More than likely, there are four red circles on the Towson University lacrosse schedule. And none of those circles is brighter or thicker than the one around the Beltway Battle tonight at UMBC.
“It?s huge. This is a big rivalry. We have four big rivalries that are on our schedule,” Towson coach Tony Seaman said, pointing out games with Johns Hopkins, Loyola, Maryland and UMBC. “This one is maybe bigger than the other ones. It?s a very important game, NCAA-tournament wise.”
Towson (5-1, 2-0 Colonial Athletic Association) comes into the game having just trounced Robert Morris, 16-3. Hoping to boost their tournament résumé, the Retrievers (4-4, 0-1 America East) need a win in this game, too.
“I think any win is going to help, and certainly any win against a team of Towson?s caliber would go a long way,” Retrievers coach Don Zimmerman said.
To do so, Zimmerman?s defense will have to shut down a blue-collar Tigers attack. UMBC is allowing nearly 11 goals per game, while Towson is scoring 10.14 per contest.
“They?re a very good team, and for us to be successful, we?re going to have to put our best game on the field,” Zimmerman said. “It?s something we?ve done occasionally, but we haven?t done it on a consistent basis. You have to come play for 60 minutes.”
Towson?s defense, meanwhile, will have to shut down Drew Westervelt (13 goals, 16 assists), Andy Gallagher (16 goals) and Cayle Ratcliffe (17 goals). After pre-season concerns with the position, the Tigers are confident in goalkeeper Matt Antol.
“He?s really been putting it together,” Seaman said. “I think our defense is helping, too, in that those shots aren?t always the best shots. Matt has been very consistent and he?s seeing the ball well.”
The Tigers are 26-11 all-time against UMBC, including three straight wins. The past two seasons, the Tigers have sneaked by with one-goal wins.
“I think that we are cross-town rivals. We?re both state institutions,” Zimmerman said. “From my perspective, we do recruit a lot of the same kids, and they know one another. Whenever that?s the case, there?s going to be a rivalry. And I think it?s a healthy rivalry, too.”
