Ghitelman gets his NCAA shot

When you consider that just one goal separated Virginia and Johns Hopkins when they last met during the regular season, it’s a near certainty that one of the most important players on the field for the rematch this Sunday in the NCAA tournament quarterfinals will be the smallest guy.

That would be UVa sophomore goalie Adam Ghitelman, generously listed at 5-foot-9 and 186 pounds. 

“He’s a charismatic kid, a smart guy and just helps our team defense a great deal,” said Virginia coach Dom Starsia, whose squad beat Johns Hopkins, 16-15, in Baltimore on March 21. “You feel like he’s already a leader for us back there. I think as his confidence has grown, he’s become a really important component for us. We would expect him to play well on Sunday.”

Last season was something of a rollercoaster for Ghitelman. As a freshman, he began the season as the starter. But after a rough outing in his home debut versus Stony Brook, the former two-time Nassau County player of the year on Long Island, N.Y., gave way to fifth-year senior Bud Petit. It was the first time Ghitelman had ever been benched during a game.

Ghitelman bounced back with a strong string of performances, but was eventually replaced by Petit, who led Virginia to the Final Four.

This season, Ghitelman has played like a guy who isn’t looking over his shoulder.

“I’m just having fun this year,” Ghitelman said. “I’m having a good time. It just helps all around to be able to go out there and not worry about anything else except just playing and trying to win.”

Following Virginia’s exhilarating 10-9 win over Maryland in seven overtimes on March 28, Ghitelman was named national player of the week by Laxnews.com, as well as ACC player of the week.

The sophomore from Syosset, N.Y., turned in one of the best games of his career in helping UVa win the longest game in Division I history (85 minutes).

The Cavaliers fought back from a three-goal deficit in the final six minutes of regulation before winning on Brian Carroll’s goal one minute into the seventh overtime.

Ghitelman made 22 saves, the most by a Virginia goalie in five years. Six of his saves came in the seven overtime periods (on 13 Maryland shots) and included several from point-blank range.

“I think he has a great deal more confidence than he did last year,” said Virginia junior defender Ken Clausen. “I think playing [on the United States Under-19 team] over the summer helped him a lot, and I just think the difference between freshman year and sophomore year is a huge difference.

“You’re not coming in brand new. You’re used to everything and know what to expect.”

Ghitelman doesn’t seem like just a sophomore who will be starting only his second career NCAA game, Starsia said.

“I don’t really think of Adam as an inexperienced goalie until somebody brings it to my attention,” he said. “This morning we had a conference call and somebody said Adam was in his first playoffs, but I just don’t think he carries himself that way.”

In the first-round thrashing of Villanova last weekend, Ghitelman brought his ‘A’ game. He didn’t allow a goal in his 39-plus minutes of action.

Of course, the caliber of competition will be jumping a couple of notches on Sunday.

“We’re definitely confident going in — knowing that we got a ‘W’ the first time we played them,” Ghitelman said. “But this is going to be a totally different scenario this time around.

“Both teams have gotten better throughout the year.”

Ghitelman is certainly glad not to be playing at Hopkins’ Homewood Field again. In the night-game win in March, he had trouble picking up the ball.

“Being at a neutral site should serve us well,” he said, smiling, “and getting away from those Hopkins lights will serve me well, too.”