Building walls will be an everyday job for Greg Havalchak.
He will receive a degree in civil engineering from Rutgers University in December. But as a fourth-round draftpick of the Baltimore Bayhawks in late May, he is already putting up a wall.
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The former Scarlet Knight from Corning, N.Y. already proved himself as one of the top goalies in the NCAA. Now he is making a name for himself in the MLL.
“The draft was a once-and-a-lifetime experience,” said Havalchak, who is 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds. “I was a little intimidated with all the talent around me. I could not be happier in Baltimore.”
Life in the MLL, as Havalchak learned quickly, is different than college lacrosse. “The shots are more accurate, they are harder and everything is unscripted,” he said.
Havalchak showed he can play on the professional level when he got his first win as a goalkeeper Friday night. He led the Bayhawks to a 14-9 victory over the visiting Rochester Rattlers before 3,431 fans at Towson University. Havalchak made 17 saves to help the Bayhawks (2-3) hold an opponent under 10 points for the first time this season.
“The kid is awesome,” attackman Mark Millon said. “I watched him in college. He is a big-game player and hopefully he can play like that a few more times this year.”
Bayhawks coach Scott Hiller is not surprised by Havalchak?s play. “We knew he was a good goalie, and the last four years he has been one of the best goalies in Division I lacrosse,” Hiller said. “He was making big saves, key saves, and not giving up any two-point goals. That is what we were looking for all year.”
When asked if Havalchak would get the start this Friday at home against Long Island, Hiller said, with a laugh: “I would be crazy not to start him.”
