For the past week, snow has been the enemy of the Terrapin men’s lacrosse team.
The Terps had to cancel two preseason scrimmages scheduled for last Saturday as well as practice on Wednesday.
During the rest of the week, they needed to change practice times and locations constantly to stay ahead of the weather. Last Friday, they practiced at 6 a.m. On Tuesday, they drove to the University of Delaware to get time on the field.
But yesterday, they battled still-snowy conditions on College Park roads in order to reach an even greater foe. The Terps made the long bus ride to Syracuse, N.Y., where they will face the No. 1 Orangemen in an exhibition match Friday at noon.
“The weather really didn’t come at a great time for us,” Coach Dave Cottle said. “We’re used to starting the year with three scrimmages, but because of the snow now we’re down to one. We’re glad to finally get the opportunity to play against somebody else.”
Because of the change in schedule, the Terps will see their first action of the season against the same team that ended their season last year.
Syracuse beat the Terps 11-6 in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals en route to winning the national championship. After that disheartening end, players are eager to get back on the field, especially against the Orangemen.
“The intensity level is greater, because you do want to beat them,” senior goalie Brian Phipps said. “You’re competitive, you want to win, and you’re not afraid to hit someone on the other team rather than hit your teammate, so I think that will be more fun and increase our excitement and intensity level.”
But Cottle cautioned against focusing on the scrimmage results.
“Scrimmages don’t have a whole lot of meaning,” Cottle said. “A win against Syracuse won’t reverse the game we lost to them last year.”
The coach said the team would use the scrimmage not to get revenge, but simply to prepare for the upcoming season.
The Terps will evaluate the attack and the defense they put in place in the fall season, hoping the veterans in those units will step up.
They also hope to establish a rhythm in the midfield. The majority of the team’s experienced midfielders graduated, leaving a void that must be filled if the Terps want to make it further in this year’s postseason.
“We want to see how tough they are, how competitive they are, whether they can cover somebody, a big-time opponent,” Cottle said. “We just want to make sure they’re all fundamentally sound and working together well.”
And as this will be the Terps’ only chance to see players in action before their season begins next Saturday against Bellarmine in Louisville, the team needs to make the most of every moment in tomorrow’s exhibition.
But at least they do not need to worry about the weather – even in upstate New York. There will not be any snow inside Syracuse’s Carrier Dome.
kyanchulis@umdbk.com
