NCAA Lacrosse 2014: Breschi and Tar Heels embrace the underdog role

Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

Peter Koutroumpis – editor@trianglesportsnet.com

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – As the ninth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels flew out of RDU on Friday morning on their way to Denver to start play in the 2014 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship Tournament, they had only one thought on their mind – to embrace the role of the underdog.

For only the third time in its history dating back most recently to 1998, North Carolina enters NCAA postseason play unseeded and will play a true road game for the first time since 1995, facing off against the fifth-seeded Denver Pioneers (14-2) at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium on Saturday.

“Firstly, everybody’s excited for the opportunity to be in the tournament,” North Carolina head coach Joe Breschi said.

“Secondly, you can’t put a lot of stock in what you think you should have received. We had our opportunities throughout the year to win a few games and we came up short. The NCAA and the selection committee is going to do what is best for them. We accept the invitation to be in the NCAA Tournament and look forward to the opportunity of competing this weekend.”

Sitting with a 10-4 overall record, the Tar Heels suffered two one-goal losses in their final three games of the season that denied them a top-8 seeding entering tournament play.

An 11-10 overtime loss on the road to the then seventh-ranked Syracuse Orange knocked them out of an ACC Tournament spot to defend their 2013 conference championship.

A 13-11 loss to the then eighth-ranked Virginia Cavaliers in the ACC Showcase two weeks later confirmed the Tar Heels’ fate that they would have to travel a longer road in trying to return to the Final Four for the first time since 1993.

“I think we’re clearly the underdog,” Breschi said.

“We certainly feel that way. You can look at it from many different ways but our guys are certainly spinnin’ it as the guys in the room believe in themselves and have respect for one another and we’re clearly the underdog. We can get around it and compete the way we’re capable of and let the chips fall where they may. We definitely have the underdog mentality ‘cause we are. When you’re not seeded and sent out West, you’re certainly the underdog.”

Not playing for two weeks since the ACC Showcase loss, the Tar Heels have had some time to recover both physically and mentally while preparing for NCAA postseason play.

“It’s been good physically to get a rest,” Breschi said.

“Mentally, they’ve had exams the last 10 days. They’re finally finished and I think for our guys, it’s been a physical rest more than a mental rest with exams. But I think they’re certainly rested and very excited for the opportunity.”

Saturday’s game will be the 12th meeting between the two teams, with the Tar Heels holding an 8-3 edge over the Pioneers.

However, Denver has beaten North Carolina in both NCAA games the two have played recently – 16-14 in 2012 and 12-11 in 2013.

The two teams are not strangers to one another not only for the fact that they will meet for the third time in tournament play, but because they’ve scrimmaged against one another for the past three seasons as well.

“This’ll be the sixth time in three years, with scrimmages at the beginning of the year and playoffs at the end,” Breschi said.

“We’re familiar with each other. Both teams are different (now) than the start of the year…They’re very sound across the board. I don’t think they have a weakness – they’re solid. Well coached and a great team. We’re gonna’ have to execute our plan and have some adjustments. We’re certainly prepared and ready based on how the game proceeds.”

North Carolina understands that it has a lot of work to do against a Pioneers team that is on a current 11-game win streak and led by high quality performers at every position.

With that fact in mind, the Tar Heels understand the pressure that exists when entering the tournament with such high expectations.

They had their own 10-game streak ended by Denver in the quarterfinals last season, so they don’t feel the same pressure this time around.

Though they’ve been ranked as a top-10 team all season, not having a number beside their name in the bracket is something the players have fully embraced.

“Yeah, absolutely,” Breschi said.

“There’s ways to go about it and we’ve had a target on our chest all year. Now, it’s nice to go into a game being the underdog with all the pressure on your opponent.”

Breschi has had some experience leading a team to a big win in an underdog role as he led his Ohio State team to an upset first-round road win over Cornell in 2008.

He understands that the right set of circumstances must occur in order for it to happen and likes the attitude that this team is heading into this year’s tournament with.

“I’ve coached some teams where we’ve been the underdog and won some big games,” Breschi said.

“Every team’s different. Your leadership and chemistry is different. This group has solid senior leadership and they know the opportunity that’s in front of them. We talked about embracing it and going out and playing to the best of their abilities.”