To date, the Gulls are at 500, having beaten two patsies by double digits, both here, but fared poorly against two stronger teams that they usually beat. On Valentine's Day they lost to Lynchburg there (7-12). Now Lynchburg is no slouch – last year they took the Gulls to overtime before losing here (11-12) at the same point in the season – and is currently ranked in the top 10 in the NCAA’s Division III. More telling and disturbing is the Gull's latest loss, here, to Gettysburg (12-6) - an unranked team they beat by that very score, there, last year. The game began and ended in blow-out mode, with somewhat better play by the Gulls in between that avoided a real embarrassment.
Reports by those who attended the Gettysburg game are that Salisbury is noticeably weaker at all positions vis-à-vis the opponent compared to other years under Coach Beckman. In large part, we believe that this is due to the overall improvement in Division III men's lacrosse as a result of the huge growth in high school lacrosse in recent years – in the past 20 years it has increased from about 500 to 2500 high schools.
Consequently, there are more quality players at all collegiate levels, and some who formerly would have been recruited by scholarships at prestigious Division I schools (Syracuse, the Ivy League members, Johns Hopkins, Duke, Virginia, etc.) now attend Division III institutions like Lynchburg and Gettysburg, not just Salisbury. Tufts, which has beaten the Gulls in recent years in the NCAA championship game (most reently, 2014), is a prime example of the increase in the quality of Division III lacrosse.
Looking to the rest of the season, it's questionable if the Gulls will get to the NCAA playoffs – and, if they do, that they are more than one and done. But there should be some exciting games at Seagull Stadium, including against teams in the Gull's conference (Capital) that they usually beat, some of which are ranked this year. The best games should be against Ohio Wesleyan (March 8), Hampden-Sydney (March 11), Mary Washington (March 21), Stevenson (March 25), Christopher Newport (April 8), and York (April 15). The toughest road games are probably at Cabrini (March 18), Wesley (April 1) and Frostburg State (April 11). If the Gulls win half of those games they should have a winning season given the other, weaker teams on their schedule.
The annual contest with Washington College, on April 18 in Chestertown this year, could be the "snore on the Shore" – the "Shoremen" are 0 and 2 so far, having lost to York and Washington & Lee.
It's certainly possible that Coach Berkman can work his magic, and some key players who have been sidelined by injury may soon be back in action, but there are concerns. The biggest problems may be the face-off and goalie positions as well as the entire defense. And then there's the reality that many of the opponents relish the chance to beat the Seagulls for a change and may smell blood after their surprisingly poor start this year, especially if the Gulls lose to Ohio Wesleyan, a ranked team, on March 8 at Seagull Studium.That game could determine whether the Gulls make the NCAA tournament by its effect on the future games.
Another surprise this year is Jim Berkman's public criticism of the performance of certain players, which has been reported in certain local mainstream media. That may be a symptom of frustration caused by the sea change in college lacrosse mentioned above. Simply put, the rest of Division III has caught up to Salisbury University. It may not have any more unbeaten seasons.
Hopefully, next year's team will match the quality of the new Seagull Stadium in which it will be playing if construction goes according to schedule.
21 comments:
#8 and #11 look like the only ones that know how to be competitive
The coach's public criticism of some of his players is not acceptable and downright shameful. He should be terminated for being ignorant and a disgrace to SU. Obviously he had no problem past years when SU was on a winning streak but now he's got to publicly criticize his players when maybe it's his fault for the losing season by being an ignorant ass by degrading his own players. Sports is a lot like marriage, for better or worse. Maybe he should be publicly humiliated and chastised for his poor management skills or just plain terminated!
11:27 --
Beware if Mike Dunn (the jerk, not the realtor) appears at your door -- he claims that he and Coach B are best buds!
The post does not indict Berkman, but itexplains why he may be more vocal that he should be. His stellar record over the years more than offsets what at most, if true, is a minor politically incorrect matter that 11:27 is taking out of all reasonable magnitude.
The new and improved stadium is being touted as necessary to recruit top players so that SU can remain highly competitive in the NCAA. But, given the State's current fiscal and budget mess, is that a prudent way to spend limited revenue?
So, what have sports done to improve academics at SU and what about that new sports palace they are building?
And how much will the tuition increase in the future to pay for it?
I have been watching D-III lacrosse for along time and yes the quality of play has gotten better. That said, it is criticism of the coach and the team that will only motivate them to elevate their performance. Saying that they will not make the NCAA tournament after 4 games is crazy and calling for Coach Berkman's termination is absurd. This is a talented team and if anyone can get them back on track it is Berkman. See you in Philadelphia in May.
7:05 -- Make that Donut-hole Dunn!
Mr. Avara:
The post does not call for Berkman to be terminated. That came for the 11:27 comment.
The post says it is unlikely that they will make the NCAA playoff, recognizing that's not impossible.
BTW - what's your prediction for the Ohio Wesleyan game?
Michael --
I too have watched D-III lax (and some D-I) for many years. The reversal from last year against the two teams that have already beat SU in February (is this unprecedented under JB ?) suggests this will be an off-year and likely no NCAA. Look at some of the teams on the rest of the schedule.
If the Gulls win the Cap. conference that is their last best chance of the tourney.
&:46 has a good question. The game with OW this weekend will be close, possible OT, and if SU loses it will surely affect the rest of the season. It's make or break time and fortunately the game will be played here, not there.
There's a reason Berkman is the winningest coach in NCAA history and has won 10 National Championships! That's not gonna change but the level of competition has. And by the way.....the bulk of the funds required to build the new stadium has come from alumni/supporters donations. Our old stadium wasn't as good as most high schools in any metro area so it's way over due. Coach has been an asset to SU for over 20 years and will continue to be until he says it's over.
We are a spoiled bunch aren't we.
FYI
Berkman's very good, but Gettysburg may have the best coaching overall in D-III.
The head coach is good and there's now a volunteer coach who is as legendary as Berkman in D-III. Dave Urick was the Hobart coach when it was the powerhouse. After it went to D-I he went to Georgetown and greatly improved its D-I program.
The game last Saturday is a case in point.
Stevenson will wreck SU men's team this year!
SU lax fans have become very smug in recent years -- we could kick butt in Div. I and so on. Now they better get ready to get butt kicked by more than a few Div. III teams.
Jim Berkman is the best thing that ever happen to Mens Lacrosse at SU. We are very fortunate to have him and will miss him when he finally retires.
The womens coach Jim Nester is also very successful and a former player of Berkans.
8:34 and 2:10 -- agreed, but what would his record be if he had coached in D1 all these years?
Since he can't walk on water or stop bullets with his hands, Mr. Berkman must be hugely embarrassed by that puff piece that Donut-hole Dunn recently did in his ridiculous "newspaper".
Lynchburg (3) and several other teams that SU will play later -- Stevenson (5), York (6), Cabrini (7) -- are now ranked above Salisbury (12), and Ohio Wesleyan is ranked 15, with Gettysburg at 17. If they lose to OW this weekend, the Gulls will be under 500 for the first time I can recall under Berkman.
Even though it's 0-2, Washington College is ranked at 16.
My pic for the NCAA crown is RIT -- they cleaned Stevenson's clock 10 days ago.
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