June 14, 2005

The Return of Dingman?
Ian Dingman's comeback trail starts where most others' finish - here, among 120 of the finest lacrosse players in the world, auditioning for an opportunity to represent the United States in the 2006 International Lacrosse Federation Championship.

Dingman, dismissed from the Naval Academy in January because of academic reasons, was a surprise nod among the 120 invitees asked to attend the four-day combine at University of Maryland-Baltimore County. At 6-3, 248 pounds, he is a man among men. He muscled inside for two goals, one set up perfectly from behind the cage by a streaking Mike Powell, during Tuesday's morning session.

After scoring his second goal, unassisted, Dingman appeared noticeably winded. He came off the field, cast his helmet to the turf and plopped on the bench as waves of heat soaked the sweat from his brow. It was the first of three scrimmage sessions for Dingman, and nine overall, to be held over the course of an arduous 12-hour day.

Afterward, he tried to come to grips with what lay ahead, talking himself through the day.

"It's hot," he said. "What's it, 9:30 now? That's alright. That's OK."

Actually, it was about 9:15 a.m.

Dingman understands his chances here, with three Powells headlining a crop of 30 attackmen trying out for a limited number of spots. Some attackmen, like Virginia's John Christmas, have been running midfield as a means of improving their odds. But Dingman knows his most marketable moves are those around the crease, banging bodies into relentless oblivion. But will his body hold up?

"Trying to stay in shape on your own isn't always the easiest thing, and I can't say I've done an excellent job at it," said Dingman, who spent the last semester at Jefferson (N.Y.) Community College, but did not play lacrosse. "Besides playing on the wall, and shooting on my goal at home, I've done nothing. Going from nothing for six months to this is quite a bit of change - big increase skill-wise from the wall. The wall never makes a mistake."

Dingman last year was one of Navy's heroes during the Midshipmen's enthralling NCAA Tournament run. He led the team in scoring with 36 goals and 26 assists. Some were shocked to hear of his dismissal in January, and he said he had a difficult time watching Navy excel again this year, reaching the quarterfinals before bowing to Virginia.

He is one of five Navy team members - the others being Graham Gill, Billy Looney, Chris Pieczonka and Matt Russell - trying out this week. He has enlisted for reinstatement into the Naval Academy, but has yet to get clearance to reapply.

"It's hard to deal with, being away from the game and watching Navy have another great year," Dingman said. "I want to finish it out there, not go anyplace else. I just hope I get the opportunity."

Stripes Try Out, Too
It was the most difficult call in lacrosse. Midfielder Blake Miller face-dodged and stuck a shot just under the crossbar of the cage. The ball popped out, spinning away from the cage. Head official Matt Palumb blew his whistle, sprinted from his vantage point above the restraining line, raised his arms in emphatic approval and yelled, "Goal!"

Players on the field Monday night nodded in agreement, as the officials assessors scribbled on their notepads.

Under less scrutiny, but with no less intensity, 24 officials are also trying out for an opportunity to represent the U.S. in Canada next year. Four of them will be selected to be pooled with other countries' officials at the 2006 ILF World Championship in London, Ontario. Nine more will be alternates, as rated by the five designated members of the referee selection committee.

"Usually what happens is that the first four generally by the end of this tryout really stand out. The toughest thing to choose are the alternates, and that's where the battles lie, where we battle among ourselves," said Al Blau, chairman of the selection committee. "As the week goes on, even with the kids, you see them run out of gas. The tough ones keep pushing, and pushing and pushing. Same thing with the officials."

Summer Camp All Over Again
Four days in sweltering heat. Six teams. Twenty-four scrimmages. Best players in the country. They can't leave campus.

For most of them, the experience of trying out for the 2006 U.S. Men's Team has been more reminiscent of an all-star summer camp - without the fun.

"I hope I packed my Gold Bond," joked Casey Powell.

"You need Gold Bond," remarked his brother, Ryan Powell. "I'm 27 years old and I'm at lacrosse camp. I'm going to go get on the pay phone and call my mom."

"Where's the camp store?" asked Trevor Tierney.

Though after grueling three-a-day sessions, most players admitted they did little more than eat dinner and go to bed. No bunk raids this week.

A Keepers Pick'em
Greg Cattrano (Long Island Lizards) and Brian Dougherty (Philadelphia Barrage), widely considered the two best goalkeepers in the country, both had to turn down invitations to try out due to injuries suffered during MLL games this season.

Dougherty was a late scratch after re-injuring his thumb Sunday in a game against the Baltimore Bayhawks. Cattrano has been on injured reserve since pulling his hamstring in a game May 27 against the Rochester Rattlers. Prior to that, he had never missed an MLL start.

With both out, it has opened the door for a number of goalies - namely Trevor Tierney, who played for the U.S. in 2002, and Tillman Johnson. The two are considered frontrunners for the position, and have played it like so over the first two days of tryouts.

"Tryouts are an interesting thing. You don't really know what guys are looking for. As a goalie, you just try to go out there and make as many saves as possible," Tierney said. "With the talent out here, and the lack of defensive concepts, you're going to see a lot of shots. You just try to hang in there and do the best you can."

Other goalkeepers trying out are Joe Canuso, Bill Daye, Chris Garrity, Andrew Goldstein, Greg Havalchak, C.J. Kemp, Mike Levin, Nick Murtha, Matt Russell and Robert Scherr.

Statistically Speaking
Bill Daye made seven saves in each of his three games on Tuesday and Chris Garrity made six saves in both the afternoon and night sessions on Tuesday. Sandy Boyce had five goals and two assists his afternoon game. Jason Doneger had four goals in his afternoon game and Scott Urick had four goals in the evening session.

Stick Checks

• Defenseman Pat McCabe of the Long Island Lizards is the oldest player trying out for the 2006 U.S. Men's Team. McCabe, 36, graduated from Syracuse in 1991. He played for the U.S. in 1998 when it won the ILF World Championship. Midfielder Paul Cantabene (35) and goalkeeper Bill Daye (34) are the next-oldest among the 120 players. The youngest among the lot is Duke sophomore midfielder Matt Danowski, who will be 20 in August.

• Temperatures in Baltimore topped out at 95 degrees Tuesday. Tomorrow's forecast calls for more heat, with a high of 91. Things should cool down a bit for Thursday's final session, during which temperatures are expected to drop off in the low 80s.