We’re just over the midway point of the men’s college lacrosse season, and it’s time to start thinking about the Tewaaraton Award. Last season, Dylan Molloy ran away with the award after tallying 116 points for Brown. This year, Connor Fields is putting up similar numbers — on pace to pass Molloy’s total in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Could it be his award to lose? There’s a long way to go, and Yale’s Ben Reeves is poised to join this group by season’s end, but here’s our Top 5 Tewaaraton Candidates so far this season.
Connor Fields, Albany, Jr. Attack
Fields is continuing his upwards trajectory, with 65 points through the first nine games. There was a point that Fields was on pace to break the single-season scoring record held his former teammate Lyle Thompson. It might a longshot at this point, but Fields sits first in the country in both goals and points per game. If he keeps this up, Albany could be headed for a strong showing in May.
Pat Spencer, Loyola, So., Attack
Spencer, who broke onto the college scene last year with Loyola, is having another strong season as a sophomore. Although Loyola has disappointed to this point, Spencer has 22 goals and 37 assists and is second in the country in points and assists per game.
Trevor Baptiste, Denver, Sr., Faceoff
Baptiste was one of the top faceoff men in the country last season, but he leaves no debate this time around. Winning 74.4 percent of his faceoffs, Baptiste could challenge Mark Goers’ all-time record of 77.6 percent if he dominates down the stretch. If the season ended today, his total would be fourth all-time.
Sergio Salcido, Syracuse, Sr., Midfield
Salcido doesn’t have the stats of Fields or Spencer, but he’s the catalyst of a Syracuse offense that is among the most efficient. He got the assist on the game-winner against Johns Hopkins, scored the game-winner against Virginia and came up big against Albany. Syracuse seems to run as Salcido does.
Matt Rambo, Maryland, Sr., Attack
Maryland's three-headed attack monster of Rambo, Colin Heacock and Dylan Maltz limits breakout numbers, but Rambo is the straw that stirs the drink for the Terps. He has 36 points on 19 goals and 17 assists, and is heating up. After being held to just one assist in a stifling 5-4 loss to Notre Dame, Rambo has responded with eight goals and five assists in the last three games.
GAMES TO WATCH
Here are some key games to keep an eye on this weekend (all times Eastern):
No. 16 Rutgers at No. 20 Michigan, Saturday, 11 a.m.
Just a couple weeks ago, Rutgers was the hottest team in the country and was headed toward the top rankings. Now, with consecutive losses to Delaware and Johns Hopkins, the Scarlet Knights travel to Michigan in what is a pretty big game. Michigan, which only have two losses on the season, will look to score a big conference win.
No. 5 Notre Dame at Duke, Saturday, 12 p.m.
Notre Dame lost last week to Syracuse by one goal. It will travel to Duke, which had the same fate against the Orangemen two weeks ago, hoping to rebound. The Blue Devils, coming off a comeback win over North Carolina, will want to continue whatever momentum they have after beating the Tar Heels. Neither team wants a second ACC loss, but Duke might need a quality win a bit more than Notre Dame.
No. 1 Penn State at No. 6 Maryland, Saturday, 1 p.m.
The headline matchup of the weekend pits No. 1 Penn State with a Maryland team that won an 11-10 overtime game in Happy Valley last season. The Terps have won two straight since falling to Notre Dame and Villanova in consecutive games. For the Nittany Lions, led by freshmen like Mac O’Keefe and Gerard Arceri, this will be the biggest test yet.
No. 18 Villanova at No. 7 Denver, Sunday, 12 p.m.
After dispatching Georgetown last weekend, Denver will meet its toughest Big East opponent in Philadelphia. Villanova has moved into the Top 20 at No. 18 after winning five straight games, including an upset victory over Maryland. Trevor Baptiste is winning nearly 75 percent of his faceoffs, and he’ll meet a Villanova unit that has won less than 50 percent of them.
No. 14 Johns Hopkins at No. 9 Ohio State, Sunday, 7 p.m.
Every Big Ten game for the rest of the season could qualify as a good matchup, and this one fits the bill. Ohio State, after falling at Penn State last week, won’t want to moved to 0-2 in conference. However, the Buckeyes will get a Johns Hopkins team that has looked like one of best in the nations in spurts. The Blue Jays just took down Rutgers and will want to pick up its eighth win in the series against Ohio State.