Greatness is a term thrown around all too often in sports.
Iconic status should be reserved for the best of the best, as a way of ensuring their accomplishments are given their just due. Certain teams in sports history deserve such status, including the 1998 New York Yankees in baseball; the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls in basketball; and the 1972 Miami Dolphins in football.
One more team now must be included in that list: the 2006 Virginia men?s lacrosse team.
Virginia just concluded arguably the most successful season in college lacrosse history with its 15-7 win over Massachusetts in Monday?s NCAA championship game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The victory capped a perfect 17-0 season for the Cavaliers, making them the first team in NCAA history to finish an undefeated season with that many wins.
Need more proof?
Here are some basic statistics that solidify Virginia?s status among the all-time great sports team. The Cavaliers, who have won four NCAA titles, averaged 15.8 goals a game this season while giving up an average of just 7.5. For the year, they outscored their opponents 269-129, while shutting down some of the top players in the country, including Maryland?s Joe Walters and UMass? Sean Morris.
“It?s a little overwhelming to hear all the statistics about our team,” said Virginia coach Dom Starsia, who also led the Cavaliers to NCAA titles in 1999 and 2003. “The whole undefeated thing snuck up on us, but to come in here as expected an do this is a very special moment for our program. I?m very proud of our guys.”
UMass put up a valiant effort in its attempt to pull off the upset. The Minutemen even tied the score at 5-5 early in the third quarter after a goal from Brett Garber. But everyone in the pressbox, and most of those in attendance, knew it was just a matter of time before Virgina went on one of its patented long-scoring runs. The Cavaliers then did just that by scoring 10 of the game?s final 12 goals.
“Our guys fought back and made a good run, but they are a tremendous team all over the field,” UMass coach Greg Cannella said.
Much like Baltimore sports fans lay claim to native son Babe Ruth in baseball even though he played for the Yankees, Charm City can also be proud that much of Virginia?s success is directly due to the contributions of local players.
Eight Marylanders are on Virginia?s roster, including national midfielder of the year Kyle Dixon (Spalding), starting goalie and a third-team All-American Kip Turner and attack Ben Rubeor (Loyola).
Monday?s win provided the perfect ending to Dixon?s career. An afterthought during Virginia?s 2003 national title run, Dixon blossomed into one of the top college lacrosse players in the country. He finished his college run with 55 goals and 57 assists to become just the fourth midfielder in ACC history to reach that career plateau.
Ron Snyder is an Examiner staff writer.
