The menís lacrosse team has developed into a contender in the NCAC, but looks to take the next step with a young team and reach the NCAA tournament in 2010.
After a phenomenal 2008 season in which a great senior class led the Scots to an 11-3 record, a less experienced team entered a rebuilding stage of sorts in 2009 where the program once again just missed the playoffs, finishing 7-6.
A great start to the 2009 season had the Scots hoping to reach their goal of an NCAA playoff berth, but some tough losses in the last two weeks of the season kept the team outside looking in once again.
This year brings new optimism. Head coach Jason Tarnowís Scots are ready to improve upon last seasonís early success, and develop into a team with playoff expectations for years to come. Last seasonís young squad should benefit from a yearís more experience in starting roles for the Scots.
It wonít be an easy road for Wooster, which saw many senior four-year contributors graduate including their top-scorer, Mark Weschler í09 (29 goals, 12 assists, 41 points overall).† This season features a younger team with just five seniors on the roster.
Tarnow believes his team will be able to improve throughout the season and compete for a conference championship. ìWe were close to making the playoffs last year, but just fell short. We have a young team, and this isnít just coach talk, I believe we can develop and improve with every day of practice and every game.”
With a balanced offense led by Pat Coyne í10 and Alex Mies í10, the Scots remain optimistic about improving from last seasonís disappointment. Dan MacVarish í10 and Casey McGann í12 will look to become scoring threats at attack similar to Weschler.
Matt Pullera í11 will be key in the offensive success in the midfield and at the face off spot. Amongst the midfielders Pullera will be assested defensively by Graham Zimmerman í11 who will be heavily relied on in clearing the defensive end and creating offense.
A defensive unit anchored by goalie Corey McGann í12 and Ryan Story í10 will look to finish strong and earn a bid to the NCAA Div. III Tournament this May.
ìThe defense is really experienced this year with all the starters coming back. Even with the threats on offense, I think we will lean on the defense more than last season,” Story said.
This season comes with the excitement of the summer renovations of John P. Papp stadium, where lights and Sprinturf were installed. ìItís always exciting to play at home in the stadium,” Tarnow said, ìand now itíll be even more exciting as this year we will play some of the first night games in our programís history.” The two night games this season will be played against Denison University on March 27 and the College of Mount St. Joseph on March 31.
The Fighting Scots were set to open their season last Friday against Mount Saint Joseph, but due to snow, the game was postponed until March 31. The team is confident that the field will be in playable condition by this coming Monday, as the Scots have moved the game against Albion College to March. 1 at 1 p.m.