What Is an Installment Loan,Part four -- 2009 preseason poll [Faceoff]

Here is the fourth (and final) installment of my perspective on the top lacrosse team for 2009. The following teams are, in my humble opinion, the top five squads heading into next season. The one common thread among these teams is more positives that outweigh the negatives.

5. North Carolina (2007 record: 8-6; Tournament finish: first round)

Losses: The Tar Heels say good-bye to just two starters, but both Tim Kaiser and Brian Burke were mainstays on defense.

Returners: When North Carolina opened the season with five consecutive wins and a 6-1 record, goalkeeper Grant Zimmerman was the catalyst, and he will be back. Starting attackmen Bart Wagner (St. Paul’s), Gavin Petracca and Michael B. Burns and midfielder Ben Hunt (Severna Park) spark an offense that averaged 10 goals per game.

Reason for pessimism: Finding a coach is one priority, but changing the climate of losing that has permeated Chapel Hill is perhaps the biggest challenge for John Haus’ successor.

Reason for optimism: The 1-2 punch of face-off specialists Shane Walterhoefer (Boys’ Latin) and Michael J. Burns could give the offense plenty of opportunities.

4. Cornell (11-4; first round)

Losses: The most significant departure for the Big Red is starting goalie Jake Myers. Backup attackman John Espey will also be missed.

Returners: An offense that ranked eighth in the nation in scoring should maintain or even improve that pace with the return of its starting attack led by Ryan Hurley and midfield spearheaded by Max Seibald and John Glynn.

Reason for pessimism: The starting goalie job appears to belong to freshman Mat Martinez, who posted a tepid save percentage of .480 in more than 106 minutes of play.

Reason for optimism: Opponents may have trouble getting shots off against Martinez, who will have starting defensemen Pierce Derkac, Nick Gradinger and Matt Moyer in front of him.

3. Maryland (10-6; quarterfinals)

Losses: Starting midfielder Max Ritz is gone as is the entire starting defense of Joe Cinosky, Ryne Adolph and Jacob Baxter.

Returners: Offense shouldn’t be problem with the return of starting attackmen Grant Catalino, Travis Reed (Boys’ Latin) and Ryan Young and starting midfielders Dan Groot and Jeremy Sieverts (McDonogh).

Reason for pessimism: Besides finding a third defenseman to team with Max Schmidt and Brian Farrell, can coach Dave Cottle afford to rotate goalkeepers Jason Carter and Brian Phipps in the net again?

Reason for optimism: Cottle continues to stockpile Under Armour All Americans. Next year’s group of five All Americans includes Loyola’s All-Metro attackman Joe Cummings.

2. Syracuse (16-2; NCAA champions)

Losses: Five starters are gone, including Tewaaraton Trophy winner Mike Leveille and midfielders Steven Brooks and Brendan Loftus. Don’t forget that face-off wunderkind Danny Brennan has also departed.

Returners: Kenny Nims and Greg Niewieroski are back on the attack with Dan Hardy and Matt Abbott leading the midfield. Long-stick midfielder Joel White was one of the top freshman in the country.

Reason for pessimism: Sid Smith proved his worth as a shutdown defenseman, but he’s going to need some help with fellow starters Evan Brady and Kyle Guadagnolo gone and especially if goalie John Galloway struggles as he did in the Final Four.

Reason for optimism: With three likely transfers in attackman Cody Jamison and midfielders Jeremy and Jerome Thompson, who needs defense?

1. Virginia (14-4; semifinals)

Losses: The heart of the offense in attackman Ben Rubeor (Loyola) has left. Defensive midfielder Will Barrow was a calming presence, and Bud Petit was the best goalkeeper not named Michael Gvozden in the Final Four.

Returners: Starting attackman Danny Glading and Garrett Billings will lead what should be a potent offense again. The entire starting defense – Ken Clausen, Matt Kelly and Ryan Nizolek – also returns.

Reason for pessimism: Can goalie Adam Ghitelman regain the starting role that he had held for the first 10 games before giving way to Petit?

Reason for optimism: Coach Dom Starsia one-upped his ACC counterpart in Maryland’s Cottle byinking six Under Armour All Americans, including Loyola’s All-Metro attackman Steele Stanwick.