us,” Towson offensive coordinator Andrew “Buggs” Combs said.
Eckerl missed Tuesday?s game with an undisclosed injury, and in his place the Tigers won 11 of 21 face-offs against Ohio State in Tuesday?s 10-8 win at Unitas Stadium. Sophomores Mitchell Rosensweig (Pikesville High) and Clint Brakebill handled the duty Tuesday and will do so for the foreseeable future.
“They both did a nice job for us,” said Towson coach Tony Seaman, who hopes to get Eckerl back in the coming week for a key stretch of games.
“It?s huge,” Seaman said of the team?s next three games heading into the heart of the CAA schedule. “We need to get a streak going here of three or four wins. Villanova always plays us tough, especially at their place.”
Towson has never lost at Villanova, but it was forced to triple-overtime three seasons ago. More than keeping the streak alive, the Tigers are motivated by their postseason hopes.
“Our guys are fired up, because not winning the CAA [tournament] last year has put a big chip on the shoulder of our guys,” Combs said.
Combs? offense isstarting to get rolling now, too. After five games, the Tigers are averaging 9.8 goals per game. Junior Jonathan Engelke leads the team with nine goals.
“With Jonathan not playing for a year, he?s getting his feet back under him,” Combs said of Engelke, who sat out the 2006 season. “We feel like we?ve got a pretty good set of guys we?re going with. Everyone is just finding their role ? and doing a good job of it.”
The emphasis is on “everyone,” as Towson had six scorers Tuesday.
“That?s tough for defenses to match up on,” Combs said. “That?s very unselfish play, and one thing we talk about is getting 10 goals a week.”
ON THE AIR
Who » Towson (3-2) at Villanova (3-2)
When » Tonight, 7
Radio » 89.7 FM
Did you know? Towson leads the all-time series, 15-0 ? Towson has won all nine contests at Villanova.
