On Saturday afternoon, Johns Hopkins lacrosse hosted Loyola in the highly anticipated, “Battle of Charles Street” lacrosse game between the Blue Jays and the Greyhounds.
This game had a lot at stake for both of these programs who were coming off of losses the weekend prior, but more importantly for the Blue Jays. Entering this game, Johns Hopkins had lost the last five meetings between the two programs. To add more pressure to the game, the Johns Hopkins lacrosse program was looking to secure its 1,000th all-time win in addition to ending this five-game streak from the Greyhounds.
QUARTER ONE
When the opening faceoff whistle sounded, both teams jumped out of the gate with good pace and energy, but the Blue Jays struggled early to capitalize on that momentum. Loyola defensive midfield play was extremely strong right out of the gate, with back to back defensive stands heavily attributing to the fierce play from Loyola’s Payton Rezanka (Sr.) and Mustang Sally (Jr.).
Loyola was able to force 7 turnovers in the first quarter alone. Additionally, Hopkins struggled in the clearing game, clearing 3-7 in the first quarter as well.
Fortunately for the Jays, Hopkins defense came to play. Specifically goaltender Josh Kirson as he opened up the game hot seeing the ball early making four big stops in the first quarter alone. Additionally, Hopkins dominated at the X in the first as well, going 5-7.
Despite Loyola outperforming Hopkins in other categories, Hopkins kept the game at 3-3 to end the first.
QUARTER TWO
In the second quarter, Hopkins began to settle in and clean up areas of their game. They cleared perfectly going 5-5, helping them keep pace with Loyola’s almost perfect clearing game up to that point. The Blue Jays also outshout the Greyhounds in the second quarter after being outshot by nearly double in the first period as well.
However, Hopkins still struggled offensively, having three shot clock violations in the second period. Loyola also began to find more success at the faceoff, nearly going 50% from X.
Despite Loyola getting more possessions, Hopkins goaltender Kirson, kept coming up big for the Jays. Kirson tallied three more saves during the second quarter to keep the game at 6-6 heading into the half. However, on the other side of the field, Loyola goaltender Colton Tietelbaum (Jr.) was not seeing the same success, entering halftime with only one save in his first career start. But despite not getting its best goalie play, the Greyhounds still scooped up more groundballs and had less turnovers than the Blue Jays to level the playing field.
QUARTER THREE
Coming into the third, Loyola made some changes out of the gate. For starters, Loyola made a switch at goaltender. However, it was not the familiar face of the usual starter, Sam Shafer (GS.). Instead it would be Luke Staudt (So.) entering the net for the Greyhounds.
A defensive switch that provided a much needed spark, as the Greyhounds new netminder would find two saves that period. Additionally, the Greyhounds dominated at the X, going 4-5, and outshot the Blue Jays by nearly double in this period as well. Hopkins began to backslide, struggling with five shot clock violations, multiple failed clears, and seven more turnovers.
But once again, Hopkins goaltending play was strong. Kirson added four more saves, keeping the game at 9-8 going into the fourth quarter.
QUARTER FOUR
This game came down to the final minute and the result boiled down to one question, who wanted it more?
The answer was Hopkins.
The Blue Jays scored two unanswered goals in the fourth period along with a huge defensive stand at the end of the game to secure the victory. The Blue Jays took an 11-10 lead with five minutes left in the game and locked it down defensively. Kirson added another three big saves in the final quarter to ensure the comeback. The efforts of the Greyhound was not enough despite them winning the groundball ball battle and getting more shots on cage.
Johns Hopkins lacrosse is one of the most historic programs in the country. Seeing the Blue Jays reach 1,000 wins should bring a smile to any lacrosse fans face.
POST GAME INTERVIEWS
Following the game, Coach Charley Toomey of the Greyhounds spoke about the goaltending change at half. Coach Toomey said that going into the week, the plan was to split halves and he has “full confidence” in every goalie on his roster.
In catching up with Josh Kirson at the end of the game , he credited his head coach for his success on the field that day. Noting that Coach Milliman does a lot of work with the keepers getting them prepared for each game every week.
