Last year, renovations to Byrd Stadium left the Terrapin men’s lacrosse team without a true home. So now the Terps are relishing the opportunity to make up for lost time.
“All of us felt real bad for the seniors last year with what they had to go through, not really being able to play any big games in Byrd,” midfielder Dan Burns said. “So we’ve realized how important it is to play here and really appreciate the big stage.”
As hosts of the ACC Tournament this weekend, the No. 4 Terps came out energized by the friendly crowd and confines in their first bonus home game. They dominated their first round opponent, No. 3 North Carolina, 13-5, setting up Sunday’s title game against Virginia, another chance to play on their traditional home field – not Ludwig Field, which served as the 2009 substitute.
And not only did the Terps have no games at Byrd Stadium last year, but they have not hosted a conference championship there since 2001. They gave up their last spot in the rotation of ACC venues so the event could be held at M&T Bank Stadium.
But despite the prime location, the conditions are far from ideal.
After a home schedule that kicked off with a ground-saturating downpour for the March 13 match against Towson, the field has become progressively worse.
For Friday’s two first round games, the midfield Terps logo as well as crease circles were already worn down to dirt before the opening whistle. Paint lines had to be reapplied at haltime of the Terps’ win against the Tar Heels. Then football scrimmaged Saturday on a field damp from rain showers.
“If it wasn’t for the football team… I don’t know, it’d probably still be beat up,” Catalino said. “It’s all good. We’re used to this. Our practice field’s a beach – we’ve got two sand pits on each side. So we’re used to this kind of surface for playing.”
But no matter the state of the field, Terp players said it does not put a damper on excitement for playing the conference tournament on their home turf.
“Running out in Byrd and playing in Byrd, it’s like nothing else in the world,” midfielder Joe Cummings said. “I think it’s the best place to play.”
“Oh, it’s awesome,” Catalino said. “I wish this whole place would get filled up. I’d probably get goose bumps for days.”
Catalino will not get his wish for a packed house, especially with forecast of scattered thunderstorms and 60 percent chance of precipitation, according to Weather.com. But they still could draw a good crowd for the 3:30 p.m. match against No. 2 Virginia – the last meeting between the two teams at Byrd Stadium on April 3 was an 11-10 thriller.
Kate Yanchulis is the Terrapin men’s lacrosse team beat writer for The Diamondback. She can be reached at kyanchulisdbk@gmail.com.