from inside lacrosse.com
Starting Point: The Blue Devils were expected to be here after being ranked #2 in the preseason. Despite what has become a typical slow start, the Blue Devils once again proved they save their best lacrosse for May. Maryland entered 2012 ranked #8 with a really new look, having graduated 42% on their offense, half of their LSM tandem and the entire starting close defense. After a season that has had highs and lows, the Terps are back in Championship Weekend.
Forecast: This marks the sixth meeting in two seasons between the ACC rivals. These two split in the regular season. Both goalies had a hand in propelling their teams to victories; Niko Amato stopped 14 shots as Maryland took the first contest in March by a count of 10-7. Duke returned the favor 6-5 in the ACC Tournament behind Dan Wigrizer’s 10 saves. Both midfields are really clicking and scoring goals at a healthy clip. Drew Snider of Maryland has been on fire, while Rob Rotanz leads the way for Duke. These units will be key this coming Saturday. The attacks for both can be either complementary or take on a leading role. Their ability to get open and operate underneath will earn the respect of the defenses and dictate some dodging lanes for the middies.
Tasty Nuggets: Duke’s John Danowski has now led the Blue Devils to Championship Weekend six years straight. He has made the semifinals in each of his seasons as the head man in Durham. Overall this is Duke’s eighth appearance in the semis. This is John Tillman’s second consecutive go round as a head coach in Championship Weekend, both with Maryland being unseeded. This marks the 21st appearance in the semifinals for the Terrapin program and the second straight year they will square off against the Blue Devils in this round. Maryland whipped Duke 9-4 last year in Baltimore.
Where the game will be won: Ball control and the ability to execute in 6-on-6 sets. This contest features longpoles that play like shortstick offensive middies. Maryland’s Jesse Bernhardt is the better cover defender, CJ Costabile the better offensive wand; both are on the same level in terms of groundball work and starting transition. When the action settles, who can show more poise and discipline to get the job done? Duke’s ability to control face-offs will be important to dictate a faster pace. Maryland has followed the formula of holding the ball into a stall warning and then running an efficient offense. With this in mind, team defense will be a major factor; the Terps will use their long possessions to get the Blue Devils out of their defensive groove. Duke’s close unit will need to be patient and alert. Flip the field and you have a young Maryland group that will try to stifle any push that comes around their goal. Duke will not back down and should use different sets and formations to keep the Terps off balance. The Duke offense has been a buzz saw as of late and is difficult to defend. Big stat: Jordan Wolf and Rotanz have combined for zero goals against Maryland this season. They are the primary initiators of the Duke offense down low and up top.
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