28 Sports April 19, 2005 THE RETRIEVER Synthetic Turf christened by Weekly Sports Wrap Retriever men’s lacrosse Baltimore Blast loses post-season chances Momentum 51 is one of a class of syn- Former Major Indoor Soccer League champion Baltimore lost 6-5 last Saturday against the KIM DEBARGE Chicago Storm. With just two games left in the season, the Blast has no way of improving Retriever Editorial Staff thetic turfs available, most famously known as AstroTurf. Synthetic turfs are not dam- their standings in the MISL to compete in championship play. The two-time MISL champ aged by cleats and players the way that grass had an inconsistent record this year, going 15-21 so far this season and remaining dead last UMBC Stadium finally has something fields are, and are thus available for more at 7th place in scoreboard standings. Their last two games will be against the Cleveland in common with M&T Bank Stadium— play time each day without the worry of Force on the 22nd and Milwaukee Wave on the 24th. and no, it’s not the Ravens. A ground- ruining the fields. The turf can also be laid rubber and kiln-dried sand synthetic turf over a drainage system for flood-prone called Momentum 51 was installed to areas, enabling competition even during replace 1996’s Deso-Turf installation in bad weather. Orioles annihilate Yankees over the weekend the soccer team’s home. Like Legos or According to players on the men’s Baltimore moved into the top spot in American League East standings last Sunday after a floor tiles, sheets of the turf are pieced lacrosse team, the new surface is something three-game winning streak against the Yankees last weekend. The Orioles are currently 8-4 together, rolled out, and secured to the of an adjustment. In Saturday’s game the in the season and 5-1 in wins against the Yankees. New York’s losses push the team back to surface. UMBC now has a low-mainte- players found it somewhat slippery, but they 4-8, tying them with Tampa Bay as the currently lowest-ranked teams in the Eastern League. nance, less flood-susceptible playing sur- are sure to adjust with practice. The players The Orioles’ next series against the Yankees will start June 27th and last through the 29th. face to call its own. With a price tag of had practiced on Erickson Field’s grass while over $800,000, UMBC decided that the the turf was being installed, which provided benefits of Momentum 51 installation a place to get some play but not a compara- outweigh the cost. ble turf. No doubt the turf will also be a Olympian Michael Phelps serves probation The field was finished in time for challenge for the upcoming spring soccer sea- Swimmer and gold medalist Michael Phelps will serve out a portion of his probation Saturday’s final men’s lacrosse home game, son, with the players out of practice over requirements following his recent drunk driving conviction by visiting several Eastern Shore giving the players some home field time winter break and not used to the new surface. schools this week to talk to students about the dangers of driving under the influence. Local and allowing UMBC to show off its new education officials believe the visits to middle and high schools in Salisbury and Mardela field to North Carolina. Soccer will also be Kim DeBarge is the Sports Editor for the Springs are aptly timed to coincide with promoting an alcohol-free prom season. able to play on the field, which is beneficial Retriever. She is finally proud to be an as spring’s unpredictable weather can cause Orioles fan and can be reached for comment cancellations on grass playing fields. at [email protected]. Athleteof theWeek: Corey Warner by Yemisi Aina. According to Coach Don transfer. Last season, Warner went from Bob Streeten, who is known for sending his Zimmerman, Corey Warner is “our face-off crease attackman to face-off specialist, players off to highly ranked athletic pro- specialist. In a big league game on proving his well-roundedness as an athlete. grams at various colleges and universities. Wednesday against Binghamton, he was According to Zimmerman, “He has accept- The Trojans are ranked among the top high 13-15 in face-offs, with 9 ground balls. He ed his role as face-off specialist here, and school lacrosse programs in New York. was key to an 8-1 first half lead.” Nine has done a terrific job.” Warner chose On Saturday April 16th, UMBC ground balls is a career high for the senior UMBC because he liked the Maryland area played North Carolina in a televised game, midfielder. Warner’s efforts helped the and was impressed with the lacrosse staff. allowing UMBC to show off its new turf Retrievers secure a 10-4 victory over Even back at Corning East High field for the first time. Corey and nine other Binghamton, ensuring UMBC a spot in School, Warner was busy proving his mettle seniors were honored in a ceremony before the America East Tournament. as an athlete. Not only did he play lacrosse, the game, as this was their last regular Warner transferred in from Herkimer but he also participated in football and appearance in a home game for the season. Junior College in New York, where he was wrestling for the Corning East Trojans, win- In May, men’s lacrosse will go to the a First Team All-American. Zimmerman ning letters in each of these respective America East Tournament, after playing courtesy of umbcretrievers.com thinks that Corey has adjusted well to the sports. Warner played under lacrosse coach against Loyola, Stonybrook, and Albany. Correction: Last week’s photographs of the Men’s Lacrosse game against Quinnipac and of the Women’s Softbnall game against Vermont were incorrectly credited to Mark Finizio. The photos were taken by Udaya Raja, Retriever Staff photographer. Sorry, Udaya!.