On a collision course towards an undefeated match-up, No. 1 Hopkins (8-0) and No. 4 Loyola (8-0) are flexing Baltimore’s lacrosse muscles.
As an undergrad at Towson University, I was known to talk trash to many opposing lacrosse fans and players, only to leave disappointed as the likes of Hopkins, Virginia and others steamrolled my Tigers. Despite cheering against Hopkins, Loyola and other local teams when they played Towson, I root for them in every other game they play and I have a ton of civic pride when they have success. Baltimore has a rich lacrosse tradition and it is showing no signs of slowing down in 2012.
When the subject of the best lacrosse programs in the history of the game is broached, one of the first names out of people’s mouth is Johns Hopkins. Those who live in the area who have no affiliation with any other traditional lax power or who are just casual fans generally root for Hopkins because of the tremendous success they have had. With nine national titles and several runner-up finishes, Hopkins clearly is one of the elite programs in the sport. However, this season their toughest challenge could be just a couple miles up Charles Street.
Much like Towson, Loyola often takes a backseat to Hopkins when it comes to popularity and success in Baltimore, but the 2012 Greyhounds are looking to make history and bring Loyola its first national title. At 8-0, the ‘Hounds have steamrolled opponents yielding no more than eight and scoring no less than 11 goals per game. They may very well be undefeated when they host Hopkins in the final game of the season – a game which should create a tremendous buzz around the city. Baltimore is a small city, but Loyola is showing that this season there is room for two big time lacrosse programs.
As far as Hopkins goes, all they’ve done so far in 2012 is amass an 8-0 record and garner the #1 ranking in the country. Last Saturday they knocked off the previously top ranked, defending national champion Virginia Cavaliers, and already have wins over traditional powers Syracuse and Princeton.
Make no bones about it, people at Hopkins aren’t fond of people at Loyola and vice versa. This could make the possible undefeated match-up that much more exciting. While I root against these teams every time they play Towson, I also root for them to go far in the NCAA Tournament and believe that it is great for the city to have as much great lacrosse as possible.
The Baltimore area is a lacrosse hot bed and many believe it produces the best lacrosse players in the country. Certainly Hopkins has been the gold standard of Baltimore lacrosse over the last 30 years, but this season they have competition.
With the Orioles likely to be struggling by late April, local sports fans won’t need to look far to find successful local sports as Loyola will host Hopkins in the final game of the regular season on April 28th. Baltimore is a prideful city and regardless of your allegiance, both of these programs should give Charm City sports fans a sense of pride and hopefully they both will be representing the city on Memorial Day weekend at the Final Four in Boston.
While I am sure I jinxed one, if not both, of these teams by mentioning a possible battle of the unbeaten, the game between these two is sure to be intense and highly talked about all around the city.
Anyone traveling down to or hanging out in any establishment on Charles Street on April 28th may want to wear a neutral color because wearing light blue or green could get you yelled at by someone wearing the opposing color. Either way, it will be fun to watch and everyone should be beaming with Baltimore pride.
Follow Marco on twitter @mromanell and SouthBMore.com @Southbmore1
