The return of the Swami (pt. 2)...
What happened last week?...
North Carolina's back was truly to the wall when it visited College Park last weekend. The Tarheels were 2-4 with wins over Cornell and Denver. Now, having lost to Maryland, UNC is 2-5 with Hopkins, Virginia, Air Force, UMBC, Colgate, and the ACC Tournament left on the schedule. The Swami thinks the Tarheels will be eliminated from NCAA Tournament consideration with a losing record this season.

Navy has been breezing through its Patriot League schedule following its upset by Bucknell three weeks ago, but Navy's win over North Carolina is now almost worthless. The Mids have their first big test next week in Washington, when they meet a Georgetown team that is anxious to redeem itself from a humiliating (12-3) home loss to Duke. Early forecasts indicate that the weather for this game does not look promising (48°, with some rain possible). The Swami's extended comments on the game appear below,

As Miss Venus Lee reports this week from Washington, Duke gives every early sign of being for real this season. If the Blue Devils get by Mount Saint Mary's and Ohio State, both of which they play at home, a potential battle of the undefeated at Johns Hopkins' Homewood Field may loom on April 8th.

The Swami made a couple of predictions about up-and-coming teams at the beginning of the year that look like they're coming to fruition. The first was that Rutgers had lost five starters and 40% of its scoring and that the team would have to spend this season rebuilding. Unranked Rutgers has now dropped four games in a row, most recently in a Swami-predicted loss to Hobart. Loyola visits Rutgers this weekend for what should be a good game.

The Swami also predicted that, despite popular sentiment, Notre Dame would also need a year to regroup. But the path of the Fighting Irish to their conference championship may not be so difficult. The entire Great Western Lacrosse League seems weakened this year. Nevertheless, the Swami thinks Denver is still the most underrated team in Division I this season, and the GWLL does not really begin the heart of its season until April. With a tie-breaker that may depend on goals scored, expect to see these teams bring out all the firepower they can muster.

Many fans may be confounded by Princeton, but not the Swami. Princeton is now winless with only Rutgers and Butler left on its schedule as non-conference opponents. With neither of these teams offering Princeton the quality win it needs to make the tournament as an at-large selection, the Tigers' only hope may be to take the Ivy League's automatic NCAA bid. Yes, Princeton is much improved, but the Swami asks "from what?" Last year Princeton's best win was over Rutgers, and the Tigers' loss to Cornell allowed the conference bid go to the Big Red. The fact of the matter is that Princeton was a marginal NCAA Tournament selection in 2004 at best (Hobart had better RPI and strength of schedule, together with wins over two playoff teams). Now, the Princeton-Cornell game on April 23rd (at Ithaca) is looking all-important. The Swami also thinks that the following week the Princeton-Dartmouth tryst is equally significant. And, if that's true, the Cornell-Dartmouth game on April 16th is another crucial contest. Yes, the Ivy League is wide open, but the Swami still thinks we are unlikely to see three Ivy League teams in this year's tourney.

No team, including Syracuse, had scored in double digits against Army's defense before Hofstra accomplished it earlier this week in a losing effort (11-10). The Black Knights are on a roll, having just won their sixth game in a row. The weekend they face Air Force. This will be the first of three games in two weeks Army has left before the Big One in Annapolis on April 16th. If the Cadets visit Annapolis atop the Patriot League, the winner will almost certainly host the PL Tournament. A suggestion from the Swami: but your tickets for Army-Navy now on line (HERE). The ticket lines at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium will be very long. Also, if you have not yet seen the stadium after its recently completed renovations, you're in for a real treat. This is a great lacrosse venue conveniently located off a main artery (US 50) and has more than adequate (free) parking. Mid-April is the most beautiful time of the year in Annapolis. For those wishing to stay overnight, here is the link to the City of Annapolis web site and accommodations page. Army-Navy is always a big game, but maybe never more so that this year.

§ § §

His back mended, the Swami visits the Big Apple and ponders "why do the Europeans hate us?"...
Many of the Swami's fellow ultra-liberals have often pondered the question "why do they hate us?" (For "they" you can plug in just about any foreign nationality including Arabs, Asians, Caribbeans, Europeans, Pacific Islanders, and Californians, among others).

It's no secret that many of the Swami's toniest friends are New Yorkers. And every once in a while the Swami has business in Gotham. That always offers an excuse for the Swami's companion, Miss Bunny Bimbette, the movie star, to accompany the Swami on such outings. And, by the way, Miss Bimbette, contrary to notions of genetic predetermination, is no mathematical slouch. She knows her numbers well enough to instantly calculate the relative value of a shoe sale at a distance that could reduce a long distance runner to breathlessness.

Many people think that Hollywood movie stars ride in limousines because they can afford to. The Swami knows this is not true. Limousines afford a privacy to the talented and famous class that shield them from the normal depredation associated with extended exposure to the public. Even the memory of frustrated Hopkins' fans pounding on the window of the Swami's limo is not without its agreeably reassurant remembrance. The Swami likes limousines, but since most New Yorkers relate lacrosse to some sort of egalitarian performance art rather than sport, it's one of the few places the Swami can travel without being hounded for autographs. So, the Swami often takes the subway around the city.

Last week, the Swami was on his way from his Manhattan home (the Peninsula Hotel) to his firm's New York office downtown on the E Train. It was at the end of the morning rush hour, and the train was rather crowded. The Swami, ever the gentlemen, was standing, having just offered his seat to a young lady, despite recriminating stares from the typically mannerless New Yorkers. As the train turned left under 8th Avenue, a man at the rear of the car came forward to get off and jostled the Swami. The Swami had eyed this character with suspicion moments earlier. The Swami knew that the expensive Italian suit with patch pockets, effeminate pilgrim-tipped patent leather shoes, and a slicked-back hairdo from the 1970's marked the fellow as a Euro-weenie, and the United Nations pin stuck in his lapel confirmed it. Then, just as he passed the Swami a little too closely, he quickened his step for the door. The Swami felt for his wallet.

Gone!

The Swami rushed for the door behind the departing thief. Mr. Euro-weenie made his way out just before the door closed and blocked the Swami inside--but not before the Swami got hold of his coat pocket. The doors closed around the garment as the train started moving. The Swami began to lose grip on the jacket. Finally, the Swami gave it a good yank and the patch pocket came off in the Swami's hand. He may have gotten the Swami's wallet, but the Swami had his pocket!

Then, the Swami flashed back to the "French Connection." Didn't the nefarious French dope dealer pull the same subway trick on Gene Hackman? Hey, tell the Swami this guy wasn't European--this was an odious Paris Metro scam if the Swami ever saw one.

Twenty minutes later the Swami arrived at his New York office. The receptionist had a message for the Swami. Miss Bimbette had just called from the Peninsula Hotel. The Swami had left his wallet on the dresser. Could Miss Bimbette have one of his credit cards to go shopping?

The Swami was relieved.

Is there a lesson in this experience? Of course there is.

Had the Swami taken his wallet with him, it would now be in the possession of Mr. Euro-weenie.

Now, the Swami employs an all-female staff. You know what that means. Fifteen different stations on any extended trip in the Swami's SUV. So, this year, the Swami instructed the radio installers to put in a chick-proof radio. It has so many buttons and dials that even the highly mathematical Swami has to think before pushing a button or twisting a dial. But, the Swami gives Miss Lee an A+ for creative writing.

§ § §

Head Coach:
Willis P. Bilderback, U.S. Naval Academy (1959-1972)
Bill ("Bildy") Bilderback served as Navy's plebe coach for 12 years before legend William H. ("Dinty") Moore retired as head coach of Navy's varsity team. Moore had founded the highly successful lacrosse program at St. John's (Annapolis) College, across the street from the Naval Academy. When St. John's converted from a military college to one known for its "great books" program, it dropped all inter-collegiate athletics, and Moore moved to the Naval Academy. He coached there from 1936-1958.

Bilderback's first season was 1959, when Navy compiled a record of 6-3. In 1960, Navy finished 10-0 and was the national champion. It was the first of an uprecedented run of winning or sharing eight national championships in a row. During that extended period of time, Navy lost a total of three games (two to Army, one to Hopkins).

Coach Bilderback retired with a record 117-18-2.

He was arguably the best college lacrosse coach of all time.

Attack:
Jimmy Lewis, U.S. Naval Academy, 1966
Jimmy Lewis can't remember when he lost a game. A 1966 graduate of the Naval Academy, the Mids were undefeated national champions during his entire tenure on the squad. At Uniondale High School in Long Island, Lewis' team won 45 straight games, and Jimmy was named the most outstanding player on Long Island. A three year limited athlete, Lewis is the only wooden stick player to win theTurnbull Trophy (best attackman) in every year of his eligibility (three years in a row). He was a first team All-American for each of those years also. Lewis held almost every offensive record in the country when he played. He was the recipient of the Naval Academy's Athletic Sword (Navy's highest athletic award) in his senior year. He was an outstanding soccer player, who competed in three national semi-finals, and scored the only goal in Navy's 1964 National Soccer Championship. He was the best attackman in the history of wooden stick lacrosse. He went into Naval Aviation and is a Top Gun graduate. He was elected to the Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1981.

Joe Cowan, Johns Hopkins, 1969
Joe Cowan led his high school team (Friends School) to the Maryland Scholastic Association Championship in 1963. A three year limited player, he played on three consecutive collegiate championship teams, earning All-American status in each of those years. He also won two Turnbull Trophies. He was elected to the Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1985.

J. H. Lee Chambers, Jr., U.S. Naval Academy, 1946
James Chambers was elected first team All-American as a freshman attackman in 1943. He may own the longest collegiate lacrosse record ever held, even though he was injured for part of a season. A four year AA, Chambers, despite playing in the 1940's when games were low-scoring, is still, remarkably, Navy's all-time leading goal scorer. He was elected to the Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1975.

Midfield:
Center Midfield:
Gordon S. "Willie" Pugh, University of Maryland, 1933
One of the greatest athletes in a high school known for them, Pugh won 11 major letters at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (Poly), captained the lacrosse team, was high scorer on the track team, won the school's coveted gold football for his prowess on the gridiron, and was the recipient of the school's athletic medal. He enrolled in Butler University, which did not have a lacrosse team, for his freshman year then transferred to the University of Maryland where he was a first team All-American for three consecutive years. Willie Pugh almost set an unbreakable record. An outstanding face-off man, he held his opponents without a single goal for three years as a defender. Only in his last collegiate game did his opponent score on him. He went on to play for the Mt. Washington club team and later became St. Paul's School's first lacrosse coach. He was elected to the Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1968.

Joe Seivold, Washington College, 1958
Prior to 1971 there were no "Division III" schools, and Washington College was a lacrosse power which played all the top teams. Joe Seivold, Jr., was selected for the old "All Maryland" high school team from Friends School in both 1953 and 1954. He led the Friends team to the Maryland Scholastic Association Championship in 1954. Seivold was a four year All-American at Washington College, where he broke several school records, including high scorer. In his senior year, he is believed to be the only midfielder on a competitive team who played all 60 minutes at midfield. A great defensive player, Seivold also scored 167 goals, including 10 in a single game. He played in the 1958 North/South All-Star Game. After college, Seivold played for the Mt. Washington Lacrosse Club for 13 years. He was a member of the U.S. Team in Toronto, Canada, which won the Lally Cup in 1967. He played in five games with Mt. Washington against the Club All-Star Team, and six games with the Club All-Star Team. From 1974-76, Seivold coached the Mt. Washington Club and, in 1974, coached the victorious South Team in the Club All-Star Game. He coached Mt. Washington to two club championships in 1975 and 1976. Incredibly, Seivold also coached Park (High) School in Baltimore from 1961-1975. He was elected to the Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1979.

A. Clayton Beardmore, Jr., University of Maryland, 1962
Buddy Beardmore was perhaps one of the best examples of a two-way player in the era of wooden stick lacrosse. A strong rider with an instinct for take-away, Beardmore also set the school's midfield scoring record (108 points, later broken by Frank Urso--a four year player). He was a three year All-American, won the Cole Award, the Powell Award, and won the Navy Seals' Award as Navy's toughest opponent. He was a North/South player, and is a member the Terrapins' All-Time Team. He coached college lacrosse at Hobart, Virginia, and Maryland. His teams won three NCAA Championships. He was elected to the Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1980.

Defense:
Phillip Lotz, St. John's College, 1932
Phil Lotz and his older brother, Ed, formed the most brutal defensive duo in the history of lacrosse--a completely impenetrable curtain that received national attention. In 1931, St. John's was undefeated National Champion. That year the school won ten games by a combined score of 150-6. The only team to ever approach this record in the history of lacrosse was the 1930 St. John's team, which out scored opponents 102-13. An All-American in 1931 and 1932, in 1932 Phil Lotz was selected by sportswriter Wilson Wingate to be captain of the All-Time American Lacrosse Team. He attended Ellicott City High School, where he also played baseball, basketball, and soccer. He went on to help found the lacrosse program at Washington & Lee University. He was elected to the Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1968. The last time the Swami heard, Phil Lotz was still living in Virginia, retired from the practice of law.

Edwin Lotz, St. John's College, 1931
Ed Lotz, from a gifted athletic family, graduated from Ellicott City High School in 1927. He played football and lacrosse for tiny St. John's College in Annapolis, which used to be an athletic powerhouse. St. John's is the third oldest college in the country (after Harvard and William & Mary). When Francis Scott Key graduated from St. John's in the 1700's, the school was already over 100 years old. St. John's has been known since the 1930's as the best of the so called "great books" schools that stress classical education. In the 1920's, however, St. John's was a military school that Douglas MacArthur's brother (another Army general) attended. In 1928 the school voted to drop the baseball team where Ed Lotz was the catcher. Lotz transferred to the lacrosse team where he played on three consecutive national champions (1929, 1930, and 1931). He went on to play for the U.S. National team (composed largely of St. Johnnies), which won the U.S.-Canada championship and the Lally Cup. He was a first team All-America in 1930 and 1931. Ed Lotz was elected to the Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1966.

Carl Tamulevich, U.S. Naval Academy, 1968
Carl Tamulevich was Nashua (NH) High School's Most Outstanding Athlete in 1961 as a sophomore. He played football, basketball, and baseball, but Nashua did not have a lacrosse team. He was first exposed to lacrosse at the U.S. Naval Academy Prep School in 1964. A three year limited athlete, Tamulevich was a two-time first team All American defenseman. He also played football for Navy. He won the Schmiesser Award as the nation's best lacrosse defenseman in 1968. He played on two National Championship teams. During his four years at the Naval Academy, his team lost a total of three games. He was elected to the Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1989.

Goal:
James Kappler, University of Maryland, 1957
A 1952 graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (Poly), Jimmy Kappler, a three year limited player, was a three time All-American selection. Kappler was the only three year player that the Swami knows of who won the Ensign Kelly Award for best goalie all three years of his eligibility. He was also winner of the Cone Trophy (goalie award), the Charles P. McCormick Award (most contributive Baltimore area athlete), and was the recipient of the Maryland Ring, the highest athletic award at the University of Maryland. After graduating from Maryland he was a member of the 1957 South All-Star Team and was picked every year to the Club All-Star team from 1960-67. As a result of his outstanding play during his ten years at the Mt. Washington Club he was placed on the Mt. Washington Club Honor Roll. Jimmy Kappler was the best wooden stick goalie of all time. He was elected to the Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1976.

And, a special Swami selectee:
Designated Feeder (attack):
Ray Altman, University of Maryland, 1963
You won't find Ray Altman's name in too many places. He is not in the Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Almost no one remembers him. Altman graduated from the University of Maryland in 1963, his only year as a first team All-American. Ray Altman was not even elected to the University of Maryland's own Hall of Fame until 2003. But, if you look real closely at the record book, you will notice that Altman, a three year limited player, is #2 on the career point list at Maryland, ahead of four year All-American Frank Urso, and just 5 points (219-214) behind four year starter Bob Boniello. But Altman was never really known for scoring. The single most underrated collegiate player the Swami has ever seen, Altman, after over 40 years, handicapped by only being allowed by the NCAA to play three years, is still Maryland's all-time assist leader.

Altman could throw a grain of sand through the eye of a needle at ten feet. He is the single best feeder that the Swami has ever seen in any era of lacrosse. Intelligent, intuitive, and quick, Altman was most dangerous behind the goal, where no one could cover him. He is the Swami's designated all-time feeder.

§ § §

Last Week...
In Baltimore, at Homewood Field...
The Swami takes in all the action...but most of it was at the concession stands...
ESPNU hits a home run with its abbreviated replay...
Hey, the Swami was going to review the broadcast of this game, but instead of TIVOing the Channel 2 broadcast, the Swami decided to TIVO the Syracuse-Princeton game and pick up the rebroadcast of the match at Homewood on the ESPNU replay of Channel 2's call. ESPNU is known for abbreviating their rebroadcasts by cutting out some commercials and Channel 2 trivia chat, but when the Swami watched the opening face-off and then saw ESPNU jump to the fourth quarter, it only confirmed the opinion the Swami developed watching the game in person. Hey, talk about editing, an 11 minute lacrosse game is only acceptable when two alleged #1 contenders decide to play keep away rather than chance the other guy will get the ball. Under those circumstances, ESPNU's replay managed to make this game appear more exciting. Hey, what more could a good lacrosse fan want from the most boring team in lacrosse?

This hardly looked like a game between #1 and #2. It was played entirely too defensively, was low-scoring, and lacked any action at all for long periods. This contest reminded the Swami of an Olympic bicycle race where all the racers lope along the indoor track at impossibly slow speeds until, at the last moment, someone tries to break out in front in a final desperate surge. Only in this match, the last minute surge wasn't there. At least not from Virginia.

Rather, last week's battle at Homewood was decided by the flukiest of all events: the unplanned appearance of two players who have spent much of the season riding Hopkins' bench. Kevin Huntley, a freshman attacker, who did not start the game, came onto the field only when an injured Kyle Barrie left midway through the first quarter. After adjusting to his surroundings, Huntley racked up three goals and two assists.

Jamie Koesterer, a Hopkins junior midfielder who had never faced-off in a single game this year, was brought off the bench in the fourth quarter when Hopkins was on the losing end of a 9-6 face-off battle against UVA's (.600+) Jack deVilliers, and won all four face-offs, just when the Cavaliers were showing signs of coming to life offensively.

Absent those two fortuitous events, and, maybe, Jesse Schwartzman's first career 20 save effort, this would have been another game.

Final score: Johns Hopkins 9, Virginia 7 (yawn).

In Washington, at North Kehoe Field...
Miss Venus Lee reports from Duke-Georgetown...
An ill wind from Durham blows Georgetown no good...
Since the Swami attended the Virginia-Hopkins game with friends, and with my own car on the fritz, I was able to drive the Swami's gas-guzzling Lincoln Navigator to the game in Washington. There was only one proviso: that I stop in Baltimore first and have the SUV washed. That's where a problem began.

The Swami has a satellite radio system installed in his Navigator. As I drove to the car wash, I listened to one of the radio's many jazz stations. This one featured a review of the life of Lionel Hampton, complete with recorded interviews and much of his music. It was scheduled to continue for the better part of the day. "I'm going to enjoy this," I thought.

I was thankful that the station was already tuned in, because the radio itself is quite complex, and I don't know how to work it. So far, so good.

The guys at the car wash apparently did know how to work it however. As I pulled out and headed toward Washington, I listened to an interview with a person called "Buckethead," and wondered what his relationship to Lionel Hampton was. Then the rap music started. It was not the normal kind of rap one would listen to on mainstream radio, but a tasteless and salacious sort. I felt like I was at a Loyola College lacrosse game.

I couldn't change the station, so I turned the volume down and rode to DC in silence.

Georgetown is constructing a multi-purpose facility on the site of what was once Harbin Field, and this game was played at North Kehoe Field. This is located between the old Kehoe Field and the medical school. It is not clear to me whether this is a permanent facility or not, but the field is natural grass, and looked to be in excellent condition. The day was overcast and chilly, but dry. The seating capacity is probably somewhere around 1,300, because attendance for this game was said to be 1,124, and the stands were filled almost to capacity. I wondered if next week's Navy crowd would fit into this small place.

Georgetown fans seemed full of hope for the team's first home game of the season, but Duke's Matt Danowski struck first with a goal at 11:19.

With 9:01 left in the first quarter, Duke midfielder Kyle Dowd took what looked to be an ordinary pass from teammate Matt Zash. Dowd, a Hopkins transfer, was about 12 yards out on the right side, but had no angle on the goal. Dowd shot anyway, and the ball found its mark.

The first quarter saw Duke neutralize Georgetown's faceoff master Andy Corno with an interesting strategy. Duke's center midfielder, Dan Oppedisano, simply clamped the ball and waited for his wings to surround it. By doing this, Duke was giving up the possibility of a clean win, but also denying that same opportunity to Georgetown. Duke was 3 for 3 at the "x" in the first quarter, as its wings picked up faceoffs one and three, while the Blue Devils were awarded the second faceoff on a procedure call. The quarter ended with Duke up, 2-0, but the Blue Devils completely dominated time of possession.

Duke scored it third goal just three minutes into the second period when Zack Greer literally swept in a ground ball.

Four minutes later, Duke struck on a goal whose setup would energize the entire team. Georgetown was attempting to clear the ball when one of its long stick defenders was stripped of it. Duke broke into transition with a pass to Peter Lamade, who found Zack Greer open but covered on the left. As the Hoya defense slid to him, Greer one-timed it to Dan Flannery, who put it in the net. Duke fans became animated.

By now, It was becoming apparent that this was going to be quite a day for Duke. The Blue Devils were playing a game right out of any coaches' textbook: harass the opponent on clears, box them out on defense, save the shot, attack the goal on transisition, take the opportune shot, but when the shot's not there, work the ball to the open man and don't force anything. It was a model of unselfish team work. Georgetown, on the other hand, was looking almost as bad as it did against Maryland earlier in the season. Even fans in the stands were remarking by halftime that no team could look as good as did Duke, nor as bad as did Georgetown.

Duke's Brett Thompson scored Duke's fifth consecutive goal at 8:13 on the run with a high shot from 12 yards out in front.

A little more than a minute later, Georgetown would get on the board when Sean Denihan got a step on his defender and scored from close in. Duke ran off two more goals, one from Zack Greer, which came off a rebound, and the second from long stick defender Nick O'Hara on transition.

The first half ended with Duke ahead, 7-1. In addition to totally dominating time of possession, Duke was hustling to ground balls, and passing much better than its opponent. I was startled to read that the official scored had ground balls in Duke's favor 41-39. My impression was that this game was not nearly so close in hustle factor. By the half, Georgetown was beginning to wise up to Duke's faceoff strategy. The Blue Devils had taken all three faceoffs in the first quarter, and were 4 for 7 in the second. But Andy Corno had won the last faceoff of the half and was beginning to look more confident. How much, I wondered, was Duke's overwhelming time of possession advantage attributable to its success at faceoff?

The third quarter would answer that question rather quickly. Corno would win the next six faceoffs, but, during that period of time, Duke would still dominate possession, while out scoring the Hoyas 3-1.

Georgetown struck less than a minute into the third period with a goal from Trevor Casey on a feed from Sean Denihan. Like the first score, this was from close in. Blue Devil goaltender Aaron Fenton was helpless to stop it.

Dan Flannery scored again (right-handed) for Duke at 10:53 on a feed from Matt Danowski. Flannery was negotiating himself inside in heavy traffic and the feed was excellent. I put a star in my scorecard, feeling sure it would constitute my offensive play of the day. Little did I know.

A little more than a minute later Flannery completed his hat trick with a left-handed shot low into the net, this time on a feed from Zack Greer.

Up 9-2 now, with 3:54 remaining in the third quarter, Duke wrestled the ball away from the Hoyas. It rested in the possession of Matt Danowski, who was way, way out on the right side--maybe a little short of midfield. Danowski spotted Zack Greer close in breaking toward the goal and hit him perfectly with the feed, but Greer was blanketed. He pivoted and put the ball past his defender and Hoya goalie Rich D'Andrea in what seemed like a single move. Even Georgetown fans in the crowd were awed. I erased the star from earlier.

If Georgetown's back was not broken already the aforementioned play did it. So, when the fourth quarter began, Hoya defender Rob Smith decked Blue Devil Michael Ward from behind. But, by this point, Duke's need to score took a backseat to bringing subs off the bench. Smith was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct and Duke's bench let the Hoya's know what was on its mind.

Duke's eleventh goal was yet another masterpiece. I lost track of who started the play, but it was strung out to four successive and rapid passes, ending up with Matt Zash finding Dan Flannery once again.

Not a minute later, Flannery scored his fifth goal of the day on a feed from Danowski.

Duke goalie Aaron Fenton was pulled with 4:21 left on the scoreboard clock to a standing ovation from the many Duke fans present.

Georgetown would get its third, and final, goal at 2:04 from Andrew Baird on the doorstep on a great feed from Mat Wilson behind the goal.

I consider a sustained possession one of a minute and fifty seconds or longer. I figure with 20 seconds to bring the ball into the attack area, that leaves 90 seconds of possession time, double what most referees would whistle for stalling late in the game. Based on that criteria, it did not look to me that Georgetown had a single sustained possession the entire game.

Duke simply put it all together and played a game that would have beaten any team. Case closed.

One criticism: the PA systems at most fields are entirely too loud. This one was so muted that the fans sitting at midfield could hear only muffled sounds.

In Georgetown's parking lot after the game, a couple with two young boys noticed that I was having difficulty tuning the SUV's radio and showed me how it worked. I would just like to add for the record that it was the female of the family who provided the instructions.

Final Score: Duke 12, Georgetown 3.

In Delaware, at Rullo Stadium...
Under the lights, out of the coffin, onto the field, and into the rankings...
The Blue Men put on a show for their loyal fans, rising to the top of the CAA with a shocking (Swami predicted) upset of Towson...
Last week the Swami warned his readers not to miss this game. The Swami was right. The Swami also told his readers that Delaware would upset Towson, beating the Tigers for only the third time in the last 16 meetings. The Swami was right. The Swami also noted that Delaware never wins its big games easily. Well, the Blue Men stuck it to the Swami on that last one.

Four different home team offensive players lit up the board at Rullo Stadium with six goals, while their defense held Towson scoreless for the better part of the first half. In the meantime, the Swami predicted battle in the face-off circle raged for the entire game.

There were no center midfielder subs, as both Delaware's Andy Smith and Towson's Matt Eckerl took every face-off. In the end, the advantage went narrowly to Delaware. A 10-9 edge might not seem like much, but Eckerl is one of the best in the business, and this game marks only the second time he has been beaten in seven games this year.

Both teams racked up approximately the same numbers of shots on goal (25 Delaware, 24 Towson), and both goalies turned in excellent games. But, last Saturday, Blue Man Chris Collins stepped up with a career-tying 19 saves, including four crucial man down saves.

Towson did not get on the board until only 4:43 remained in the first half, then scored again just a minute later. But Delaware's stalwart defense held the Tigers at bay for another five minutes while padding their lead by one.

Towson's notable weakness this season, a poor (.220) EMO shooting percentage was much in evidence as the Tigers could only score on two of the eight penalty chances they were handed by Delaware. The Blue Men, on the other hand were a study in near perfection on EMO, going four for six in that department. But despite those statistics, extra man advantage was not the deciding factor in this game. The Blue Men were clearly motivated and played like it.

It's easy to give credit to a goalie who has 19 saves on 24 shots on goal for being the game's hero. But on more than one penalty, Towson got off no shot due to Delaware's stingy defense. And Delaware's shooters were pounding away all night at Towson net minder Reed Sothoron, as in one point in the first quarter when the Blue Men got off four shots in less than 70 seconds.

Sothoron looked excellent when he was not face-to-face with the Delaware attackers, but some of the Blue Men's doorsteppers were simply impossible to stop.

Nineteen saves by Collins, and a first half hat trick by Blue Man Cam Howard notwithstanding, this was a team victory. The Blue Men hit the field on air and never touched the ground.

This is a team that has always played with its heart, and when Delaware gets motivated, watch out.

There were 1,000 people at this game.

Final score: Delaware 13, Towson 8.

This Week...
Lacrosse broadcast links...
Each week the Swami notices questions on the Laxpower board about which games will be broadcast that weekend. Hey, they're all here!

If you need to connect to lacrosse games on the Internet, remember: the Swami's list is the most complete compilation of lacrosse TV and radio broadcasts on the Internet.To get to that page, or any of the Swami's other exciting pages, just run your mouse over the floating link bar at the left of your screen. That will activate the pull-out tray which contains links to Radio/TV, the Swami's other links and the Swami Fan Club, which is now the most populous fan club in lacrosse. Hey, when you read the Swami, you get it all!

It usually takes a while to get down all the many changes that college stations make to their webcasts between seasons, so be patient.

Swami's Game of the Week:
Georgetown (#5) at Navy (#16)

Saturday, April 2, 1:00 PM, Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, MD

Listen to Pete Medhurst call this game over WNAV (1430 AM). The pre-game show starts at 12:45 PM, Click on logo to listen.