Feb. 6, 2009

AMHERST, Mass. - Coming off a tough 2008 season, the UMass men's lacrosse team looks primed and ready to return to its winning ways in 2009.

Despite finishing four games under .500, there were a number of positives that the Minutemen can build upon. UMass topped nationally ranked Hofstra, a team that would go on to win the CAA and reach the NCAA Tournament, in its season-opener. The Minutemen also beat defending National Quarterfinalist Albany at Garber Field and won three-straight ECAC games to put themselves in the thick of the conference title race in April.

The loss of three starting senior defensemen (Brian Danvers, Sean Krygier, and David Von Voigt) will hurt, but the Minutemen do return senior All-American goalie Doc Schneider along with preseason All-Conference defenseman Diogo Godoi. A young attack unit made strides as last season progressed. It looks to continue its upward trend as does the midfield.

ATTACK

The attack should improve greatly with arguably the most talent at that position since the 2006 squad, which featured All-American Sean Morris.

Senior captain Tim Balise is one of many weapons the Minutemen feature on the offensive side of the field. Last year was a breakout campaign for the native of Wilbraham, Mass., as he led the ECAC in goals and added six assists for 39 points. He had 10 multi-goal games and 13 multi-point games, highlighted by his career-high six tallies at St. John's. Owning a 4.0 GPA in the classroom, the Academic All-American looks to be a key finisher.

Senior Jim Connolly returns to the Minutemen, looking to rekindle the magic of his first two years when he was an All-Conference performer. As a freshman, he started at attack along with Morris and Clay Stabert in UMass' run to the National Championship Game. In his first two years, he had point totals of 26 (22g, 4a) and 37 (29g, 8a), so he adds a huge scoring threat back into the lineup.

The playmaker is sophomore Zach Rodgers, who finished his freshman season with 27 points (9g, 18a), second most on the Minutemen. His assist total was tops on the team and fifth best in the ECAC. He looks to score more goals in 2009 to go along with his sensational vision and passing skills.

A freshman who looks to jump right into the lineup and contribute is Steve D'Amario. The native of Niskayuna, N.Y. was an All-American as a senior at Niskayuna High School, tallying 94 points. Among other awards he garnered were Albany Times Union Offensive Player of the Year, Troy Record Offensive Player of the Year, and more. He also represented the North in the 2008 U.S. Lacrosse National High School Senior Showcase.

Other players that look to make an impact are freshmen Mike Fetterly and Art Kell, sophomore Mike Wilus, and junior Ryan Smith.

Kell, who is 6-2, 200 pounds, gets to the goal in impressive fashion. He also could play midfield, but looks to improve his consistency.

Fetterly is small at 5-10, 150, but uses his intelligence to his advantage. Meanwhile, Wilus has potential at man-up; his only career goal came via the extra man against #1 Syracuse. Smith is an extremely hard worker and has come into the season in the best shape of his career.

MIDFIELD

The only significant loss at midfield is Fred Federico. To go along with the returning players and some talented freshman, there is one word to describe the situation at midfield - deep.

Perhaps the X factor at this position will be redshirt-senior Rory Pedrick, who returns to the lineup after missing the entire 2008 season with a knee injury. Pedrick was team captain last year and his presence in the lineup will be felt immensely. Over his last two seasons, he's recorded 52 points on 23 goals and 29 assists.

Someone else who is bound to be a first-line player is returning starter junior Bobby Hayes. Hayes, who was the primary face-off man as a freshman, took less draws as a sophomore so he could focus on the rest of his game. He finished the season fourth on the team in scoring with 17 points (6g, 11a) and his 35 groundballs were second best. His two-way game is a huge asset and has drawn comparisons to Brian Jacovina, now an assistant coach at St. John's.

Redshirt-senior Evan Blum's point total has increased in each of his three seasons in Amherst, and he looks to make one final leap in his senior season. He had two points as a freshman, seven as a sophomore, and 10 as a junior. He brings good size to the midfield and will be heavily counted on to contribute.

The top freshman is Anthony Biscardi. He is very talented, using his great speed and good shot to his advantage. His senior year at Wantagh High School (N.Y.) saw him score 40 goals and 22 assists. His intelligence for the game is outstanding.

Sophomore Ryan Hantverk had a very solid freshman season, finishing with six points, including five goals. Right away, he was put onto the first midfield line, while also seeing time on the second unit later in the year. He has the potential to explode on the offensive end in this, his second season of collegiate lacrosse.

A local connection, sophomore Ryan Marcus, is extremely talented. A graduate of South Hadley High School where he was an All-American as a senior, he is another weapon in a stacked midfield unit. He is very athletic and shoots the ball well on the run.

Others that should see significant action are redshirt-junior Ryan Bagnasco and sophomore transfer Ryan Liebel.

Bagnasco has worked extremely hard to get to this point. He redshirted in 2006 before playing in two games as a freshman. Then last year, he saw considerably more time (12 games) with his top game coming at Georgetown where he scored a goal and added an assist.

Liebel transferred to UMass from fellow ECAC Lacrosse member Hobart. In only six games for the Statesman, he scored four goals and added an assist. He started twice. Like a number of his teammates, he also has the versatility to play attack if needed. He has a knack of scoring goals with his quick hands being a big reason why.

Juniors Christian Hain and Kevin Wright have seen considerable action in their first two years at UMass. Hain had four points (2g, 2a) last year while Wright tallied an assist. Both have the potential to crack the lineup and see some time in 2009. Hain is still learning the game at his new position (he is a converted defenseman). Wright is impressive on the breakout in the transition from defense to offense.

Graduate student P.J. Hendrick played three years of lacrosse at Denison University. He has a good shot and could challenge to be in the regular rotation as well.

Another freshman, Seth Berggren, is very athletic and has great potential as a middie. Fellow freshman Eric Harries has great work ethic, which should lead to success.

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD

The Minutemen have to compensate for a huge loss at defensive midfield. Paul Manesis was a stable force for four years and went on to become an MLL (outdoor) and NLL (indoor) draft pick.

The players who are expected to pick up the slack are sophomore Stephen Zorkers and senior Dennis Lynch. Zorkers had a very solid freshman campaign, finishing with two points (1g, 1a) and 13 groundballs, while winning three of eight face-offs. Lynch has only played in seven games in his first three seasons, but has worked extremely hard to get into playing shape in what could be a monster final season. He knows what Coach Cannella wants and is expected to make a significant impact.

UMass returns two long-poll midfielders are sophomore' Casey Rahn and junior Will Jeffery. Rahn has a ton of skills and will play the wing on faceoff. He is an extremely hard worker who is a student of the game. His speed will help him reach many ground balls. Jeffery, a transfer, played in parts of 13 games in his first year with UMass. His key attribute is athleticism, so he should be able to get to a number of groundballs.

Another freshman, Ben Petraglia, is an interesting character, nicknamed the Terminator. A high school All-American, he goes and gets the ball. His energy and attitude is sensational.

FACE-OFFS

After experimenting with a number of options last year, the Minutemen head into this season with senior Joe Reale as the main face-off man. He has great heart and scraps for every face-off and ground ball. Last season, he won just under 50 percent at 86-for-176, but has been able to win crucial draws late in games.

Against Syracuse in 2007, he came in for a struggling Hayes and won 3-of-4 draws in UMass' memorable home win over Syracuse. Reale will also play defensive midfield.

Freshmen Anthony Toresco and Greg Rushing should see time as well. Toresco has great strength and speed while Rushing is extremely quick.

Hayes is not expected to see much action at face-off, but he can still take the occasional draw if needed. In limited action at the X last year, he won 31-of-45 for a whopping 69 percent. For his career, he's won 54 percent of face-offs.

DEFENSE

Despite the loss of three key starting defensemen, the Minutemen should be able to fill in the holes and put forth a very formidable defensive unit. It is a young group too - all but two are freshmen or sophomores.

The top returnee is redshirt-junior Godoi, who was a second-team All-Conference member last year and a preseason first-team All-ECAC performer this season. He played all 14 games last year, starting 12 , while scooping 27 groundballs to go with 17 caused turnovers, most on the team. He is big, strong, and fast and can shut down an opponent's top scorer.

Senior Brennan Mack has improved every year and looks to be a key starter this season. After playing in only four games in his first two seasons, he saw action in 13 games in 2008, scooping up eight groundballs with one caused turnover. He has a knack for getting the ball. His hard work should lead to success this season.

Brett Newgaard and Travis Tripucka are very promising sophomores, who were not able to contribute much as freshmen for various reason. Newgaard is a huge, 6-6 athletic defender who only played in four games due to a midseason injury against Loyola. If he stays healthy, he can become a force. Tripucka is a great athlete who was also the long snapper on the football team in the fall. His stick skills are improved and he has the knack of banging guys off the corner. He should see time as an energy-setter, either off the bench or possibly starting.

Freshman Greg Anderson, brother of former UMass football player Brad Anderson, is another defenseman. He has the versatility to play long stick midfield as well. In his career at Urbana High (Md.), he scooped up over 500 groundballs. He was honored with the prestigous C. Markland Kelly Award as a senior, presented to the top player public school player in Maryland.

Other freshmen who have promising futures are Tom Celentani, Kyle Hanenberg, Eric Soto, and Alex Reinhard.

GOALIES

The goaltending position is very stable, with a preseason All-American in between the pipes.

Schneider is looking to end his collegiate career as well as he started it. He began his career with a memorable run to the National Championship Game, and has continued to impress ever since. He is fourth place on the UMass all-time saves list with 548 stop, only 14 shy of Tom LoPresti for third. His career save percentage is a dazzling 59.6 percent with a goals against average of only 8.16. He is a great vocal leader, as well.

Last season's back-up Tim McCormack is expected to redshirt in this, his sophomore season. Mael Walkowiak joins the team as a sophomore transfer from Queens University and provides a different aspect than Schneider. He is a very athletic goalie with a lot of energy.