http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/ 15 en-us Copyright 2008 Wed, 14 May 2008 09:37:37 -0400 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.36 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Virginia Insider Dave Curry was an all-American midfielder at UVa and member of the U.S. world team in 1998. He also was an assistant coach at UVa when it won the national title in 2003. He gives us a look at the Maryland-Virginia quarterfinal on Saturday in Annapolis. Since it is the playoffs, he has a special treat: He gives us a few of Virginia Coach Dom Starsia's favorite sayings. I feel like Virginia has yet to be defined this year. Maryland is defined. It has found itself. Maryland plays very, very hard. It tends to be a little conversative on offense, but the skill players make plays. I think a high-scoring game against Virginia, Maryland won't be very excited about that. I don't think Virginia cares what kind of game it plays. It can play games that finish 7-6 and it can play games that are 15-14. And part http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/insider_info_on_marylandvirgin.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/insider_info_on_marylandvirgin.html Wed, 14 May 2008 09:37:37 -0400 Navy SID Scott Strasemeier sent an e-mail yesterday that caught my eye: The record attendance at an NCAA quarterfinal is 12,289, set at Hofstra in 1999. I was at those games and remember well the circumstances: Johns Hopkins played the home team, Hofstra, in beautiful weather. (The second game was Georgetown's victory over Duke that landed it in the Final Four for the first, and thus far only, time.) A similar set of circumstances is available at Navy on Saturday: Hopkins plays Navy at 3 p.m. Early weather forecasts are very promising. The first game isn't bad, either: Maryland-Virginia play at noon. So a record crowd may be in the offing. If you're going on Saturday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, follow the link for important information. Like Brad Hamilton says at the end of "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," "Learn It. Live it. Know it." Seriously, the thrust of http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/if_youre_going_to_the_quarterf.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/if_youre_going_to_the_quarterf.html Memorial Day Weekend Tue, 13 May 2008 08:29:51 -0400 I have more information on the Final Four fundraiser/watch party at Rhino Bar in Georgetown. The event will run from noon to 5 p.m. on Semifinal Saturday (May 24). It is being co-hosted by Syracuse super-fan Jon Halperin and the Tewaaraton Award Foundation. The cover charge is $10; 80% of it will go to breast cancer research, 20% to the scholarship program funded by the Tewaaraton Foundation. With the cover charge comes several food and drink specials (including 25 cent wings). And the games will be shown on 110-inch projection HD TVs. The Tewaaraton Foundation also is donating two tickets to its awards dinner (face value $250 each) to be raffled off at the Rhino Bar event. Any questions, Jon can be contacted at laxfinalfour@gmail.com. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/final_four_watch_party_in_geor.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/final_four_watch_party_in_geor.html Memorial Day Weekend Tue, 13 May 2008 08:07:12 -0400 Varsity Grille in College Park, just down the street from Maryland's campus, will be showing the games this weekend. If you arrive and don't see them on TV, just ask. That means our list thus far includes the following places. If we're missing any lacrosse-friendly establisments, please let me know in the comments below. As always, please call ahead of time to make sure they're showing the games on ESPNU: Virginia Bailey's Pub (Ballston Mall) Summers Restaurant (Courthouse) Mister Day's (Courthouse) Bungalow (Shirlington) Crystal City Sports Pub (Crystal City) The District Buffalo Billiards (Dupont Circle) Town Hall (Glover Park) Greene Turtle (Verizon Center) Maryland Varsity Grille (College Park) Greene Turtle (several locations, see above) Caddies (Bethesda) And a reminder on the games: Saturday--Maryland vs Virginia, noon; Navy vs Johns Hopkins, 3 p.m. Sunday--Ohio State vs Duke, noon; Notre Dame vs Syracuse, 3 p.m. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/update_on_where_to_watch_quart.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/update_on_where_to_watch_quart.html Memorial Day Weekend Tue, 13 May 2008 07:46:59 -0400 Patrick Stevens of the Washington Times attended Virginia's 10-9 victory over UMBC and wrote this. His story from Maryland's 10-7 win over Denver is here. Ed Lee of the Baltimore Sun and I had similarly scheduled weekends. His story from the Hopkins-Hofstra game is here. And his Maryland-Denver story is here. My game story from Denver-Maryland is here; Hopkins-Hofstra is here. And Bill Wagner of the Annapolis Capital attended Navy's 8-7 win over UNC and filed this story. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/game_stories.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/game_stories.html Mon, 12 May 2008 17:31:00 -0400 Former DeMatha coach Dick Long was a member of the Navy team that won the national title in 1967. He recently was inducted into the Potomac Chapter of U.S. Lacrosse's Hall of Fame and sent dozens of players to play in college, including two Division I all-American midfielders last year (Navy's Billy Looney and Johns Hopkins's Paul Rabil). Navy played one of its best games of the year. Coach Richie Meade and his staff had an excellent game plan and are to be congratulated. Navy was ready and it showed. The Midshipmen were aggressive, intense and their defense continues to be one of the best in the country. Junior G Tommy Phelan makes the big stops and Navy's close-in defense, longpole as well as two short stick middies are athletic and just exceptional. North Carolina was taken out of its game flow and not until the end of each half http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/navy_insider_checks_in.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/navy_insider_checks_in.html Navy Mon, 12 May 2008 12:59:37 -0400 Navy Insider Dick Long has filed a postgame scouting report from Navy's 8-7 victory over UNC on Saturday night. I will have it up by 1 p.m. or so. For now, here are some initial thoughts from the NCAA first-round games. *North Carolina and its roster of 20 high school all-Americans is out. Georgetown and its roster of 24 high school all-Americans didn't make the tournament. Notre Dame (15 high school all-Americans) and Navy (16) play on... *The Johns Hopkins offense takes what the defense gives it. Yesterday, Hofstra gave it a short-stick defender on senior MF Paul Rabil and a zone defense when sophomore A Steven Boyle had the ball behind the goal. Results? Four goals for Rabil, three assists for Boyle. Last week, Loyola didn't slide to Michael Kimmel and Brian Christopher when they were driving with their off-hands. Those two combined for five goals. *Also, Johns Hopkins http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/initial_thoughts_on_the_first.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/initial_thoughts_on_the_first.html Memorial Day Weekend Mon, 12 May 2008 11:48:03 -0400 Catholic defeated Rowan, 17-15, yesterday in the Division III women's tournament. The Cardinals (16-4) face No. 1 Salisbury (21-0) in the region final today at 1 p.m. Sophomore Kate Robinson (Catoctin) scored five goals and senior Marcy Cuneo added four goals for the Cardinals. Cuneo has nine goals in the tournament thus far. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/catholic_womens_update.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/catholic_womens_update.html Women's Lacrosse Sun, 11 May 2008 11:55:57 -0400 Navy's 8-7 victory over North Carolina means that it will be playing a quarterfinal at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Navy (10-5) will play the winner of today's game between Johns Hopkins and Hofstra. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 youths. Parking is $5. The other game in the doubleheader will be Maryland against the winner of UMBC-Virginia. The games are noon and 3 p.m. Also, it appears that the teams' practices on Friday are open to the public. They start at noon and run roughly one hour. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/a_word_about_the_quarterfinals.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/a_word_about_the_quarterfinals.html Sun, 11 May 2008 11:48:22 -0400 Navy at North Carolina When: 7:30 p.m., Fetzer Field. TV: ESPNU Radio: WNAV-AM 1430, WFED-AM 1050. Records: Midshipmen 9-5, Tar Heels 8-5 What to Watch if You're a Casual Fan North Carolina has an extremely balanced offense: Several players are in double-figures in scoring. The leader in assists, freshman A Billy Bitter (#4, 15 assists), plays primarily on extra-man offense. Yet Navy has a very balanced defense. Its shortstick defenders, in particular junior Geoff Leone (#34), are excellent. So see if North Carolina focuses its offense on the two players who will be defended by shortsticks. Also see where Navy uses senior D Jordan DiNola (#3). I have a hunch he will bump up to defend junior MF Ben Hunt (#18, 20 goals). Though he may also guard junior Bart Wagner (#1, 16 goals, 15 assists). Wagner is UNC's best outside shooter. What to Watch: Young Player Neither offense has http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/if_youre_watching_navynorth_ca.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/if_youre_watching_navynorth_ca.html Navy Sat, 10 May 2008 06:48:32 -0400 Denver at No. 7 Maryland Where: Noon, Byrd Stadium. TV: ESPNU Radio: WJFK AM-1300 Tickets: $10 adult, $5 student. Parking: Free What to Watch if You're a Casual Fan: The time change and early start I think will be big problems for Denver. It will have its pregame meal at what seems to be 6 a.m. And the game will start at 10 a.m. Mountain time. Remember, Maryland isn't the team against which to start slow: The Terrapins are 9-0 when they lead after the first quarter, 0-5 when they trail after the first quarter. Watch how much energy the Pioneers have, especially early. When they played the Terrapins in the first round in 2006, they trailed 6-0 at the end of the first quarter in a 16-8 loss. What to Watch: Young Player Denver likes to double-team the ball with its goalie. It's an unusual tactic: Towson used it http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/if_youre_watching_denvermaryla.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/if_youre_watching_denvermaryla.html Fri, 09 May 2008 23:06:24 -0400 The Catholic women's team defeated host Christopher Newport, 18-7, on Wednesday in an NCAA Division III first-round game. Senior Marcy Cuneo scored five goals and sophomore Kate Robinson added three goals and two assists. The Cardinals (16-4) will play Rowan on Saturday at 2:30 at Salisbury University. Robinson has 83 goals this year.... In Division I first-round games on Sunday, Virginia (14-3) will host North Carolina (12-6) at 1 p.m. Maryland (17-2) will host Temple (13-6), also at 1 p.m. And Georgetown (12-6) will host Duke (11-7) at 2 p.m. Earlier this week, Maryland's Dana Dobbie and Kelly Kasper each was named as a finalist for the Tewaaraton Trophy. Of the other finalists, two play for Northwestern and one plays for Syracuse. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/the_catholic_womens_team_plays.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/the_catholic_womens_team_plays.html Women's Lacrosse Fri, 09 May 2008 11:43:15 -0400 The first-round games are being broadcast live on ESPNU at noon, 2:30, 5 and 7:30 Saturday and Sunday. If anyone has suggestions on lacrosse-friendly places that aren't listed below to watch games, please email me at swezeyc@washpost.com. Also, please call these places ahead of time to make sure they're showing the games. Tell them ESPNU is channel 609 on DirecTV. UPDATE: Bailey's Pub in Ballston Mall and Bungalow in Shirlington appear to be good watch spots, too (see comments). And please don't forget the Final Four watch party at Rhino Bar in Gtown on Memorial Day weekend. A $10 cover charge will be donated to breast cancer research and entitles patrons to numerous food and drink specials. More details to follow. In Virginia, Summers Restaurant (near Courthouse) has ESPNU and has shown lacrosse games for years. I first went there to watch Army-Navy on then-CSTV in 2004 and have been http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/where_to_watch_the_games.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/where_to_watch_the_games.html Memorial Day Weekend Fri, 09 May 2008 07:35:08 -0400 For the most part, the Navy lacrossse team did not gather to watch the NCAA tournament selection show on Sunday night because it was in the middle of exams. Junior midfielder Shane Durkin said he was in the library studying for a thermodynamics exam but was getting phone calls from his father during the selection show on ESPNU. "My dad was giving me the play-by-play," Durkin said. "We definitely needed a couple things to play out over the weekend....Colgate helped big-time by beating Syracuse. That gave us a third top 10 win." Junior Matt Bitter, a reserve attackman, emerged from exams on Saturday night to find that Georgetown, Army and Princeton had lost and Colgate had upset then-No. 1 Syracuse. "I couldn't believe it when I found out Army had lost and Georgetown had lost," Bitter said. "And you have to give Colgate a lot of credit. After watching them http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/when_navy_heard_the_news.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/when_navy_heard_the_news.html Navy Thu, 08 May 2008 14:29:21 -0400 Picked up a tidbit while in College Park earlier today working on a story on Will Dalton for Saturday's paper. Maryland Coach Dave Cottle noted that after Johns Hopkins's 37 consecutive appearances in the NCAA tournament, the next-highest team has six. (Maryland.) Cornell and Navy are next; each has five straight appearances. The fallout from the end of Georgetown's 11-year NCAA streak--in a year in which Georgetown defeated No. 1 Duke and Navy, which received an at-large bid to the tournament--has included calls for conference tournaments not to count toward teams' regular season data or to be eliminated entirely. The argument against every conference having a tournament comes from an example like the Patriot League. That seven-team league has a four-team tournament. So what happens to the three teams that don't make the tournament? That's a weekend where they can't schedule games. But if they don't finish in the top http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/consecutive_appearances_questi.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/lacrosse/2008/05/consecutive_appearances_questi.html Memorial Day Weekend Wed, 07 May 2008 17:45:30 -0400