After Saturday's loss to Rutgers, Penn State men's lacrosse coach Glenn Thiel said his young attackers have been thrown to the wolves.
Nick Dolik and Billy Gribbin's first five Nittany Lion matches have been just as much a maturation ceremony as they have been games.
"Gribbin's done very well," Thiel said." Dolik's been hot-and-cold."
But the two young attackers are finding a role in Thiel's young attack core and in doing that, Dolik and Gribbin are producing beyond their years.
"It's really at a point where we play not thinking as freshmen," Dolik said. "We've kind of grown up and try not to think of being freshmen anymore. Trying to take a big role in the offense."
While Matt Mackrides has taken the team lead in goals (16) and points (18), Gribbin is second in both with 11 goals and 14 points. Dolik has contributed as well, with six goals and eight points, fourth on the team.
And playing up front with Mackrides early in the season has allowed the two freshmen to learn from someone who was in their shoes last year and is Penn State's go-to attacker.
"Matt's definitely an established good player, great player," Gribbin said. "So we definitely look up to him and try to do things that he does and look to him for advice in the attack part of the offense and everything."
Mackrides has obliged, whether it's helping them transition from high school to college life or taking Dolik and Gribbin to shoot around, and as Dolik said, work on things as a three-man attack unit.
In return, Dolik and Gribbin each have seen things in Mackrides' game they look to emulate. In Dolik's case, it's knowing when to back off and when to push the defense as well as Mackrides' does.
Despite the attack unit the three have formed, the Lions are still struggling offensively. That led to Thiel talking about cherishing possessions, which is more than just not turning the ball over. Gribbin said it's also playing smart and getting easy looks.
And it's also about balance.
"Not one person," Gribbin said. "Everyone plays as a team on the offensive side."
Entering this weekend's game with No. 8 Duke, Mackrides and Gribbin are the only two players who have double-digit goals, while the attack trio and Chris Hogan are the only players who have double-digit shots on goal.
Both Dolik and Gribbin talked about securing a balanced offense and getting everyone involved, with Gribbin adding that everyone has the ability to score.
The pair has proved its scoring touch so far this season. But the education of Dolik and Gribbin is still an ongoing process.
"Obviously, we're still growing every day," Dolik said. "But, both of us are trying to make better decisions and just kind of, not let the pressure get to us."
