Men’s Lacrosse 2003 Outlook
Raiders to begin play on Sunday versus St. Joseph’s at the University of Pennsylvania's Franklin Field

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Julie Greco
PHONE: (315) 228-7860
Feb. 20, 2003

HAMILTON, N.Y. – The Colgate University men’s lacrosse team opens its season on Sunday, Feb. 23 as they head to Philadelphia, Pa., to face St. Joseph’s on the University of Pennsylvania's Franklin Field at noon.

Coming off its best season since the 1997 squad went 8-7, head coach Jim Nagle is looking to build on the success he had in his first year at Colgate, leading the Raiders to a 7-7 overall mark and 3-3 record in Patriot League play. 

To accomplish that goal, Colgate will use a deep midfield, led by senior tri-captain Nick Gerken (Wilton, Conn./Wilton) and a seasoned attack unit, featuring the team’s other two captains, seniors Scott Herbst (Short Hills, N.J./Pingry School) and Peter Watts (Wayland, Mass./Salisbury School) to lead an otherwise young Raider squad.

“Our captains bring depth, experience and leadership to the team,” said Nagle. “We had some success last year but we’ll be looking to them to take this team to the next level.”

Colgate returns 22 letterwinners from the 2002 team and has added 10 newcomers.

“A lot of our returning players saw quality time last season but they’ll need to step up and take a more productive roll if we hope to be competitive,” Nagle said. “As for our newcomers, we have some excellent players who can contribute right away.”  

Midfield
Colgate’s unquestionable strength lies in its midfield as Gerken leads a wealth of talented players who return from last year’s squad. “Nick is big, fast and athletic,” said Nagle. “He’s also a three-year letterwinner for this team and that will be a huge benefit for us.” Gerken played in all 14 games last season and was second on the team with 19 goals. Sophomore Jason Vasas (Fairport, N.Y./Choate Rosemary Hall) played in 14 games, starting seven. He finished 2002 with 20 points, scoring 12 times and dishing out eight assists to go along with 20 ground balls. Junior Jeffery Vander Meulen (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) saw action in 13 games, scoring six times and registering four assists and 10 ground balls. Sophomore Matt Saxon (Bethesda, Md./Georgetown Prep) also saw quality time in all 14 games, netting six points and snagging six ground balls.

Junior Ramsey Brame (West Hartford, Conn./Taft) who missed all of last season with an injury will return to take over the face-off duties for the Raiders while freshmen Mark Nemith (Albany, N.Y./Albany Academy) and Robert Trasolini (New Hyde Park, N.Y./New Hyde Park Memorial) are expected to make immediate contributions to the team.

Sophomore Roman Adler (San Francisco, Calif./University)  and freshman Peter Whitcomb (Denver, Colo./Washington) will also push for playing time.  

Attack
The Raiders’ attack will be led by Herbst and Watts. “Scott Herbst is the definite leader of this team,” Nagle said. “He’s an explosive player who knows how to finish. Then, you’ve got Peter Watts who’s just a great team player. He moved to attack after spending most of his career in the midfield.”  Last season, Herbst was third on the team with 18 goals while tallying 13 assists and 24 ground balls. Watts totaled 18 points with nine goals and nine assists while scooping 25 ground balls.

Several players will be competing to join Herbst and Watts on the starting attack unit. The two front-runners for the spot will be junior Chris Michaels (Pennington, N.J./Lawrenceville) who started all 14 games last season and sophomore Eddie Brennan (Hillsborough, Calif./Menlo School) who saw playing time in all 14 games. The two combined for 25 ground balls but only one goal. Freshman Brian Robinson (Denver, Colo./Colorado Academy), will look to contribute right away.

Sophomores Rob Hearne (Princeton, N.J./Saint Paul’s) and Brad Benson (Baldwinsville, N.Y./Baldwinsville) will compete to see playing time along with freshman Doug Lutin (Port Washington, N.Y./Schreiber).  

Defense
In direct contrast to last season’s seasoned unit, the 2003 defense is an inexperienced group in front of a freshman goalie.

Jonathan Pico (Denver, Colo./Lawrenceville) will lead the defense. “Jon is the most athletic guy on the team and he’s moving from the defensive midfield spot,” said Nagle.

Joining Pico will be three juniors - Greg Berube (Plaistow, N.H./St. Paul’s), Tim Carter (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest) and Andrew Houston (Short Hills, N.J./Pingry School). Berube has the most experience of the group, having started all 14 games last season while Houston played in all 14, starting 10 and Carter saw action in every game while starting seven.

Seeing action at the short stick defensive midfield position will be junior Andrew Goodwin (Darien, Conn./Taft), sophomore Adam Hershman (Holden, Mass./Bancroft School) and freshmen Chris Devins (Sewickley Pa./ Sewickley Academy) and Reid Diamond (Brookline, Mass./Buckingham, Brown & Nichols). Goodwin has a wealth of experience, starting 12 games last season while newcomers Hershman, Devins and Diamond will provide depth and should see valuable playing time. “Goodwin is a tough, fast player and he’ll anchor the shot stick” said Nagle.    

Junior Jeff Dussich (Manhasset, N.Y./Manhasset) should see lots of playing time at the long stick but junior Jason Wolf (Fayetteville, N.Y./Jamesville-Dewitt) and sophomore Frank Luisi (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) should also push for playing time. 

Goalies
The goalkeeper position has the least amount of experience with two untested freshmen in the net. Andrew Jarolimek (Silverthorne, Colo./Arapahoe), an alternate on the U.S. Under-19 Team, is the front-runner for the starting spot. “Andrew was a high-profile recruit for us,” said Nagle. “He’s already a great goalie and we’re looking for big things out of him over the next four years.”

Freshman Kyle Stuart (Annandale, Va./St. Stephen’s St. Agnes) is a steady goalie who will push Jarolimek.