After three consecutive wins by one-goal margins, the Georgetown men’s lacrosse team couldn’t hold on to its streak to beat Loyola-Maryland last night. Despite a strong start, the Hoyas fell 11-5 to the No. 5 Greyhounds in Baltimore. The Hoyas led early in the first half, but were only able to score once in the second half.
Still, they’ve exceeded expectations, notching a win against a ranked opponent in Harvard and having four players named to the Big East Weekly Honor Roll already this season. However, with three of their four wins resulting in one-goal margins, the Hoyas don’t seem like they have hit their stride quite yet.
“We’re moving in the right direction,” Head Coach Dave Urick said. “We haven’t peaked yet, for sure, and we have an awful lot of really good opponents coming up, so we’ll certainly have a better idea of where we are after next Saturday.”
Next Saturday faces the Hoyas with their toughest test yet, when they face a No. 10 Duke team that has hit its stride in the past two weeks. Besides having a historically strong program, Duke posted a more decisive win over Harvard, and has beaten another ranked opponent in North Carolina.
Zack Angel, Brian Casey, Travis Comeau, and Patrick Murray have all been recognized thus far this season, and not undeservedly. Angel, a senior midfielder, has played a big role on this year’s team, and having to step up to a leadership role is not something that he is used to.
“The time flew by,” a nostalgic Angel said. “So my role has changed where people are looking to me to teach them the ways and show them how it should be done.”
Urick, for one, is very happy to have Angel at full strength after last season, when his health was not at full capacity and proved a real hindrance for the team. “I didn’t realize how handicapped he was last year from injuries, because it really affected how well he could maneuver,” Urick said.
But Angel won’t take all the credit for the teams’ success, as he insists that leadership can be found across the team. He jokes that he has a “little competition” with junior midfielder Casey in being named to the Big East Honor Roll.
Urick has also been impressed with Casey, especially his consistency. “Brian is just very deceptive,” Urick said. “He’s one of those guys that when you look at him, he doesn’t strike fear into you, but when he has a mind to, he’s very effective. He can initiate the offense from behind the cage, he can initiate from up top, and he plays good, solid defense as well.”
Casey has certainly lived up to this praise and proven a crucial lynchpin for this team, scoring the game-winners against Providence and Mount St. Mary’s last week.
With strong midfielders like Casey and Angel, it is easy to see how a team like Georgetown’s has been able to secure these last-minute wins. “We’re playing well,” Angel said. “Our offense has been meshing. We’re a tight unit this year, and it’s been a completely different offensive style [than the past].”
Angel’s coach agrees, saying that they’re doing all they can ask for at this point in the season. “For the team, it’s a work in progress,” said Urick. “We’re reasonably healthy, and that’s all you can ask for at this time of the season.”
After last night, the team definitely has some adjustments to make before facing Duke on Saturday. Consistency will be the name of the game, and Angel and Casey will certainly have to step up. In addition, they will need continued output from junior attack Jason McFadden, who moved from his natural midfield position over the summer. He has nine goals thus far this season.
Until now, the Hoyas have ably maneuvered through the first half of their schedule. The bulk of the Big East schedule still remains, but the upcoming battle against the Blue Devils will determine if the season will be one for the memories. Face-off is set for noon on Saturday at Multi-Sport Field.
