BALTIMORE (Map, News) - As far as Johns Hopkins coach Dave Pietramala is concerned, all his lacrosse team accomplished on Thursday night was posting its third, one-game winning streak after taking down Towson, 16-7, at Homewood Field.

Sixth-ranked Johns Hopkins (6-5) goes for its fourth straight win on Monday night at 7 when it hosts Mount St. Mary's (2-10), in its final home game of the regular season.

The turnaround represents the latest twist in an up-and-down season for the defending NCAA champions, who started 3-0 before losing a school-worst five games in a row.

“To go over .500 and win our third game in a row it was important,” Pietramala said. “We're far from out of the woods. I'm just happy to win. It feels a lot better than losing.”

John Hopkins' late-season run should come as no surprise as the Blue Jays have historically played some of their best lacrosse in April. The team is 35-4 in April since Pietramala took over the squad in 2001.

The Blue Jays also close out their regular season by playing its last five games against fellow Maryland schools. Hopkins is 4-0 against state rivals this year with wins against Maryland, Navy, UMBC and Towson and is 35-2 against local schools since 2001. The team plays at 14th-ranked Loyola (7-4) on May 3.

As for Mount St. Mary's, it has struggled this season. The Mountaineers are 2-10 entering today’s game against Sienna. Freshman attacker Dan Mohr is the team's top offensive threat, as he has 22 goals and nine assists for a team that has been outscored 130-73 this year.

Still, Pietramala knows his team can't afford a letdown as it tries to secure a 37th straight postseason berth and possibly win a 10th NCAA title.

“We've always been in control of our destiny,” Pietramala said. “ It never got so far away from us that we couldn't control our own destiny. I still feel like there is a lot of lacrosse ahead of us, and Monday night is our biggest game of the year for us. That's a game we can't afford not to play well in and not win.”

Johns Hopkins senior midfielder Paul Rabil, who had three goals and an assist against Towson, said his team never lost its confidence and understands what it has to do to earn an at-large berth in the 16-team NCAA Tournament.

“You can't really explain it,” Rabil said. “We know what it feels like to lose and lose a lot. We're reminded of that every day in practice. We're just trying to find as much unity as we can on the offensive and defensive ends and I think we're starting to accomplish that.”

rsnyder@baltimoreexaminer.com