Long Island Lacrosse

I've already gave my pick, so there won't be any suspense here. But this game between Hofstra and Johns Hopkins deserves an in depth look, so here's a breakdown.

The matchup: No. 16 Hofstra (10-5) at No. 4 Johns Hopkins (8-5)
When: 2:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Homewood Field, Baltimore
TV/Radio: ESPNU/WHRU (88.7)
Key players: Hofstra – Anthony Muscarella, Jr., M (24 G, 17 A); Jay Card, Fr., A/M (27 G, 10 A); Dan Stein, Soph., A (20 G, 10 A); Tom Dooley, Jr., A (25 G, 4 A). Hopkins – Kevin Huntley, Sr., A (26 G, 8 A); Paul Rabil, Sr., M (22 G, 11 A); Steven Boyle, Soph., A (13 G, 11 A); Stephen Peyser, Sr., M (18 G, 5 A).
All-time series: Hopkins leads, 16-4
Last meeting: Hofstra won 8-7 in OT March 8
Current streaks: Hofstra won 4; Hopkins won 5
Last time out: Hofstra beat Drexel 10-9 to capture the CAA Tournament title, scoring two goals in the final 1:18 of regulation to tie it before Tom Dooley scored the game-winner off the opening faceoff 11 seconds into to OT; Hopkins took down Loyola (Md.) by a 9-6 margin to conclude its regular season.
The skinny on Johns Hopkins: This marks the 12th consecutive year the Blue Jays have been seeded in the top five of the NCAA Tournament. Just for comparison purposes, there is not another team in the country that's even advanced to the Big Dance for 12 straight years. Hopkins run of 12 consecutive top-five seeds is twice as long as any other team’s streak (Maryland has six) of qualifying for the tournament. Period. Here's something else: Hopkins is 24-5 (.828) in the month of May under eighth-year coach Dave Pietramala and the Blue Jays are a perfect 12-0 at Homewood Field in this lovely month during his tenure. Offensively, Paul Rabil is the one Hofstra has to contain somewhat. He is one of five finalists for the 2008 Tewaaraton Trophy.
The skinny on Hofstra: Hofstra isn't an easy team to stop since it boasts four players with 20 or more goals and six with 25 points or greater. Anthony Muscarella has been one of the main sparks thanks to his 28 goals and 42 points. Tom Dooley, Jay Card, and Dan Stein, comprise a successful attack group. Card was named the CAA Rookie of the Year and, coincidentally, broke through and made a name for himself in the Pride's win over Hopkins earlier this season with four goals -- including the game-winner in OT. Hofstra's offense is in tune just in the nick of time. The Pride scored eight goals or more once through its first seven contests, but has registered nine or more goals in seven of its last eight matchups.
Outlook: Just as it did in March, Hofstra is going to have to play a nearly flawless game to have a legitimate shot at taking down Hopkins. Hofstra must also try to slow the ball down and almost lull Hopkins to sleep. JHU hasn't forgot that loss to the Pride and is pretty much unbeatable on its home field. So the Pride will have to weather the crowd and the Blue Jays' early emotion. If Hofstra can manage all of this and have Lady Luck on its side, too, the Pride can pick up what is sure to be one of the biggest wins in program history.

RODERICK BOONE