With only one scrimmage left before the start to the men's lacrosse season, no clear-cut starter has been announced at goalie.
Instead, coach Glenn Thiel said the two contending goalies, Dave Baker and John Nichols, will most likely split time this season with a concrete decision possibly coming later in the year. Both Thiel and defensive coach Travis Johnson were pleased with their goalies' performances on Saturday.
Nichols said the coaches wouldn't know the starter until the first game Feb. 20 against Robert Morris.
"At some point, both of them are going to be playing," Johnson said. "That's just the way it's going to be with these guys."
Baker and Nichols have the task of filling the vacant spot left by Steven Rastivo, who transferred to North Carolina, and replacing last year's starter and Long Island Lizards' goalie Drew Adams. Rastivo, who could not be reached as of press time, was Adams' backup last year before leaving for Chapel Hill.
Now, Baker and Nichols have to replace Adams, a three-time ECAC Goalie of the Year.
"At first, it's intimidating, looking at it from the outside," Nichols said. "Watching him play, I'm very comfortable knowing that I could do what he did."
Baker, a former Ice Lions goalie who walked onto the team, received the start against Hobart. Nichols backed him up, and freshman Conor Baucum also gained playing time. Thiel said both Baker and Nichols need to improve on clearing attempts.
Baker emphasized the importance of the Iroquois National scrimmage on Sunday for deciding who has the edge at goalie. Baker said the coaches will decide who plays based on how each goalie performs leading up to games.
"Once a team realizes a weak point, the floodgates open," Baker said. "It's going to be really important for either Nichs or I to really play well."
Baker said he and Nichols don't have to be superstars. They simply need to block the outside shots and allow the defense to play its game -- a comforting notion for Baker and Nichols.
Nichols said Baker, with the ability to make the big save, excels in one-on-one situations against opponents. But because this is Baker's first season in NCAA lacrosse, Nichols feels he has an advantage in the experience area.
Nichols believes he also holds the advantage over Baker in blocking outside shots and being vocal with his defense -- something he may have learned from Adams, who, Nichols said, taught him everything about NCAA lacrosse.
"I have to realize I'm playing for my team," Nichols said. "I'm not trying to play to prove that I'm as good as Drew Adams."
