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Georgetown University Athletics

Big East Conference Hoya Saxa

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Anchors Away

May 17, 2006

One year ago, the Hoyas' men's lacrosse team defeated Army in its first round NCAA tournament game. This year, it was Navy. To complete the trifecta, next year it will have to be Air Force. Looking back at last weekend, I am clearly thrilled that the Hoyas earned their second victory this year over the Midshipmen in a game that should have been a quarterfinal contest or could have even been a final four match-up. We have been competing against Navy long enough that I am now accustomed to their team being led onto the field by an oversized American flag; I know that when they travel to play Georgetown, the Navy team bus usually takes an inspirational detour to the Iwo Jima monument; I have overcome the


Navy-Marine Corps stadium during first 2006 meeting of Hoyas and Midshipmen

initial awe supplied by their stadium grandstands emblazoned with the names of historic conflicts and battles involving the Navy and Marines. So when I heard that the Chief of Naval Operations attended the NCAA first-round game at the Hilltop, I just shrugged. Then my imp of the perverse kicked in.

When it comes to flying the national colors, Georgetown can stand stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best of them. I thought about how we might have displayed images of the two leading U.S. military commanders overseas: Gen. James Jones `66 (NATO) and Gen. George Casey `70 (Iraq). Both are Georgetown alums, ROTC-trained, and former Hoya athletes. I wondered how we might have introduced former All-America lacrosse player and captain, Brant Gresham '03, who has been training to be a Navy pilot since graduation and was recently honored as the Navy's Top Gun coming out of advanced flight training. I

imagined having George Tenet '76, former head of U.S. Intelligence and once Hoya midfielder, serve as honorary team captain with a pre-game introduction at the mid-line.

No, I thought, it's just a lacrosse game, not a litmus test on patriotism.

Despite the dreary forecast, a sell-out crowd showed up at the Yard only to see Georgetown dig a 3-0 hole for themselves. The Blue & Gray faithful, who subsequently endured the downpour and lightning delay, were treated to a rousing comeback and triumph by the Hoyas. Long-time supporters, parents, former players, as well as recent fans were in abundance. For me, it bordered on overload of some of my favorite people: Larry and Margaret Flick; photographer extraordinaire Dan Gresham; Jeff and Patty Walker; Ed and Diane Collins; Lisa McCrae; Tom Shuler; Bob Corno; Ed '54 and Pat Daly; Paul '61 and Ann Coughlin; Tom Coleman '61; Mike Farrell '63; Rory Quirk '65; GU lax founder John Campbell '66; Randy Dental '67; Jim `66 and Susan Brown; Alex Haig '74; Bill Fraites '75; Jim Phelan '76; Sue Dugan '78; Bob Flanagan '78; Ed Ecker '82; Paul '85 and Maria Robertson; Greg McCavera '99; Andrew Owen '04; Bill Price '74 and son Taylor '09; John Bishop; local restaurateurs Joe McGuinness '68 (Chadwicks) and Carol Joynt (Nathans). BTW, Carol, who continues to search for the true meaning of lacrosse parenthood, featured the sport at her most recent Q&A Cafe's at Nathans. You can view online her recent musings on the sport and other topics at this link.

Sadly, fifth-year senior Mike White went down in the first quarter with an ACL injury

Brant Gresham '03 returned to campus following nearly two years of flight training

Matt McBride '08 in a post-game interview after scoring the insurance goal late in the game with fellow Delbarton grad Taylor Price looking on to distract him

Mike White is helped to sidelines by Coach Urick and Dan Vinson `09

and will be out for the remainder of the season. Mike's inspired play at the defensive midfield position throughout the year was critical to the team's success, but his leadership from sidelines will no doubt continue for the next three games.


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Players Mentioned

Matt McBride

#15 Matt McBride

A
5' 10"
Junior
Dan Vinson

#50 Dan Vinson

M
5' 8"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Matt McBride

#15 Matt McBride

5' 10"
Junior
A
Dan Vinson

#50 Dan Vinson

5' 8"
Sophomore
M