Maryland Men's Lacrosse Commences Season
Terps look for great things in 1998
The 1998 Maryland lacrosse team is poised to celebrate in 1998. The Terrapins have determined their primary goal is to be the last team standing on Memorial Day, hoisting the national championship trophy over their heads on May 25th. After making a miraculous Cinderella run to the 1997 championship game as an unseeded team, this year's squad returns virtually intact as it gears up for a shot at the gold.
The Terps lost only five players to graduation, including starters Peter Hilgartner (attack), Todd Evans (midfield) and second team All-America defenseman Dave LaChapelle. The experience of playing in last year's final before the largest crowd in the sport's history will benefit the younger players who will be asked to fill their spots.
Maryland's schedule is once again one of the most difficult in the nation. Playing in the sport's top conference, the Terps must travel to North Carolina and 1997 semifinalist Duke. The Terps host Penn State on March 11 as the two schools renew the series. Powerful Virginia visits College Park on March 28. Circle April 11th on your lacrosse calendar as the Terps continue the greatest rivalry in the sport with a trek up to Johns Hopkins.
The eyes of the lacrosse world shift to Charlottesville, Va., as the Cavaliers host the 1998 Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament, April 17-19. Last year's tournament featured two Final Four participants and an NCAA quarterfinalist, and this year's edition promises to be as entertaining.
For the first time since 1992, Maryland will not serve as host of the championships. College Park will serve as the site of the NCAA South Quarterfinals, where two invitations to the 1998 championships will be handed out. Rutgers hosts the gala event this year before it returns to College Park for 1999 and 2000.
Attack:
Maryland's attack is by far its strongest position. The Terps return three All-America starters, including sensational seniors Matt Hahn and Andrew Whipple. Along with junior Scott Hochstadt, the first line possesses skills that complement one another perfectly. Hahn is deadly accurate with his shot and can sustain a check to maintain his position on the crease. Whipple has developed into the game's premier feeder and sets up his teammates in perfect scoring position. Hochstadt's strength has made him the Terps' best one-on-one attackman. Maryland is deep at attack as well. Mike Morsell will serve as Matt Hahn's understudy in anticipation of taking over the reigns in 1999. Andrew Combs will pester the opposition with his tenacious riding ability.
Midfield:
The Terps have a tremendous hole to fill after losing two-time All-American, Todd Evans. Senior Frank Radin showed flashes of brilliance in last year's NCAA Tournament. Look for Radin to use that confidence he gained in the postseason to his advantage and become the go-to guy on a consistent basis from the midfield. Brian Zeller showed phenomenal poise for a freshman in last year's postseason. His size enables him to ward off defenders while his warrior mentality enables him to go through them when challenged. Billy Ruhl was playing the best lacrosse of his life in the 1997 preseason before going down with a knee injury. He returned late in the season after undergoing successful arthroscopic surgery and will provide this year's first midfield line with his cannon shot. Kevin Pasqualina's versatility provides a valuable asset to this squad. He can be used on the face-off or either side of the ball. He logged quality minutes last year and figures to improve on that for his senior season. Bob Hannah's rocket left-handed shot is virtually unstoppable when he hits the net. The junior is Maryland's most improved player and should parlay his success from last year's man-up play into a spot on one of the first two lines. Brian Haggerty's face-off success last year carried over to his entire game. His new found confidence will enable him to contribute significantly from outside the circle as well.
Defense:
Senior co-captain Mike Bonanni is the emotional team leader. Edell's first-ever two-time captain, Bonanni sets the physical tone that is Maryland's trademark. Bonanni broke his leg early in the 1997 campaign, but returned for the ACC Tournament. With the Bonanni piece back in the puzzle, the Terps' defense solidified as they made their impressive run to the final. The defense suffers the biggest loss via the graduation of Dave LaChapelle, a second team All-American, to graduation last year. Expect Chris Lamy to pick up right where LaChapelle left off. Combined with his tremendous size and a year of starting experience in the nation's top conference, look for Lamy to emerge as a force and show All-America potential. Edell considers his 1997 defensive recruiting class his best ever. Jason Carrier and Casey Connor played huge roles for Maryland as true freshmen last year. Edell has the pleasant problem of finding enough playing time for this talented core.
Defensive-Midfield:
Brian Reese showed the nation with his stellar postseason play that he is the best long-pole defensive midfielder in the country. Reese's ability to run the length of the field and his ability to strip the opposition of the ball almost at will equate to a lethal combination. Geoff Burnham figures prominently in the mix as well as his game evolves and steadily improves. Erik Osberg's athleticism and strength qualify him as a top contender at short-pole defensive-midfield. Jeff Shirk, Maryland's Co-Rookie of the Year, will also convert to the short-pole in an attempt to make up for the graduated John Miller. Kyle Rannigan and Kevin Necessary should also see playing time with the short-pole.
Face-off:
Maryland enters the season with a terrific tandem in Chris Nohe and Brian Haggerty. Nohe returns after missing the entire 1997 season due to stomach surgery. He should re-establish himself as the ACC's top face-off man. Haggerty was huge in filling in for the injured Nohe. He won a career-high 19 face-offs in Maryland's thrilling overtime victory against North Carolina. Both men bring a career 60 percent win rate into the season. Kevin Pasqualina and Jeff Shirk can also be called upon for select duty.
Goal:
Sean Keenan showed flashes of brilliance last season. He shut out Navy for the entire second half and registered three games of at least 18 saves. Keenan started all but one game for Maryland last year, so his experience will be relied on if he is to earn the top role again. Kevin Healy returns after serving as the number two goalie last year. He contributed some impressive saves in the championship game after entering in the final quarter. Freshman Jared Norkus can surprise and the door for him earning the starting role is not closed.
