Despite historically high national rankings and a legacy of league success, the Georgetown men’s lacrosse program, which eked out a .500 record last season, hasn’t done much in the postseason. But the team’s struggles are not for lack of star power. This season, Head Coach Dave Urick boasts a second round Major League Lacrosse pick in senior midfielder Gerry Reilly—just after losing defenseman Barney Ehrmann to graduation and a professional contract. The coach is optimistic about this season’s prospects, though much of this is because of his two highly-touted offensive players. With Big East Preseason First Team players like junior Travis Comeau and senior Zack Angel leading the charge, Urick’s optimism might not be misplaced.
At 5-foot-8 and 155 pounds, Alberta native Travis Comeau is an unlikely leader for the Georgetown squad, but if last year’s numbers are any indication, 2012 could be another stellar year for the junior attackman. As a sophomore, Comeau managed an impressive 30 goals and five assists, making him the second-highest scorer for the Hoyas. One of Comeau’s most impressive attributes is his accuracy, which he honed during his summer spent playing box lacrosse in his native Canada. Nearly 80 percent of his shorts are on target and 47 percent earn goals.
“He’s obviously a great finisher,” Urick said. “He has that unique ability to put the ball in the back of the net.”
The left-handed Comeau talks about chasing current Assistant Coach (and son of the head coach) Scott Urick’s record as Georgetown’s all-time leading goal scorer, with 144 goals over his four years on the Hilltop. Currently at 55, Comeau would have to average 45 goals for this season and next to match him, an accomplishment made somewhat more feasible given Comeau’s new status as the team’s prime offensive target following the transfer of last year’s leading scorer Davey Emala to North Carolina.
Comeau isn’t the only surprise awaiting the vaunted Terrapins, who are ranked eighth in the nation, come Friday. Plagued by injuries last year and during the offseason, senior midfielder Zack Angel has a lot to prove coming into his final year for the Hoyas. “[Angel’s] been playing with a lot of injuries, and now that I look at him and see what he’s doing right now—he’s playing exceptionally well,” Urick said. A versatile player who’s had successes on the defensive side of the field as well, Angel has all the skills to make this a miracle season for Georgetown. Last year he recorded 15 goals and scored in seven of the last eight games for the Hoyas.
Besides continuing to put up impressive numbers for the Hoyas on both offense and defense, Angel, alongside senior team captains Reilly, CT Fisher, and Neil McGroarty, plays an important role as a leader on the team—as he put it, “trying to just push everybody to be their best each day.”
Both Comeau and Angel have high hopes for this season, in part because of the team’s chemistry. Both stars acknowledge the inevitable role that such intangibles will have to play in their success.
“We’re all just one close knit group,” Angel said. “Success I think will come from that.”
Comeau reiterated this sentiment. “The off-field camaraderie translates onto the field really well,” he said. “No one’s selfish. Everyone’s out there to make plays for each other and we all have got each other’s backs.”
Such optimism is admirable, but as any chemist will tell you, the results can be catastrophic if all elements do not combine perfectly. As he prepares for Friday’s game, Angel admitted that basic ball skills have been lacking.
“We have the intensity, we have the drive, but right now it’s about passing, catching, just getting basically the rust off the stick before the big game,” he said.
Angel and the other team leaders are hoping that they can get the team up to speed to shock the Terrapins, who will come in with one game already under their belts. An explosive win could set off a chain reaction and propel the Hoyas into the postseason, while a loss could result in a contagion of doubt and insecurity that infects the entire season.
Face-off is slated for 7 p.m. at Multi-Sport Field.
