2018 Record: 13-4

2019 Preseason Media Poll ranking: No. 4

The Hounds will miss a number of contributors from last year’s quarterfinal squad. Top defensive midfielders Brian Begley ‘18 and Jared Mintzlaff ‘18 are gone as well as face-off specialist Mike Orefice ‘18 and starting long stick midfielder Zac Davliakos ‘18, taking with them significant experience in the defensive midfield. Fifty-point scorer Jay Drapeau ‘18 has also graduated, and All-American defenseman Foster Huggins ‘18 will terrorize Patriot League offenses no longer. On the surface, it may appear that Loyola has lost too many pieces to compete for a championship. However, with the return of some key names and the addition of interesting new recruits, the Hounds possess all the pieces they need to make another run at championship weekend.

Pat Spencer ’19, hailed by Inside Lacrosse and US Lacrosse as the Preseason Player of the Year, holds down the attack for his fourth and final season. Currently sitting at 266 career points, he should have no problem breaking the school record of 311, set by Gary Hanley ‘81 his senior year. The Tewaaraton Trophy is his to lose. Sure-handed sophomores Kevin Lindley (37 goals, 4 assists) and Aidan Olmstead (19 goals, 21 assists) return by his side. With defenses focused on stopping Spencer, Lindley and Olmstead will have to create scoring opportunities for themselves more often than they did last season. With a year of experience and a productive fall under their belts, they will undoubtedly assume bigger roles in the offense. New recruit Ross Pridemore ‘22 arrives as one of the top attackmen in his class, but a torn ACL last summer makes it unclear how much he will contribute this season.

The first midfield unit will consist of three seniors — John Duffy, PJ Brown, and Alex McGovern — each of whom are poised for breakout seasons. Duffy has greatly increased his production year by year since coming to the Evergreen campus, and if his progress continues, he may be an All-American dark horse in a few months. McGovern’s numbers took a huge tumble from 2017 to 2018, but the Maryland-native is now healthy and ready to resume his role as the Hounds’ most dynamic midfielder, capable of both dodging and shooting. With defenses occupied trying to slow down Duffy and McGovern, Brown may prove to be Loyola’s secret weapon on the first midfield. Two local products, Liam Bateman ‘22 and Scott Middleton ‘22, provide the midfield position with some fresh talent, eager to prove themselves. But the most intriguing recruit from this year’s freshman class is Chase Scanlan, the class’s only Under Armour High School All-American. He has great experience in playing at powerhouse IMG Academy and playing for the Iroquois National Team last summer. If he is healthy, he will contribute immediately.

The Hounds’ close defense raises some questions, having lost Foster Huggins ‘18 and Ryder Harkins ‘18, who anchored their defense for several years. But goalie Jacob Stover returns for his senior season, looking to return to his All-American form. LSM Ryan McNulty ‘20 looks primed for an All-American caliber season as well. Two freshmen recruits, Canadian Cam Wyers and Maryland-native Scott Middleton, look like promising young defenders and should play right away.

Some significant rule changes make the 2019 season much more fascinating. A 60-second shot clock and the return of the diving goal will make for a faster game, but a fast-paced playing style is certainly nothing new to Loyola. If anything, it will aid an inexperienced close defense in becoming a more cohesive unit. But this team will have to mature quickly as they face one of the toughest February schedules in the nation with Virginia, Johns Hopkins, and Rutgers, all legitimate contenders for the NCAA tournament. But the Hounds are ready, coming off impressive performances in scrimmages against North Carolina and Richmond. While it will be tough to recover from the players they lost, head coach Charley Toomey has blended his squad with a perfect mix of veteran leaders and young talent. A run at championship weekend is in their sight.

Remaining season schedule:

2/16 @ Johns Hopkins

2/23 @ Rutgers

2/27 @ Towson

3/2 vs Holy Cross

3/7 @ Duke

3/16 vs Navy

3/23 @ Bucknell

3/30 vs Colgate

4/6 vs Lehigh

4/9 vs Georgetown

4/13 @ Boston University

4/20 @ Army West Point

4/26 @ Lafayette

Feature image courtesy of Craig Chase