2009 M. Lax Preview
Brett Fischer
Issue date: 2/13/09 Section: Sports
He will have to find a way to fill the shoes of Chapman, who scored 81 goals in two seasons with the Dragons.
"Chap was a one-dimensional kid," Bates said. "He was just tough to cover. Colin is more of a quarterback and more of a distributor and great at dodging a man behind the goal. We aren't trying to put too much pressure on Colin, it's just not his style."
But Ambler isn't as concerned as some players might be because he has confidence in his team.
"[Chapman] was one of our biggest contributors and losing him is something we're going to have to overcome," Ambler said. "We're taking it as a team concept and going to produce more goals together."
Last year Casey, a junior midfielder, was also named a member of the Second Team All-CAA. He had 13 goals and 18 points in 2008.
"Greg [Casey] had a breakout year," Bates said. "He's a tenacious competitor. He fears no one. He is a good distributor and is known for his competitiveness."
McCormick, the junior defenseman, was on the All-Rookie team two years ago and was a First Team All-CAA pick last season.
"Matt [McCormick] is figuring it out right now with Bruce [Bickford], Brian [McWilliams] and Steve [Grossi] gone," Bates said. "He's putting a lot of pressure on himself right now, but he's a good leader. He isn't a pure cover guy like [former All-American] Adam Crystal, but is a solid defensemen."
West, a key contributor to Drexel's face-off team, also made the All-CAA First Team. Last year he won over 60 percent of his draws.
"Ryan [West] had a good year," Bates said. "We think we're pretty solid at faceoff with Zak [Fischer] and Nick [Kusturiss]."
Senior midfielder Brian Neary is excited for this season, especially because he has been at Drexel for five years and the team has never had such an impressive offseason workout session.
"I'm the only fifth-year senior and I know this is my last chance," Neary said. "We've been working really hard in the weight room three days a week the past five months of school. Practices have been really upbeat."
"Chap was a one-dimensional kid," Bates said. "He was just tough to cover. Colin is more of a quarterback and more of a distributor and great at dodging a man behind the goal. We aren't trying to put too much pressure on Colin, it's just not his style."
But Ambler isn't as concerned as some players might be because he has confidence in his team.
"[Chapman] was one of our biggest contributors and losing him is something we're going to have to overcome," Ambler said. "We're taking it as a team concept and going to produce more goals together."
Last year Casey, a junior midfielder, was also named a member of the Second Team All-CAA. He had 13 goals and 18 points in 2008.
"Greg [Casey] had a breakout year," Bates said. "He's a tenacious competitor. He fears no one. He is a good distributor and is known for his competitiveness."
McCormick, the junior defenseman, was on the All-Rookie team two years ago and was a First Team All-CAA pick last season.
"Matt [McCormick] is figuring it out right now with Bruce [Bickford], Brian [McWilliams] and Steve [Grossi] gone," Bates said. "He's putting a lot of pressure on himself right now, but he's a good leader. He isn't a pure cover guy like [former All-American] Adam Crystal, but is a solid defensemen."
West, a key contributor to Drexel's face-off team, also made the All-CAA First Team. Last year he won over 60 percent of his draws.
"Ryan [West] had a good year," Bates said. "We think we're pretty solid at faceoff with Zak [Fischer] and Nick [Kusturiss]."
Senior midfielder Brian Neary is excited for this season, especially because he has been at Drexel for five years and the team has never had such an impressive offseason workout session.
"I'm the only fifth-year senior and I know this is my last chance," Neary said. "We've been working really hard in the weight room three days a week the past five months of school. Practices have been really upbeat."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Donald
posted 2/14/09 @ 12:06 AM EST
By far, the best lacrosse preview I've ever read. Great job on getting insight of the players. This is pretty thorough and you got great quotes! Good job Bret. (Continued…)
Bob
posted 2/15/09 @ 2:22 AM EST
This would be a good lax preview if you actually said what their rank was and where they were projected to finish in the conference.
Hard to believe in 1200 words that you could miss on that. (Continued…)
steven
posted 2/15/09 @ 6:55 PM EST
yeh, this is def a great piece. its impressive that you got so many quotes from the lax players. the other two drexel previews i read were very brief. (Continued…)
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