Is the Ghost of TD Ierlan Still Haunting UAlbany Lacrosse?
Everything UAlbany lacrosse fans remember about TD Ierlan helping to lead the Great Danes to the Final Four last season is still true. He is the best faceoff man in the country and he is back in the Final Four. Only, he's doing it for a different team.
UAlbany lost in the national semifinals to Yale last year and as the Danes graduated a ridiculously successful senior class, Ierlan decided it was time for a change of his own; he announced he was transferring and ultimately chose the defending national champions.
On Saturday, Ierlan dominated at the faceoff X, winning 28 of 39 draws and leading all players with 20 ground balls. The Yale offense, aided by Ierlan's work at the X, ran out to a fast lead on the way to knocking off the number 1 seed Penn State.
Yale is back in the national championship game with a chance for the Bulldogs to defend their title against Virginia on Monday afternoon. Ierlan's return to UAlbany in the regular season meeting between Yale and the Danes seemed to heal any wounds from his departure. Does his dominance on a national stage pick away at any of those scabs?
The national championship is 1pm Monday between Yale and Virginia.