1-1 start "monumentally significant" for Hood
After absorbing a 19-goal loss to Stevenson, which is ranked No. 2 in the latest United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association poll, in the season opener, Hood rebounded with a 6-4 win against Randolph on Saturday.
The decision helped the Blazers record their second 1-1 start in the last three seasons – an accomplishment that did not escape coach Jeremy Mattoon’s attention.
“What we have to remember is, that was only our eighth win in seven years,” he said Monday. “So is it significant? It’s monumentally significant. Whether it’s our first game, second game or 16th game, any win we get is significant. It’s positive, and we feel good about it. And I think our boys felt really good after the win.”
Mattoon has been upfront about changing the program’s culture, which has led at times to a few strained moments between the players and coaches.
“We’ve had some hurdles,” Mattoon conceded. “I am by no means the easiest guy to play for, so it’s a learning process. But I think we’re in a really good place right now. Even though the [23-4] score against Stevenson doesn’t resemble it, I thought we never gave up. We played a tough game against the best team in the country.”
Hood’s next five contests are at home, but there’s some indecision about who will start at goalie. Sophomores William Lane and John Martin have split two starts, and Mattoon said he is planning to continue the rotation with Lane scheduled to start against Clark (Mass.) on Tuesday afternoon.
“At this point, we still don’t have a No. 1 goalie,” Mattoon said. “I think we have two No. 1s, and that was what we had planned going into the season. Going into Clark, Will is slated to start. Whether he will or not, a lot will depend on his health. He’s actually sick and missed practice today. But he is slated to start against Clark. And then Johnny’s slated to start the next game [against St. Joseph’s on Saturday].”
