NCAA Championship Lax Eve Day has arrived. We are only 24 hours from the start of the Division 1 Championship weekend. So what better way to start then to have practice.
The #1 overall Fighting Irish of Notre Dame were first to take the field. The Irish finished the regular season at 12-2 (loses to Duke and Denver). The Irish defeated Towson 12-10 and Albany 14-10 to make it to the Final Four in consecutive years.
Coach Kevin Corrigan during his practice time had his guys tightening up on the defense and making sure the passes on offense were sharp and crisp, and setting up formations, as he knows if they play anything like they did in the first two rounds they can wind up with an early exit this weekend. Notre Dame fell to Denver 11-10 in overtime back on March 7 in the Mile high city. Will the “Luck of the Irish” shine in Philly?
#4 Denver Pioneers (15-2) have been here before and just can’t get to the “Big Dance”. Denver defeated Brown 15-9 and beat a tough Ohio Sate team 15-13. Denver has been a part of the “Final Four” in 2011, 2013, 2014 but the music stopped before they can make it to the Championship Game.
Coach Tierney had his guys separated on the field. Offense at one end, defense at the other. A fair amount of time was also spent on face-offs as this will be a big part of their game tomorrow against Notre Dame. Denver seemed very relaxed, they know what is at stake. Denver defeated Notre Dame 11-10 in overtime during the regular season, they will need another to stay in Philadelphia til Monday.
John Hopkins (11-6) come in unranked this year. Hopkins took apart Virginia 19-7 in round one and pulled off a major upset 16-15 over the #2 ranked Syracuse Orangemen.
Practice seemed to be the same for Hopkins as it was for the Irish and the Pioneers, working on a game plan, making sure passes are accurate and sharp, and the defense plays tough.
Hopkins defeated Maryland 15-12 in the regular season. Coach Pietramala knows that there is some unfinished business. The Blue Jays last hoisted the hardware in 2007, then fell in the title game in 2008. Pietramala knows what it takes to win the championship. It doesn’t matter how you get there, just get there. And now that he is, it could be title # 3.
#6 Maryland Terrapins (14-3) defeated Yale 8-7 in round one and doubled up North Carolina 14-7 in round two.
Coach Tillman ran a different style of practice. Goalies were in on section facing shots, the offense was setting up their plays against their scout team, and the defense was doing the same at the other end. But with about twenty minutes left in the session, Coach Tillman ran the full field scrimmage style as he wanted to see his guys execute the plays.
Maryland last won the title in 1975, and was runners-up in 2011 & 2012.
This is sure to be one great weekend of lacrosse.
#4 Denver vs #1 Notre Dame 1pm
John Hopkins vs #4 Maryland 3:30 (approx)
