The game started out slow. After one quarter, Johns Hopkins was leading on Brian Carcaterra's fast-break pass to Dan Denihan, who fed Dylan Schlott for the game's only goal. Denihan had reached a milestone, his 100th point for the Blue Jays on that assist. After that goal, one quarter of slow lacrosse was played before the next goal was scored, this time by Denihan for a 2-0 lead. With consistent play the rest of the game, Denihan finished with three goals and two assists, leading Hopkins to a decisive 13-3 victory over Maryland in "The War of '99."  Dan Denihan photo by Dave Preece Denihan's career at Hopkins can be reflected in the way in which he played this game. He started out strong as a freshman in 1996, and continued his success in 1997. After an incident in which a team rule was violated, Denihan was suspended for the entire 1998 season while his brother Conor started playing for Hopkins as a freshman. He lost an opportunity to play with his brother on a strong team that nearly reached the Final Four. At the start of the 1999 season against Princeton, Denihan played a small role in the offense against Princeton and Loyola. It was not until the Syracuse game, in which midfielder A.J. Haugen could not play due to injury, that Coach John Haus decided to give Denihan a more important role. The year off from lacrosse also enforced his love for the game and his desire to get back into it. "I realized what I missed by not playing, so I worked a little harder in the offseason...I'm excited about playing again," said Dan after Friday's game. His enthusiasm shows on the score sheet, with 16 goals and 14 assists in 8 games. Just like their star attackman, Hopkins has rebounded from adversity as well. After coming back big, in the rain, at Princeton's Class of '52 Stadium, they got the snot beaten out of them against Loyola, 14-5. They were down and found themselves losing 8-4 at the half against Syracuse with top scorer A.J. Haugen sidelined with an injury. But Denihan poured in 3 goals and dished an assist in the second half as Hopkins came back to beat the Orangemen. While a second consecutive loss to neighborhood rival Loyola stung, going 2-1 against three Final Four teams is impressive. Over the next two weekends, they beat good Virginia and North Carolina teams. After the soft spot in their schedule, games against Villanova and Ohio State, Hopkins pounded the only remaining 1998 Final Four team on its schedule, Maryland. Their schedule does not get much easier, as games loom down the road. Johns Hopkins plays one of the country's toughest schedules year-in and year-out, and this year is no exception as they finish with Navy and Hofstra.  Tony Seaman photo by John Strohsacker Is the Blue Jays' success due to the coaching change. New coach John Haus has brought to the Homewood campus the coaching ability that won a national championship as well as two final appearances at Washington College. But Tony Seaman recruited the cast that Haus directs. Seaman was a great coach but just never reached the final game for the Jays demanding powers that be. He recruited and coached some of the greatest players in the schools' history at their positions in Brian Voekler, Terry Riordan, and Jonathan Marcus. His winning percentage was among the best ever. And then he left with grace and rebounded immediately. Hopkins is having an excellent season, which reflects well on both coaches, and Seaman's Tigers were in playoff contention until suffering losses to Delaware and Yale. Towson played just well enough this year to sound the alarm to future opponents and recruits that the Seaman era has begun. Peter's Picks--April Edition 1. Loyola Has yet to lose a game, so you can't argue with that. After Duke and Delaware both lost on the same day, Loyola is now the only undefeated team in the country. I do, however, have my doubts about the hounds winning it all. 2. Johns Hopkins Has beaten every other team you could consider for this spot, with the exception of Duke. The Blue Jays should beat Navy this weekend by more than a few goals. 3. Syracuse Only lost to the two teams above them and plays a tougher schedule than Duke. 4. Duke 10-1, but one loss to North Carolina hurts more than two to Hopkins and Loyola. 5. Virginia The Cavaliers are athletic and talented. Look for a strong showing at the ACC this weekend and possible revenge against Duke in Sunday's final. 6. Georgetown I love the Hoyas this year, and they have a huge game to end their season May 8 vs. Syracuse. 7. Delaware The Blue Hens lost for the first time last week to Georgetown, and have good wins over North Carolina and Hofstra. John Grant, who has a spot reserved for him on the All-Lund team, had 4 goals and 7 assists against the Tar Heels and leads the nation with 71 points. 8. Penn State The Nittany Lions are having their best year ever and look to improve their position with a win at Delaware on Saturday night. 9. Hofstra The Flying Dutchmen did just that--flew into the top ten with a win over Navy. 10. Maryland After the Hopkins game, pictures of the Maryland offense have been appearing on milk cartons around College Park. They have scored only 13 goals in the last 3 games. |
 Lund on Lacrosse By Peter Lund 4/20/99 
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