January 28, 2010

Lacrosse Magazine has put the finishing touches on its 2010 college preview issue, which mailed US Lacrosse members the first week of February. LM canvassed rival coaches to give us their anonymous take on the top 10 preseason ranked teams for Division I men's and women's lacrosse.

WD1: 10 Princeton | 9 UND | 8 UVA | 7 SU | 6 Georgetown | 5 Duke | 4 Penn | 3 UNC | 2 UMD | 1 Northwestern

Scouting Report: No. 5 Johns Hopkins

Hopkins must rediscover its heart and soul, defense, as goalkeeper Michael Gvozden tries to regain confidence lost during a shaky 2009 campaign.

HEAD COACH: Dave Pietramala
CONFERENCE: Independent
2009 RECORD: 10-5
2010 SCHEDULE: Click Here

WHO'S BACK

M Michael Kimmel (Sr.)
Glue of the Hopkins offense is equally good at feeding, shooting and great in transition. Had 20 goals and 25 assists out of the midfield last year.
A Chris Boland (Jr.)
With 28 goals and 18 assists on 53 percent shooting last year, Boland came up big in big games and makes the most of his opportunities. Pietramala praises his "lacrosse IQ" and ability to put himself in scoring situations.
A Kyle Wharton (Jr.)
With his lefty bomb, Wharton (34g), the team's best pure shooter, can finish from just about anywhere if he gets a decent look at the cage.
G Michael Gvozden (Sr.)
Despite Pietramala's love-hate relationship with his goalies, Gvozden's experience -- including some great playoff performances -- will keep him in the cage. Coming off a rough season (10.2 GAA, 50.3 sv. pct.), Gvozden needs to trust his abilities more and simply stop more shots. Sophomore Steven Burke and freshman Pierce Bassett wait in the wings, however.
A Steven Boyle (Sr.)
Might have been hampered by a broken thumb more than he let on in '09, and still finished with 21 goals and 17 assists. Look for more production from him in 2010.

WHO'S NOT

M Brian Christopher
Though Kimmel does it all, he was not necessarily Hopkins' go-to guy with 10 seconds left and the game on the line. That was Christopher. Captain Clutch. Without him, Hopkins must reevaluate its late-game play calling.
D Michael Evans
It was a down year for the Hopkins defense, a tough note for Evans to leave on, but he helped mentor Sam DeVore -- so his impact could still be felt.

WHO'S NEW

M John Greeley
Arguably the top recruit in the nation, people are eager to see how his skills translate to the college level. But as Pietramala does with all new middies, he will hammer a defense-first mentality. He offers speed on the faceoff wings, timely dodges and quick feet. He's good enough to step in opposite Kimmel on the first line.
D Tucker Durkin
With a strong fall, he likely played himself onto the starting close defense alongside Sam DeVore and Matt Drenan.
LSM Chris Lightner
Freshman will be Hopkins' second long pole off the bench.

X FACTOR

Goalie Michael Gvozden, close defensemen Sam DeVore, Matt Drenan and Tucker Durkin, long-stick middies Orry Michael and Chris Lightner and short-stick defensive midfielders Dave Spaulding and Tim Donovan are tasked with rebuilding Hopkins' heart and soul: defense. DeVore, an LSM last year, belongs on close D. Drenan is in the best shape of his career. This has the makings of an old-school Hopkins defense.

RIVAL COACHES' TAKES

"Strong returnees with former role players getting more time should help out."

"Toughest schedule in the country. They’re solid end-to-end with talent, but must find a way to rebound after a loss."

"Can they avoid the yearly mid-season slump?"

"Their midfield needs someone to step up besides Kimmel. The attack returns, but needs to produce more."

"Hopkins is always going to be pretty stingy defensively. I think they’ll be better than some people think. Some of those kids really rose to the occasion (last year). They had some good recruiting and a couple kids are back they really relied on."

"Like some others, they are another team where the [unproven] middies will have a lot to say about where they go. And are they going to stand pat in the goal?"