ICYMI: Navy Midshipmen hosted Loyola Greyhound Lacrosse on Saturday
There is no argument that Maryland is America’s lacrosse state. Out of all of the colleges in Maryland, the most significant lacrosse programs come from Johns Hopkins Blue Jays, Loyola Greyhounds, Maryland Terrapins, Navy Midshipmen, Salisbury Seagulls, and Towson Tigers. When any of the two meet, the spectators are in for a treat. Saturday March 17, Navy hosted Loyola, and they have quite the recent history together.
In 2016, Loyola traveled down to Annapolis to play a tough match, losing to Navy 10-9. They both made it to Patriot League playoffs, but Navy lost to Army Black Knights in the semifinals, whereas Loyola beat Bucknell Bison to advance and beat Army in the championship, 14-6. Both teams also made it to NCAA playoffs; Navy beat Yale Bulldogs in the first round 13-10, but lost to Brown Bears 11-10. Loyola had a more extensive run, beating Duke Blue Devils 16-11, then Towson 10-8, but fell to University of North Carolina Tar Heels 18-13 in the semifinal game.
With the strong seasons that both had in 2016, it carried over into 2017.
Now in 2018, the teams have not lost that momentum.
The weather was picturesque early lacrosse season with a light rain-turned-snow falling (meanwhile the First Day of Spring was only four days away). The Midshipmen had the early lead in the first quarter 3-1 (Navy 18 shots, Loyola 5), with goals from junior Ryan Wade (assisted by Greyson Torain), and senior Jack Ray (2, both unassisted).
At the half, the score evened out, 5-5. Navy five goals were on 24 shots, Loyola’s 13 shot. Navy got into some trouble in the first half, playing man-down four times. Luckily, Loyola was able to capitalize on only one of those four times. Navy had one opportunity to play man-up, yet did not capitalize.
Navy ran into trouble with making their shots in the second half. Both teams shot 20, meanwhile Loyola scored 50% of those shots, and Navy was only able to score 25% of theirs. Navy played man-up twice, in which freshman, and “local” Owings, MD product, Christian Daniel saw the opportunity and scored with an assist from Wade.
At the end of it all, Loyola won 15-9. Navy’s goalie sophomore Ryan Kern of nearby Middletown, DE (Salesianum School product) unfortunately was the “losing” goalie allowing 67% of shots (14 allowed, 7 saved) get by.
Navy senior Joey Vallero tied the school record for most faceoffs won in a single game with 21.
Coming into the game, Loyola was ranked 19.
