MLAX Preview: Georgetown

MLAX: Georgetown Preview

By: Mike Camarda

(Irish open season in Dallas against hapless Hoyas)

Who: Georgetown Hoyas (0-1)
When: Feb. 18th at 2:00 p.m. ET
Where: Dallas, Texas. Game played as part of the Patriot Cup on ESPNU.

The Skinny
The Georgetown Hoyas have been lost in the wilderness for a full decade now. The once proud program from the nation’s capital hasn’t made an NCAA tournament since 2007 after eleven straight previous appearances and six straight elite 8s. The fall of Georgetown coincides almost perfectly with the ascension of Notre Dame, who has made 11 straight tournaments dating back to 2006. It appears there is only room for one good Catholic school in college lacrosse, and that school is not run by Jesuits.

Georgetown is coming off a putrid 2016 campaign where they went 2-12 with a number of horrifying losses. And, if their first game is any indication, 2017 does not look to be much better. Georgetown lost 9-3 to High Point in their season opener despite controlling game action for much of the game. Notre Dame has yet to play a game and is a giant enigma… but a tabula rasa is certainly more encouraging than a 6 goal loss to High Point.

What to Watch
Georgetown features two decent players at attack in Peter Conley and Daniel Bucaro. They shot a combined 2 for 19 against High Point, but created many quality offensive opportunities. They’re good enough to win their matchups and cause problems, but there’s no indication that Georgetown’s complimentary players… who shot an abysmal 1 for 17 in their first contest… can threaten Notre Dame.

For Notre Dame, it’ll be most interesting to watch how newly anointed captain and senior attack Anthony Marini performs in his first start. Will he play assertive? Efficient? Mistake free? Because waiting in the wings behind him is the big freshman Brian Willetts who has incredible upside and played increasingly better as the preseason progressed. Willetts is sure to see some minutes in one fashion or another, but Marini – who waited his turn for years behind Doyle, Kavanagh, and Garnsey – will get a chance to show what he can do first.

At midfield, look for different midfield combinations instead of traditional lines. Expect Sergio Perkovic’s minutes to be maximized in a variety of roles; and for Brendan Gleason, Pierre Byrne, and Brendan Collins to be given ample opportunity to showcase their talents in a new look offense.

Prediction
Georgetown bounces back from their nightmare against High Point with better production on offense, but Notre Dame uses some runs to put the game completely out of reach by the 4th quarter. Notre Dame’s superior depth leads to multiple goals in transition and a comfortable victory 13 to 6.