xml:space="preserve">
xml:space="preserve">
Advertisement
Advertisement

Long-stick midfielder still up for grabs at Hopkins

Johns Hopkins is one of the few teams that – on paper – doesn't seem to have too many holes on the field.

But one position that is still open is that of long-stick midfielder, which lost the services of Ben Smith and Orry Michael to graduation.

Advertisement

The most logical candidate would be sophomore Jack Reilly, who started all 16 games last season on close defense but played at the top of the box against Virginia and former midfielder Shamel Bratton.

"He is a fabulous athlete that's long and rangy and aggressive," coach Dave Pietramala said of Reilly, who registered 17 groundballs and 10 caused turnovers in his first year of college lacrosse. "It's kind of a natural place for him when you talk about all the open space up top and some of the midfielders we may see during the season and the strength of some teams being in the midfield. He's certainly a guy you'll see up there and has done a good job with it."

Advertisement
Advertisement

Pietramala said the coaching staff is also considering senior Eric DiProspero, sophomore Tobias Armour and freshman Mike Pellegrino for the spot.

But moving Reilly to long-stick midfielder would force the team to find a third defenseman to join starters Tucker Durkin and Chris Lightner. Senior Gavin Crisafulli and freshman Rob Enright may not have the experience that Reilly has, but Pietramala expressed confidence in both players, saying, "We've got two guys that we feel pretty comfortable with and have done a nice job."

Finally, Pietramala said holding Lightner out of fall workouts was the right move as the junior gave his injured back time to rest and heal in time for the upcoming season.

"He missed a little bit of the preseason, but he is back and at full strength," Pietramala said. "It's been great to have him back, to be quite honest with you. His voice, his presence, his experience does make a difference for us. He and Tucker have a nice continuity. They're roommates, best friends, and so it's been nice to have him back out there. And he has been at full practice."

Recommended on Baltimore Sun

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement