--Last of the Locals

@Towson_MLAX has not lost a single conference game this year (granted they've only played two games) However, the Tigers' three losses this year have only been to local opponents outside of the CAA - Hopkins, Loyola & Navy.

Riding a four game win streak, Towson looks to dispose of their final non-conference opponent tonight when they host UMBC in a Beltway Battle.

When the Tigers and Retreivers battle for local bragging rights, I will be looking for the Tigers to answer the following questions. But first - I'm going to try and predict what happens...

1. Towson tends to get hot late in the game - ask Justin Mabus. Will Towson require a fourth-quarter or even overtime run to beat UMBC?

My Thoughts: No. Towson will play hot late in the game as usual, but UMBC is not a very advantageous team offensively (Save for the Maryland game, but that was more a lack of enthusiasm by the Terps, Towson will not overlook UMBC). I think Towson will start hot, both teams will be dull in the second and third quarters, UMBC will attempt a run early in the fourth and Towson will finish them off in the final 10 minutes. I don't see UMBC on the road being able to go on any runs to capitalize on the Tigers.

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2. Will a win bolster Towson to the Top 10?

My Thoughts: Not yet. The CAA has been impressive this year and has garnered the attention of the pollmakers on a national level. But the America East is still wide open to many skeptics and I don't think enough voters will consider a win over UMBC as a strong enough case for Towson to crack the Top 10. I think they'll definitely hit the top 15 in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse Poll and maybe get as high as Top 20 in the USILA poll.

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3. Will the No. 19 Tigers (6-3) beat UMBC (3-4)

My Thoughts: Yes. Like I said earlier, Towson will score early, UMBC will try to make a run in the second and/or third and then eventually collapse.

Towsn 11 - UMBC 7