SELINSGROVE, Pa. — While growing pains can always be expected with a first-year varsity program, last year’s Susquehanna University men’s lacrosse team did not expect to end the season with a 1-12 record. With freshmen or sophomores accounting for 19 of the 29 spots on the 2001 roster, the Crusaders will rely heavily on its youth in order to rise in the standings this season.
The team will have a new face on the sidelines as former Crusader All-American football player Ron Miller takes over for Scott Rynne, who departed in July to become the head coach at Union (N.Y.) College. Miller, who serves as the offensive coordinator for Susquehanna’s football team, has his own expectations for the lacrosse team this season.
“I expect to see consistent hard work and improvement from the guys,” said Miller. “This has been a great group of players to coach, so I’m sure that I’ll see that commitment.”
One advantage that the Crusaders should be able to take advantage of this season is home cooking. Eight of the team’s 13 games will be played in Selinsgrove, with only one significant road trip (at Shenandoah on March 14) on the slate.
With no seniors in the projected starting lineup, this season could be a springboard for the Crusaders to challenge for one of four berths in the Middle Atlantic Conference playoffs in the near future.
“The bottom line is we are a team in which the youth are going to have to become veterans in a hurry,” said Miller. “Our young players are pushing our upperclassmen and making them better.”
THE ATTACKERS
Sophomore Andy Nadler (Westport, Conn./Staples H.S.) scored 16 goals and dished out 12 assists for 28 points while collecting 102 groundballs — leading the team in all four categories last season. He will be joined up front by freshman Scott Hodgson (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo H.S.) to give the Crusaders a pair of legitimate scoring threats.
“The nice thing is that we now have two quality offensive threats for other teams to match up against,” said Miller. “We are very excited about adding that dimension to our attack.”
The third starting attack job is up for grabs between freshmen Hale Abramson (Franklin Lakes, N.J./Indian Hills H.S.) and Pete Dantinne (Millersville, Pa./Penn Manor H.S.).
THE MIDFIELDERS
Three starters return from last year’s midfield unit, including junior Travis Wyczawski (Cockeysville, Md./Carver Center), who scooped 43 groundballs and notched two goals and three assists in 11 games last season.
“Travis is one of the leaders of our team,” said Miller. “The reason he’s a great leader is because of his attitude.”
Sophomore Bill Heinzelmann (Allentown, Pa./Parkland H.S.) added five goals and 49 groundballs last spring while junior Jon Portzline (McAlisterville, Pa./Greenwood H.S.) corralled 38 groundballs and fired home one goal in 12 games.
The fourth midfield spot will be held down by either sophomore Tim Ronchi (Factoryville, Pa./Lackawanna Trail H.S.) or freshman Brian Yoder (Conestoga, Pa./Penn Manor H.S.). Both players are first-year members of the team, with Ronchi having earned two varsity letters in football and one in baseball.
Other returning members of the midfield include sophomore Chris Baker (Mt. Vernon, N.Y./Proctor Academy), who picked up eight groundballs in 12 games last season, senior Sam Frank (Northfield, Conn./Litchfield H.S.), who appeared in seven matches last spring and tracked down 10 groundballs, sophomore Jeff Lippincott (Coral Springs, Fla./Marjory Stoneman Douglas H.S.), who took part in nine games and posted 15 groundballs, and junior Ryan Renno (McAlisterville, Pa./East Juniata H.S.), who played in two games.
Newcomers in the midfield include junior Eric Brown (Groton, Conn./R.E. Fitch H.S.), freshman Mike Buhite (White Hall, Md./St. Paul’s School), freshman Mark Harrison (Kennett Square, Pa./Kennett H.S.), sophomore Jesse Mercado (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle H.S.), freshman Bob Mieczkowski (West Chester, Pa./Unionville H.S.) and junior Bill E. Thomas (Wall, N.J./Wall H.S.).
THE DEFENSE
Anchoring the defense is junior Evan Dresser (Wynnewood, Pa./Lower Merion H.S.), who finished tied for third on the team with 74 groundballs last season.
“Evan is without question our leader,” said Miller. “He has helped create a positive attitude and he knows what it takes to win.”
Joining Dresser on the defense is junior Dave Howard (Frackville, Pa./North Schuylkill H.S.), who scooped up 60 groundballs in 12 games last season.
The third defensive position will go to either freshman Jared Coble (Middletown, Pa./Harrisburg Academy) or sophomore Jared Villella (Sinclairsville, N.Y./Cassadaga Valley H.S.). Villella played in all 13 games last season and was credited with nine groundballs.
Other defenders include senior Bill N. Thomas (Sparta, N.J./New Hartford, N.Y., H.S.) and sophomore Brad Perva (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern H.S.) as well as freshman Adrian Russo (Drexel Hill, Pa./Upper Darby H.S.).
THE GOALKEEPERS
Freshman Todd Marquess (Philadelphia, Pa./Penn Charter H.S.) will patrol the goal for the Crusaders this season, with freshman Chad Denlinger (Lancaster, Pa./Penn Manor H.S.) serving as the backup.
THE SCHEDULE
After opening the 2001 slate with a trip to Shenandoah, the Crusaders will play four straight home games, including a showdown with five-time defending MAC champion Widener on March 31.
“The Middle Atlantic Conference schedule is very difficult,” said Miller. “But our non-conference schedule is competitive, with a lot of teams that are similar to us.”
