Andrew Vitelli, The Examiner
2008-05-10 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

College Park -

When the Terrapins play Denver at Byrd Stadium today at noon, the defense will have to be ready for an offense unlike any it’s faced this year.

“It’s really unorthodox and it’s kind of hard to prepare for,” senior defender Joe Cinosky, who leads the team with 27 caused turnovers, said. “It almost seems like it’s a big cluster out there, then all of a sudden you’ll see one guy run out and he’ll score a goal. So you have to be prepared for all of their guys to score.”

The Pioneers’ unconventional offense has been effective this season, as Denver averages 11.2 goals per game, ninth-best nationally. Freshman midfielder Jamie Lincoln is third in Division I with 47 goals.

Defense has been a strength for Maryland, as its 7.6 goals allowed per game is the fifth-lowest of the tournament’s 16 teams. But Denver’s defensive schemes also are vastly different than what Maryland has faced all season.

“They just chase you around and really have no organization,” said freshman attacker Grant Catalino, who leads the team with 25 goals and 36 points. “Their goalie is very athletic and can come out of the cage, which you don’t see very often.”

In practice during the week, the Terrapins’ scout team has imitated Denver’s offense and defense, and Cottle believes his team should be well-prepared in the teams’ first meeting since Maryland’s 16-8 victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 2006.

“I think we know what we have to do,” Cottle said. “The question will be whether we’ll be able to do it under pressure. It’s like playing an NFL defense that blitzes every time. You’re either going to get a lot of big plays or a lot of breakups.”

The Pioneers received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament after losing to Ohio State in the first round of the Great Western Lacrosse League Tournament. Redshirt junior Jeff Reynolds, who leads Terrapin midfielders with 18 goals, believes that home-field advantage may play a big role, especially considering Denver will have to adjust to a much lower altitude and a two-hour time difference in College Park. Maryland, however, was upset by UMBC at Byrd Stadium in the first round of last year’s tournament.

“Last year, when we came out onto the field, we had just found out that Virginia had lost to Delaware. We were kind of already looking past UMBC, saying basically that we had a free trip to the Final Four,” Cinosky said. “This weekend, we’re going to take care of business with Denver.”

NEXT UP

No. 6 TERRAPINS (9-5) vs. DENVER PIONEERS (10-6)

Faceoff: Noon

Where:  Byrd Stadium

Radio: 1300 AM

TV: ESPN U

Tickets: Available

avitelli@baltimoreexaminer.com