 "Photo: Jame Milano")
“Young and energetic” are just two words Plattsburgh State lacrosse Head Coach P. J. Kavanagh used to describe his 2010 team.
The two go hand-in-hand, as younger players have not had their bodies experience the brunt of an entire collegiate lacrosse season beating up the their bodies.
This year’s team consists of 15 freshmen out of 38 players on the roster, many who will be asked to step in immediately and contribute in games starting this weekend.
The most notable departures from last year’s team include goaltender Matt Billia and midfielder Matt Maes. Billia started all 17 games last season as the Cardinals finished with a 9-8 overall record.
Maes finished the ’09 campaign with a conference-high 39 assists.
Despite losing players like Maes and Tom Cerny, the Cards have scorers in co-captains Kyle Norchi and Luke Weidlein.
Last season, Norchi started every game and recorded a team-high 56 goals with teammate Weidlein not far behind with 43 tallies. Both were named to the All-SUNYAC second-team and figure to lead the Cardinal attack once again this season.
Their offense is what drives them — the Cards finished last season by outscoring their opponents, 224-200.
The defense will largely depend on who is named starting goalie.
“We’re going to mix in all three goalies to start the season,” Kavanagh said. “After those opening games we hope to have a definite starter.”
Despite Billia logging nearly 950 minutes in net last year, goalies Joey Carni, Logan Carpenter and Danny Caufield all saw action at various points throughout the season. Caufield appeared in nine games and posted a .478 save percentage.
“Whoever ends up starting will have to step up to the plate,” said Mike Glynn, defenseman and co-captain. “They have a job to do, and they know what that is.”
The season starts today with the goalie situation still up in the air in a 7 p.m. game in Lindenhurst against non-conference opponent Western Connecticut. The Cardinals then travel to play Farmingdale State to wrap-up the weekend.
PSUC beat both teams a season ago, defeating Western Connecticut, 19-12, and routing Farmingdale, 21-7.
The Cards play their first home game of the season against SUNY Maritime April 3. The schedule features six home games, three in the SUNYAC.
They will be on the road to face preseason No. 15 in the nation, Geneseo, April 17. Preseason No. 1 and defending national champion Cortland is on the slate for April 24, also on the road.
“These opening games are very big for us as a team,” Kavanagh said. “Our players are real psyched and hope to get the jitters out before conference-play.”
Getting those jitters out in non-league play will be vital to the success of the team.
Of the 17 scheduled games this season, only six are SUNYAC games.
“Anything less than another SUNYAC playoff appearance would be a failure,” Glynn said. “We have a ton of potential, and it’s up to each player to reach and hopefully exceed that potential.”
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