Towson Returns To Where It Should Be

May 10, 2007

By Kiel McLaughlin

Special to CSTV.com

This time last year, all that Towson had to look forward to was the fall semester. After falling to the Delaware Blue Hens in the 2006 CAA Tournament semifinals, the players turned in their sticks for pencils and pens. Their playbooks became textbooks as focus reverted back to school.

While professors enjoy the scenario of having their students in class, it was the last place any player wanted to be.

During exam week, 16 programs were competing for a national championship. Towson was at home.

After the Hens topped Towson in the CAA Tournament championship Saturday, the Tigers were once again left wondering what they would be doing come the middle of May. Would they be taking the field in NCAA tournament or would they be filing through Towson University's Linthicum Hall for the last few classes of the semester, trying to figure out what went wrong?

With the entire team gathered before defensive coordinator Shawn Nadelen's television Sunday, tensions were thick. The seniors worried they may have played their last game. The sophomores were itching to get their first crack at the big stage.

And then across the screen it came: Cornell vs. Towson. Their wish had been answered.

"They know they didn't play their best game against Delaware, but now we can put it behind us," Towson head Tony Seaman said. "To be one of the final 16 teams, it means a lot. It says a lot for your ball club. There aren't too many teams from Towson that go to the NCAA tournament, and for us to be able to do it, it says a lot about us."

Their pride may have healed since receiving an at-large berth, but their injuries remain plentiful as the Tigers' midfield is beaten and battered.

Of the six players who regularly patrol the first two midfield units, three enter the weekend match-up against the undefeated Big Red with questions. Second-Team All-CAA selection Brian Vetter has battled back problems all season and after a physical Blue Hen defense exploited his ailment, his coaches question his availability for Saturday.

"Vetter is the one guy on our whole team that can really beat somebody and put the ball away. If he can't do that, then it really stifles us, like it did [against Delaware]," Seaman said.

Sophomore Justin Schneider left Johnny Unitas Stadium Saturday in an ambulance after being hit on the spine on the back of his neck on a shot by freshman Cryder DiPietro. After spending the night in the hospital, Schneider was released with a severe contusion to the back of his neck. According to Seaman, he may be cleared for practice on Thursday, but his availability for Saturday is unclear.

Finally, senior Keith Obloj's shoulders "are as bad as they have ever been, and they've been really terrible at times," according to Seaman.

Seaman plans to rotate juniors Bill McCutcheon, Clint Brakebill, Jason Donati and freshman Brock Armor in to the positions.

Nonetheless, the Tigers do not retain the stable of athletes to run with the Cornell Big Red.

"If you are going to give us a mark, we are a B-plus lacrosse team. Cornell is an A-plus lacrosse," Seaman said. "There are two A-pluses in the country in Cornell and Duke, and that's because they are so good from the goal all the way up to the front. That's why they are undefeated. We need an A-plus game out of B-plus players. We are going to need to overachieve on Saturday if we are going to be in this thing."

As evidence of Seaman's claim, Cornell placed seven starters on Ivy League's First Team All-Conference squad, including Player of the Year Matt McMonagle.

A two-time All-American goaltender, McMonagle ranks fourth in the nation in goals against average and save percentage and stands between the Tigers' struggling offense and the back of the net.

His presence further hurts Towson in what Seaman perceives as a likely worst-case scenario. Cornell has garnered a reputation for jumping out to early lead before coasting to victory, something the veteran head coach fears.

"They had Syracuse down 6-0, 7-1 at the end of the first quarter," he said. "Now Syracuse has some fire power and came back to tie it but we don't have that offensive power. We need to keep this close in the beginning."

In order to implement Seaman's plan, the Tigers' Matt Eckerl must be successful on face-off attempts. While Cornell face-off specialist Tommy Schmicker has not been dominant this season, winning 54 percent of his draws, the Big Red greatest asset on face-offs are their wings.

"After watching tape, I've learned it doesn't matter who looks to have possession of the draw," Seaman said. "Even if they get it, [Cornell's] wings knocked it to the ground and scoop it up. [Taking care of the ball] is something Eckerl does very well, so I think we'll be OK."

With Seaman's plan in place, the Tigers hope to earn themselves another week on the field, while they will also take classes, they are important. But with a game to look forward to, the hours and days will move more quickly. Saturday's match-up stands as a return for the Tigers to where they expect to be every year. It's someplace Seaman has become accustomed to and hopes to once again make standard practice.