With a loss to the University of Massachusetts Minutemen this past Saturday, the Towson University Tigers men's lacrosse team needs to get on a roll. The Tigers now find themselves in a tie for second in the CAA with UMass. Towson's opponent this week is the first place Blue Hens of Delaware.
When the season started, UMass was the preseason favorite, getting five of six first place votes. The other first place vote went to the Tigers, who were picked to finish second. Delaware and Hofstra were picked in a tie for third. So, you could say at this point in the conference season, that the Blue Hens are the surprise team of the CAA.
For Towson, the Tigers are going to have to get on a late season roll on the road. After visiting the Blue Hens this Saturday, the Tigers then travel to Philadelphia for the regular season finale against Drexel. At this point, only Delaware looks like a lock for the CAA Tournament. The top four of the conference's six teams qualify for the postseason tourney. The first place team gets to host.
The Tigers will be facing a Blue Hen team that knows with a victory, they not only clinch a berth in the CAA Tournament, but also increases its chances of being the postseason host school. For the Tigers, a victory will clinch them a berth in the CAA tournament, and keep them in the running for the CAA regular season crown.
If you go back to Saturday's game against the Minutemen, the Tigers won just about every important statistical category. They won the faceoff battle, they committed fewer turnovers than UMass by a two to one margin, and they took 18 more shots than the Minutemen. The one stat they didn't win, which of course is the most important, is goals scored.
Towson's shot placement was the killer. The Tigers had 27 shots on goal. Sean Sconone of UMass is one of the best goalies in the conference. His numbers put him among the nation's leaders. But even he would tell you that many of the saves he had on Saturday were not extremely difficult.
The Tigers just need to adjust their shots a bit. If they continue to win the faceoff battle, turn the ball over less than 10 times like they did on Saturday, things should fall into place. Let's not forget, this ballclub was number one in the country just five weeks ago.
With the Blue Hens now in the top 20, a win over Delaware would give the Tigers another quality win. That also could come in handy come selection Sunday. I'm sure Coach Nadelen and his team would rather run the table and take all doubt away as to whether this team makes the NCAA Tournament or not. A win on Saturday sure helps the cause.
Glenn Smith and I will have the call for you this Saturday from Newark. Our broadcast starts at 11:45 a.m. on TowsonTigers.com. We hope you will tune in.
Until next week, GO TIGERS!!!
