N.C.A.A. Preview: Loyola (Men) and Loyola (Women) Play for Final Four Spots The Loyola Greyhounds lacrosse program exercised some postseason demons last weekend as both the men and women advanced to the quarterfinals of the N.C.A.A. tournament. Both teams are looking forward to facing a familiar opponent on Saturday with a chance to advance to the Final Four on the line. The men had a relatively easy time doing so as they cruised past M.A.A.C. champion Canisius by scoring 13 unanswered goals to start the second half en route to a 17-5 victory. Loyola will play Denver in the quarterfinal round. It will be the third time that they meet the Pioneers this season. The Greyhounds won for the first time in the series on April 14 when they defeated Denver 12-9 on the road. Loyola had to take on Denver again in the finals of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament and survived a late seven-goal run and eventually won in overtime. The women did not have as easy a time in their first-round game. The Lady Hounds just got by Penn with a 10-9 overtime win on Saturday. Hannah Schmitt's goal with three seconds left in overtime propelled Loyola to its second straight quarter final and set up a date with No. 3 Maryland, a team that they have played 31 times. Although the Greyhounds have only won three of those contests they may have an advantage with Coach Jen Adams on their sideline. Adams, a former Maryland attacker, set the N.C.A.A. record for points (445) and assists (178) during her four years as a Terrapin. Although this will be the first time Adams takes on her alma matter as a coach, the Greyhounds should be able to take advantage of the fact that their head coach is very familiar with their opponent. Saturday will be the first time in Loyola men's lacrosse history that the Greyhounds will face the same team three times in the same season. Loyola Coach Charley Toomey emphasized that his team needed to mix up its attack during the second meeting with Denver this season so the Pioneers "wouldn't see what is coming." That tactic worked for three quarters as Loyola opened up a 13-6 advantage; but Denver figured out Loyola in the fourth and rattled off seven consecutive goals to send the game to overtime. The Hounds were bailed out by one of the best long stick midfielders in the nation, Scott Ratliff, as he scored eight seconds into overtime to give Loyola the E.C.A.C. crown. 1 seeded Greyhounds must mix up their game plan again, especially on the offensive end. Another factor that plays into Loyola's chances on Saturday is where the games will be played. The men will make the trip to Annapolis, Md., and the women will travel to College Park, Md. The teams should expect a large Greyhound contingent as both trips are only a short drive away from Loyola's home in northern Baltimore. Steve Gesuele is the sports editor of The Greyhound at Loyola University.