From the looks of things, it would be simple to label the 2006 season a “rebuilding year” for the Maryland men?s lacrosse program. Think again.
Despite losing the team?s top four offensive threats from a yearago, Maryland has its sights set on repeating a Final Four appearance from a year ago, and maybe taking it a step further.
Maryland opens the season Saturday at 1 p.m. at home against Bellarmine (Ky.).
“When you play at a school like Maryland, your expectations have to be the same every year ? the final four and a national championship,” senior attacker and Severn product Michael Phipps said.
Having lost 64 percent of the team?s offense after the graduation of four All-Americans, the Terps have been ranked No. 6 in the Inside Lacrosse preseason poll. But right now, after making three straight Final Four appearances, having a brief break from the constant target on their backs is appealing to the Terps.
“It?s easier to be an underdog,” junior attacker Max Ritz said. “And you don?t have many stars on the team. When you don?t have stars, teams can play together and stay on the same page. You can play within the system.”
“We kind of like that,” Phipps said. “We?re not really getting any respect on the offensive side of the ball. It?s a chance for us to prove those people wrong.”
The team will also have to silence the doubts surrounding the goaltending situation.
Maryland?s two returning keepers are out with injuries, including All-American Harry Alford. Insert freshman Brian Phipps, Michael?s brother.
“He?s the only goalie we have that isn?t injured right now,” Michael Phipps said. “We have confidence in him, too. The good thing about it is he plays with two seniors and one junior that are returning starters.”
That?s good news for the freshman goaltender. Maryland?s defense, which returns All-American seniors Steve Whittenberg and Ray Megill, is its strong suit.
“With a defense like that, they don?t give up a whole lot of shots,” Ritz said. “So the goalie may not be as important [as] with other defenses.”
Maryland has some time to iron out any wrinkles. While the players admit it doesn?t feel like lacrosse season, with freezing temperatures and late-February winter storms, the next few weeks will go a long way towards determining the team?s fate.
“It?s going to be a good chance for us to get used to running our offensive sets against another opponent versus ourselves,” Phipps said.
Key dates
» March 2: Duke visits Maryland for the first time since the Blue Devils? 2006 scandal, 7:30 p.m.
» March 31: Maryland visits Virginia, the defending national champs and preseason favorite, 3 p.m.
» April 14: Preseason No. 2 Johns Hopkins visits College Park for a key late-season clash, 8 p.m.
