Men's lax faces must-win game
Mike Mazzeo
Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: Sports
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The Dragons (6-7) go into their highly anticipated game with the Blue Hens (5-9) April 26 at Vidas Field needing a victory in order to secure a top-four seed and a guaranteed spot in the conference's postseason tournament. The two teams, both 2-3 in the CAA, are currently tied for the fourth and final position.
Drexel is going into the game with a lot of confidence, having won its last two conference games after losing its initial three.
Redshirt freshman attackman Kyle Bergman, second on the Dragons in both goals (17) and points (27), may have never played against Delaware, but understands just how important a game of this magnitude can be.
"It's tough maintaining the intensity level we have had for the past few games," Bergman said. "But we realize how big this game is. We get into a lot of fights with Delaware because we [dislike] them. We like to maintain a very steady game and they are the opposite."
The Blue Hens' high-paced game starts and ends up front. Curtis Dickson (31) and Martin Cahill (20) have combined for 51 goals to lead their team. Delaware also poses three other double-digit scorers in Kevin Kaminski (13), Josh Coveleski (11) and Pat Lombard (10).
The Blue Hens have a highly potent man-advantage unit, converting on 27.7 percent of their opportunities. However, in spite of scoring 8.7 goals per game, Delaware gives up 9.3 to its opponents.
That's where Bergman and Colin Ambler need to take advantage. The dynamic duo has combined for 35 goals and 24 assists. Ambler has a team-leading 32 points for Drexel.
But to stop Delaware's potent attack, a defense led by senior Matt McCormick and freshman goalie Mark Manos must step up and perform at the highest level.
Manos did just that for the Dragons in their last game against Sacred Heart, making 12 saves as Drexel gave up just four goals for the third time this season.
The Dragons have given up 111 goals on the year, while scoring 110. And of course, Manos has been a major component to that.
The 6-foot-1, 270-pound netminder has an 8.26 goals against average and a .602 save percentage.
"The key to the game for us is to stay disciplined," Bergman said. "Delaware is very beatable, but you have to avoid playing their game."
Last season, Drexel fell to Delaware 12-11 in Newark, Del. at Rullo Field April 9, 2008.
Now, the Dragons will have the opportunity to get some revenge at home - and they will need to seize it from the get-go.
"This is a big game because last year we really played well," Bergman said. "The start of this year was bad because we expected to be good."
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