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MIAA Lacrosse Game of the Week – St. Mary’s vs Severn – 5/9/2023

MIAA Lacrosse is a thrilling and highly competitive event that brings together some of the finest talent in the sport. In this article, we present a summary of an insightful and thought-provoking conversation between two of the most renowned lacrosse experts in Maryland: Don Zimmerman and Bob Shriver. Shriver, who retired from coaching in 2015 after a storied 36-year career at Boys’ Latin, boasts an impressive record of 507 wins and only 140 defeats. Zimmerman, a National Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee in 2017, served as the head coach for the UMBC Retrievers at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County for 24 years. With their combined expertise and experience, there are few minds better suited to offer valuable insights and analysis on everything MIAA Lacrosse.

MIAA Lacrosse Game of the Week (May 9, 2023)


Game: St. Mary’s vs Severn

Time: 4:15pm EST

Stream: HERE

Throughout the 1980s, as the MIAA was evolving, natural rivalries began to form. As teams continued to join the league, the tradition of Rivalry Day was established for the final week of the regular season. Some of the most notable rivalries include Boy’s Latin vs St. Paul’s, Gilman vs McDonogh, St. Mary’s vs Severn, Archbishop Spalding vs Mount St. Joseph, and Calvert Hall vs Loyola. However, when John Carroll joined the A-Conference, they did not have a natural rival, resulting in a bye week to conclude the regular season. In 2023, these rivalries carry significant weight, as nearly all of the matchups have crucial postseason implications.

Currently, we have a good understanding of which six teams will be advancing to the postseason tournament. While McDonogh has secured the No.1 seed, it is not a lock if they were to fall to Gilman. The No.2 spot will be determined today during the Calvert Hall vs Loyola game, with the loser dropping to No.3. The remaining three spots will be distributed among three schools that all hold a 6-3 record: St. Mary’s, St. Paul’s, and Boy’s Latin. With many different scenarios for how Rivalry Day will affect seeding for the playoffs, there are simply too many to break down here.

The top two seeds receive byes for the first round of the playoffs. The No.3 seed will host a home game against the No.6 seed on Friday for a chance to play the No.2 seed in the semifinals. Additionally, on Friday, the No.4 and No.5 seeds will compete for the opportunity to meet the No.1 seed in the playoffs.

Severn


The Severn Admirals have had a solid season with a record of 13-5, but their conference play record of 4-5 has yet to meet their initial expectations. Despite this setback, the Admirals hope to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming playoffs. They will rely heavily on their leading scorer, Jacob Todd, whose impressive skills make him a player to watch. Todd, who has committed to Princeton, exudes confidence whenever he possesses the ball. Another standout player on the team is junior midfielder Andrew Beard, who plays with the poise and skill of a seasoned veteran. With a commitment to Penn State, Beard’s skills will be integral to the Admirals’ success. However, the Beard household may experience some inner turmoil as Andrew’s father attended St. Mary’s, Severn’s upcoming opponent.

St. Mary’s


St. Mary’s lacrosse team is currently on a four-game winning streak and has shown impressive form in the MIAA A-Conference. Despite losing three conference games, two were closely contested battles against powerhouses McDonogh and Loyola. With the playoffs fast approaching, St. Mary’s has the opportunity to control their fate in the postseason.

The Saints boast a talented lineup of players who can excel on any given day. Although they do not play as many players as some of the other MIAA Lacrosse A-Conference schools, their starters have been delivering impressive performances, negating the need to dip into the bench. Gavin Burlace, is a senior midfielder committed to Notre Dame and hails from a lacrosse-oriented family. His versatility allows him to play midfield and attack positions, and he is a consistent scorer for the team. Nick Golini is another standout player for the Saints, committed to Navy. He has played a significant amount of time in attack and is widely considered one of the best in his position in the MIAA. Burlace and Golini have achieved captaincy this season and have become integral figures in the program.