Laxers prep for difficult schedule
Team has big holes to fill on defense in order to ready for season

By DON WAGNER
Collegian Sports Writer

If Men's Lacrosse Coach Glenn Thiel seems more determined than usual, it's not without good reason. For his team, it is going to be a season that requires focus and hard work.

First of all, the Lions will play six current top-25 teams. One of them just happens to be No. 1 Virginia. However, Thiel said the schedule is one his team is used to.

"It's a pretty typical schedule that we are used to playing, with the exception of Virginia because they are the preseason No. 1 and probably the best team in the country," he said.

Thiel will have a few large holes to fill, like those left by the graduation of some of last season's standouts. One of the biggest of these holes will be in the defense, where there are spots left open by All-American Alex Schoonmaker and his partner Ken Wille.

"On the defensive end of things we will feel graduation the most -- we are very thin on defense," Thiel said. "Losing Schoonmaker and Wille -- it wasn't a year not to get a top-notch defensive recruit."

But the team will be bolstered by the presence of senior tri-captain Brian Shorts and sophomores Dave Daniecki and Tolleison Morris.

The midfield spots will be filled by two of the tri-captians, seniors Mike Busza and Mike O'Keefe.

"They've been an integral part of things for the last three or four years, and now it's their turn to be the limelight players," Thiel said.

O'Keefe hopes his time in that light will give him the confidence to lead a cohesive unit.

"I want to give leadership that will help everyone work together and not just play for themselves or as individuals," he said.

Most of the Lions' experience will come from the attack position, Thiel said. Two returning Lions -- sophomore Greg Jackson and senior Erik Merkel -- now have a year of experience playing together under their belts. Also, the return of senior walk-on Raffaele Chioto, who has filled in for the Lions in the crease attack position, will help.

"I think our attack should be a little bit more of a dominant attack that can do more things than last year," Thiel said. "I think they will handle our scoring a little bit more for us than they have in the past."

For the Lions to be successful, Thiel said the goalie position will need the most improvement. Returning in the cage is junior Jason Johnson, who will face a stiff challenge from sophomore Andy King.

"Andy King had a very good fall (season) and probably stepped ahead of Jason," Thiel said. "They're nip and tuck heading into the preseason."

The Lions are aiming to place in the top 11, as well as make the NCAA tournament. This is something that, in the past few years, they have been close to doing.

"In past years, we've been close. And one of these years we are going to do it," Thiel said. "We need a year where we can get a little lucky and knock off somebody who's having a good year."

With No. 1 Virginia on the schedule, this may be the year that it happens.