Duke An Underdog? There Goes That Theory

by Jesse Baumgartner | Special to Lacrosse Magazine Online

Ned Crotty's masterful transition from midfield to attack has helped Duke account for some of the offensive production lost in Matt Danowski and Zack Greer. Crotty's two goals and six assists sparked the Blue Devils to a 15-10 win Saturday over then-No. 1 Virginia and earn a share of the ACC regular season title. © Joe Rogate

This easily could have been a bit of a rebuilding year for the Duke men's lacrosse team. Heck, with two losses in its first four games (including one to Harvard), it was starting to look like one.

Since then? Try seven wins in eight games, and none of them bigger than Saturday's 15-10 victory against previously undefeated Virginia on national TV to earn a share of the regular-season ACC title.

"It's a fun one. Every team goes through it sooner or later," head coach John Danowski said when asked about the process of his team finding an identity this season. "Every team in one form or another has to experience [it]. It's kind of like a baptism of the fire. There are going to be days when things don't go that well initially, and that's how you learn and get better."

The Blue Devils have gotten better in a hurry.

After two straight losses to fall to 2-2 back on Feb. 28, they reeled off four straight wins, including an ACC road victory against North Carolina. Following a 10-6 loss to Cornell, they've now knocked down three more opponents in succession as they near postseason play on a nice little roll.

Danowski said part of the process of improving up front on attack -- where his team lost superstars Matt Danowski and Zack Greer from last season -- has just been "a matter of guys playing."

"For some guys, maybe it's the first time they've played since they were in high school, and it's different. The game is faster, your opponents are bigger, stronger, faster, more well-prepared," he said. "And each week, you learn very quickly that if you don't play with confidence, if you don't play at full speed, then somebody is going to make a play against you."

But the Blue Devils have also had an upperclassman to carry them through some of the trying moments, and that never hurts.

Senior Ned Crotty has made a seamless transition from midfield to attack this year. Against the Cavaliers, he posted six assists to go along with two goals. That earned him ACC Player of the Week honors and puts him at 13 goals and 36 assists for the season, showing that he certainly hasn't lost his identity as a playmaker in the switch up front.

"He's got tremendous, deceptive moves behind the cage, and as he drives to the goal, he's a threat to score," Danowski said.

"And he has the ability to get goals, but he's extremely unselfish and he plays with his head up. He just makes the plays that are available to him. There will be times I think where you're going to see him get multiple-goal games because people don't slide. Because they're going to have to pick their poison."

The Blue Devils have also benefitted this season from being able to sail under the spotlight a bit since they started the year without an absurdly high ranking.

"And absolutely, I think any team in the country, any sport, will tell you it's always easier being the underdog," Danowski said.

The somewhat less-touted Blue Devils have played that hand well so far this year. But after downing the nation's No. 1 team, it's safe to say they won't surprise anyone going forward.