2008 Woodie Awards
Duke boasts top-tier offense
Eric Detweiler
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: Sports
Terrapin men's lacrosse goalie Brian Phipps gave up a season-high 14 goals in last season's home loss to Duke, but the sophomore did learn a few things about playing against one of the top offensive teams in the country.
"You know they're going to be shooting all day, so just be ready for anything," he said. "Just stay on your game. If they get one or two in, just don't worry about it and keep playing for the next one because they will score a lot."
The Terp defense will have to keep those lessons in mind if they are going to stop reigning Tewaaraton Trophy winner Matt Danowski and the rest of a high-powered Blue Devil attack when the No. 4 Terps travel to No. 2 Duke on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
The Blue Devils were third in goals per game nationally last season and are faring even better so far this season, scoring a total of 35 in two wins.
The Blue Devil attack unit is the best in the nation by the numbers. Danowski is Duke's all-time leading scorer and led the nation with 96 points last season. Senior Zack Greer led the nation with 67 goals last season, and the other starting attackman, sophomore Max Quinzani, has the national all-time high school career points record.
They have accounted for a combined 18 goals and 17 assists already this season.
"If we can hold them under 10, our chances to win will greatly improve, but that's a tall order against this team," coach Dave Cottle said.
Danowski, in his fifth year thanks to an NCAA decision granting Blue Devils who lost the second half of the 2006 season due to scandal an extra season of eligibility, racked up six goals alone in last season's 14-7 win.
"I remember last year, he'd come around the corner and you'd not even know he was going to shoot and he'd fire away," said Phipps. Cottle said Phipps will share time in net with redshirt junior Jason Carter, as he has in the first two games of the season.
Add in the graduation of two second-team All-Americans on defense, and the Terps will have their work cut out for them shutting down the Blue Devils.
"You know they're going to be shooting all day, so just be ready for anything," he said. "Just stay on your game. If they get one or two in, just don't worry about it and keep playing for the next one because they will score a lot."
The Terp defense will have to keep those lessons in mind if they are going to stop reigning Tewaaraton Trophy winner Matt Danowski and the rest of a high-powered Blue Devil attack when the No. 4 Terps travel to No. 2 Duke on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
The Blue Devils were third in goals per game nationally last season and are faring even better so far this season, scoring a total of 35 in two wins.
The Blue Devil attack unit is the best in the nation by the numbers. Danowski is Duke's all-time leading scorer and led the nation with 96 points last season. Senior Zack Greer led the nation with 67 goals last season, and the other starting attackman, sophomore Max Quinzani, has the national all-time high school career points record.
They have accounted for a combined 18 goals and 17 assists already this season.
"If we can hold them under 10, our chances to win will greatly improve, but that's a tall order against this team," coach Dave Cottle said.
Danowski, in his fifth year thanks to an NCAA decision granting Blue Devils who lost the second half of the 2006 season due to scandal an extra season of eligibility, racked up six goals alone in last season's 14-7 win.
"I remember last year, he'd come around the corner and you'd not even know he was going to shoot and he'd fire away," said Phipps. Cottle said Phipps will share time in net with redshirt junior Jason Carter, as he has in the first two games of the season.
Add in the graduation of two second-team All-Americans on defense, and the Terps will have their work cut out for them shutting down the Blue Devils.
Submit a letter to the editor or post a comment below.
Be the first to comment on this story