In essentially any sport, Maryland would be heavily favored in a game with Towson. Even in lacrosse, where the Tigers are ranked No. 13 in the nation, the No. 10 Terps are a heavy favorite.
“As a team, we need to come together to prove we belong at that level. This is our second chance this year to do that,” Towson coach Tony Seaman said, referring to the Tigers? 9-8 season-opening win at Loyola.
While today?s 1 p.m. game against visiting Maryland (2-2) isn?t exactly a David-vs.-Goliath battle, Maryland?s success in the series looms over the Tigers (2-0). Towson has not beaten Maryland in 11 tries at home, or in five straight meetings since an upset in the 2001 NCAA playoffs. But heading into this game, the Tigers didn?t need any further reason to get excited.
“Anytime we play Maryland, Loyola or Hopkins, we?re up,” Seaman said. “Maryland might be right on top of that list.”
Towson assistant coach Andrew “Buggs” Combs was a member of the Maryland team that lost to the Tigers in 2001. Seaman said Combs “doesn?t talk about that game very much. But Combs admitted Friday that it is a slight motivating factor for his offense.
“Youdefinitely use it, but really, you come to the fact that you?re playing Maryland and you?ve never beat them in your own stadium,” Combs said. “That?s the biggest motivation.”
With a 14-4 record, Towson made it to the NCAA Final Four that season and Seaman won the coach of the year award for his work. An upset of the Terps today would do the same.
“I think it?s huge,” Seaman said of today?s game. “Last year, we kind of got shortchanged in the playoff picture, and one of the reasons was because we didn?t win one of those big games.”
MARYLAND AT TOWSON
» When: 1 p.m., Today
» Where: Unitas Stadium
» Series: 23-5 Maryland
» TV/Radio: WMAR (live); ESPNU (8:30 p.m.)/89.7 FM
