University of Virginia Library

Maryland Here Tomorrow

Stickmen Seek Title

By Tom Bell
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

The top-ranked Cavalier lacrosse
team faces what may be its
toughest and most important game
of the season Saturday when they
host third-rated Maryland at
University Hall Field.

The ACC championships and
probably a berth in the national
championship tournament will be
on the line when the Cavaliers,
undefeated against collegiate
competition, faceoff against the
high-scoring young Terps.

The Terrapins have lost only to
Army, 16-7, in a game played last
Saturday, and to Mount
Washington, the club which handed
the Cavaliers their only setback.

Maryland's strength lies in its
excellent attack and good midfield,
according to Cavalier head coach
Glenn Thiel. The defense is
somewhat questionable, as they
have had good days, as in the 10-7
loss to Mt. Washington, and bad
ones, as in the 16-7 defeat by
Army.

Coach Buddy Beardmore, who
coached the Cavaliers until two
years ago, has a young squad, with
only six returning lettermen and
two seniors on the roster. The
Terps were thought to be a year
away at the start of the season, but
ran off six straight opening wins,
and at one point took the number
one rating in the Baltimore Sun Poll
away from the Cavaliers. They
slipped to fourth after last week's
loss.

The Terp attack, which has
scored 115 goals in eight games,
features three of the ACC's top
four scorers, led by John Kaestner
with 51 points on 21 goals and 30
assists. Tom Cleaver is next with 42
points and a league-leading 38
goals, followed by Cavalier Jay
Connor (18 and 21) and Terrapin
Dave Dempsey (22 and 12).

Mr. Thiel notes that Maryland is
"better than Navy," whom the
Cavaliers topped 11-7 two weeks
ago.

The winner of the contest will
almost certainly be the District 3
champion and be assured of a place
in the national tournament, the
first ever to be held.

The Cavaliers are in good shape
physically going into the game.
Midfielder Dick Proutt, who has
been fighting illness all week, is the
only regular who will not be at full
strength.

The Cavaliers have beaten the
Terps the last two years, 9-7 in
1969 and 9-3 last year. Both years
the Cavaliers have taken the ACC
crown. Maryland still leads the
series between the two teams, 20-6.

New bleachers have been set up
around the field to accommodate a
crowd expected to match or exceed
the overflow crowd of 5,000 which
came out for the Navy game.
Face off time will be 2 p.m.

Lacrosse Coach Glen Thiel Leaves Field After Victory

Maryland Game Finds Thiel, Team Under Title Pressure