When Georgetown Prep and Landon meet in lacrosse, "it's not a game, it's a happening"

"I've seen Landon play and they are disciplined and well-coached, as always," Georgetown Prep Coach Kevin Giblin said. "It seems that there are a lot more good teams out there.

"We have a lot of games that are as intense as the Landon game. Now, are those games all conference games? No. And are they the same rivalry as Landon? No. It's a special game to play in and to coach in."

Bordley agrees.

"Normally it's a tight game," he said. "We haven't beaten them badly in recent years. They've beaten us badly in recent years, but I don't think that's going to happen. I think it's going to be as it always is -- a tough, hard-fought game."

A key on Friday may be in transition. Teams have struggled to score in six-on-six against Georgetown Prep. Paoletta, a standout running back in football, thrives in transition, as do the quick decisions of Keena and the ability of sophomore Matt Opsahl (15 goals).

One other player to watch in transition is Landon senior Jack Strabo. He is a top cross-country runner who qualified for the Foot Locker South Region meet last November.

Sleeping well

Flint Hill senior goalie Chris Nelson helps his coach sleep well at nights. Huskies Coach Adam Rice said he is comfortable knowing that he enters every game with Nelson in goal.

Nelson has helped the Huskies (6-5, 3-0 Mid-Atlantic Conference) to an undefeated start in league play following a 7-2 victory over host Potomac School last Friday.

In that game, Nelson made 17 saves. The Huskies face another MAC test on Wednesday, when they host Sidwell Friends (4-5, 2-2).

"He is very, very good," Rice said of Nelson. "He makes three or four saves a game where you just shake your head and wonder how he did it. He is a really intelligent player. He makes plays outside the cage but he isn't reckless."

The Huskies have played some of the area's top teams very close, thanks largely to Nelson.

The Huskies took No. 3 Bullis to triple overtime in a 6-5 loss last month. Nelson made 20 saves in a 6-5 loss to Woodberry Forest and made 14 saves in a 6-3 loss to No. 9 St. Stephen's/St. Agnes on April 13.

Nelson has committed to play for Denison, the alma mater of his current coach. And as for Rice's sleeping patterns, Nelson's graduation won't necessarily affect them.

"We have a young kid in our program who is going to be very good, too," Rice said. "I am hoping to sleep well for the next few years."