Cornell v. Towson pre-game

[Hillel Hoffmann]

Scouting Towson

It's hard to get a handle on Towson. They're erratic, and they've been hit by a bunch of semi-disclosed and partially healed injuries. On top of that, I've only seem 'em play twice in two years, so a big thanks goes out to M, a Baltimore County resident who follows Towson closely, for supplying most of the best stuff herein.

The last time these two teams met (a 2005 playoff game), Towson's lineup was dominated by underclassmen. That team pushed Cornell to the edge, losing on a last-minute goal. You'd think that they'd have made more progress since then given all that experience, but injuries, academic difficulties, and a few key losses to graduation since 2005 -- especially goalie Reed Sothoron and defensive midfielder Casey Cittadino (one of the nation's best in recent years) -- have stunted Towson's development.

Towson's strengths are overall team experience, a deep but injury-riddled midfield, crafty veteran attackmen and an athletic defense that is not nearly as penalty-prone as previous models. The big mystery is the injury status of first-line midfielder Justin Schneider, who suffered a frightening neck injury when he was blasted in the neck during a CAA tournament game by teammate Cryder DiPietro, a freshman who has a rifle of a shot.

Towson has three weaknesses that Cornell may be able to exploit: a defense lacking the stick skills and clearing savvy to stand up to Cornell's hard ride, average defensive midfielders, and a goalie -- junior Matt Antol -- who is streaky and may collapse if assaulted early.

Players to watch:

Nick Williams, midfielder. One of my favorite non-Cornell players in the nation, Williams is strong, fast, and aggressive  -- just what you'd expect from a running back who gained almost 1,000 yards rushing for Towson's football team in his junior year (he didn't start in 2006). He killed Cornell in the 2005 playoff game; expect more of the same.

Bobby Griebe, attack. Son of Towson's all-time leading assist man Robert Griebe, national hall of famer one of the greatest players of the 1970s. Small but versatile; has trouble carrying the ball against large defensemen, according to M.

Jonathan Engelke, attack. Son of Norm Engelke, one of Cornell's all-time great middies (hey Norm, why no sons on East Hill?). Has matured into a complete player, although still largely a lefty finisher.

Matt Eckerl, midfielder (faceoff). Like Delaware's Alex Smith, one of the new breed of slight faceoff men built for the new faceoff rules. Missed several games this season due to injury, and then struggled since his return -- although in part due to playing a string of great FOGOs, including Smith twice. Another guy who killed Cornell last time around. He's probably better than Schmicker/Glynn, even playing at 75 percent.