The college lacrosse world may be surprised by the sudden emergence of first-time semifinalist Delaware. After watching the Blue Hens beat Towson in the Colonial Athletic Association championship, Johns Hopkins coach Dave Pietramala is not.
“That was the first time we actually had a chance to see them live,” Pietramala said. “They can swing the ball around. They can shoot the ball better than anyone we?ve faced throughout the year. They played with confidence ? and I?m not surprised they?ve advanced.”
Hopkins (11-4) will face Delaware (13-5) in the NCAA semifinals Saturday at noon at M&T Bank Stadium. It marks Hopkins? 27th Final Four appearance and its fifth in the past six seasons. Meanwhile, the Blue Hens are making their first NCAA semifinal appearance.
Delaware coach Bob Shillinglaw is confident in his team?s focus, especially after toppling 2006 national champion Virginia, 14-8, during the tournament?s first round on May 13.
“Our guys didn?t seem fazed by that at all,” Shillinglaw said of the difficult environment in Charlottesville, Va. “I think we?re all going to be a little nervous, but at the same time our guys are a pretty mature group and they?ve handled it well so far.”
Delaware can likely extinguish any Hopkins home-field advantage with its strong face-off game (.724 percentage) and a suffocating defense (8.06 goals allowed per game). Both Shillinglaw and Pietramala exhibited respect for the opposition?s defense.
“They do such a great job in terms of disguising what they?re trying to do defensively, showing slides and faking it,” Shillinglaw said of Hopkins. “I know they?re going to be very well-prepared. One of the things [Pietramala] likes to do is deny the strengths of an offensive player and force him to his weak hand.”
Pietramala specifically pointed out Blue Hens goalkeeper Tommy Scherr.
“[Scherr] was terrific against Virginia. He was outstanding,” Pietramala said. “If you?re able to solve their defense, you have to get the ball by him.”
In the other crease, Hopkins senior Jesse Schwartzman has withstood some criticism this season after a celebrated career with the Blue Jays. Shillinglaw doesn?t buy into the negatives.
“There is no evidence of that against Georgetown,” Shillinglaw said. “We have to have that ball movement so he?s constantly moving in the cage and he?s facing shots from all angles.”
Schwartzman started all 15 games for Hopkins this season, with an 11-4 record and a .578 save percentage. He yielded an average of 7.88 goals per game. He also has the 2005 NCAA tournament MVP award in his back pocket.
As a team, Hopkins has eight NCAA championships, including the 2005 trophy. But Pietramala is concerned that his offense needs to come together.
“At times this year, we haven?t had all our guys on the same page,” Pietramala said.
But the Blue Jays scored 14 goals against Georgetown Saturday, and after averaging 10.46 goals throughout the year, could be coming together at the right time.
NCAA DIV I CHAMPIONSHIPS
(At M&T Bank Stadium)
SEMIFINALS
Saturday, May 26
» Johns Hopkins vs. Delaware, noon (ESPN2)
» Duke vs. Cornell, 2:30 (ESPN2)
FINAL
Monday, May 28
» 1 p.m. (ESPN)
