Maryland has proved experience is not a prerequisite for success. The fourth-ranked Terrapins lacrosse (2-0) have cruised to wins at Georgetown, 11-6, and at Mount St. Mary?s, 17-7, thanks in part to their trio of freshmen attackers. Grant Catalino, Travis Reed (Boys? Latin) and Ryan Young have combined to score 17 goals entering Maryland?s game tonight at 5:30 at second-ranked Duke (2-0) on ESPNU.
“We?ve been given a chance to play together early as freshmen and we hope to take advantage of that opportunity on the field this season,” said Reed, who has six goals and an assist this season after finishing with 238 goals and 102 assists during his prep career.
On the flip side, Duke?s starting attack of seniors Matt Danowski, Zach Greer and sophomore Matt Quinzani show experience matters, too. The trio is just ahead of its Maryland counterparts, as it has scored 18 goals in wins against Bucknell and Vermont. But that just tells part of the story, as Duke?s attackers have 312 career goals and 509 career points for one of the most veteran teams in the country.
Reed said playing Duke is something he has looked forward to for a long time, and he?s not intimidated at all by the Blue Devils, who lost to Johns Hopkins in the NCAA final last season.
“This is the biggest game of the regular season for us,” Reed said. “Obviously, there are going to be a lot of goals scored in this game because Duke is so talented. But I think if we hustle and minimize our mistakes we?ve got a good chance.”
Maryland leads the overall series, which began in 1940, 54-16. The Blue Devils, however, defeated the Terrapins last year in College Park, 14-7, in their first road game following the cancellation of their 2006 season from what turned out to be false sexual assault charges against three Duke players.
For Maryland to pull of the upset today, the Terrapins likely will need big contributions from their more experienced defense, which is led by senior defender Joe Cinosky and goalies Jason Carter (St. Mary?s), a redshirt junior, and Brian Phipps (Severn), a sophomore. The goalies have combined for 12 saves and allowed 10 goals this season.
“Maryland does a great job scheming for teams defensively and I expect more of the same from what I feel may be the best coaching staff in the country,” Duke coach John Danowski said. “No coach gets their players ready like [Maryland coach] Dave Cottle. Plus, now they have a whole new dynamic with the young attackmen that they play now. It doesn?t matter how old they are. If they can play, they can play.”
