It is time to polish the helmets and carefully wash the jerseys, as national television cameras will invade Charlottesville Saturday to capture a clash of ACC lacrosse titans, No. 1 Virginia and No. 9 Maryland, at Klöckner Stadium.
The Cavaliers (10-0), having already beat two of the nation’s top teams in Syracuse and Johns Hopkins, will look to kickoff their conference season strong against the Terrapins. They will also seek revenge: Maryland (6-2, 2-0 ACC) ended the Cavaliers’ run at perfection last season in College Park.
If the top-ranked Cavaliers wish to deliver some payback and extend their undefeated record to 11 games, offensive success will be crucial. This season, Virginia has not struggled to score, averaging more than 14 goals per contest. The Cavaliers have benefitted from strong seasons thus far from attack Garrett Billings and midfielder Brian Carroll, who have scored 26 and 17 goals, respectively. Senior attack Danny Glading also has contributed to the Cavaliers’ impressive play. Glading is tied for second on the team with 32 points and netted his 100th career goal during the Cavaliers’ previous game against Johns Hopkins.
Maryland, meanwhile, appears to present several possible matchup problems for the Cavaliers. With a distinct size advantage against Virginia, the Terrapins could have the edge if the game were to become physical — which is definitely a possibility considering the fierce nature of ACC competition.
Virginia coach Dom Starsia said he is aware of the challenge this year’s Maryland squad could pose.
“I think the first impression that any one fan is gonna have of Maryland is that they’re just huge for a college lacrosse team,” Starsia said. “It’s pretty unusual to have two kids ... who also happen to be 6-foot-5 and in excess of 250 pounds. It’s a very athletic team. These games are always the most physical ones that we play every year.”
If history is any indication, Virginia could use its speed and agility to successfully defeat its larger foe. Glading said he feels the Cavaliers also can use the teams’ difference in playing techniques to their advantage.
“I would say we play completely different styles of lacrosse,” Glading said. “They’re a little bit more deliberate. They do like to run up and down the field a little bit, but I would take pride in saying we’re a little bit quicker on offense ... It’s definitely gonna be a challenge. They’ve got huge guys, so we need to be moving smart, and we’ve got to be efficient.”
Virginia also must be aware that the Terrapins enter this weekend’s matchup with extra incentive. Maryland can clinch an ACC title with a victory against Virginia.
Helping the Terrapins will be sophomore attackers Grant Catalino and Ryan Young, who have led the Terrapins throughout the season. Catalino leads the Terrapins in goals and points with 18 and 32, respectively, while Young ranks second in goals with 12 scores.
Although the two teams have different styles of play, they both have reason to seek victory. Virginia looks to leave the game with its undefeated record and top ranking intact, while Maryland would like nothing more than for history to repeat itself and to once again hand the Cavaliers their first loss.
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