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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA-The Virginia men’s lacrosse team didn’t have much time to savor its overtime win over Johns Hopkins last Saturday. Brian Carroll notched the game winner with 7.7 seconds remaining to extend the nation’s longest winning streak to nine games.
While the victory was nice, the season’s next phase commences Saturday as the Cavaliers begin their ACC schedule with a noon match-up against Maryland (6-2 overall/1-1 ACC) at Byrd Stadium in College Park. The game is notable since it’s the first regular season match-up ever aired on ESPN2.
“These three (ACC) games are most always our toughest and most physical games of the year, so we need to be ready,” said Virginia head coach Dom Starsia.
The Terrapins have won four of their last five outings and are coming off an impressive 13-8 win at North Carolina last week.
“They clearly are well prepared for their games. I was very impressed watching them in the game this past weekend against North Carolina,” notes Starsia.
Maryland coach Dave Cottle has taken the unusual approach of starting three freshmen on attackGrant Catalino, Travis Reed and Ryan Young. Reed leads the way with 15 goals, while Catalino (6-5, 240) is close behind with 13. Young is the team’s top assist man with 14 to go along with six goals.
“I would say it looks to be a team that Dave Cottle is probably really enjoying coaching,” said Starsia. “With three freshmen attackmen like that, that’s a pretty bold stroke for the Terps.
“(Playing) three freshmen in a key role like that, you’re likely to suffer some ups and downs, but I am sure that Maryland is pleased where they are right now in the overall scheme of things.”
Starsia counters with a plethora of youngsters as well, Shamel and Rhamel Bratton in the midfield, Adam Ghitelman in goal and Bray Malphrus and Chris Clements on the defensive end.
“Our young guys are coming along,” he said, “The Brattons certainly showed evidence of that this past weekend against (Johns) Hopkins. I think Adam (Ghitelman) continues to settle in in the goal. He’s another one that is seeing things for the first time. (Bray) Malphrus and (Chris) Clements and a bunch of (other) young guys are playing important minutes for us and I think they are getting better.”
A good start in conference play will also benefit the Cavaliers for their preparations and seeding for the ACC Tournament in late April.
“I continue to characterize us as a team whose best lacrosse is still out there,” the head coach said. “We may have played our best game to date against Hopkins, but as we get healthier and get more experienced, we’ve also got a lot of room to improve.”