BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Gilman coach Brooks Matthews was confident his boys lacrosse team would be good this spring, but he never envisioned the Greyhounds being this dominant.

The Greyhounds (7-0) already have matched last year’s win total by rallying for an 11-8 victory over Pennsylvania power Haverford, which defeated defending Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference champion Loyola last month.

But how good is top-ranked Gilman? The Greyhounds will get a good indication this afternoon at 4 when they open league play at Mount St. Joseph (5-2), which is coming off a 12-7 victory over Corona Del Mar (Calif.) this past Saturday.

“I feel like the schedule we have played in the early part of this season has really prepared this team to compete in the MIAA, a league where there are no easy games,” Matthews, whose team finished 7-9 last season, said. “This is the deepest conference in the country and there is no benefit to playing teams just to pad you record because it’s the league games that matter the most. Our veteran leaders have done a terrific job keeping this team focused on the field.”

Especially Marcus Holman. The junior midfielder who already has verbally committed to North Carolina has 18 goals and 13 assists to lead a potent offense that also features junior Davey Emala (13 goals, seven assists) and Jack Doyle (15 goals, five assists, who are bound for Georgetown and Harvard for the 2010 season.

Regardless of what happens this afternoon at Mount St. Joseph’s, Holman said his team’s biggest challenge this season will be proving they can win in the MIAA’s A Conference, which is regarded by many as one of the nation’s most competitive leagues.

Of the league’s 11 teams, six are ranked in The Examiner’s poll: No. 2 Calvert Hall (7-0), No. 3 St. Mary’s (8-0), No. 4 Boys’ Latin (8-1), No. 5 Loyola (3-2) and No. 6 McDonogh (7-1).

“We can’t afford to ever come out flat against anyone,” Matthews said. “Even the worst teams in our league have guys going to play lacrosse in college.”

It will be imperative the Greyhounds receive stellar play from their senior-laden defense if they are to contend for the first conference crown since 2000. Defenseman Joey Ehrmann, who will play football at Wake Forest this fall, leads a unit backed by senior goalie Matt Holman — Marcus’ brother — who has a .550 save percentage.

“We motivated to show we belong with the elite teams in the league,” Ehrmann said. We have the chance to have a special year and we don’t want to waste this opportunity.”

rsnyder@baltimoreexaminer.com