D-II Files: Despite Setback, Rollins Thinks Big

by Paul Ohanian | Lacrosse Magazine Online Staff

Mallory Surpless has 12 goals and three assists in six games for No. 10-ranked Rollins, which fell to 4-2 with a loss Wednesday to No. 8 New Haven.

Soon, Winter Park, Fla., may cease being a desired destination for lacrosse teams looking to escape the early-season cold and snow of the Northeast

When Rollins College announced in 2007 that it was adding a varsity women's lacrosse program, it made sense that teams from the north would schedule a visit. But the automatic "W" that many thought they would claim - and which many did during Rollins' 3-9 debut in 2008 - has quickly faded away.

Fueled by wins over Queens, St. Michaels and then-No. 7 Gannon, the second-year program is getting noticed for more than its picturesque lakeside campus.

Almost two years to the date that the school announced it was adding a varsity program, the team earned its first top-10 ranking in the IWLCA Division II poll. Rollins has held the No. 10 spot in the poll for each of the past two weeks, and despite a loss on Wednesday to No. 8 New Haven, has its sights set on greater heights.

"We have some lofty goals that we use to motivate us each day," said head coach Dennis Short. "We wanted to get into the top 10, but making the NCAA tournament is our top goal."

Talk about a quick ascent. The Tars are still trying to get full support from their own campus leaders.

Rollins offers no scholarships, has no home facility, and relies on volunteer assistant coaches. Short has overcome these obstacles by trading on Rollins' strong academic reputation and name recognition within the state to attract players.

"It's a building process," he said. "I think at some point we'll offer scholarships. We're ahead of schedule a bit, but sometimes you need a little luck."

It doesn't hurt that Florida is producing more good players each year, and that Rollins was among the early college programs to jump on the lacrosse bandwagon.

"There are tremendous athletes in Florida, and the kids are dying to play varsity," said Short. "It also helps us that a lot of kids don't want to leave Florida. Would you?"

Ten of the Tars' 19 players are in-state recruits.

"We'll talk to anybody who has an interest," Short said. "If you have a great attitude and great work ethic, we'll take you on this team. Our assistant coaches are great teachers of the game, and our players have really bought in."

While home field advantage has been minimal due to the lack of an on-campus facility, Rollins is in the midst of playing eight straight home games to accommodate visitors from the North. The team doesn't face its first road test until back-to-back games at Erskine and St. Andrews during the first weekend in April. The Tars could carry a 7-2 record and loads of confidence with them by the time they venture out of state for the first time.

"The recognition serves as reinforcement for what the players have done, and that's significant for a young program," Short said. "It shows them that all the sacrifices they make in the offseason and all the hours that they put in are paying off."

All-American Greg Cerar and No. 3 C.W. Post meet No. 2 Le Moyne on Saturday. © Joe Rogate

C.W. Post ready for real test

Perhaps the biggest game on the Division II men's lacrosse schedule this weekend pits No. 3 C.W. Post against No. 2 Le Moyne. Both teams bring undefeated records into Saturday's showdown.

"We haven't been tested yet like we're going to be tested on Saturday," said John Jez, now in his third year as head coach at C.W. Post (6-0). "We've had some early success, but this game will be a huge challenge for us."

Led by returning All-American Greg Cerar (18g, 14a) and fellow senior Dave Loftus (17g, 6a), the Pioneers have put up big numbers thus far. Post is averaging 18 goals per game and converting on 62 percent of its man-up opportunities.

Jez admits the challenge will be tougher against Le Moyne's Doug McIver.

"He's one of the best goalies in the nation," said Jez. "Some of the same shots that have been goals for us in earlier games will just end up on his stick."

 
Division II Notes

Greg Rogowski scored six goals in No. 4 Merrimack's 14-8 win at Mars Hill on Tuesday. The Warriors conclude a two-game swing through North Carolina against Wingate on Saturday... The Limestone women have climbed to No. 4 in the IWLCA poll, fueled by a 7-0 start that includes an 11-10 win over No. 5 Lock Haven last week. The Saints are averaging 16 goals per game and feature five players with at least 13 goals through seven games... Defending Division II women's lacrosse champion West Chester extended its winning streak to 26 games with Wednesday's 18-2 conference victory at Bloomsburg.