Sean Burns

  (12:01 PM)

Hey fans, we've got a special treat for our chat today (well, at least for myself as an alum), as Loyola's Steve Layne and Eric Lusby join us for a quick chat before they have to split for practice - they're setting up right now so be sure to submit your questions for them to answer.

Jim (Baltimore)

Denver has been on quite a roll - how do you guys think you'll be able to slow them down?

Eric Lusby

  (12:02 PM)

We need to play the way that we have and not let them dictate what we are doing. We have been pretty successful when we do that.

Steve Layne

  (12:03 PM)

Denver has very talented attackmen and midfielders, but at the same time, just like we do offensively, we have to be ourselves. If we can win individual matchups, we can have success in any game.

Warren (Tustin, CA)

I have been playing lacrosse for a couple of years here in california, but all of my favorite lax colleges are on the east, how do you recommend get recognized by the college scouts out east?

Eric Lusby

  (12:04 PM)

I think you need to do as many of the big recruiting camps as you can - the summer tournaments are huge.

Steve Layne

  (12:05 PM)

The recruiting process is much more sped up than when we were being recruited. Try to get out East and hit some of the big tournaments like Blue Chip, Top 205 or Brine Shootout.

Terry (Southington, CT)

So with Hopkins winning last night, does that make these two games coming up the biggest in your careers at Loyola?

Steve Layne

  (12:06 PM)

We have both played playoff games, so those were pretty big. But, for this season, these next two games can really put us in good position for a playoff game, so they are incredibly important. One is the league championship, and after that, it is our down-the-street rival.

John (Jersey)

I'm always a fan of the Weapon of Choice stuff on IL, so can you guys tell me how your wands are set up?

Eric Lusby

  (12:08 PM)

I use a normal mesh pocket. Coach Chemotti strings up the stick for me. I use the hockey lace normally straight across and a 'U' right underneath it. I have a nylon string right above the hockey string. I like a high-to-center of the stick pocket to feel the ball snap off the stick. I use the brine clutch head.

Jim (Baltimore)

How big is it for you guys to be playing in an NFL stadium this weekend for such a big game? Does it help that you got to do it earlier this year?

Eric Lusby

  (12:09 PM)

Playing in an NFL stadium is the best atmosphere you could ever play in. From playing at M&T Bank Stadium earlier this year, seeing 20,000 fans out there really gets your blood flowing.You also don't have to worry about people not being prepared. On that big of a stage, people are ready to go.

Tom S. (Carlisle, PA)

First of all, good luck this weekend against Denver and next week versus Hopkins. My question is "Do you see the new stadium already having an positive impact on the talent level from a recruiting perspective?" Also, which current freshmen have you been most impressed with?

Eric Lusby

  (12:10 PM)

With the freshmen, I hate going against Josh Hawkins in practice. He is a freak athletically.

Steve Layne

  (12:11 PM)

The stadium is amazing, but you'd have to ask the coaches about how it is helping with recruiting. For the freshmen, I see a lot of shades of P.T. Ricci in Scott Ratliff. He is an athletic kid with a good stick and good instinct. He is going to be a very good player down the road.

Bobby Caetta (baltimore)

this ones for eric, I heard they call you the Howitzer and BoBo over at Evergreen is that true and why do they call you that?

Steve Layne

  (12:18 PM)

Yes, it's true. Howitzer came from Steve Layne. He brings in his history major from a World War II research projects about guns. BoBo is from Cooper MacDonnell. It's from the e-trade commercial with the clown in the background.

Sean Burns

  (12:19 PM)

Sorry guys, that response was from Eric Lusby, not Steve Layne...

Mike (Upstate)

Are you guys bummed you don't get to play the Cuse anymore?

Steve Layne

  (12:19 PM)

Syracuse is a great team, and it's fun playing them in the Dome. With the conference realignments, we don't get to play them anymore, but we picked up some other good games on the schedule, and maybe we'll get to see them in the playoffs.

TK (Orange County)

when will we see an extrememly dominate goalie again in college lax?

Steve Layne

  (12:20 PM)

Watch No. 24 at Loyola.

Mike (Baltimore)

As a recent alum, i thought you guys would be hurting a bit after losing a bunch of great players last year, but you seem to be playing great together. Any specific players you can think of who really showed something this season?

Steve Layne

  (12:21 PM)

We got Steve Dircks back from an injury which was huge. Jake is back to normal form in cage. Regular contributors like Cooper, Finnerty and Lus. Other guys have stepped up offensively like Chris Hurst and Taylor Ebsary.

Eric Lusby

  (12:21 PM)

Reiterating what Steve said, and John Schiavone still dominating at the 'X' like he was doing last year.

Kevin (Annapolis)

Good luck this weekend against Denver. What is your favorite pregame meal?

Eric Lusby

  (12:22 PM)

We don't have a lot of choices. Coach gets us chicken parm and pasta, so I eat as much of that as I can.

Steve Layne

  (12:24 PM)

Coach Dwan has been known to cook up a mean PB&J late night before the games.

Terry (New York)

Loyola has a great history, but there was a gap there where there wasn't much success - what's it been like being a part of bringing it back to the top?

Steve Layne

  (12:29 PM)

It feels good, but we are not back on top yet. We still need to win a playoff game. We haven't won one since 2001, so we still have work to do. Ask me that question in a couple of weeks, and I'll give you a better answer

Sean Burns

  (12:31 PM)

Hey everybody, Steve and Eric have to head on down the old dusty trail and hit up a film session before practice, so thanks again for stopping by and be sure to check them out on Sunday when they take on Denver with the ECAC title on the line at Invesco Field.