Mount Up: MSM Has Its Own Inspiration, 'GJS'
by Steven Russolillo | Special to Lacrosse Magazine Online
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| Mount St. Mary's Brett Schmidt (20g, 16a) is one of three brothers on the team and sons to the late Gloria Jean Schmidt. The Mount will be a significant underdog Saturday in its NCAA tournament first-round game at top-seeded Virginia. |
Mount St. Mary’s had one goal in mind at the beginning of
the year: dedicate the 2010 season to Gloria Jean Schmidt.
Schmidt, or better known as Jeannie, was the mother of three boys
on the Mount men’s lacrosse team – Justin, a junior,
and sophomore twins Brett and Bryant. Unfortunately, she was
diagnosed with colon cancer in September 2009 and died just two
months later.
Her death was devastating for the Schmidt family and the greater
lacrosse community. But 15-year head coach Tom Gravante said his
team helped the Schmidt boys persevere through such trying times.
The Mount players also used the tragedy as a rallying point as they
wore decals of her initials , "GJS" on their helmets throughout the
entire season.
And when Mount St. Mary's competed in the Metro Atlantic Athletic
Conference championship game this past Sunday -- on Mother’s
Day, no less -- Gravante made sure his team’s priorities were
in check.
“My pregame speech was very short," Gravante said. "When we
began this season, we made a pact. We dedicated this season to
Jeannie Schmidt, a very special mom, a mom that was our mom. We owe
it to her to finish the season, so let’s get out there and
win."
And, in stunning fashion, that’s exactly what the Mount did.
Freshman sensation Andrew Scalley’s game-winning goal at the
buzzer propelled the Mount to a 7-6 victory over Sienna, a squad it
lost to 8-7 last month. The victory awarded Mount St. Mary’s
the MAAC championship and its first NCAA tournament appearance
since 2003.
“We allowed the three boys to accept the postgame trophy in
honor of their mom,” Gravante said. He noted the captains
usually accept the trophy, but figured it was only fitting to do it
this way. “What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day
than winning the conference championship and heading to the NCAA
tournament? It was a very touching moment.”
Both Brett (20g, 16a) and Bryant (17g, 19a) were key offensive
contributors in the regular season, tying for third on the team in
points, while Justin, a defenseman, registered 27 ground balls.
Bryant also scored a goal in the conference championship.
They, as well as the rest of the Mount players, are psyched for
the NCAA tourney, to say the least. But their first opponent is no
picnic -- Mount St. Mary’s will take on top-seeded Virginia,
a squad also playing with a heavy heart.
It’s been a tumultuous couple of weeks for the Cavaliers, as
midfielder George Huguely was charged with the murder of women's
lacrosse player Yeardley Love. Additionally, Virginia head coach
Dom Starsia’s father recently passed away.
As a result, it’s been a media circus in Virginia, which is
part of the reason Saturday’s first-round matchup is a
prime-time game airing on ESPNU. While the Mount is excited to be
in the spotlight, it obviously wishes the attention was coming for
any other reason.
“That truly is a horrible loss down there, and our hearts go
out to the folks down at UVA and the players of both teams,”
Gravante said. “We’re keeping them in our hearts and
prayers."
“All those UVA players need this tournament,” he
added. “The whole atmosphere is truly sad, so I hope these
games will bring some excitement and some fun.”
The Mount will certainly have its hands full with arguably the
best team in the nation. The game marks a rematch of their season
opener, when the Cavaliers won 15-7. Gravante said he was pleased
with the way his players competed in that game, but understands the
significant challenge they’ll face on Saturday night.
“We have to be perfect,” he said. “We’re
playing the No. 1 team in the country, and they’re No. 1 for
a reason. We have to be flawless. You can’t turn the ball
over and expect to get it back quickly. And I think my kids realize
that.”
But for now, the Mount is soaking it all in, relishing in their
stunning conference championship and remembering the woman to whom
they've dedicated their season.
“These kids have persevered through their own ups and
downs,” he said. “But right now, they’re
absolutely flying high.”
