Loyola juniors Meg and Mary Clare Taylor can?t imagine being apart.
The fraternal twins and former standouts at Mount Hebron High have played together at every level, and when they chose a college three years ago, their needs were identical: a place they could play together close to home, even if it meant sharing a room.
“We have similar taste in things and we took all our visits together and had the same attitude toward the same schools,” Meg said. “When it came down to making the final decision we were kind of back-and-forth, but wanted the same thing.”
Picking Loyola over Maryland, Penn State and James Madison, the twins packed their bags and headed 23 miles north from Ellicott City to Baltimore.
What the Taylors, who did not lose a game in four seasons at Mount Hebron, found on Charles Street was the start to quite a sister act.
It?s common for every college athletic program to claim it?s a big family, but it?s almost true for Loyola?s lacrosse team, as the Greyhounds have four sets of sisters on their roster. Kate (Sr.) and Cara (Fr.) Filippelli from Devon, Pa., Emily (Soph.) and Johanna (Fr.) Gibson from North Harford High in Jarrettsville and Colleen (Jr.) and Bridget (Soph.) O?Keefe of Madison, N.J., are all part of the Greyhound pack.
“It?s always great to have your sister on the team for extra support,” Meg said. “I think it brings the whole team even closer together.”
Her coach agrees.
“It?s good genes,” Loyola coach Kerri O?Day said with a laugh. “We?ve been pretty fortunate and are happy with them. They are enjoying their experience, so it says something about the school and the program.”
O?Day will rely on the players? camaraderie to propel the Greyhounds to their first winning season in four years and first trip to the NCAA Tournament since making eight straight appearances from 1997 through 2004. Loyola stumbled to a 2-14 record last season and was 0-5 in the Big East. But the fifth-year coach believes her team made significant strides last season, playing 12 ranked teams, and is ready to turn close losses into close wins.
Along with Big East preseason Defensive Player of the Year Kristen Stone, the Taylor twins figure to be an integral part of the turnaround. Meg moved from attack to defender last season, and finished second on the team with 23 ground balls and third with 15 turnovers caused.
Mary Clare played in 14 games last season at attack, winning five ground balls and a pair of draw controls, but moved to midfield this preseason and is expected to receive significant playing time.
It will only take three wins to surpass last year?s totals, but the Taylors agree the team is capable of competing with the game?s elite. They will get their chance to prove it Friday night at 7 when the Greyhounds open their season at eighth-ranked North Carolina.
“Success is definitely winning the Big East and making it to the NCAA Tournament,” Mary Clare said. “That?s what we want and we are working really hard to get there.”
Greyhounds at a glance
» Coach: Kerri O?Day (Fifth season, 28-36)
» Last Year: 2-14 overall, 0-5 in Big East, failed to qualify for conference tournament.
» Returning players: A Colleen O?Keefe, Jr., 19 G, 12 A, 11 ground balls; A Maura Kenny, Jr., 20 G, 5 A, 9 ground balls; M Kate Filippelli, Sr., 15 G, 4 A, 19 ground balls; A Alicyn Brunnett, Sr., 11 G, 5 A, 12 ground balls; M Emily Gibson, Soph., 7 G, 6 A, 11 ground balls; D Kristen Stone, Sr., 37 ground balls; GK Courtney Burhans, 7 saves, .222 save percentage.
» The spotlight?s on: D Kristen Stone: The first-team All-Big East selection led the team in ground balls and 24 caused turnovers. Her leadership will be crucial to a team that allowed more than 14 goals per game.
» Top Newcomer: M Grace Gavin, Fr: The 5-foot-7 former St. Paul?s standout will be counted on to translate her scoring touch ? 38 goals and 13 assists her senior season ? to the collegiate level. Gavin led the Gators to regular season IAAM A Conference titles in 2004 and 2005 and tournament crowns in 2004 and 2006.
» Big Game: Feb. 23 at Georgetown. A win over a regional rival, which pounded the Greyhounds, 14-3, last year, would be a huge boost, especially in the team?s first Big East game.
» Key to the Season: Win early. For a team that went 2-14 last year, it is imperative this young group gets confidence early.
» Tickets: $25 season, $5 individual. For information, call 410-617-5013.
» Key number: 12. Ranked teams the Greyhounds played last year, all losses by an average of nine goals. If Loyola struggles again this season, they will likely be surpassed by Towson and Johns Hopkins in the eye?s of next year?s top recruits.
