Feb. 20, 2009
Stony Brook, N.Y. -
Stony Brook - Virginia game notes
Face-off
Stony Brook begins its 2009 men's lacrosse season in the friendly confines of LaValle Stadium where the Seawolves will host #2 ranked Virginia. The game will mark the start of three straight at home for Stony Brook to start the year and will be the longest home stand of the season for the Seawolves. Beginning his third season at Stony Brook, head coach Rick Sowell has six starters back from last season's 7-7 squad that finished third in the America East standings. Included in that group are a pair of sophomores who have been named preseason All-Americans, Kevin Crowley and Jordan McBride. McBride finished as the top freshman goal scorer in the nation a year ago with 44 goals, while Crowley was among the national leaders in assists. The 2009 season will be the 26th lacrosse season for Stony Brook, with 21 of those coming at the Division I level.
Dynamic Duo
Stony Brook had a pleasant surprise last season when freshmen Jordan McBride and Kevin Crowley turned out to be the best freshman scoring tandem in the nation. Now with a year of experience under their belts the Seawolves are hoping the pair can continue their impressive offensive showing from a year ago. McBride earned All-America and America East Rookie of the Year honors after scoring 44 goals in 2008, a number that put him third in the nation in goals per game (3.14). Crowley was just as effective, finishing his freshman campaign with 22 goals and 26 assists, finishing 10th in the nation in assists per game (1.86). Together the pair accounted for 40 percent of the team's goals and 33 percent of the assists.
A Look at the Cavaliers
Virginia has gotten the jump on Stony Brook this season, coming into the game with a pair of games already under its belt. The Cavaliers have played a pair at home already, taking a 13-7 win over Drexel to start the season a week ago and then downing Bryant, 10-4, on Monday. Senior Garrett Billings, who scored five goals against Drexel, leads Virginia so far with six goals and three assists. The Cavaliers also feature the preseason Player of the Year as selected by Lacrosse Magazine, Danny Glading, who, along with Billings, came into the season with 87 career goals. In goal sophomore Adam Ghitelman has played all but 22 seconds, posting a 4.88 GAA so far this season. Virginia comes into the 2009 season as one of the most highly regarded teams in the nation, holding the No. 2 ranking in the USILA Coaches Poll, and No. 1 in the Inside Lacrosse/Nike media poll. This will be Virginia's first road game of the season; the Cavaliers were 5-1 away from home a year ago.
