Plymouth State Men Debut With Conn. College
from press release
PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The 2010 Plymouth State University
men’s lacrosse season officially gets underway this Sunday,
Mar. 14, when the Panthers travel to Connecticut College in New
London, Conn., for a non-conference debut.
Sunday’s contest will be the first of seven straight road
games for PSU to open the season. The Panthers make trips to Colby
College, Castleton State College, Massachusetts Maritime Academy,
Babson College and Clark University for non-conference affairs in
the month of March, followed by a visit to Western Connecticut
State University the first Saturday in April for the Little East
Conference opener.
PSU will have four regular season home games this spring, beginning
on Sunday, Apr. 11, vs. Eastern Connecticut State University. There
are 14 games overall on the regular season slate as the campaign
winds up on May 1.
The annual LEC Tournament begins on Tuesday, May 4, with the
champion being crowned on May 8 and receiving an automatic bid into
the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
2010 PSU Men’s Lacrosse Outlook
Plymouth State will be seeking its fourth consecutive post-season
berth, having competed in the ECAC New England Tournament the past
three years. PSU is also out to challenge for the top of the Little
East Conference, a goal that second-year head coach Gordon Webb
thinks is possible to reach.
The Panthers have more than 20 returning veterans from last
year’s squad, including five All-Conference performers. Webb
is excited about his team’s outlook in the preseason.
“We’re ahead of where we were last year at this time,
both offensively and defensively,” said Webb.
“We’re handling the ball better, making sharper passes.
Last year, we had no experience at all on defense; this year,
they’re all back, so we feel very good about our defense, and
we’re solid in goal.”
Webb said the Panthers are preparing to challenge for the LEC title
after finishing fourth during the regular season a year ago and
getting knocked out in the semifinals of the LEC Tournament.
“We want to be in the mix for that LEC title,” said
Webb. “The players believe they’re in the hunt, and
that’s a major portion of it.”
PSU has two returning All-Conference selections on defense in
seniors Logan Irish (Somers, Conn.) and Tim Nicholson (Franklin,
Mass.) Classmate Mackenzie Cayer (Berlin, N.H./Merrimack Valley) is
also a returning starter and will be a key factor. Coach Webb says
fellow seniors Jon Walsh (Trumbull, Conn.) and Mike Ricca
(Branford, Conn.) will also be in the mix for significant playing
time, and freshman Paul McInerney (Scituate, Mass.) has been
impressive and could be a factor as well.
The Panthers have three returning goalies with experience, as Webb
says they are battling for the No. 1 spot. Junior Kevin Hayes
(Beverly, Mass.) saw the most action last year, and classmate Billy
Morgan (Winchester, Mass.) has been a part-time starter the past
two years. Sophomore Jack Tyo (East Sandwich, Mass.) gained
experience last season and is pushing for the job this spring.
“All three of them have their strengths,” said Webb.
“I wish I could combine the strengths of each of them and
make one outstanding goalie, but we’re going to be in good
shape no matter which one is in there.”
Senior Derick Smith (New London, Conn./Kearsarge) is a returning
All-Conference selection as a long-stick middle. He led the team in
ground balls last season and gives the Panthers a veteran presence.
Sophomore Jared Woodell (Glens Falls, N.Y.) has made major strides
and could help out, and senior Sam Lemanski (South Hadley Falls,
Mass./South Hadley) could contribute if he stays healthy.
PSU has a host of players who can carry the load in the midfield,
led by senior four-year veterans Matt Johansmeyer (Shelburne Falls,
MA/Mohawk Regional), Tim Hadley (New London, N.H./Kearsarge), and
Steve Engel (South Windsor, Conn.). Hadley and Engel are top
face-off men, and Hadley finished second on the team last season
with 20 goals. Webb says freshman Ty Long (Dover, N.H.) is an
outstanding addition to the midfield unit, and senior Adam Rothbart
(Portland, Maine/Deering) and freshman Mike Ventura (Columbia,
N.J./North Warren Regional) could contribute either on attack or in
the midfield.
The Panthers will look to senior Brian Giroux (Wolfeboro Falls,
N.H./Brewster Academy) and sophomore Andrew Eriksen (Beverly,
Mass.) to lead the offense. Giroux was a Second Team All-Conference
selection in 2008 after scoring 39 goals and led the team in
scoring last year with 28, while Eriksen scored 14 goals as a
freshman and followed with 20 last year. Both are potential big
scorers, according to Webb, and both can distribute the ball as
well. Sophomore Teddy Akriviellis (Dover, Mass./Dover-Sherborn) has
been a catalyst during the pre-season and should help speed up the
Panther offense.
“We have a good group of veterans with solid collegiate
experience,” said Webb, “and our freshman class has
really come along. They have excellent skills and abilities and a
commitment to the game. They will help not only this year but
they’re setting the stage for a bright future.”
