In his first career start, Michael Bonitatibus made seven saves, collected five groundballs, and caused two turnovers in Loyola's 13-8 season-opening victory over then-No. 16 Delaware.
Despite the junior's debut, the No. 17 Greyhounds have yet to name a starter between Bonitatibus and sophomore Jack Runkel for Saturday's home game against Towson.
"We haven't made a decision yet, and I told those guys that on Monday," coach Charley Toomey said Thursday morning. "I told them that this is a week-to-week decision that our staff needs to make. Quite honestly, they're both competing, and each goalie is getting starting reps with the first defense. We haven't made a decision as a staff going into Towson."
Toomey said the coaches went with Bonitatibus over Runkel because of the former's longevity in the program. Bonitatibus' groundballs and caused turnovers were especially pleasing.
"So we were very, very happy with Michael's effort out there," Toomey said. "I thought he competed, and I thought he settled down once the game got going and allowed our defense to settle down."
Loyola (1-0) will play its second consecutive game without junior short-stick defensive midfielder Josh Hawkins, who still has not been cleared by doctors to practice because of a lingering back injury. Sophomores Kyle Duffy and Matt Sawyer will join sophomore Pat Laconi as starting short-stick defensive midfielders against the Tigers (1-1).