From The Editor:
In what feels like one of the earliest starts ever, the college lacrosse season kicks off this weekend with Mercer and Bellarmine playing the first Division I game of the season on Saturday in Macon, Georgia.
As a lacrosse fan, the college lacrosse season is my favorite time of year. This year will be special for the Charlotte lacrosse community with more guys playing at the next level than EVER before. We’ll try to highlight their games throughout the season in The Scoop and on our social media (@Team91CLT on Instagram and Twitter).
Here are five February games that I am looking forward to watching to start the college lacrosse season:
High Point at Maryland – Saturday, February 5th
Over the last few seasons, High Point has proven that they are capable of beating anyone, anywhere. Traditionally, the ACC and Big 10 teams would play High Point as a midweek, non-league game on what has become “must see TV”. After HPU pulled off wins against UVA and Duke the last few seasons, it’s clear that Maryland was not interested in a weeknight matchup. Asher Nolting and Brayden Mayea will lead the HPU offense while Bubba Fairman and Logan Wisnauskas lead the Terps. Keep an eye out for our guys Nick Rizzo (#43 – Hough), Collin Hoben (#53 – Charlotte Latin) and Beau Hecimovich (#47 – Christ School). All will be on the field and in the mix for High Point with Rizzo running with the top 2 midfield lines, Hoben at the faceoff-X and Beau potentially getting time in goal.
Johns Hopkins at Towson – Friday, February 11th
Hopkins hired a new coaching staff in 2020 that did not get to spend much time with the team due to COVID. This was the first, full offseason they had together and I would expect a much improved group this year. They are dynamic on offense with Joey Epstein, Connor Desimone, Brendan Grimes and more. Towson has one of the best defensemen in the country in senior Koby Smith but we’ll be watching our guys Colby Barsz (#23 – Weddington) and Travis Maynard (#45 – Lake Norman). They will both be starting at defense and defensive midfield, respectively.
Georgetown at Penn – Saturday, February 19th
After not playing in 2021, the Ivy League will finally be back on the field for a real game for the first time since May 2020 with Penn hosting Georgetown. Penn is expected to be the top team in the Ivy League this Spring and one of the top teams in the country. The word after their fall scrimmages is that they are big, athletic and very skilled. Oregon-native Sam Handley leads the Penn offense. He’s 6’5”, 230lbs and a shoots the ball very well. They will initiate a lot of their offense in the midfield with Weddington’s James Shipley (#37). Georgetown was one of the hottest teams in the country to end the 2021 season and should be even better in 2022 with an influx of transfers. Graham Bundy Jr., Dylan Hess and Declan McDermott make up my favorite midfield line in the country. The Hoyas also brought in transfer’s Will Bowen at defense and Alex Trippi at attack from UNC. Bowen was a first-team All-American in 2021 and is the favorite for the defenseman of the year award. Our guy Cade Caggiano (#32 – Ardrey Kell) could see time at attack for Georgetown.
Ohio State at UNC – Saturday, February 19th
UNC was a goal away from playing in the National Championship in 2021. They return the best player in the country, unanimous first team AA, in attackman Chris Gray but graduated a majority of their midfield and lost first-team AA defenseman Will Bowen to the transfer portal. Ohio State returns a majority of their roster including senior faceoff specialist Justin Inacio and attackman Jack Myers. Our guy and Charlotte native Bobby Van Buren (#44 for Ohio State) will get the start as a freshman and may even draw the Chris Gray match-up in what will be the biggest game of his young college career. You can bet all of our coaches will be tuned in to watch Bobby in this one!
Denver at Duke – Saturday, February 19th
Denver vs. Duke has become one of the best early season rivalries in our sport. It wasn’t too long ago that the February matchup was a preview of what we would see in the final four. Duke is looking to bounce back from what would be considered a disappointing 2021 season. They had the most talented roster in the country last year but couldn’t figure out how to make the pieces work. They return sophomore attackman Brennan O’Neill and senior midfielder Nakeie Montgomery. Denver will be led offensively by preseason first team AA and midfielder of the year favorite Jack Hannah while Alec Stathakis is one of the top returning faceoff specialists in lacrosse. He’ll take a majority of the draws following the graduation of TD Ierlan.
In our next edition of The Scoop, I’ll hit on 10 players that I’m looking forward to watching this college lacrosse season.
Enjoy the opening weekend of the college lacrosse season!
Ryan Flanagan
