NCAA lacrosse quarterfinal preview

By Evan Washburn
CSNBaltimore.com

Saturday

Maryland vs. No. 2 Johns Hopkins
12:00pm Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
TV: ESPN2

The quarterfinals kickoff with the most intense rivalry in the sport of lacrosse. The Blue Jays will look to avenge a 9-6 loss in April. A Johns Hopkins-Maryland game is always the highlight of the regular season, and now fans get an encore with a trip to Championship Weekend on the line.

Johns Hopkins exploded for 19 goals in their round one win over Stony Brook and seems to have found balance at just the right time. It was the loss to Maryland on April 14th that sent the Blue Jays into a mini tail spin. Hopkins has refocused and recharged winning their last three games, while scoring 42 goals. In the first meeting between these two, Johns Hopkins dominated the face-off game but could not win the pressure ground balls.

Despite the departure of many key components to the team that made last season's National Championship, the Terps have just enough senior leadership to get it done. Case in point, Joe Cummings stepping up and delivering a game winning goal over Lehigh. This team continues to impress, but are still lapses where they show youth and inexperience. In their win over Johns Hopkins earlier in the season secondary scorers stepped up, Owen Blye and Kevin Cooper, a key again Saturday at noon.

Prediction: Johns Hopkins 10, Maryland 9

Denver vs. No. 1 Loyola
2:30pm Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
TV: ESPN2

For the third time this season Denver and Loyola will meet on the lacrosse field, this time with the loser headed home. The two previous meetings were decided by three goals and one goal in overtime respectively. Denver's offense has reached it's Final Four pace of a year ago, but Loyola has shown the ability to adapt to whatever game they are in. This game resembles a Ravens-Steelers matchup that always seems to end with a playoff meeting.

Loyola took care of business in round one, beating Canisius 17-5. After a 4-3 halftime score the Greyhounds outscored Canisius 13-2 in the final two quarters. Mike Sawyer and Eric Lusby continue to provide big numbers, but it is the transition game that separates this team from the others. No team in the country is better at scoring after a caused turnover in the defensive end, and yes that includes UVA. This game will come down to how Loyola's Top-5 defense does with the Pioneers offense.

Denver played in one of the more exciting postseason games in recent memory, taking down UNC 16-14. The Pioneers are playing a style of offense that many expected heading into the season. It starts with the midfield breaking down the defense and finding finishers like Mark Matthews and Eric Law. Jeremy Noble was the story in round one putting up 10 points. This biggest question is how will the Denver defense hold up, against a Loyola team that is happy to run and gun.

Prediction: Loyola 12, Denver 10

Sunday

No. 5 Virginia vs. No. 4 Notre Dame
12:00pm PPL Park - Philadelphia, PA
TV: ESPNU

This game will be the most interesting of the weekend, because there is no real edge to speak of. Both of these teams do some things great, but also struggle in key areas at times. The 10 goal mark seems to be the key stat for both teams. For Virginia it is about reaching it and Notre Dame is all about keep the Cavs under 10.

Notre Dame beat a pesky Yale team in round one with its best offensive output of the season, with 13 goals. If the Irish can consistently reach 10+ goals, they will be nearly impossible to beat.

Virginia on the other hand struggled to score in six on six situations against Princeton. In transition the Cavs continue to be dangerous, because of their team speed. For Virginia to make a return trip to Championship Weekend, they are going to have to make the most of every odd man rush.

Prediction: Notre Dame 9, Virginia 8 OT

Colgate vs. No. 3 Duke
2:30pm PPL Park - Philadelphia, PA
TV: ESPNU

Colgate's cinderella run may have reached its end. The Red Raiders have beaten Maryland and No. 1 ranked UMass in the last two weeks, with an explosive offense that has more weapons than just Peter Baum. Duke on the other hand is the most dangerous team in tournament with endless offensive fire power.

Duke dismantled Syracuse 12-9, with pinpoint skip passes and finishing ability that is unrivaled. There is so much talent on this offense that defenses can not focus on just player or unit. Three players recorded hat tricks in the win and C. J. Costabile did his thing in between the lines with eight ground balls. Duke is the best bet in a tournament that has more parity than ever.

Prediction: Duke 14, Colgate 10

Round one difference makers

By Evan Washburn
CSNBaltimore.com

Every game of the NCAA tournament will be broadcast on national television, giving fans a chance to see game changing players that they may have missed over the course of the season. Here's a look at a player from each round one game that can be a difference maker.

Saturday

Syracuse (9-7) vs. No. 3 Duke (13-4)
ESPN 12:00pm

#9 C.J. Costabile Sr. Long Stick Midfield (Duke)

C.J. Costabile is the most dynamic defenseman in the country. He is a force at the face-off "X", winning 51% of his draws. When the ball is on the ground Costabile is a vacuum, picking up 113 this season and many of those groundballs turn into points on the other end. The senior Tewaaraton Finalist has six goals and four assists this season. It won't take long for you to notice number 9.

Colgate (13-3) vs. No. 6 UMass (15-0)
ESPNU 2:30pm

#43 Ryan Walsh Fr. Attack (Colgate)

Peter Baum grabs the headlines for Colgate and for good reason, but the biggest surprise this season has been the play of freshman Ryan Walsh. The 6-4 217 pound attackman is physical force and the Red Raiders second leading scorer with 33 goals and 21 assists and will be a key to Colgate pulling off the upset. Walsh will have to take some of the scoring load off Baum Saturday. Look for one of the hardest shots in the tournament coming out of the stick of the fabulous freshman.

Canisius (6-7) vs. No. 1 Loyola (14-1)
ESPNU 5:00pm

#5 Josh Hawkins Jr. Midfield (Loyola)

Josh Hawkins is the X factor of any game that he puts on a uniform. The junior do it all midfielder possess athleticism that is rare among college lacrosse players. Despite missing the first two games of the season, due to injury, Hawkins has 47 ground balls and five goals. Hawkins makes the biggest difference in the face-off game coming off the wing with blinding speed and also leading the Greyhounds transition game. If Loyola makes a run to Championship Weekend Hawkins will be a name people keep bringing up.

Denver (8-6) vs. No. 8 North Carolina (11-5)
ESPNU 7:30pm

#33 Alex Demopoulos Sr. Attack (Denver)

Denver has one of the most lethal offenses in the country and big reason is All American Mark Matthews and is 39 goals, but Alex Demopoulos is usually the man getting Matthews the ball. Demopoulos is the quarterback of the Pioneers offense and has been since he stepped on campus. While some players jump off the screen, Demopoulos jumps off the box score. After a game you will look down and see that number 33 put six points and had five ground balls in the riding game. Denver travels to Chapel Hill to take on UNC in a game that will most likely be a shootout. Demopoulos will have to orchestrate a high scoring offense to advance to the quarterfinals.

Sunday

Princeton (11-4) vs. No. 5 Virginia (11-3)
ESPN 1:00pm

#44 Chris LaPierre Jr. Midfield (Virginia)

Much like Josh Hawkins of Loyola, Chris LaPierre is a force in every game he plays, but usually goes unnoticed. LaPierre has 55 ground balls on the season, a huge number for a player who does not face off. To give you an idea of what kind of athlete LaPierre is, he was the New Jersey State Offensive Football Player of the Year coming out of high school. Most of his work is done on the defensive end, but he is not afraid to score in transition famously shooting a ball so hard it broke through the net, in a game against Cornell last season.

Stony Brook (7-9) vs. No. 2 Johns Hopkins (11-3)
ESPNU 3:00pm

#16 Lee Coopersmith Jr. Midfield (Johns Hopkins)

Lee Coopersmith is one of the fastest players in the country and he uses that speed to blow by some of the best defenders in the country. Coopersmith has 14 goals on the season and will have an even bigger role with the Blue Jays, with the season ending injury to John Greeley. Coopersmith has been waiting for a shot at more minutes and there is no bigger stage to prove you are one of the best than the NCAA Tournament.

Yale (11-4) vs. No. 4 Notre Dame (11-3)
ESPNU 5:15pm  

#33 Matt Gibson Sr. Attack (Yale)

Matt Gibson is one of the most complete attackman in the country and no one is talking about him. The senior has 27 goals and 29 assists this season and leads an offense that took the Ivy League Tournament by storm. Yale faces the nation's top defense in Notre Dame in round one, so Gibson's talent will be tested. This matchup is intriguing because the Bulldogs average 11 goals per game and the Irish hold teams under six goals, so something has to give. If Gibson can maintain his 2012 pace, Yale has a shot a huge round one upset.

Maryland (9-5) vs. No. 7 Lehigh (14-2)
ESPNU 7:30pm

#2 Brian Hess Jr. Midfield (Lehigh)

Brian Hess only has nine goals on the season, but three of those came in Lehigh's biggest win of the season so far, the Patriot League Championship win over Colgate. Hess plays with a lot of emotion and has strong right handed shot. The best aspect of the Mountain Hawks is balance throughout the roster and team first mentality. Hess may act as facilitator on Sunday night, but if the opportunity is there the Owings Mills native will take advantage.

NCAA lax field wide open

CSNBaltimore.com

Men's lacrosse tournament preview

By Evan Washburn
CSNBaltimore.com

The field is set for the 2012 NCAA tournament with the Loyola Greyhounds grabbing the No. 1 seed. This season has shown more parity than any year in recent history, making this tournament as exciting as ever. Games kick off this Saturday at noon and continue all the way through Sunday night. Here is a full breakdown of each mach up.

Saturday

Syracuse (9-7) vs. No. 3 Duke (13-4)
12:00pm Koskinen Stadium
TV: ESPN

A week ago this was a match-up that seemed impossible. Syracuse needed to win the Big East tournament to get into the tournament and Duke seemed destined for a No. 1 seed until a 15-9 loss to Denver on April 27th.

The Orange had a disappointing regular season at 7-7, but were a different team in the Big East tournament. Syracuse found rhythm offensively putting up 27 goals in two games, while holding both Villanova and St. Johns under seven goals.

Duke had won 10 straight until the hiccup in the Mile High City, based mostly on a explosive offense and bend but not break defense. The Blue Devils are 8-0 at home this season and come into this game with the confidence of already beating Syracuse 12-10 earlier in the year.

Prediction: Duke 14, Syracuse 10

Colgate (13-3) vs. No. 6 UMass (15-0)
2:30pm Garber Field
TV: ESPNU

The nation's No. 1 team UMass was given the No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament due to a poor strength of schedule. The Minutemen did not play a team that mad the 16-team tournament field, during the regular season. Colgate got an at large bid based of a strong RPI and wins over Lehigh and Maryland.

This game showcases two of the games best scorers. UMass attackman Will Manny has 75 points on the season and is 3rd nationally averaging five points per game. Colgate is led by Peter Baum who average's a nation's best 5.81 points per game, and has 64 goals this season. This game will come down to which defense can slow down the opposing star.

Despite an unblemished record UMass will have to prove that they are battle tested against a Colgate team that comes his with a lot of confidence. Both teams love to push transition and put a lot of shots on cage, so this could be the most exciting game of the opening weekend.

Prediction: Colgate 15, UMass 14 OT

Canisius (6-7) vs. No. 1 Loyola (14-1)
5:00pm Ridley Athletic Complex
TV: ESPNU

Loyola proved to be worthy of a No. 1 seed after and rebounding to win the ECAC tournament in Denver, CO after losing a heartbreaker to Johns Hopkins a week earlier. Canisius won the MAAC, beating a more talented Siena to grab the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Golden Griffins have not seen anyone this season at the level of the Greyhounds and will struggle to keep this game competitive.

Loyola has shown balance all season averaging 12 goals per game, while holding opponents under eight. This team has earned the opportunity to host a tournament game for the first time since 2000, and will not disappoint what is expected to be a sold out crowd.

Prediction: Loyola 16, Canisius 6

Denver (8-6) vs. No. 8 North Carolina (11-5)
7:30pm Fetzer Field
TV: ESPNU

North Carolina is the most offensively talented team in the country, but inconsistency has been an issue all season. Denver was given an at large bid, despite only one marquee win over Duke. This game pits two great offenses and players that can light up the scoreboard.

UNC has Marcus Holman who is the most complete attackman in the country (33 goals, 33 assists) and Denver has a lethal scorer in Mark Matthews (39 goals on 112 shots). There are a number of secondary scorers on both teams that will have to make a difference in game that will likely have close to 25 goals.

Where this game is most likely to be decided though is a the the face-off stripe. UNC's R.G. Keenan, is winning 62% of his draws. Denver will rely on Chase Carraro, who wins 61% of his attempts. Both offense will depend on possessions and who wins at the "X" will win the game.

Prediction: UNC14, Denver 12

Sunday

Princeton (11-4) vs. No. 5 Virginia (11-3)
1:00pm Klockner Stadium
TV: ESPN

A month ago Virginia was playing at a championship level and were being penciled in for a return trip to the Final Four. The Cavaliers have lost two out of their last three and seemed to have little offensive fire power not named Steele Stanwick. It surprised many when Princeton received an at large bid after falling to Yale in the Ivy League tournament final. The Tigers best win this season looks to be over Yale on March 24th, but none the less they are in.

Virginia has more talent and depth than the Princeton and while this game will be close early, the Cavs have the ability to literally run away with the win. The Tigers best weapon is Tom Schreiber. The attackman/midfielder is one of the best scorers in the country and will have to have a career day to keep his team in this game. Virginia proved last season to be a different team in May and can used this opening round game as a statement.

Prediction: Virginia 12, Princeton 9

Stony Brook (7-9) vs. No. 2 Johns Hopkins (11-3)
3:00pm Homewood Field
TV: ESPNU

Johns Hopkins was given a gift with the No. 2 seed, proving once again that strength of schedule is really the deciding factor for the Selection Committee. Stony Brook made its way into the tournament by winning a very weak America East tournament. The Blue Jays have won two straight after a shocking loss to Navy on April 21st. Stony Brook struggles to score, only putting up an average of nine goals per game, not a good thing when facing a Dave Pietramala defense.

The Blue Jays will not over look this opponent and understands that there is a lot to prove not only in this game, but in this tournament. The key to success seems to hinge on the offense. Hopkins has put 23 goals in their last two wins, against talented Loyola and Army defenses.

Prediction: Johns Hopkins 11, Stony Brook 5

Yale (11-4) vs. No. 4 Notre Dame (11-3)
5:15pm Arlotta Stadium
TV: ESPNU

Notre Dame's loss to St. Johns in the Big East tournament was as shocking as any upset this season, but this team still possess a formula that could lead them to Championship Weekend. Standing in their way is Yale, a team that won the Ivy League tournament and quietly has had a great season.

The Irish's style is clear. Hold opponents to a small number of good scoring chances, then use long offensive possessions to get a lead and never look back. Yale has a dynamic offense that has averaged 11 goals per game. Bulldog attackman Matt Gibson can break down a defense and leads a group of scorers that will not be intimidated. Notre Dame's John Kemp will be the "X" factor in this game. Kemp is holding offenses to six goals per game, while saving 60% of shots faced.

This game is a clash of styles and it will come down to which team can carry out their game plan. The Irish have an experience edge, and have not lost at home since February 26th.

Prediction: Yale 10, Notre Dame 8

Maryland (9-5) vs. No. 7 Lehigh (14-2)
7:30pm Ulrich Sports Complex
TV: ESPNU

Lehigh has been the most surprising team all season and now will host a first round game in the NCAA Tournament game for the first time in program history. The game sold out in just under 24 hours and is the most interesting matchup, with the defending national finalist University of Maryland coming in. The Terps are on the road in round one based on a season ending loss to Colgate.

Lehigh has won with a team first mentality. It starts with a defense that slides constantly and an offense that strives on balance. Maryland has been up and down all season, with a lot of youth in key positions. When at their best the Terps are capable of beating any team in the country, just ask Duke and Johns Hopkins. The biggest advantage that Maryland has is they will not be overwhelmed by the moment. If Lehigh can use the excitement constructively they will win, because they are the better team.

The match-up to watch will be the play of the two young goalies. Lehigh is led by freshman Matthew Poillon, who has been a rock between the pipes all the season saving 59% of shots faced. Maryland relies on Niko Amato, the sophomore has taken a leadership role this season and orchestrated a young defense.

Prediction: Lehigh 11, Maryland 10

SB Nation: What local team tops the Lax bracket?