After going 8/8 in my predictions for last weekends matchups, I feel like the pressure is on. The games this weekend offer the best of the best as well as some teams who squeaked by in the opening weekend. Some games last weekend I thought ended up being closer than expected. Visiting teams UMass, Robert Morris and Georgetown put up good fights, especially coming in as underdogs.
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UMass fought through a third quarter run by Yale and scored a few goals of their own in the fourth quarter to keep Yale on their toes and the game close. Robert Morris held a first half lead at 6-3 but let Maryland crawl back into the game and take over in the second half. In a similar circumstance, Georgetown led most of the game, until they let the Hopkins band belt out their song four times in the fourth quarter and another in overtime as Shack Stanwick scored the game winning goal in overtime.
I am interested to see if many of these teams respond from last weekend. Games are now at a neutral site, with two being played at Navy and two at Hofstra. Certainly more fans might show up due to travel distances, but should not affect the outcome too heavily. Here are a few game previews for this coming weekend’s games.
Yale vs. Loyola @ James Shuart Stadium, Hempstead, NY, Saturday, 12PM
Two tewarraton finalists going at it: Pat Spencer vs Ben Reeves. The two attackmen will draw monster attention from the two defenses, and therefore both teams must rely on the supporting casts to pick up the offensive load in putting their team on the board. Both teams are coming off tight wins, although the scorelines look a lot closer than the games were. Yale will end their drought and reach their first championship weekend since 1990. Prediction: Yale 13, Loyola 10.
Albany vs. Denver @ James Shuart Stadium, Hempstead, NY, Saturday, 2:30PM
The battle at the X. This seasons best faceoff man, TD Ierlan vs the best faceoff man in the history of college lacrosse, Trevor Baptiste. I give the tilt to Baptiste, although I think Albany can find ways to get the ball back on defense and give Connor Fields and Tehoka Nanticoke opportunities to put the ball in the net. Denver’s methodical offense will be more successful Saturday. Prediction: Denver 14, Albany 13.
Maryland vs. Cornell @ Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Sunday, 12PM
In four of the past five games, Cornell’s Jeff Teat has been shut off. The only game he wasn’t, Cornell beat Yale and Teat had a goal and five assists. In the other games, Teat had four points total. Maryland might shut off Teat, but if they don’t, expect him to have a day. Connor Kelly and Jared Bernhardt will keep the defending champs rolling back to Gillette. Prediction: Maryland 14, Cornell 12.
Duke vs. Johns Hopkins @ Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Sunday, 2:30PM
Who knew that Georgetown would take Hopkins to overtime last weekend? If Hopkins lets Duke take a lead like that on Sunday, the Jays will be packing their bags. Justin Guterding vs Patrick Foley will be an interesting matchup to watch for, while Hopkins attack will be looking to have a better day than they did last weekend. Duke will reach their first championship weekend since 2014. Prediction: Duke 15, Hopkins 11.
Lacrosse Analyst
Sam Kuhn currently is the graduate assistant for the men’s lacrosse program at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio and is working to complete his Masters of Business Administration in 2020. Sam graduated from the College of Wooster in 2018, where he received his Bachelors Degree in English and played lacrosse as well. In his four years, Sam was a two time All-NCAC selection, a first team All-Region selection in 2018, and surpassed 100 goals for his career, one of seven members in program history to do so. Sam has interned with Inside Lacrosse, and wrote for the sports section of The Wooster Voice.