The Virginia men?s lacrosse team has one of the top scoring offenses in the country going into its first-round NCAA tournament game against visiting Delaware.
While the Cavaliers may be averaging 12 goals a game ? sixth nationally ? they can only do that if they have the ball. How often that may occur Sunday against the Blue Hens (11-5) is a question mark, as Virginia (12-3) must first win face-offs against Delaware midfielder Alex Smith.
Smith, a Boys? Latin graduate and Timonium native, is the most prolific face-off specialist in college lacrosse history. He enters the postseason as the NCAA career leader for face-offs won (990) and attempted (1,423).
Also, his 533 career groundballs are just eight shy of Steve Shaw?s Delaware and NCAA record of 541 set between 1983 and 1986. This season, he has won 274 of 370 face-off attempts (.740 percentage) to go along with his 150 groundballs.
“Getting possession is going to be key,” said Smith on the defending national champions. “We really need to make sure we not only win the face-offs, but maintain possessions.”
Smith said he?s probably had 50,000 practice face-offs over the past four years and winning the matchups on game days is something he takes personally. However, he added that much of his individual success would not be possible without the help of fellow senior midfielders Jordan Hall and Dan Deckelbaum (Owings Mills) and defenseman Brian Calabrese.
“We?re all successful as a team,” Smith said. “I?m estimating at least 30 percent of my wins come from those guys getting to a groundball.”
Delaware coach Bob Shillinglaw said having a face-off specialist as efficient as Smith gives the Blue Hens ? the Colonial Athletic Association tournament champions ? a chance to be in nearly every game while hopefully neutralizing the opposing team?s offense.
“Alex is a pleasure to work with and coach,” Shillinglaw said. “He?s one of our team captains, and while he doesn?t yell, the players respect what he has to say when he does talk. He?s out there two hours a day, six days a week trying to become the best player he can be.”
Smith, the CAA Player of the Year and a two-time All-American, said in a season full of parity and upsets, he doesn?t see any reason why Delaware can?t knock off Virginia and get to the Final Four.
“Getting to play at M&T Bank Stadium would be a dream come true,” Smith said.
Can Smith lead the Blue Hens to an upset over the defending national champions in the opening round? Respond below in our comments.
