Life Inside the Bubble

Eat. Sleep. Lacrosse. 

It’s a mantra adopted by youngsters around the country who have fallen in love with the game. It reflects a lifestyle of playing lacrosse all the time, without a moment for much else. 

For the Maryland alumni currently competing in the 20th anniversary season of Major League Lacrosse, that mantra has become their reality with training camp, a regular season and playoffs packed into 11 days. 

After kicking off last Saturday, nine Terps have been thrust into the whirlwind of the 2020 MLL season, which included three games in three days for the Terps-heavy Chesapeake Bayhawks. 

But for many of these pros, the prospect of even playing a season seemed like a pipe dream when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit back in March. 

“Obviously when everything started to happen our team was talking and our coaches were reaching out to us,” said Bayhawks attackman and 2017 National Champion Colin Heacock. “Just like anybody, none of us really knew what was going to happen. But, we just tried to control what we could control.”

With an unknown fate of the 2020 MLL season on hand, 2016 All-American Defenseman Greg Danseglio relied on his Maryland network to keep himself in game shape before good news came.   

“Staying in shape was my biggest concern,” said 2016 All-American Terp Greg Danseglio. “All the gyms were closed it was pretty tough. So I was going around Baltimore to a couple turf fields to run. And then I started playing with my old teammates – Isaiah Davis-Allen, Matt Dunn, Jay Carlson – it really helped me get some of that rust off before training camp started and games picked up.”

Bayhawks midfielder Nick Manis was contemplating retirement before the 2020 season drew near, unsure if he could commit to the rigors of another summer of pro lacrosse. When the 10-day tournament format was announced right in his backyard in Annapolis, the 2017 Maryland grad and National Champion felt the opportunity was too good to pass up. 

“Honestly the fact that [the tournament] was one week and it was in Annapolis…I’m still living and working right in Annapolis, so for me it just made it pretty simple. But it was also the idea of being able to play with these guys again.”

In a normal MLL season, players from a team may be spread all over the country, working their day jobs during the week before convening at the host city for an evening of prep and weekend matchup. However, the 10-day tournament based solely in Annapolis has provided some unique bonding opportunities for old Maryland teammates. 

“It kind of reminds me of the college days and the summer tournaments – you’re with your team 24/7,” Heacock explained. “You wake up and go to breakfast with your teammates, then have meetings. Most of the time we’re having meetings over zoom calls so we’re keeping our distance from one another. And then getting out there for the practice and the games. So really it’s just around the clock we’re with each other trying to improve, watching film. It’s an awesome experience and it allows us to bond a lot and build that camaraderie off the field.”

Danseglio was among the many Terps and MLL athletes juggling career responsibilities and preparation for the tournament side-by-side. With an early practice slot from 9-11 a.m., Danseglio would use the afternoons to tackle work for his investment firm before team prep meetings for the squad’s next opponent.

TERPS IN THE MLL

Boston Cannons
Bryan Cole

Chesapeake Bayhawks
Greg Danseglio
Isaiah Davis-Allen
Colin Heacock
Nick Manis
Brian Phipps

Denver Outlaws
Will Snider

NY Lizards
Tom O'Connell
Danny Dolan

The Bayhawks faced one of the most daunting opening schedules in the round robin tournament – three games in three straight days to open the tournament in the middle of a relentless Maryland heat wave. 

Despite the quick turnarounds the Bayhawks shined, winning their first three games before dropping their first of the tourney Wednesday night in overtime to the Denver Outlaws. 

With an accelerated season and little time for traditional preparation and recovery, taking things day-by-day and relying on the bonds of teammates has been an early key for the Bayhawks success.  

“I mean, it’s awesome to be here now with Isaiah [Davis-Allen], Nick Manis,” said Heacock. “We went into Maryland together we came out together, so being able to suit up and play with them still is definitely a blessing. And then last night we played Bryan Cole, so you’re always playing against Maryland guys or with Maryland guys. Obviously you get bragging rights if you win. But, at the end of the day it’s all love and we’re out there competing – everybody has that same goal, but it’s definitely something special being able to play with these Maryland guys and keep that special bond.”

With the MLL crowning its champion this weekend and the Premier Lacrosse League [PLL] starting its Championship Series Tournament on Saturday, there’s no better time for Terp lacrosse fans.   

“There’s a lot of people that have tuned in, and we love having all the support from former Terps and Terps now who are watching us,” said Manis. “As a lacrosse fan, I think it’s a pretty unbelievable experience to have two leagues lined up for professional lacrosse over the next three weeks. You have a lot of Maryland guys that are out there in both leagues – it’s a great opportunity if you’re a fan to be able to watch lacrosse.