NCAA Preview 2013: Loyola

Loyola’s goal on offense is to reach 40 shots, coach Charley Toomey says.  There’s good reason: According to research of season statistics dating from 1989, Loyola has not missed the NCAA Tournament in a year in which it averaged 40 or more shots. 

Loyola has averaged 40 or more shots per game 13 times since 1989 and has made the NCAA Tournament all 13 times.  That includes last season, when Loyola took 40.3 shots and won the national title. 

And that’s why Loyola’s relatively strong showing against Team USA in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., late last month was good news-bad news. 

The good news: Loyola kept it close in a 17-13 loss. 

The bad news: Toomey says Loyola took 27 shots. 

“Our goal is to get to 40 [shots] every time we take the field,” Toomey says. “ The question is, how do we do that? [ Against Team USA] we may have tried to play a little too fast.  And when you play too fast, you can wind up playing a lot of defense.” 

The high-octane offense has back two starters on attack, three starters on midfield and adds a talented transfer.  Also back are two starting defensemen, the starting goalie and one of the best defensive midfields in the country. 

Says an opposing coach who has faced Loyola in recent years: “They have a good sense of who they are.  They had a style [last year] they played very, very well.  They’ve done a great job putting guys in spots where they can be successful.  They’re sound in every aspect of the game.” 

Then there are the non-statistical offensive contributions, like the screen Laconi set for Mike Sawyer to score against Johns Hopkins. 

“It’s something we think opponents have to account for,” Toomey says of the two-way middies. “ We need to let those guys play offense.  They can get us two or three points a game.  We recognize they’re very athletic number one, and also they’re skilled at making plays.” 

The shortsticks will be backed up by junior Kyle Duffy; at longstick, there is a chance sophomore Pat Frazier will be Ratliff’s backup and also play close defense when not at LSM. 

A FALL WORKOUT

As IL and ESPN analyst Quint Kessenich wrote last month, fifth-year senior Harry Kutner, a transfer from St. John’s, had three assists against Team USA. 

A lefty, Kutner had 20 goals and 9 assists last season.  Keep an eye as well on sophomore Nikko Pontrello, a potential starter on attack who also may play midfield. 

The new offensive coordinator is Dave Metzbower.  He joined the staff in November after Dan Chemotti took the head coaching job at Richmond. 
Metzbower is back in the college game following stints at Haverford (Pa.) and Malvern high schools from 2010 to 2012.  Metzbower spent 20 years as assistant coach, offensive coordinator and goalie coach at Princeton. 

“It’s been a blessing having him,” Toomey says. “ The team has really bought into his philosophy. …  The X’s and O’s aren’t going to change for him.  What’s changed are the names and talent and recruiting and the new head coaches.  He’ll find out all those things.” 

IN GOOD HANDS

Loyola’s defense is well-drilled and well-prepared by defensive coordinator Matt Dwan.  Toomey, a goalie in his playing days, keeps an eye on the defense too. 

“They don’t slide at all,” says a coach whose team has faced Loyola in recent years. “ They are very well-coached in man-to-man and they know [an opponent’s] strengths and weaknesses.  They force you to your off-hand and force you into bad shots.” 

Says Toomey: “We slide when we need to but we ask guys to win matchups.  We put a lot of responsibility on our defensive guys.” 

The starters back are junior Joe Fletcher (26CT,41GB) and senior Reid Acton (20,44).  The battle to be the third starter primarily is between senior T.J. Harris and sophomore Pat Frazier.  There is a chance both will play early in the season. 

“We may have a few minutes out of one and then a few minutes out of the other,” Toomey says. 

LIKE A RUNK

Junior goalie Jack Runkel (7.3 GAA, 55.6%) had a strong sophomore season.  He is one of the lead communicators on defense, Toomey says. 
“Having Runk back gives us a comfort level there.  He talks to the guys and gets them into their spots,” Toomey says. “ And when he makes a clean save, he knows we have a rope unit that wants to run.” 

LEADERSHIP TRAINING

Loyola’s title team benefitted greatly from leadership and being accountable on and off the field.  He’s not expecting this year to be any different. 

“We’re very happy with our senior leadership,” Toomey says. “ The message the seniors are sending is very consistent. …  We’ve been a blue-collar program and we need that to continue.” 

Best bet: Scott Ratliff, Sr.,  LSM

Does everything: Covers midfielders, scoops groundballs, helps as a wing on face-offs and is a threat to score, too.  Also a phenomenal leader. 

Sleeper pick: Justin Ward, Jr., A

Makes good decisions passing and shooting.  Is comfortable staying at ‘X’ as the quarterback but also showed a penchant for going to the goal in the NCAA Tournament and in the regular season meeting with Johns Hopkins. 

Game to watch: vs Air Force, March 16; Maryland, Feb. 23

Two up-tempo teams meet in the Whitman’s® Sampler® Mile High Classic in Denver.  In early-season action, Loyola meets its opponent from the national championship.  The game features two of the game's best LSMs in Ratliff and Maryland's Jesse Bernhardt.