May 18, 2007
by Clare Lochary, Lacrosse Magazine Online Staff
Roots and wings.
That's what good parents are supposed to provide for their children. The balance between structure and freedom can be a difficult one to achieve. Too much of the former can be stifling, and too much of the latter can be disastrous.
Coaches face the same struggle. Penn's Karin Brower and Maryland's Cathy Reese take opposite approaches, but have achieved remarkable success. The fourth-seeded Quakers (15-1) claimed their first Ivy League title and are a dark horse to wrestle the title away from Northwestern. During Reese's first season as the Terps' (16-3) head coach, they are looking like the sort of offensively-supercharged team that won nine titles back bridging the millenniums.
These two different-minded coaches will meet for the first time this season at Penn's Franklin Field in an NCAA quarterfinal game Saturday.
"Our coaching style is to really give them the green light to play," said Reese, who leads Maryland along with former teammate Jen Adams. "I'm not dictating that you have to take two steps right, three steps left, drop the stick 30 degrees and shoot."
Reese's approach encourages creativity and spontaneity, particularly on attack. With license to shoot on fast breaks instead waiting for a set offense, the Terps have averaged 14.35 goals per game. Senior Krista Pellizzi's breakout season has yielded 55 goals and 21 assists, and Tewaraaton finalist Dana Dobbie isn't far behind with 55 goals and 16 assists. Kelly Kasper, Lauren Cohen, Casey Magor and Katie Princiotto each have 40-plus points this season.
Reese acknowledges that Maryland's reputation attracts the very best recruits, which makes her laissez-faire approach more feasible. "We have so many very talented individuals, great stick handlers and great shooters," said Reese. "We want them to have the freedom to go out and be creative without being ripped of the field for a mistake. Our job is making sure they have the skills that they need. They use their judgment to find their openings."
By contrast, Brower has built a once-pitiful program into a powerhouse by seeking out players who like structure and welcome constructive criticism. In her seven years as the Quakers head coach, Brower has been burned by recruits who were high school standouts, but never subsequently adjusted to the life of a collegiate athlete.
"They don't really want to be coached. They haven't failed, ever. Things come naturally. Now, are they willing to buckle down and work hard?" asked Brower. "I like to coach. I like to push them. It's our job to make them better."
Unsurprisingly, Brower notes that there's a high correlation between the workaholic Type As who want to attend an Ivy League school and the players who best fit her coaching style: "I think our staff is very organized. [The players] seem to thrive on that, knowing what's going on."
On the field, Penn's discipline has evolved into a grinding defense that has held opponents to a mere 6.25 goals per game. The offense, led by Chrissy Muller and Rachel Manson, is no slouch either - the Quakers average 12.55 goals per game. More than 60 percent of those goals were unassisted, so Penn may be able to show Maryland a thing or two about fast breaks.
The Quakers have the added incentive of playing on their home field, which will be the subsequent site for the NCAA semifinals and championship. Brower and her team felt honored that the athletic department showed faith in the program by committing to hosting the event, and hope to reward that faith.
"When we got [the NCAA championship site], it's always been a goal of ours. The kids, their quote for this year is `Protect this house,'" said Brower.
Are Reese and the Terrapins thinking about the implications of playing on what would be the championship field?
"No," replied Reese. "It's day-to-day, one game at a time. Each half at a time."
The results of the Penn-Maryland match-up won't definitely answer the question of how to coach. But it will be a heck of a game for two excellent coaches who are cresting at just the right time.
TAILGATE SPECIAL: WD1 QUARTERFINALS
No. 5 Maryland (16-3) at No. 4 Penn (15-1) - Saturday, 1 p.m.
Maryland recorded a convincing 13-7 win over Yale in the first round of the tournament, but the offense didn't start clicking until the second half. Despite that old yarn about that slow-and-steady tortoise winning the race, the Terps won't have the luxury of time against Penn. The Quakers have recorded 15 halftime leads and 15 victories this season. (Their sole misstep was against Northwestern, when they trailed 6-3 after the first period and ultimately lost 14-3 on March 9.) Penn's defense is ranked second in the nation (6.25 goals allowed per game) and will make Maryland work for every goal. While the victory over Yale may have given the Terps a timely confidence boost, we still like the Quakers, who have the home-field advantage.
LMO Predicts: Penn 12, Maryland 10
Syracuse (13-5) at No. 1 Northwestern (18-1) - Saturday, 1 p.m.
It has been a big year for Syracuse - the Orange claimed the inaugural Big East conference tournament and secured their first NCAA tournament win over Vanderbilt last week - but its historic season will likely come to an end against top-seeded Northwestern. Syracuse had a decent outing against the defending national champions on March 30, losing 10-7, but the Wildcats were having an atypically bad shooting day (10 goals on 30 shots, and a mere 1-for-8 on free positions). By contrast, Northwestern scored 97 goals on 188 shots (51.6 percent) its last five games, and is 13-for-23 (56.5 percent) on free positions in those same matches. Unless the Orange defense can be exceptionally disruptive and shut down Kristen Kjellman (60g, 23a) AND Meredith Frank (54g, 16a) AND Hilary Bowen (50g, 33a) AND Hannah Neilsen (46g, 63a)...goodness, we're tired just thinking about it. Chalk this one up for the host Wildcats.
LMO Predicts: Northwestern 15, Syracuse 9
No. 6 North Carolina (16-4) at No. 3 Virginia (17-3) - Saturday, 2 p.m.
Virginia and North Carolina have met twice already this season, and split the results. The Tar Heels had a 16-7 victory back in March, but their more recent match is surely fresh in everyone's mind. The ACC title match, which the Cavaliers won 12-6, was a tale of two goalies. Virginia's Kendall McBrearty was so hot she singed the grass in the crease, and North Carolina's Kristy Hordy was so cold that Jenny Levy benched her just after halftime. If Hordy, an All-ACC selection, is back in her regular form, the visiting Tar Heels should be able to pull this one out.
LMO Predicts: North Carolina 11, Virginia 10
No. 7 Johns Hopkins (12-7) at No. 2 Duke (15-3) - Saturday, 1 p.m.
Offensive-minded fans will be pleased with the Battle of the Blues (Devils versus Jays). Duke averages 15.17 goals per game, and Johns Hopkins is right behind with 12.24. The game will feature the top two goal scorers left in the tournament with the Blue Devils Caroline Cryer (3.47 goals per game) and Blue Jay Mary Key (3.42). Don't expect a whole lot of defense either - both teams regularly allow opponents to reach double digits, and both starting goalies are well under .500 in save percentage. But the Blue Jays rely too heavily on Key, so if the host Blue Devils can stifle her, they will advance. Expect a match-up between Key and Duke's Rachel Sanford, who leads the team in caused turnovers with 29.
LMO Predicts: Duke 14, Johns Hopkins 11
