June 27, 2003
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
When the third season of Major League Lacrosse commenced last month, it did so with a plethora of former Terrapins lining the rosters. Five of the league's six teams have at least one Terrapin alumnus.
Fresh off their stellar, senior campaigns at the University of Maryland, rookies Mike Mollot (2000-2003) and Michael Howley (2000-2003) find themselves reunited as teammates with the Rochester Rattlers. Both have seen action in two games, with Mollot netting three goals and two assists, and Howley displaying the defensive tenacity that made him an All-American at College Park. Accompanying them is another former Terp-standout, Nate Watkins (1999-2002), who is well on his way to proving that his rookie year (11 goals, 12 assists) was no fluke. Currently, Watkins has three goals and is third on the team and tied for ninth in the league with five assists. His eight points are good enough for fourth best on the team.
Four ex-Terrapins have helped propel the Baltimore Bayhawks to a 4-1 start atop the Nationals division. Defensemen Casey Connor (1997-2000) and Brian Reese (1995-1998) have logged significant minutes in the first five games. Between the two of them, they have started eight of the team's ten contests. Reese has scooped up ten groundballs, which is tied for fourth best among the Bayhawks. On the other end of the field, attacker Andrew "Buggs" Combs (1998-2001) and midfielder Kip Fulks (1993-1996) have tallied one goal apiece.
Starting goaltender Brian Dougherty (1994-1997) has posted a 3-1 record between the pipes in his first year with the Long Island Lizards. He has stopped 60.9% of the shots on goal en route to posting an 11.64 GAA in 232 minutes of action.
Midfielder Chris Monroe (1998-2001) is playing in his third season with the New Jersey Pride. So far, Monroe has started one game and is tied for sixth on the team in groundballs with five.
Scott Hochstadt (1996-1999), a three-time All-American attacker at Maryland, has played in one game with the Bridgeport Barrage.
