02/15/2009
2009 Lacrosse Season Preview

This spring marks the 20th anniversary of the Clark University men's lacrosse program, and the 2009 team hope to make it a year to remember. The Cougars return to the turf, riding on the momentum of last year's thrilling 6-5 overtime win against Pilgrim League rival Lasell College to end the spring.

"The win over Lasell proved to this team that they belong in the upper echelon of Pilgrim League teams," said head coach Evan Davis. "I know they believe it by the progress made this fall."

While last year's record (4-11, 2-5) is little indication, the Cougars have made major strides as a program.

"This year we have rededicated ourselves to doing what it takes to win on and off the field," Davis said. "Again, the win over Lasell has helped us see our potential. We can now talk about how we keep the momentum going."

This year's substantial 33-man roster not only returns seven of 10 starters, including three of the top four scorers, but has also added a number of very talented first-year players.

"Last year, we brought in one of the strongest classes, top to bottom, we've had in awhile," said Davis. "This year, I believe we have matched that level."

On attack, Clark aquired Rhode Island Division 2 Player of the Year Philip Winslow (Mt. St. Charles/RI) and he will be expected to make an immediate impact. Co-captain and Pilgrim League second-team all-star Shawn Roche (24-24-48), junior Garrett McAdam (20-5-25) and junior left Chris Adams (6-1-7) will prove a formidable trio up front, while sophomore Eugene Arsenault (6-2-8), who returns after having his season cut short due to injury, will also look to make a major contribution. According to Davis, the loss of Andrew Webber to graduation should not hinder the attack group.

Sophomore Sam McAdam (8-2-10) leads the group of offensive middies that also includes junior J.C. Tsagarakis and Scott Wheeler, last year's team co-MVP, rookie Chris Johnson (Amherst, MA) and returning sophomore midfielder Ben Collins (2-3-5). The Cougars will also look for major contributions on both ends of the field from sophomores Danny Heelan, Ben Stuart, and Hakeem Hindi; juniors Jeremy Urquhart and Taylor Morono and rookies Matt Fields and Jacky Cheng. Junior stand-out Scott Wheeler, senior Drew Silverman and first-year Nick Tobin, look to give the Cougars and great 1-2-3 punch at the face-off "x".

Sophomore Tim Roche (61 gbs) and junior Joe BuAbbud will combine for a strong tandem at long-stick midfield, while newcomers Mike Ethier and Devin Lehman will solidify the group at defensive midfield. With the graduation of Academic All-America, Pilgrim League second-teamer and team co-MVP Dan Rosenak '08 and the team's Most Improved Player Mike Fuchs '08, one would think there would be a drop off at close defense this year. However, according to Davis, this year's group will equal, if not out-perform last season's troop.

Leading the list of returnees are senior Jeff Deluca (59gbs) and second year stand-out Kevin Schofield (21gbs), a converted long-stick middie. Sophomore transfer Nick Voigt (Lasell College), sophomore Kyle Klapp, a dual-sport athlete at Clark, senior Dave Schuberth, and rookies Travis Durkin and Mike Szpryngel will also be in contention for playing time.

Anchored by co-captain and third-year starting goalie Tyler Campbell (8.91 GAA, .587 SV%), the defense will once again be the Cougars' strength. Both sophomore Jon Gendron and Connecticut All-State freshman Andrew De Vito (Glastonbury, CT) will back him up, as well as provide much needed stability to the position.

With a return game against Connecticut College and the addition of University of New England (ME) and Cazenovia College (NY), not to mention a tough conference slate, the Clark team looks to take the next step this spring.

"At the end of last year we learned how to win as a team," said Davis. "We have a veteran group returning this year that knows what it takes to win and is willing to do what ever it takes to achieve our goals."