CHANGE MY LOCATION
Sports
Examiners
California News
Multimedia News
Jays look to deliver Orange crush
SEE THE LATEST ON THIS STORY
Related Topics: BALTIMORE
)
George Castle and Johns Hopkins had plenty to celebrate after upsetting Duke, 10-9, in the semifinals on Saturday. But will the Blue Jays revel after playing Syracuse in the championship game this afternoon at 1? — AP
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - The venue may be new to the sport, but this afternoon’s NCAA men’s lacrosse national final is decidedly old school.
When the final buzzer sounds, fifth-seeded Johns Hopkins or third-seeded Syracuse will add a national-record 10th crown to their already full trophy cases. The lacrosse powers, which will play at 1 p.m. at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., have each won nine titles, but Syracuse’s 1990 championship was vacated because of NCAA violations.
Johns Hopkins (11-5) is out to win its second straight NCAA title and third in four years following the Blue Jays’ stunning 10-9 victory against top-seeded Duke (18-1) in the semifinals on Saturday. The Blue Jays also are out to avenge a 14-13 overtime loss to Syracuse on March 15.
“Syracuse is a great team with a dynamic offense and we know we’ll be in for a tough game,” said senior attacker Kevin Huntley, who scored four goals against Duke to give him 32 for the season. “We’re two great lacrosse programs and I can’t wait to get out there and play in front of that crowd.”
But clutch performances on the national stage is nothing new for Huntley, who had three goals — highlighted by the eventual game-winner — in last year’s championship game against Duke.
“I’m not trying to sound overconfident, but I know what to expect having been here twice before,” Huntley, a former standout at Calvert Hall, said. “Those experiences have taught me how to prepare and how to deal with all of the distractions involved in playing in such a big game.”
As for Syracuse, it is back in the championship game a year after going 5-8 and missing the postseason for the first time since 1982 and posting its first losing season since 1975. Syracuse last won the title in 2004 when it defeated Navy, 14-13. The Orange (15-2) advanced to this afternoon’s game on ESPN with a 12-11 double-overtime against Virginia (14-4) on Saturday. Senior attack Mike Leveille led the Orange with a game-high seven points on five goals and two assists, and freshman goalie John Galloway had nine saves.
Leveille, who has 48 goals and 32 assists, said his team used last season as motivation to prove it still is one of the premier programs in the country.
“Right from the start of last summer we kept that in the back of our minds,” Leveille told reporters. “This is the point we wanted to be at. It took a lot of hard work, focus, and having the right attitude. This year our team really came together as a unit and with everybody with the same mindset — that’s led to our success.”
Johns Hopkins and Syracuse have played each other in the title game four times, with each team winning twice. The Orange earned one-goal victories in 1983 and 1989, with Johns Hopkins prevailing 13-10 in 1984 and 11-4 in 1985.
“We have great respect for Syracuse and their tradition,” Hopkins coach Dave Pietramala said. “It’s no surprise to us that they were able to win [against Virginia].”
rsnyder@baltimoreexaminer.com
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Comments from Examiner Readers
5:25 AM MST on Mon., May. 26, 2008 re: "Jays look to deliver Orange crush"
Report as inappropriate
1:10 AM MST on Tue., May. 13, 2008
re: "Terrapins looking to stuff Owls"
Report as inappropriate
5:20 PM MST on Sat., May. 10, 2008
re: "Loyola Greyhounds look to bedevil Duke"
Report as inappropriate
2:09 PM MST on Tue., Jan. 29, 2008
re: "Schwartzman answers his critics"
Report as inappropriate
9:41 AM MST on Tue., Jul. 24, 2007
re: "Timchal up for the challenge"
Report as inappropriate
9:41 AM MST on Tue., May. 29, 2007
re: "Charmed with lacrosse"
Report as inappropriate
7:49 PM MST on Tue., May. 22, 2007
re: "So what’s it gonna take?"
Report as inappropriate
7:16 PM MST on Wed., May. 16, 2007
re: "So what’s it gonna take?"
Report as inappropriate
7:50 AM MST on Sat., Apr. 21, 2007
re: "Terps battle inconsistency"
Report as inappropriate
Examiner Reader said:
You'd think that the Examiner and the Baltimore Sun could at least do an article on the most successful Division 111 lacrosse program in the nation after Salisbury won their 8th National Championship! Jim Berkman is only the coach with the most wins in NCAA history at any divisional level.
12 agree | 11 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Berkley Summerlin (leader of the Temple team that the Terps were to stuff) is a native of Baltimore. Perhaps an article about her would be interesting! Maybe better than articles about a 25 yr old Canadian playing lax at Md.
9 agree | 8 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
What's the update???
12 agree | 10 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
jesse you rock
104 agree | 68 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Good Luck to Cindy. Her players are lucky to have her. She is a classic. She was sorely missed this year by a lot of Maryland people. I only wish her the best.
166 agree | 174 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Next time do some research and get the atttendance numbers right! Monday's NCAA Men's Division I thriller between Johns Hopkins and Duke set a new attendance record for the championship game, with 48,443 fans enjoying the action at M&T Bank Stadium. That breaks the mark of 47,062 set last year at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. This year is the fourth year in row in which single-session attendance for the title game exceeded 40,000. The 2007 men's championships -- the Division I semifinals and finals plus the Division II and Division III finals -- also set a record, with 123,225 in attendance. That tops the 120,614 who watched the tournament in Philadelphia in 2006.
464 agree | 181 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Zimmerman is a class act. Best of luck to him and UMBC Lacrosse! Signed: An Air Force Academy Lacrosse Fan.
264 agree | 215 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Stephen Meister said:
Last year the Baltimore group derided the NCAA selection committees "Ivy League" selections. This year, the Baltimore crowd showed they didn't belong in the mix. Cornell had to stall the last 3 minutes at Brown, escaping with a victory and feeling badly beaten up. When Cornell met Towson the competition from the Baltimore boys was a joke. Albany took a beating from Binghamton, then Albany showed Loyolla to be a laughing stock. UMBC had to take Brown into overtime, but they hammered Maryland in the playoffs. Parity is here, baby, and the MLL is spreading the word. Baltimore better be wary, they may go the way of Tower Records as the rest of the country discovers this fabulous game.
309 agree | 255 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Josh Portis is a student of the game. Ralph has him throwing to 2 team most of the time. Steffy has 1st team which help his percentages. I say give Portis more reps with 1st team and watch his percentage sky rocket. He is a great passer as well as a serious threat with his feet. (playmaker)
275 agree | 273 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree