Andrew Hodgson didn't waste any time trying to make up for lost time.
In his first game for the Towson men's lacrosse team in 21 months, the starting midfielder launched a game-high nine shots and scored twice in a 7-5 upset of then-No. 5 Johns Hopkins on Feb. 10. Hodgson repeated those numbers in a 15-11 loss to then-No. 8 Loyola Maryland eight days later, and then he had a hat trick on a game-high 10 shots in Sunday's 9-6 victory at Georgetown.
Hodgson leads the team in shots with 28, is tied with sophomore attackman Joe Seider (Hereford) for the team lead in goals with seven, and he's the only player to score at least two goals in each of the Tigers' three games. And the redshirt senior from West Islip, N.Y., is quick to admit that even he is somewhat surprised at the numbers.
"I didn't anticipate it, but I felt that after being out last year and this being my last year, I knew I want to finish my career at Towson on the highest note possible and play the best lacrosse that I could," Hodgson said. "I wanted to put myself in the best position possible to bring my name back into the talk and kind of put Towson back on the map nationally."
Hodgson's eagerness is a result of the 2014 season he missed after fracturing his jaw in a freak accident that January.
Hodgson said he was visiting a friend when he slipped on some ice and tumbled down about 20 steps. Doctors informed him that he had broken his jaw in two places, would need surgery that night and would be prohibited from any athletic activity for three months.
The diagnosis ended his season before it began.
"I had never had a serious injury or any surgery. So I was blown away," Hodgson recalled. "Tears hit me right away once he told me the estimated time of recovery. Three months, that pretty much puts you out for the whole year. So I took that really hard."
Hodgson's jaw was wired shut for a month, and he was confined to a couch for the first two weeks. He was restricted to a liquid diet of soup and milkshakes and lost 15 pounds.
When the screws in his jaw were removed in the middle of February, Hodgson made a beeline to a local diner for a meal of French toast, scrambled eggs and sausage.
"It was one of those things where because it was shut for so long, I couldn't get full range of motion," he said with a laugh. "So I was able to open up about an inch and a half, and I was chewing it very gingerly. But it tasted good."
Although Hodgson could not practice with the team, he was a constant presence on the sideline during games, helping offensive coordinator Anthony Gilardi reinforce game plans with players and offering advice when asked.
"He was trying to do his part and be as helpful as possible during his injury," head coach Shawn Nadelen said. "He was helping Coach Gilardi on the offensive end and talking to the younger guys and was very much involved. He was still a voice during practice for the guys. He always brings a lot of energy whether he's playing or he's injured."
Hodgson was cleared to practice in April and ran with the scout team to assist the starting defense. But he refused to put on the red, non-contact jersey that many players recovering from injury usually wear.
"I would get mad at kids if they got soft on me," he said. "You've got to get the team ready, and if I'm not playing, I expect to feel the pain in practice. I didn't mind if I got tired or got beat up. I wore some extra protection, but it was exciting just to get some contact once I got back."
Hodgson has returned to the starting lineup this season, joining seniors Greg Cuccinello and Justin Mabus. Hodgson has played offense, defense and wings on faceoffs, and Mabus said Hodgson appears to be even better than he was in 2013, when he finished with career highs in goals (27), assists (14) and ground balls (43).
"Right now, I have to say he's playing the best lacrosse I've seen from him," Mabus said. "It's not just shooting and scoring. It's giving up the shot to make the extra pass. I'm not saying he didn't always have that, but Andrew's a goal scorer. That's what he does. Through this season, he's proved that he's not just a shooter anymore. He's a very good lacrosse player."
ESPN lacrosse analyst Mark Dixon said Hodgson's return makes Towson a legitimate contender to capture the championship in the Colonial Athletic Association.
"He kind of was inconsistent in his first couple of years, but in his junior season, he really put together a nice year, and he was poised to have a great season last year before he got injured," said Dixon, a former Johns Hopkins midfielder. "His return this year has been huge for Towson."