Sports Maven Saturday Morning 05-28-11

In my  5 year tenure as host of Terp Talk, I have often talked of the family atmosphere of this team win or lose. The Big Man, Dick Edell fostered it and turned the reigns over to Dave Cottle. I watched these guys in tears when a shot hit the pipe against UVA in the quarters a few years back. Last year only 5 of 50 shots found the nets against Notre Dame, the team was devastated because many realized that unfairly it could mean the end for their leader.  Now Coach Tillman has picked up the reigns and I could see his emotions coming through for the regrets his guys were feeling. 50 some coaches and players will band together for Ryan and I am sure he feels the strength of his 2nd family.

The Terps play North Carolina Friday at 5 as they begin their march toward the final four.

Terp Talk Thursday Night 07-15-10

Terp Talk Thursday Night 06-24-10

University of Maryland men’s lacrosse coach

“I have decided to step down as head coach at the University of Maryland,” said Cottle. “I would like to thank Dr. Mote and Dr. Yow for the opportunity to coach at Maryland and in the Atlantic Coast Conference. I have enjoyed my nine years at Maryland. This season, I enjoyed coaching this team as much as any team I have ever been around. I have developed tremendous relationships with many Terp alumni, former coaches and have had some of the finest parents any lacrosse program has had. ”Coach Cottle handled his duties as head coach with class and dignity,” said director of athletics Deborah A. Yow. “We are appreciative of that and wish him the best in whatever he pursues professionally. We are grateful for his efforts over the last nine years.”  from umterps.com

Bruce Weighs in:  This is a sad day for my good friend Dave Cottle and Maryland Lacrosse.  Yesterday’s loss was an excruciating disappointment for Dave and Terrapin nation. Let’s be clear however that the effort was there, it just wasn’t their day.  It’s really a shame that the under Dave’s reign, the Terps never could gain that coveted title that so many Terrapins yearn for. But one thing everyone associated with Maryland will agree with is Dave ran a class show, the graduation rate and demeanor of his players was exemplary, the effort his teams put out was never questioned. His knowledge of the game is unquestioned.  Dave will land at another university quickly and all of Maryland wish him and his family only the best!!!!

And now the search for one of the most coveted jobs in NCAA lacrosse begins. Over the next few days I will detail many of the eligible candidates. Who ever comes to College park will have a preseason top 3 ranked program to inherit. Only Brian Phipps and Bryn Holmes will be missing from the starting lineup.  One thing for sure, the search is in great hands. Senior Associate Athletic Director Michael Lipitz is a devoted follower of Terrapin lacrosse has tremendous passion for the program.  I am fully confident Mike and the selection committee will select the best candidate to take Maryland back to the promised land!!!!!

But certainly it grew the most when I started the show 4 years ago and was at Maryland looking for a high profile Coach to help me open up the show. Dave Cottle overheard my request and immediately volunteered his services. It’s easy to get to know the lacrosse kids as Cottle and Media rep Patrick fischer have an extremely open access policy. THESE ARE SOME GREAT KIDS ON THIS TEAM and they are a true family always supporting fighting and willing to go to battle for each other.  2 years ago after an overtime loss to UVA  in the NCAA quarterfinals,  I witnessed a team that was crushed, in tears but together more then you can imagine.

Well that’s why today is so important to every Terrapin lacrosse fan. As for me, there is a definite emotional tie to Cottle and this team. Cottle has done a great job using the entire squad. practices are spirited. Everyone loves being part of this family. Terrapins it’s your day today–make the most of it!!!!!!!

Both teams are good defensively, especially in the cage. Notre Dame boasts preseason All-American Scott Rodgers, who has a goals-against average of 7.99 and has a save percentage of 58.4. Maryland also starts a senior in Brian Phipps, who has a season goals-against average of 8.27 and a save percentage of 54.9. But if you look at the Terps’ last seven games, Phipps has been phenomenal with a 7.45 GAA and a save percentage of 57.1.

• This game could come down to special teams and it will be strength vs. strength. Maryland has the No. 2 man-up unit in the country, converting on 54.3% of its extra-man opportunities. Of the eight teams left in the tournament, Notre Dame has the best man-down unit, allowing teams to score on the EMO just 25.8% of the time. One thing that helps Notre Dame’s man-down defense is that the Irish do not commit a lot of penalties. Notre Dame has only had 31 penalties called on it in 14 games (2.2 penalties per game). blog from Patrick Fischer

One down 3 to go. A stubborn Hofstra Pride team’s prolific offense was thoroughly throttled by tenacious defense, faceoff and groundball domination, and stellar goalkeeping from Brian Phipps.

Maryland had goal scoring from 10 different players indicating Coach Cottle’s strategy of using almost the entire team.  Ryan Young and Will Yeatman stood out offensively for the Terps. I have to admit when Hofstra took the lead at 5-4, I had a few moments of fear creep in. But this Terrapin team believes in itself and from trailing at 5-4, the Terps outscored the Pride 7-2 until Hofstra and its leader Jay Card scored 2 meaningless goals in the final minutes.  Some interesting stats: Groundballs– Maryland 41 Hofstra 21            Saves    Maryland 14 Tribe 14

Next up for the Terps –the winner of Army —Princeton next Saturday at Princeton

Audio from Cottle, Young, Phipps, Holmes—Terps Post Hofstra