Johns Hopkins defender Matt Bocklet jokes he has one of the easiest jobs in college lacrosse.
“I just get behind [defender] Michael Evans and after he gets the ball away from an opposing player,” he said. “I just scoop it up and take it away.”
That may be oversimplifying Bocklet?s role, but there is no denying the 5-foot-10, 190-pound senior is a key contributor on a defense that has allowed just 4.5 goals per match during a six-game winning streak. Bocklet enters this afternoon?s NCAA Tournament quarterfinal game at 3 against Navy with 80 ground balls, which are the most by a non-faceoff specialist Steve Mitchell?s 80 in 1987.
That?s not bad for a somebody who never envisioned playing for the Blue Jays.
Bocklet, a native of South Salem, N.Y., played his first two college seasons at Fairfield before transferring the Blue Jays prior last season. Bocklet?s reason for transferring was simple: After playing alongside his brother, Michael, for two years, he felt it was time to see if he could excel on one of the country?s best teams. Bocklet arrived at Homewood after playing a vital role in leading the Stags to a share of the Great Western Lacrosse League title in 2005, but he wanted to win national titles, not conference crowns.
“It was an amazing experience to play with my brother, but I also wanted the opportunity to play some of the best lacrosse out there and I knew that was at Hopkins,” Bocklet said. “I’m just glad Coach [Dave] Pietramala gave me a chance.”
And Bocklet has made the most of it. The defense has anchored a six-game winning streak by allowing just 27 goals on 185 shots ? a shooting percentage of .146. Johns Hopkins has held six straight opponents to seven goals or fewer for the first time since 1967. But that won?t matter if the Blue Jays lose to Navy for the first time since 1974 ? a span of 35 games ? and see their bid to defend their championship end at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
“Matt gives us a lot of options defensively,” Pietramala said. “He’s so quick to get to the ball, especially when we have him playing close on the faceoffs. When he gets the ball in those situations, he also can give us a quick offensive spurt if needed.”
Bocklet said being a senior and transferring schools gives him a greater appreciation for getting a chance to still be playing lacrosse when the vast majority of teams already have turned in their equipment.
“The seniors stressed that every game could be our last game,” he said, “and we weren’t ready to stop playing.”
