When Johns Hopkins coach Dave Pietramala talks, Michael Evans listens.
That why when Pietramala suggested to Evans two years ago to switch from a long-pole to a short-stick defender, the former South River standout didn?t hesitate.
“I had never played [with a] short stick in my life,” Evans said. “But I?d do anything to help the team. I just went with it, even though my stick skills aren?t the best and I was used to having six feet of pole to work with.”
It turned out to be the best move the junior from Davidsonville has ever made on the lacrosse field. Evans has emerged as a force on the Blue Jays? back line, as he?s appeared in the past 31 games dating to his sophomore year, but really established himself last season.
Evans played a vital role on a unit that kept getting better as the season progressed last season. Johns Hopkins allowed an average 7.7 goals last season, but during team?s nine-game winning streak that culminated with a 12-11 victory over Duke in the NCAA final, the Blue Jays gave up an average of just 7.2. Evans? play was a major reason the Blue Jays won their second national title in three years, as he helped hold Georgetown All-American attacker Brenden Cannon scoreless in the quarterfinals before holding Duke attacker Matt Danowski, the National Player of the Year, to just a goal and an assist in the championship game.
“One of the reasons I came here was to play for the best defenseman ever [Pietramala]. Anything he says I?ll do because he?s advice means a lot to me. Whatever he says, I?m doing.”
That?s because Pietramala knows a thing or two about defense. He was a three-time All-American as a player at Hopkins, leading the Blue Jays to the 1987 national title before returning as head coach in 2001 to lead the program to championships in 2005 and last season.
And if the Blue Jays are going to sustain their run, Evans will be counted on more than ever. Johns Hopkins must replace must replace goalie Jesse Schwartzman, a three-year starter and two-time NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, who graduated last spring. Sophomore Mike Gvozden, a Severna Park graduate, is the favorite to replace Schwartzman when the Blue Jays host Albany in their season opener on Feb. 23 at Homewood Field.
“What you saw with [Evans] at first was just raw athleticism,” Pietramala said. “When you have a guy who has that kind of athleticism, but maybe lacks that skill, you can teach them that. For us, it was ano-brainer. When you see that athleticism and know what kind of person he is, you just feel like you can do a lot with him.”
