The Navy men's lacrosse team is giving the term "spread offense" a whole new meaning.
Eleven players have scored at least one goal for the No. 6 Midshipmen, who -- with No. 14 Delaware -- are the only 2-0 teams in Division I.
Sophomore attackman Tim Paul (Loyola) leads Navy with four goals, four players have scored two goals each, and six players have one goal. Senior attackman Nick Mirabito said the results weren't unexpected.
"We knew offensively we were probably more well-rounded," said Mirabito, who leads the team in points with five. "... We might not have one guy we can jump on and rely on him day in and day out, but I think we have a bunch of different guys who can do their own thing and chip away."
The Midshipmen lost more than 50 percent of last year's offense because of graduations. Players such as Ian Dingman (33 goals), Billy Looney (20) and Tommy Wallin (13) departed, leaving what some considered an irreplaceable void in the team's attack.
Navy, however, has adjusted. In Saturday's 8-7 overtime victory at Ohio State, coach Richie Meade played 10 offensive midfielders and four attackmen, rotating players to keep them fresh and spark the attack.
Junior midfielders Michael Beggins, Shane Durkin and Bobby Lennon (Loyola), sophomore midfielder Joe Lennon (Loyola) and freshman attackman Andy Warner scored their first career goals this season, and Beggins' first was the game-winner against the Buckeyes.
Reaching 300
Salisbury's 20-7 thumping of Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday gave coach Jim Berkman his 300th victory with the Sea Gulls. Berkman, who is 300-30 in 20 seasons at Salisbury and 309-35 overall, tried to deflect the accomplishment.
"I just feel very honored and fortunate to have coached that many great players that have formulated a lot of great teams at Salisbury," said Berkman, whose career winning percentage of .898 is the best in NCAA men's lacrosse in all divisions.
Brotherly competition
Former Boys' Latin players Adam and Jake Hagelin have never played against each other -- but this Saturday, No. 16 Loyola, for whom Jake is a freshman goalie, will visit No. 13 Towson, for whom Adam is a senior midfielder.
"I have a lot of respect and admiration for my younger brother, but I'm more concerned with getting the win," said Adam Hagelin, who watched his brother make 11 saves in a 7-6 loss to No. 8 Notre Dame on Saturday.
Question the coaches
Coaches Dave Pietramala (Johns Hopkins), Tony Seaman (Towson), Charley Toomey (Loyola) and Don Zimmerman (UMBC) are scheduled to participate in a question-and-answer session with fans today at 12:30 p.m. at ESPNZone in Baltimore. Fans also will have a chance to win ticket packages for the season. For more information, call 410-685-3776.
edward.lee@baltsun.com