Todd Karpovich shares his latest power rankings for the seven local Division I lacrosse teams as well as his player of the week. Plus, he shares highlights from the week of local Division III lacrosse.
Player of the Week
Loyola Graduate Attackman Aidan Olmstead
The fifth-year attackman tied his career high with five goals and had an assist as the Greyhounds earned their first victory of the season with a 14-12 win against Lafayette in the Patriot League opener for both teams. Olmstead entered the year ranked fifth at Loyola all-time in career assists (82) and 10th in points (168).
1. Maryland (5-0)
Previous Game: Defeated No. 9 Notre Dame, 11-7
Spotlight: Senior midfielder Kyle Long and fifth-year attackman Logan Wisnauskas each had two goals and two assists to lead the top-ranked Terrapins past the host Fighting Irish. Junior goalie Logan McNaney made 12 saves. Junior Luke Wierman won 18 of 24 faceoffs after losing his first four matchups. Maryland improved to 89-13 in the last seven seasons when scoring at least 10 goals.
This Week’s National Ranking: No. 1
Next Up: Hosts UAlbany March 12
2. Johns Hopkins (3-3)
Previous Game: Lost to No. 2 Virginia, 19-8
Spotlight: The explosive Cavaliers jumped out to a 10-1 lead by the half and cruised to a victory against the Blue Jays. Graduate midfielder Jack Keogh and senior midfielder Garrett Degnon each scored twice for John Hopkins, which has dropped its past two games.
Next Up: Hosts No. 17 Syracuse March 13
3. Towson (3-3)
Previous Game: Defeated Loyola, 11-8; defeated UMBC, 11-10
Spotlight: The Tigers can claim supremacy among Baltimore-area teams with victories against the Greyhounds and Retrievers. Fifth-year attackman Luke Shilling and junior midfielder Kyle Berkeley each had three goals to pace the Tigers against the Greyhounds. The Tigers forced 18 turnovers. Towson then overcame a four-goal first-half deficit to upend UMBC. Shilling led the Tigers with four goals and two assists, while senior attackman James Avanzato had a goal and four assists, three of which went to Shilling. Towson has won two straight after losing three of four to open the season,
Next Up: Visits St. Joseph’s (votes) March 12
4. Navy (3-3)
Previous Game: Lost to Lehigh, 11-7
Spotlight: Sophomore midfielder Max Hewitt had three goals and senior attackman Nick Cole scored twice, but Midshipmen lost their second straight game. After scoring five goals in the opening 17 minutes of the contest, Navy’s attack stalled and had just two goals during the final 43 minutes.
Next Up: Hosts Colgate March 12
5. Mount St. Mary’s (3-4)
Previous Game: Lost to No. 6 Georgetown, 21-4; lost to VMI, 8-7
Spotlight: The Mountaineers have also dropped two consecutive games. Mount St. Mary’s fell behind 14-1 to the Hoyas and were never in the game. The Mountaineers were then held scoreless in the fourth quarter by VMI, opening the door for the Keydets to pull off the upset. Senior midfielder Kadin Kightlinger led the Mount with a goal and two assists.
Next Up: Hosts Mercer March 10
6. UMBC (1-2)
Previous Game: Lost to Towson, 11-10
Spotlight: The Retrievers fell short in a see-saw battle with the Tigers in a game that had six ties and four lead changes. Junior attackmen Nick Dupuis (three goals) and Mike Doughty (two goals and two assists) led the way for UMBC.
Next Up: Hosts No. 18 Utah March 11
7. Loyola (1-4)
Previous Game: Lost to Towson, 11-8; defeated Lafayette, 14-12
Spotlight: Graduate attackman Kevin Lindley scored the 165th goal of his career, breaking the Patriot League’s all-time record, but the Greyhounds lost to the Tigers. However, Loyola managed to knock off Lafayette. Junior attackman Joey Kamish scored three times and junior midfielder Evan James had two goals for Loyola, which had a 39-30 advantage in ground balls.
Next Up: Hosts No. 8 Duke March 12
DIVISION III
Team of the Week
Hood College
The Blazers trailed Juniata early in the game, before scoring 11 consecutive goals en route to an 18-8 victory. Sophomore attackman Colby Gallagher led Hood with four goals and one assist. Hood improved to 3-1 on the season and visits Delaware Valley March 12.
Player of the Week
Salisbury Senior Attackman Isaac Thrasher
Thrasher had five goals and three assists in a 15-6 victory against Lynchburg and then scored another five goals the following day in a 22-11 victory against Randolph-Macon. He has 17 goals and six assists in five games.
Photo Credit: Larry French