Before the Maryland men’s lacrosse team defeated Saint Joseph’s on Tuesday afternoon, it greeted one of the program’s most respected figures.
The Terps met former goalkeeper Brian Dougherty at their hotel in Philadelphia, where he wished them success and offered advice for their upcoming matchup.
Maryland’s reunion with Dougherty helped them gain a deeper connection to the program’s history, which it will carry into Saturday’s home opener against High Point.
“[Dougherty was] one of the best players to ever play at Maryland,” coach John Tillman said. “To have him there was great. This program is very family oriented, so to have him be there and just be a part of our life, to spend some time with our guys, is a big thrill.”
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Dougherty was inducted into Maryland’s Hall of Fame in 2008. During his career in College Park, he was a two-time first-team All-American and won the Kelly Award — which honors the nation’s top goalkeeper — twice.
For redshirt junior Dan Morris, the get-together was especially memorable. The goalkeeper waited on the bench for three years before getting an opportunity to start this campaign, so he treasured the opportunity to pick the experienced netminder’s brain.
Dougherty talked with Morris about Saint Joseph’s offensive weapons, helping him prepare for the array of talented Hawks shooters he would face.
Though Morris started the contest shaky, conceding six first-half scores, he rebounded to hold Saint Joseph’s to two after the break.
“[Dougherty] is just a legend,” Morris said. “Anytime he can come to talk to us, it’s a huge deal.”
Tillman encourages former Terps to speak with the team and attend games because he wants to foster a culture where people feel welcome to return after they graduate.
Along with Dougherty, Tillman said former attackman Mike Morsell and former defender Ryan Lehman watched Maryland’s victory over Saint Joseph’s, demonstrating the team’s reach outside College Park.
Tillman also involves the Terps’ historic figures through a year-round mentorship program where former players are paired with current Terps to provide tips about life after college lacrosse. Topics include networking, job searches and academics.
Morris’ mentor is Drew Evans, a midfielder who graduated in 2008. He said Evans, who lives in New York, is “always there” to talk on the phone when he needs support.
The kind of long-term bond the mentorship program forms between current and former players is “huge,” and it’s the reason many recruits decide to come to Maryland, the goalkeeper said.
“You feel like a real close-knit family while you’re here,” Morris said, “and it’s really cool just to know that you’re going to still be a part of this family once your career is over.”
Freshman midfielder Jared Bernhardt, who has scored four goals in two games this season, understands the importance of the team’s past. After all, his older brothers, Jake and Jesse, played for Maryland.
Bernhardt said he’s excited for this weekend, when the Terps (2-0) play their first home game against the Panthers (1-1), because he’ll get to compete at the “historic” venue he grew up admiring.
Tillman is eager for the home opener, too.
“To have the kids be able to run out in Maryland Stadium and just be on our own campus in front of our family and friends?” Tillman said. “That’s going to be awesome.”
