"If this was a track meet, I would probably be OK," he said. "But the lateral movement has been difficult at times because of the structure of the ankle and things like that. Unfortunately, in athletics, and especially lacrosse, it's not just running in a straight line. And especially playing attack, it's not just running in a straight line. It's something I've been working on the most, going side to side."
Paul will likely start, but he might be part of a rotation that includes senior Bruce Nechanicky and freshman Ryan O'Leary. No matter what, Paul will likely be in the ear of Midshipmen coach Richie Meade as he was during the Patriot League tournament.
"He's practicing. He's not practicing with all of us looking at him anymore," Meade said. "He's just practicing. I think he'll be fine."
There's a line of thought that Navy will advance in the NCAA tournament as long as Paul is healthy and effective. Paul is unconcerned about bearing such pressure.
"There probably is a good amount of pressure, but at the same time, if you want to be a big-time player, you have to thrive under pressure," he said. "If you're not ready for pressure, you probably shouldn't be out there."
navy (11-4) @duke (13-3)
What: NCAA tournament first round
Where: Koskinen Stadium,
Durham, N.C.
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: The Midshipmen and Blue Devils represent opposite ends of the spectrum. Duke ranks seventh in the nation in scoring and has eight players with at least 14 goals each. The Blue Devils' most dangerous player is senior attackman Ned Crotty, who leads the country in assists with 45 and powers a unit that thrives on pushing the pace and taking advantage of transition situations. That puts the onus on a Navy defense that ranks fifth in the nation. Senior Andy Tormey, sophomore Tom Mansfield and freshman Matt Vernam - who could get the unenviable assignment of shadowing Crotty - man the area in front of senior goalie Tommy Phelan, and junior long-stick midfielders Zack Schroeder and Jaren Woeppel are underrated. The Midshipmen offense could be reinvigorated by the return of junior attackman Tim Paul (18 goals and 13 assists) from a sprained left ankle.
