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
Kevin Lindley, Loyola
The fifth-year senior scored six goals and had an assist, leading the Greyhounds to a 12-10 upset victory against No. 14 Duke University. Lindley tallied all of his goals in the first half as Loyola opened a 10-2 halftime lead.
1. Maryland (6-0)
Previous Game: Defeated Albany, 24-6
Spotlight: Sophomore attackman Daniel Kelly (Calvert Hall) scored three goals and graduate midfielder Jonathan Donville added a hat trick for the Terrapins, who scored the most goals in a game since beating Radford, 26-3, on March 21, 1995. Fourteen other Maryland players scored goals. The game was played at Jones-Hill House, formerly Cole Field House, because of inclement weather. It was the first indoor home game in the history of Maryland men’s lacrosse.
This Week’s National Ranking: No. 1
Next Up: Faces No. 2 Virginia at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. March 19
2. Johns Hopkins (4-3)
Previous Game: Defeated Syracuse (votes), 10-7
Spotlight: Graduate goalie Josh Kirson had 14 saves and the Blue Jays scored five of the final seven goals to knock off the Orange. Sophomore midfielder Jonathan Peshko finished with a hat trick, while senior attackman Joey Epstein (Landon), graduate midfielder Jack Keogh and senior midfielder Garrett Degnon (DeMatha) had two goals apiece for Johns Hopkins, which improved to 3-0 on the year at Homewood Field.
This Week’s National Ranking: No. 18
Next Up: Hosts Navy March 18
3. Loyola (2-4)
Previous Game: Beat No. 14 Duke, 14-10
Spotlight: In addition to Lindley, junior midfielder Adam Poitras added two goals for the Greyhounds. Loyola also received three-point games from junior midfielder Evan James (one goal, two assists) and graduate attackman Aidan Olmstead (three assists). Graduate goalie Sam Shafer finished with eight saves behind a close defense of Matt Hughes, Kyle LeBlanc and Cam Wyers. The Greyhounds won 14 of 24 faceoffs.
This Week’s National Ranking: No. 20
Next Up: Hosts Bucknell (votes) March 19
4. Towson (3-4)
Previous Game: Lost to St. Joseph’s, 11-8
Spotlight: The Tigers outscored St. Joseph’s, 6-3, in the final quarter but came up short. Senior attackman James Avanzato, a Maryland transfer, finished with three goals and an assist, while junior midfielder Jonathan Bender had a season-best two goals and one assist. Redshirt sophomore goalie Evan Long (McDonogh) made his first career start and had 14 saves.
Next Up: Faces No. 14 Duke in Washington, D.C. March 19
5. Navy (4-3)
Previous Game: Defeated Colgate, 11-10
Spotlight: Junior midfielder Patrick Skalniak finished with five goals and sophomore midfielder Dane Swanson (McDonogh) scored twice to lead the Midshipmen to a spirited come-from-behind victory. Navy outscored Colgate, 5-2, in the final quarter. Skalniak leads the Midshipmen with 29 points (17 goals and 12 assists). Sophomore attackman Xavier Arline (one goal) made his season debut.
Next Up: Visits No. 18 Johns Hopkins March 18
6. UMBC (2-2)
Previous Game: Defeated Utah, 13-10
Spotlight: Junior attackman Mike Doughty (Glenelg), junior attackman Nick Dupuis, senior attackman Brett Baucia (Archbishop Spalding) and freshman attackman Jordan Galloway (DeMatha) each scored two goals for the Retrievers. It was the first road loss of the year for Utes (3-2), who beat No. 12 Jacksonville 16-10 last week.
Next Up: Visits Richmond (votes) March 20
7. Mount St. Mary’s (3-5)
Previous Game: Lost to Mercer, 12-11
Spotlight: Senior midfielder Jake Krieger (John Carroll) and graduate attackman Brendan Lantieri had two goals apiece for the Mountaineers, who have dropped three straight. Sophomore goalie Griffin McGinley made seven saves for Mount St. Mary’s. Sean Goldsmith scored the game-winner for Mercer with 1:55 left
Next Up: Hosts St. Joseph’s (votes) March 19
DIVISION III
Team of the Week
Salisbury University
The top-ranked Sea Gulls held off No. 6 York, 13-10, in a crucial nonconference matchup. Cross Ferrara (three goals) scored with 1:11 left in regulation to seal the win. Freshman attackman/midfielder Jarrett Bromwell (Cambridge-South Dorchester) led the Sea Gulls with five points on a goal and four assists. Senior attackman Logan Posner (St. Paul’s) scored two goals and had two assists. Sophomore goalie Z.J. Shahin finished with a career-high 10 saves.
Player of the Week
St. Mary’s College Senior Attackman Jude Brown
The John Carroll graduate notched his 14th career hat trick and fourth in a row with five goals in a 20-4 win against Shenandoah, which had won three straight. He also had three assists. Brown also picked up two ground balls and forced a turnover. Brown was an Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-America Honorable Mention.
Photo Credit: Larry French