Rotating two lacrosse balls in his hand, Bryn Holmes patiently answered questions about the importance of faceoffs, short-stick defenders and his status as one of college lacrosse’s toughest competitors.
But when asked about the start of the season, the Terrapin men’s lacrosse team’s sturdy midfielder’s eyes widened. He responded before the question was finished.
“I’m definitely very excited [to get out on the field],” Holmes began. “I didn’t get to play at all in the fall … and I’m ready to go.”
Holmes and the Terps are beginning their season far from home. The No. 3 Terps are in Jacksonville, Fla., this weekend to partake in a pair of games as part of the Wounded Warrior Project’s Face Off for a Cause. It’s the first time the Terps have left the Beltway area for a season opener since a 1997 contest at Villanova.
The invitational pits the Terps against Presbyterian today at 2 p.m. and against Air Force tomorrow at noon.
Although the Terrapins enjoyed scrimmaging other schools each of the past two weekends, they are ready to get out on the field for some games that count.
“It’s nice to get out there and place against a different opponent who throws different things at you and has different defensemen to cover you,” said attackman Will Yeatman, who will play in his first game since 2007
It’s true the opposition will be unfamiliar, but the Terps likely face stiffer competition during intrasquad clashes. A quick glance at last year’s numbers reveals that the Terps hold an edge in nearly every statistical category.
Presbyterian is embarking on its first full Division I schedule after compiling an 0-11 mark last year. Air Force managed just three wins last season, one of which came against Presbyterian.
It’s a far cry from last season, when the Terps were thrown into the fire against then-No. 4 Georgetown – a game the Terps won 11-6. This year offers a low-pressure opportunity to work in some new faces at close defense and get ready for the bevy of ranked opponents down the line.
“We’re trying to build up a foundation for our team and get everyone involved,” coach Dave Cottle said. “We’re probably further ahead than a year ago at this time, just because there’s a lot more knowns.”
Cottle also mentioned the benefit of getting out on the field a week earlier than last season.
The Terps have won 15 straight season openers, a streak they are poised to extend against the Blue Hose. And even if it isn’t against the stiffest of competition, the players are eager to go about proving themselves on the field.
They’ll get that chance today, when the first whistle of the season is blown.
“There’s always uncertainties when you go into a season – you lose people, people come in,” midfielder Jeff Reynolds said. “This year, I think we have a pretty good foundation offensively; those questions were answered last year. This year, maybe it’s defense – lot of guys left on defense – and we look forward to answering those questions this year.”
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