The Loyola men’s lacrosse team knocked off No. 1 Maryland 12-7 on Feb. 11 and No. 9 Johns Hopkins 13-8 on Feb. 18 in back-to-back games as part of a 6-6 start entering play April 22.
At the forefront of Loyola’s solid season is sixth-year defenseman Matt Hughes, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound standout from Reston, Va.
Hughes has started the first 12 games for the Greyhounds this season and is responsible for 20 caused turnovers, 40 ground balls and an assist. According to head coach Charley Toomey, Hughes’ strong play begins with his maturity — on and off the field.
“From being a leader in our locker room, to how he handles his academics, I don’t know that everything was on point when he first got here,” Toomey said. “He’s really matured. I think if you ask him about his experience at Loyola, I think it’s been a pretty positive one where he feels pushed by the coaches. He’s been pushed by [assistant coach Matt Dwan] and myself. It translates to more than just lacrosse. It translates to who he is and how he goes about his business.”
Goalie Luke Staudt has worked in conjunction with Hughes since his 2022 sophomore season, when Staudt saw just north of 132 minutes on the field. Staudt, just like his teammate, suffered an injury early on in his college career. The two have since bonded on the field and have built trust with one another.
“Matt is one of the most underrated defensive players in the country, in my opinion,” Staudt said. “His growth as a player and as a leader in my three years is evident, and he is a big reason for the success we have had defensively this season.”
Hughes’ collegiate story began at Mercer in 2018. He was named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman Team with 31 caused turnovers — a school record. But after transferring to Loyola ahead of the 2019 season, Hughes tore the meniscus in his left knee, a recovery that takes 3-6 months after surgery.
He attacked his rehabilitation, doing everything in his power to get back to 100 percent. He didn’t “half-ass anything,” according to Toomey.
“That was pretty tough, but I think the coaches saw something in me and I’m really fortunate that they didn’t give up on me,” Hughes said. “With an injury like that, it can be tough to bounce back, but I think I’ve put in the work and I’m really grateful for where I am with all of the guys around me. They’ve helped me be my best as well.”
It took some time for Hughes to get back to full speed. He played just four games in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world and his junior season to a halt. He took the extra time to prepare his mind, body and spirit, diving head-first into film and exercise, preparing for the day when he would return to the field.
That day would come in 2021, when he started all 16 games. He led the team in two major statistical categories — caused turnovers (22) and ground balls (39) — and was named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
Hughes went on to start another 16 games as a graduate student in 2022 on close defense with 29 ground balls and 20 caused turnovers and another Patriot League Academic Honor Roll selection.
He credits his success to his teammates and coaches who made him feel “extremely welcome” and at home.
“I’m pretty lucky to be where I am,” Hughes said. “This school is great. I think I’ve got a good relationship with all of the coaches. All of the players are like a big family and we do a lot of things together. I’m living with a lot of my teammates and we get to spend a lot of time with each other, whether it’s on the lacrosse field or at home hanging out. So, it’s just been really good and I’m really privileged to be at a place like this.”
Toomey believes that the sky is the limit for Hughes. Loyola’s head coach played for both the Baltimore Thunder and the Boston Blazers in the National Lacrosse League after finishing his college career with the Greyhounds in 1990 and understands what it takes to become a professional athlete.
Toomey, who holds a career 174-91 coaching record (.657 winning percentage) entering play April 22, also understands what it takes to become a great coach.
Hughes seems to have the same drive and desire that his coach once did to assist a team. He’s the first in the office to watch film in the morning, constantly figuring out why things go right or wrong on the field. “He’s had to see it through a different lens” because of his meniscus tear, according to Toomey.
“Some guys can feel sorry for themselves or you can bite in and try to grow as you have that year off,” Toomey said. “Coaching would not shock me [in] the least if he went for it. Can he play at the professional level? Absolutely. I think that he’s defended a lot of the guys that are playing at that level now because he’s getting the first and second matchup with every opponent that we have. With the schedule that we play I would put him against some of the better players in the country.”
Photo Credit: Larry French
Originally published April 19, 2023