It can be hard to get into a sport without picking a team to root for. When March Madness comes around almost everyone seems to have a team they’re pulling for, even when they have no real association with the school. The college lacrosse season is just starting to heat up, and a few of the teams have been broken down in order to give newcomers to the sport a chance to pick their fandom.
University of Albany
For Fans of: The Flashy Side of the Game
If you like exciting play, Albany could be your team.
The Great Danes lost one of the only athletes capable of rivaling Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry in “even my grandmother who doesn’t watch sports is impressed”-level highlights in Lyle Thompson, however junior attackman Connor Fields has been doing everything in his power to live up to the expectations set by the departed superstar. Fields has rattled off a series of behind-the-back fakes and subsequent creative finishes that have garnered the attention of lacrosse Twitter. With a team-high 21 points through three games, the two-time First Team All-Conference attackman has proven his ability to be a focal point for a dangerous Albany offense.
Johns Hopkins
For Fans of: The Hidden Ball Trick
Notre Dame
For Fans of: Frontrunners
Someone once told Notre Dame midfielder Sergio Perkovic to always shoot his shot, and the senior fully took it to heart. Standing at an intimidating six foot four Perkovic possesses one of the fastest shots in all of lacrosse and is willing to try the keeper from anywhere. He shoots without a conscience, as evidenced by his 0-8 shooting before finally finding the room to rifle one past Michigan’s Tommy Heidt. The Fighting Irish offense is rounded out with more than capable attackmen Ryder Garnsey and Mikey Wynne. The latter tallied a team-high 40 goals throughout last year’s campaign. On the other end, the Irish surround preseason All-American goaltender Shane Doss with one of the nation’s best long-stick midfielders in John Sexton in addition to the short-stick Drew Shantz. Shantz has quickly developed as a two-way threat for a Notre Dame team poised to make a deep run in this year’s tournament.
University of Maryland
For Fans of: The Two Man Game
At attack, the Terrapins trot out possibly the country’s best 1-2 punch in Matt Rambo and Colin Heacock. The duo wreaks havoc on opposing defenseman, constantly screening and rescreening for each other while daring the poor souls tasked with defending them to commit. Both of the seniors were placed on the Tewaaraton award (given to the top collegiate lacrosse player in the country) watch list. Maryland’s other Tewaaraton hopeful is short-stick defensive midfielder Isaiah Davis-Allen. Davis-Allen is the premier defensive middie in the NCAA and is capable of putting the clamps on anyone. This terrapin team is deep, talented, and battling for the spot of number one ranked team in the country.
Denver
For Fans of: Offense and Ball Movement
The Pioneers have what many consider the most explosive offense in the NCAA, captained by senior attackman Connor Cannizzaro. Cannizzaro is second among active players in both goals and points. He serves as one of the focal points the rest of the team plays around. They play with patience, probing the defense and waiting for the best opportunity they can get. When their offense is clicking the ball flies around the field, and this Denver team starts to look like the San Antonio Spurs of lacrosse. Face off expert Trevor Baptiste earns the Pioneers several extra possessions a game at the center X. These bonus chances are important for Denver as they have a high-powered offense, but their defense isn’t as great as other top-ranked teams in the nation.
