Attackman Henry West matches up with Virginia midfielder Tyler German in the No. 4 Terps’ 9-6 victory over No. 8 Virginia on March 30, 2014 at Byrd Stadium.
Two years ago, Henry West turned down an opportunity to play for the Terrapins men’s lacrosse team.
Despite coach John Tillman’s efforts to lure the midfielder to College Park, West — who graduated from Darien High School in Darien, Conn., in 2012 — committed to Cornell. He followed the path of his older brother, Andrew, who was a goalkeeper for the Big Red from 2011 to 2012. But after playing in nine games during his freshman campaign last year, West decided he needed a change and transferred to this university.
“I feel like a guy that asked out a girl and she turned me down once, then maybe felt sorry for me and came back and went out with me the second time,” Tillman said.
West helped validate Tillman’s persistence when he recorded his first career hat trick and added two assists to lead the No. 4 Terps to a 9-6 victory over the No. 8 Cavaliers at Byrd Stadium on Sunday.
Though he was unable to suit up for the Terps until January and couldn’t participate in the team’s fall practices, West has become comfortable in his role with the Terps. His performance Sunday came in his first start of the season.
“I don’t think you ever expect to get a hat trick or five points,” West said. “But we just focused on us and played offense like we were taught to.”
Before Sunday, West received the majority of his playing time for the Terps on the second-line midfield along with junior Bryan Cole and freshman Colin Heacock.
Against the Cavaliers, though, Tillman moved Connor Cannizzaro from the first-line midfield to attack in an effort to improve the speed the unit and give the freshman more time on the field. West filled Cannizzaro’s spot on the first-line midfield.
Tillman said the Cavaliers often use two long poles to cover midfielders and use a short-stick defender to guard one of the three attackmen. Cannizzaro’s move to attack meant he could work against a short stick with less range and provide a mismatch, especially in early offense situations.
“When we’re put on the field, we’re told to know every position,” said Cannizzaro, who scored twice and assisted once in the victory. “Whether you go in as a middie or attack, you have to play from behind and up top because we run a lot of different offenses. So when you’re out there, you have to be ready to play anything.”
West’s move into the starting lineup was a byproduct of Cannizzaro’s position change. West maximized his chance to play alongside talented midfielders Mike Chanenchuk and Joe LoCascio, and his production helped the Terps stay in the contest despite committing 13 first-half turnovers against the Cavaliers.
With the Terps trailing by three goals with six minutes remaining in the second quarter, West ended a 4-0 Cavaliers run when he scored on a low shot after dodging to his right hand. Just more than three minutes later, West found the back of the net again, this time picking the top-right corner on a sidearm shot from the right side to bring the Terps within one goal.
Virginia attackman James Pannell scored nine seconds later to extend the Cavaliers lead to two goals entering halftime. But the Terps went on to score four unanswered goals to start the third quarter, including West’s third of the game, to build a two-goal advantage.
The Terps held the lead for the remainder of the contest, and West was a crucial part of another Terps victory just a couple of years after spurning the program.
“We’re very fortunate that he decided to come back,” Tillman said. “He makes it about the team. And because he’s so humble, I think the guys really like him.”
