As underdogs, it’s always easier to get motivated, pumped and sometimes even come out on top. But last Saturday, the Georgetown men’s lacrosse team wouldn’t allow Loyola College, a team they’ve beaten consistently over the past four years to get ahead.
“Loyola was hungry but that didn’t stop our game plan,” senior midfielder Andrew Corno said.
Although Loyola only trailed by one goal throughout most of the game, major contributions by key Georgetown players propelled the Hoyas to a 7-4 win. This is Georgetown’s second win at home, pushing the team into first place in the ECAC. The win also launched the team to No. 3 in the country, the highest ranking ever for the program.
Quick midfield transitions and back-and-forth battles between the two teams added to the game’s fast-paced feel. Loyola’s screaming coaches and substitute players just barely restraining themselves from storming the field after each goal didn’t affect the Hoya’s momentum. Georgetown never trailed the Greyhounds, sealing a three-goal lead in the fourth quarter to end the game.
The Cannon brothers were the leading scorers of the day with two goals each. Junior midfielder Peter Cannon looks after his brother Brendan, a first-year attackman.
“It’s great to be able to play with my brother for a couple more years,” Peter said. “There are a ton of examples in the lacrosse world of brothers playing together, and I am sure they will all tell you that it adds to the overall experience.”
Brendan Cannon scored his first goal during the first quarter, which left the Hoyas tied 1-1 at the end of the half. Georgetown pulled ahead at the start of the second half when Pete Cannon scored off an assist from senior midfielder Nick Miaritis. Brendan followed his brother’s lead and scored his second goal of the game soon after. Going into the fourth quarter, the Hoyas were up by two after an additional goal from junior attackman Trevor Casey.
“There is a lot of pressure on young freshmen playing,” Peter said of his brother. “The game is so much faster at this level. Brendan and the rest of our freshmen have adjusted well to these changes. Georgetown coaches try not to add to that pressure by letting players know, especially the new guys, ‘that it’s OK to make mistakes.’ This definitely helps young players develop into guys that can contribute on game day.”
Georgetown senior Corno and senior defenseman Brodie Merrill each played excellent games as well.
“I have been working a lot harder in practice on reacting to the whistle versus trying to anticipate the whistle,” Corno said of his new face-off technique. It seemed to pay off. Winning 11 of the 15 face-offs, Corno had his best game of the season.
Merrill had the game high in groundballs with six, as well as one assist and one goal, which he scored at the start of the final quarter. Although Loyola came back to narrow the gap to one goal, Georgetown’s Peter Cannon and senior Brice Queener each added another to end the game with a three goal lead.
Although the Hoyas are currently on a four-game winning streak, there’s always room for improvement.
“I think we need to shoot the ball better,” Corno said. “We are getting really good looks but we aren’t hitting our shots.”
As the season winds down, the Hoyas need to concentrate on the crucial days ahead.
“We just have to take one game at a time,” Corno said. “The next one we want to win is UMass.”
The Hoyas will play UMass in Amherst, MA this Saturday, April 23 at 1:00 p.m.
