D1:
Duke (0-1) vs. Jacksonville Noon – In their second game of the weekend, the Duke Blue Devils face the Jacksonville Dolphins for the fourth time since the Dolphins joined Division 1. Duke owns a commanding 3-0 record over Jacksonville, winning by an average of 7.33 goals. Jacksonville has scored an average of 6.66 goals in the three games. JU has gone 3-3 in the MAAC over the past three years. Since John Danowski took the reins for the Blue Devils in 2007, they have been in the NCAA tournament every year, the NCAA championship game twice, winning in 2010. Danowski has also led the team to 4 ACC Championships in the last 6 years. Alas, the Blue Devils ended 2012 with a loss to Maryland in the NCAA Semis. Jacksonville is looking to get their first ever win over Duke, while the Blue Devils try to redeem themselves after their 14-12 loss to Denver, this Sunday at Noon in Koskinen Stadium.
UMass vs. Army Noon – Will Manny (2012: 44g, 33A) and the Minutemen have a big target on their backs after last year’s regular season undefeated run, only to be stopped by Peter Baum and his Colgate teammates in the first round of the NCAA’s. Army ended 2012 with a losing record of 7-8. Garrett Thul (2012: 40G, 4A) and his Black Knights are looking to regain some ground heading into 2013. The Black Knights were defeated the past two years by UMass, 8-5 in 2011 and 12-9 just last season, where Manny put up 9 points alone (7G, 2A) to defeat Army. Particularly, the games were season openers and nothing is different from this year. UMass Coach Greg Cannella will try to get another tally in the win column against the boys out of West Point, but standing in his way is Army’s Joe Alberici.
Bryant vs. Colgate 1pm– Peter Baum and the Colgate Raiders will open their season traveling to Bryant to challenge the Bulldogs in the two teams’ season openers. The number one overall pick in the 2013 MLL Collegiate Draft and 2012 Tewaaraton trophy winner will give the Bryant defense nightmares if he’s not shut down. Bulldog Mason Poli (number 27 overall pick in 2013 MLL Draft), the leading point scorer for poles (25) and Tewaaraton trophy semi-finalist, will be a monster in transition, making transitional decisions crucial for the Raiders. In last season’s meeting, Colgate took home a 10-8 victory over Bryant. Baum tallied 4 goals and 1 assist for the Raiders, where Colin Dunster, the leading point scorer for Bryant last season, recorded 4 goals and 1 assist as well. This game will probably come down to the wire like last years and give fans a great show. Game time is 1pm in Bulldog Stadium.
Lehigh vs. St. Joseph’s 1pm – It’s the “Battle of the Pennsylvania Hawks” this weekend up at Lehigh University. From the first time these two teams battled in 2004 (St. Joseph’s won 8-5), their first meeting of the 2000’s, Lehigh has gained an enormous lead over St. Joseph’s, 7-2. For the past 5 years (since 2008), six if you include 2013, the Mountainhawks of Lehigh and the Hawks of St. Joseph’s have opened their seasons against each other, again with Lehigh governing the contests, 4-1. The Patriot League Champion Mountainhawks are led by Head Coach Kevin Cassese, who took a struggling program and turned them around to be one of the most competitive programs in Divison 1 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse. St. Joseph’s competes in the Colonial Athletic Association, who saw UMass take home the championship in 2012. The “Battle of the Pennsylvania Hawks” is scheduled for 1pm on Banko Field in Bethlehem, PA.
High Point (1-1) vs. Air Force (0-1) 1pm – After a close loss to Delaware, the High Point Panthers (1-1) bounced back against Towson and picked up the programs first ever victory 9-7 over the Tigers. Air Force had a rocky start to their season, dropping their first contest to North Carolina 16-8. Dan Lomas leads the Panthers in their second ever home game with 9 goals, four coming against Towson. The Falcons have Tommy Mckee (3G), Mike Crampton (2G) and Erik Smith (2G) as their top three scorers so far, but will need senior goaltender Austin Fox to bring his A game. High Point will try to keep on the winning track, while the Falcons look to get their first win of 2013 on the road. B
D3:
Albion vs. Carthage (1-0) 1pm – The Red Men of Carthage made a statement yesterday when they took down Calvin College 29-2. On the schedule next for Carthage is Albion College. Last season, the Britons lost to the Red Men 12-6. They will need returning goaltender Kyle Formanczyk (2012: 136 saves, .542%) to stand on his head and keep Carthage from running away with the game like they did against Calvin.
Hendrix vs. Southwestern (1-0) 12pm – The Southwestern Pirates have started 2013 off on the winning side of the ball, beating Rhodes on Friday, 12-6. Hendrix may have the advantage, with the Pirates playing a game already and them being able to scout. However, Southwestern could be ahead of the game, able to see where they need work and fix it before their game against the Warriors. Coach Jeremy Lichtig and his Warriors dropped last season’s game by a final of 6-3. Will the Warriors of Hendrix taste victory or do the Pirates sail in and steal the win?
Salisbury vs. Greensboro 1pm – Undefeated in 2012, Salisbury will open their 2013 campaign against Greensboro. Both of these teams have met in their season openers for the past three years, making 2013 the fourth, and each time the Gulls have come away with the win handsomely. Salisbury has averaged 21 goals in the three games, whereas the Pride has only averaged 4.7. The Pride will need to look out for midfielder Ryan Clarke who should be the guy to step up for the Gulls. Greensboro stands in the way of the Gulls continuing their 30 game win streak, which includes their last seven wins from 2011. We’ll see who on Salisbury will fill the shoes of Sam Bradman (2012: 71G, 28A), Matt Cannone (2012: 63G, 67A), and Erik Krum (2012: 67G, 23A).
