Maryland long stick back after rib injury
Brian Farrell paid an exorbitant price for his second and last goal of 2009.
After he scored on a fast break against Air Force, a Falcons defender slammed into Farrell’s chest helmet first. Eleven days later, after his injury was misdiagnosed, Farrell found himself at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, getting two liters of fluid drained from his lungs and leaving him concerned about more than his lacrosse future.
But following his harrowing lost season, Farrell has regained his health, his form and his role as Maryland’s standout long-stick midfielder.
When Maryland (1-0) visits Georgetown in the Hoyas’ opener Saturday, the Terps again can look to their 6-foot-5, 240-pound redshirt junior as a defensive disrupter and dangerous transition weapon on offense.
“Coming into last year, everyone felt like Brian was the player who had the most impact on our team,” said junior attacker Travis Reed, who played with Farrell at Boys’ Latin in Baltimore. “Having him back this year is incredible.”
As a freshman and sophomore, Farrell was a defensive force with an extra dimension. The 13 goals and seven assists he accumulated in his first two seasons were the most for a Maryland long stick since records started being kept.
Last year, to bolster an inexperienced unit, Maryland coach Dave Cottle shifted Farrell to close defense. But with Farrell out, juniors Max Schmidt and Brett Schmidt (unrelated) emerged, allowing Farrell to return to the midfield this spring.
“I love playing long stick. I think it’s the position I need to be playing,” Farrell said. “I feel more comfortable playing a big, tall midfielder than a short, little quick attackman.”
Farrell will get that opportunity Saturday, probably against Georgetown’s 6-foot-5 Andrew Brancaccio.
Last year when Farrell played against Georgetown, he didn’t feel right. It was a week after sustaining his injury. X-rays had shown a bruised rib, but he actually had two cracked ribs. The tipping point came four days after struggling through the Georgetown game, when he passed out at practice running sprints.
“One of the ribs had punctured into my muscle. Blood was coming out. There was like two liters of blood outside my lung,” Farrell said. “Imagine a Coke bottle full of blood pushing against my lung, and I couldn’t breathe. I was miserable. Every time I breathed, it was like getting punched in the rib.”
After several days in the hospital, Farrell’s season was finished. Fully recovered now, Farrell was voted co-captain, the first nonsenior to be named to the role since 2005.
“Brian is a charismatic player. He can make plays that you can’t coach,” Cottle said. “The kids look up to him. They respect him.”
Farrell has been an impact player since he stepped on the field as a freshman, scoring two goals in his debut against Bellarmine.
“He came with tremendous size. Physically he was already there,” Cottle said. “He had a very good mind for the game and tremendous hands. Those hands allowed him to make plays between the lines.”
