Feb. 13, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - While a third straight trip to the NCAA Final Four is not out of the question for the University of Maryland men's lacrosse team, the Terps will have to get there with a different formula than the previous two trips.

Maryland loses four All-Americans on offense that combined for 113 goals (69% of team's production), 58 assists (57%) and 171 points (64%) last season. Head coach Dave Cottle, now in his sixth year at the helm of the Maryland program, knows the challenge will be in finding ways to replace that production.

"Obviously you can't just replace those guys and expect the same results," says Cottle. "The challenge for us is to get guys that have never been asked to score on a consistent basis to do just that. We have to come up with a good game plan that will fit the personnel we have on the field this year.

"The good news is that we have some players that we feel are up to that challenge and we have a very good defense that will allow our offense to gain experience."

Attack
The Terps return two-thirds of their starting attack in senior Michael Phipps and junior Max Ritz, but the third spot in the starting line-up is up for grabs during preseason practice.

Phipps and Ritz are experienced with a combined 50 starts between them, but both will be asked to increase their production this season. Ritz is the team's leading returning scorer from last season when he posted 31 points on 20 goals and 11 assists. Phipps has totaled 20 goals and 25 assists during his three seasons as a Terrapin.

Entering the spring sophomore Danny Gallagher is penciled into the third attack position, but will need to continue to improve to hold onto that spot. Sophomore Scott Tompkins, who scored three goals in limited time as a freshman, entered the spring as the fourth attackman, but freshman Fran Gormley has played well and is challenging for that spot.

Also in the mix is sophomore Nick Ward, a lefty who was moved from midfield to attack during the fall.

Midfield
The biggest question mark for the Terps this season lies in their offensive midfield. Maryland possesses many quality midfielders, but the challenge for Cottle and offensive coordinator Andy Copelan will be finding the right mix of that talent for each of the midfield lines.

Heading into the season Thomas Alford, Jimmy Borell, Will Dalton, Drew Evans, Chris Feifs, Travis Holmes, Dan Groot and Jeremy Sieverts will be competing for spots on the first two lines and all will be important to Maryland's success this year.

Borell is one of the best pure athletes on the team. After beginning his Terp career as an offensive midfielder, Borell spent a season and a half as a short-stick defensive middie. This season in addition to seeing time as a d-middie, he is set to run on one of the Terrapins' top offensive lines.

Holmes is an extremely physical player that saw time on the second midfield last season and could be the anchor for that unit again as a senior.

Alford and Feifs are seniors who have seen limited playing time so far, but the pair has dedicated themselves during the offseason and has emerged as team leaders.

Juniors Dalton and Evans have played significant minutes during their first two seasons and could become breakout performers in 2007.

Groot could be the most talented of Maryland's midfield crop and played on the Terps' second line as a freshman. He also saw some time early last season on the man-up unit.

Sieverts, a sophomore transfer from Butler, was a second team All-GWLL selection as a freshman in 2006, and could work his way onto the first or second lines. Last year Sieverts led the Bulldogs with nine assists and was second on the squad with 25 points and 16 goals.

Other midfielder contenders include Australian import Adam Sear, senior Jay Feeley, who makes the transition from attack to midfield, sophomore Rob Morrison, redshirt freshman Andrew Zilch and freshman Casey Creaney.

Short Sticks
With Jimmy Borell and Jeff Reynolds the Terps boast two of the top defensive midfielders in the nation.

Borell will also see time as an offensive midfielder, but his athleticism, aggressiveness and physical style of play make him one of the country's top short sticks.

Reynolds has the potential to be an All-American in the mold of former Terp great Paul Gillette. Reynolds, one of the team's top all-around athletes, has the speed to stay with any offensive player and is strong enough to hold his own physically. With a cannon for a shot he could also prove to be an offensive weapon in transition.

Spencer McAllister made great strides in 2006 and is expected to work his way into the rotation this season.

A pair of freshmen, Dean Hart and Bryn Holmes, could also see playing time this year. Each showed good skills during the fall, but need to continue to progress this spring.

Graduate student Paul Andrews will most likely be a face-off specialist, but will also provide depth in the defensive midfield.

Long Poles
An influx of talented freshmen and a dynamic senior leader make this position one of Maryland's strengths for 2007.

Senior Ryan Clarke played like an All-American for much of 2006 and looks to continue to impress in his final season. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Clarke, one of the game's best when the ball is on the ground, will be expected to elevate his game on a more consistent basis.

Another talented player who could make an impact is Sean Sullivan. The senior had a good fall season and could be a factor for the Terps this year.

Freshman Brian Farrell is the team's third pole coming into the spring. An outstanding athlete, the 6-foot-5, 260-pound Farrell has displayed outstanding stick and passing skills since arriving on campus.

Sophomore Chris Rhine saw time as the third pole last season and is expected to see playing time this year. A high-energy player, Rhine will also be used as a face-off wingman.

Freshmen Dan Halayko will begin his Terrapin career as long poles, but could also see time at close defense.

Close Defense
The Terps return their starting corps of close defenders for the second straight season and with two preseason first team All-Americans and a third team selection it's fair to say that Maryland's starting close defense is the nation's top unit entering 2007.

Senior Steve Whittenberg, an All-American in each of his two seasons at Maryland, is a shutdown defender who is as adept on the ball as he is off and is the Terrapins' top take-away guy.

Senior Ray Megill, a third team All-American last year, is an explosive athlete that uses his physical abilities to complement exceptional technique. He has proved to be a versatile defender and could see time at long pole.

Junior Joe Cinosky is one of the nation's top defenders and his play on the field has started earning him some recognition. He missed the fall season due to hernia surgery, but is fully healed and ready for the season.

Junior Zach Hinton started during the fall while Cinosky was out and could see significant time this season. Fellow juniors Jacob Baxter and Ryne Adolph are also expected to contribute this season.

Sophomores Anthony Costanzo and Mike Griswold have improved since their freshman campaign and could compete for playing time this year.

Sophomore Kevin Slafkosky missed the entire fall with a broken foot, but he could work his way back into the mix if his rehabilitation goes well.

Goalie
Injuries have taken their toll on Maryland's goalkeeper position, turning one of the most stable positions on the field into one of the squad's bigges question marks.

Senior Harry Alford, a two-time All-American, suffered a shoulder injury during the Terps' fall scrimmage against Notre Dame and will not be available at the start of the season. How long that injury takes to heal will greatly impact the Terrapins. When healthy Alford is one of the best shot-stoppers in the game and his experience clearing the ball is essential to Maryland's success this season.

Entering the season the starting job belonged to junior Jason Carter, who in 10 career appearances has shown to be a reliable net-minder. In those 10 appearances, the junior stopped more than 65 percent of the shots he's faced and boasted a 5.45 goals allowed average.

But Carter was injured during preseason practice and is expected to miss significant time, leaving heralded freshman Brian Phipps as the team's starting goalie heading into this weekend's season opener vs. Bellarmine.

Phipps is Maryland's highest ranked newcomer according to Inside Lacrosse, but will be the back-up to begin the season. A highly intelligent goalie, Phipps is a true tactician in net who will see playing time this year.

Face-Offs
Facing-off is always a key to success in lacrosse and the Terps have options when it comes to finding a winning combination at the "X."

Thomas Alford and Will Dalton have each taken their share of face-offs during the past two seasons and that experience gives them a leg up on their competition.

Others competing for the face-off job include Paul Andrews, Casey Creaney and Bryn Holmes.

The wildcard of the group could be Jeff Reynolds, who took some draws last season.