The Blue Jays lead this 106 year series, dating back to 1895 with a tally of 58-37-1. Johns Hopkins’ Coach, Dave Pietramala does a weekly check in with a local Baltimore radio station. With much admiration for Coach Cottle and the Terps, Pietramala had this to say about getting some steam with a win over Albany and looking ahead to the Smartlink Day of Rivals “they (Maryland) are an extremely emotional, hard working, talented team; I think it’s important that we took a little confidence from our last win as we head into a game in this kind of venue with a team like them” (Mark Viviano show 105.7). Meaning that this game

Hopkins is going to need the confidence as they have been struggling through the beginning half of the season. Last year they came into M & T Bank for the inaugural Day of Rivals with a 5-4 record. Having dropped one to Hoftra back in March, they just broke even with a domineering win over Albany 19-7. Hopkins has had to play a bunch of young talent these past couple weeks with names like Tom Palasek and John Ranagan jumping in for Senior Max Chautin so we will have to see how this young group will fair when it comes down to dealing with an experienced Maryland defense.

The Terrapins come in as the favorite with a 7-2 record. Their only losses coming from the #1 (Virginia) and #3 (North Carolina) teams in the nation (That’s certainly going to be a great ACC tournament). But I regress as this one is much more that another game. This one is for the first win against the Blue Jays that Maryland has seen in four years. This is also for pride, power, standings, with a splash of revenge thrown in for good measure.

Maryland has been on a rampage this spring as their win column have seen great victories over Georgetown, Duke, and last week’s victory over Navy, who will also be in “the house that Ray built” on Saturday. With all three attackman: Grant Catalino (18,16), Ryan Young (10,18), and Travis Reed (10,11) above 20 points scoring, they will lead this well balanced offense into battle this weekend. This “very emotional, hard working, talented team” can also add youth to that list of characteristics as both the starting close defensive and attack units are all made up of juniors with a sophomore thrown in the mix as well. With that type of talent being directed by a veteran, senior captain goalie in Brian Phipps, the Blue Jays might have a long ride back across town Saturday night.

But time will only tell when the final whistle sounds at M & T Bank this weekend at the 2nd Annual Smartlink Day of Rivals. It’s the 106th meeting but the century old rivalry won’t be the matter of concern Saturday night, as much as the two hours that these teams will have to battle it out for rights to this year’s crown.

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