Schiller gunning for playoffs in final season

By CHRIS ANTONACCI
Collegian Staff Writer

To see Chris Schiller play is one thing.

To write about it, another.

It is hard to put into words how he glides above the terrain so gracefully.

How he dives for groundballs at the expense of his knees.

How hard he hits someone who tries to score upon his Penn State men's lacrosse teammates.

How fast his black, Nike cleats tear through the plush grass of Jeffrey Field.

How much he wants to win.

It has been an incredible four years for the Nittany Lions midfielder. Each season that he has been a member of the Lions squad, the result has been the same -- one win away from the postseason.

And now entering his final year in the fold, he is determined not to have the playoffs elude him or his teammates.

It shows.

Schiller has notched an impressive season thus far. In seven games, he has tallied 16 goals and assisted on 12 others, including a one-goal, two-assist outpouring in Saturday's 19-12 victory over No. 16 Army.

He is currently the team's scoring leader.

"He's playing out of his mind," Penn State attacker John Chescavage said.

That was not one of Schiller's finest games in the scoring book, though. But he showed his grit throughout the game.

At no time was it more evident than in the first period when Penn State held a 4-1 lead over the Black Knights.

Army midfielder Tom Martin raced upfield, cradling the ball in his stick. Martin held a 15-yard lead as Schiller chased after him. But that gap quickly shortened.

Like a predator chasing its prey, Schiller closed in and struck. With the clinging of the stick, the ball fell to the earth and the groundball was soon in Penn State's hands.

"Chris Schiller is an excellent midfielder," Army coach Jack Emmer said. "He is as good of a midfielder as there is in the country."

When one accosts a lacrosse connoisseur about the play of Schiller, speed is almost always the first thing that comes to mind.

"It's definitely one of my best attributes," Schiller said. "I center my game around my speed."

But what cannot be forgotten is his offensive potency. Last season, the Rochester, N.Y., native tabbed 14 goals and 10 assists as a junior, which was good for third on the team in scoring.

His development as a scoring threat, though, began when he was a sophomore. That year, he appeared in all 12 Penn State games and scored 11 goals and six assists, greatly improving from his freshman season when he scored two goals.

"I'm always happy with Schiller," Penn State coach Glenn Thiel said. "He's had an All-American year. He's always been that kind of player for us. He's such a threat on offense."

After all, it was his play throughout his three years in the blue and white that landed him in the captain's role.

Leadership.

It is something every team needs, but does not come easy.

Some people shy away from the role, others embrace it.

Schiller is among the latter. He is privileged to have garnered the respect of his fellow laxers to be put in such a position.

"I was honored," Schiller said. "I have created great friendships on this team, and to be named a captain of a Penn State athletic team is the highest honor."

His coaches are honored to have him there, too.

First, there comes the small stuff. The pregame motions, talking with the referees.

But then there is the leadership that does not come easy. When the troops are down someone has to lift their spirits, encouraging them to keep fighting. When the team needs a big goal, someone has to take control, take the risk and put the game on his shoulders.

Schiller is that type of player.

"Sometimes it's not leadership by what you say, but what you do -- Chris, he does both," Penn State assistant coach Rick Young said. "When Chris is really on, the guys really rally around him."

So far they have. The Lions now boast a 5-2 mark and are ranked ninth in the nation. Schiller is optimistic the team can finally get over the hump, get the monkey off its back and qualify for the playoffs.

It would be the perfect end to a storied career. After all, personal accomplishments aside, Schiller is all about team. He wants to get there and has a dream on how he would like to end his Penn State career.

Said Schiller: "I'd love to score a last-minute goal for us in the playoffs."