Oct. 13, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
The University of Maryland men's lacrosse team will take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish tonight in a "Fall Ball" scrimmage. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Field Hockey/Lacrosse Complex. Admission to the event is free.
The Terps, who have been to two-straight Final Fours, are playing their only scrimmage of the fall, while Notre Dame has already played an exhibition against the MLL's Chicago Machine.
Maryland returns six starters from its 2006 Final Four team that finished the season with a 12-5 record.
Defensively, the Terps return every, including All-America defensemen Steve Whittenberg and Ray Megill and All-America goalie Harry Alford. Maryland also brings back it's trio of starting defensive midfielders in short-sticks Jimmy Borell and Jeff Reynolds and long pole Ryan Clarke.
On offense the Terps have attackmen Michael Phipps and Max Ritz returning, but must replace the school's all-time leader in points and goals - Joe Walters. Sophomore Danny Gallagher could be the third starter in 2007.
The midfield units will also be revamped for 2007 with the departure of the entire first midfield of Bill McGlone, Brendan Healy and Xander Ritz, all of who were USILA All-Americans in 2006. The Terps will look to senior Travis Holmes and sophomore Dan Groot, who were on the second unit in '06, to solidify the midfield. Seniors Thomas Alford and Chris Feifs and juniors Will Dalton and Drew Evans will also provide depth and experience to the midfield.
Face-offs will be another area of concentration for the Terps. David Tamberrino, the ACC's top face-off man in 2006, graduated last spring. Dalton and senior Paul Andrews also saw time at the X last season and are vying for the main face-off position. Another option for head coach Dave Cottle could be freshman midfielder Bryn Homles, who was one of the top face-off men in the MIAA last year.
The Fighting Irish return seven starters and 16 letterwinners from last year's squad that finished the season with a 10-5 record (3-2 GWLL). Notre Dame earned their first berth to the NCAA Tournament since a Final Four appearance in 2001. The Irish fell to eventual NCAA champion Virginia by a 14-10 margin and finished the season ranked 17th in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) poll and 15th in the Inside Lacrosse poll.
Notre Dame returns USILA Honorable Mention All-America goaltender Joey Kemp as well returning senior attackman Brian Hubschmann. Hubschmann and Kemp were also named to the 2006 All-Great Western Lacrosse League (GWLL) First Team.
