M. Lax | Back to lax at Franklin for Seaman

Towson coach Tony Seaman should feel right at home Sunday at Franklin Field. After all, he is Penn's all-time winningest men's lacrosse coach.

Seaman's squad (6-8) visits the Quakers (3-8, 2-4 Ivy) on the heels of a midweek, double-overtime loss to No. 7 Johns Hopkins. As has often been the case this year, the Tigers couldn't overcome a ranked opponent. But they have won the games they've needed to, losing only once to an unranked club.

This will be their third trip to the Philadelphia area this year, after downing Drexel March 28, then falling at Villanova two weeks later. In other words, this isn't exactly unfamiliar territory.

"It's been kind of surreal," Seaman said about his return to Franklin - he also has a daughter, Barb, on the Penn women's lacrosse team.

"It'll be different being on the other side, that's for sure. Some of my best lacrosse career memories are certainly my years at [Penn]," he added.

Seaman first joined the Red and Blue in 1983, leading a 10-3 club to a share of the Ivy title and an NCAA tournament berth, and taking home the Divsion I National Coach of the Year award for himself.

The following year he guided the Quakers to an outright Ivy championship, winning twelve straight contests at one point during the season. Even after another early exit from the NCAA tournament, Seaman notched his second Coach of the Year award.

When his time in Philadelphia was finished, Seaman had racked up six straight NCAA appearances and at least a share of four Ivy titles. His record at the helm of the Quakers was 74-37 - good enough for most total wins all-time.

But don't expect Penn to roll out the welcome mat. After suffering a 9-2 loss at the hands of No. 11 Maryland last Saturday, the Quakers are in no mood to let anyone come into their house and push them around.

"Our biggest disappointment from last weekend was we didn't compete hard enough," said Penn coach Brian Voelker, who played and coached under Seaman during their overlapping Hopkins tenures in the early 90s.

"This is the seniors' last one on the home field. I hope that emotion carries over into the whole group," Voelker added.

Having a full week to prepare may give the Red and Blue an edge over a Tigers squad playing on just three days rest.

And if the usual incentives aren't enough, the 10 seniors are well aware this will be their last game at Franklin Field.

"We want to go out representing the caliber of players that we are," senior attack Alex Weber said. "It's been four years and a lot of fun; we just want to go out with a 'W.'"

Fellow senior Craig Andrzejewski - who like a lot of other Quakers was recruited by Seaman - knows now is the time to rally the troops.

"Coach [Voelker] doesn't really do a Senior Day, but I guess [Sunday] is," Andrzejewski said. "We talked about . making sure everyone's fired up this week in practice and carrying it into Sunday."

Personal experience aside, both head coaches have been scouting each other's clubs recently. And Voelker knows this isn't a reunion - it's time for a win.

"He's a great coach and a great person, but we'll do enough catching up over the summer," Voelker said. "I know the family really well. . There's a lot of friendly faces on that sideline, but once the whistle blows it's not so friendly."