I think three Mid-Atlantic teams (all from the state of Maryland) will duke it out for the championship.
Loyola
Scanlan (left) and Spencer pace Loyola (photo, Loyola Athletics)
In my opinion, this Loyola team is one of the most complete teams in college lacrosse. Everything starts with Pat Spencer who is undoubtedly the best player in the country, and likely Tewaaraton winner. He facilitates with the ball and makes everyone around him better and this year. He has also worked on being a better shooter.
Loyola also has the nation’s leader in goals-per-game in Kevin Lindley (4.27). If it weren’t for Spencer, Lindley would be getting more national attention. Chase Scanlan has also proven himself as has goalie Jacob Stover.
I predict that Loyola will run through the Patriot League and, then, do the same in the NCAA tournament.
Towson
Towson is another complete team from top-to-bottom. Coming into the season I didn’t know what to expect, but they have proven to be one of the best teams in the country.
On the offensive side of the ball, Brendan Sunday just flat-out gets it done. Sunday has 29 goals and 15 assists this season and is the unquestioned offensive leader.
Towson is also playing better defense as of late, which this team will need to continue if it wants to advance through the always-tough CAA.
Maryland
Jared Bernhardt, Maryland (photo, Maryland Athletics)
Maryland passes the eye test. The Terrapins just may be the most talented team in the country. Jared Bernhardt at attack has taken a step up as a leader. He has filled the void left by Connor Kelly left. He’s joined by sophomore Bubba Fairman, who has done wonders for an already good offense.
Every year there’s a question at goalie for Maryland, but this year Danny Dolan has stepped right in and sustained what Dan Morris and Kyle Bernlohr were able to do.
I see resiliency in this team, too. I also saw a form of resilience in this team. The Penn State game is an example. Yes, Maryland, but they came back from an 8-1 deficit to make a game of it. Digging out of a hole shows me that this team is never out of a game.
Yale
Do not sleep on the Ivy League! Jackson Morrill has come in and picked up the offensive slack for Yale after the Eli’s lost Tewaaraton winner Ben Reeves.
The addition of TD Irelan (transfer from Albany) may go down as one of the best transfers in the history of college lacrosse. He’s leading the nation in faceoff win percentage and leading the country in ground balls per game.
After being upset early in the season by Villanova, Yale has proven that they are built to make it to the Final Four and potentially repeat as national champions.
Other teams considered: Penn State, Ohio State, Duke, Virginia, Johns Hopkins, Rutgers
_________
All stats up to date as of 4/13/19 and are courtesy of NCAA.com
