2005 LYCOMING COLLEGE MEN’S LACROSSE PREVIEW

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Lycoming College men’s lacrosse team will enter a new era in 2005 under the direction of first-year head coach Mike Talarico. Talarico is the third head coach in the program’s nine-year history. He inherits a team that went 7-6 in 2004 and returns 19 players, including 14 letterwinners and five starters.

Talarico will look to re-energize a program that played in the Middle Atlantic Conference title game in three consecutive seasons from 2000-2002, but has gone just 12-15 the past two seasons.

“I’m well aware of the tradition here at Lycoming and am eager to guide the team back to the top of the MAC,” said Talarico. “Our expectations are not any lower just because this is my first year. Our goal is to win the conference.”

The Warriors will look to their defense to lead the way in 2005. Senior Chris Crouse (Hampstead, Md.; North Carroll) will captain the unit after starting all 13 games last season. Crouse, who recorded 26 groundballs in 2004, is a big, strong defenseman with great leadership skills based on three seasons of college experience. Fellow senior Dylan Dupuis (Flemington, N.J.; Hunterdon Central) also returns after playing in 11 games last year, including six starts. Dupuis will be a long-pole defenseman who possesses good stick skills and athleticism.

Junior Vinnie Iadevaia (Hampstead, Md.; North Carroll) played in eight games, including six starts, in 2004 before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. His return will bolster an already experienced group. Scott Baker (Westminster, Md.; South Carroll), also a junior, saw action in 11 games a year ago and after a strong off-season will vie for a starting position this season.

New to the team, but expected to contribute early is freshman Dan Conkright (Spring City, Pa.; Owen J. Roberts). Conkright is very athletic with good stick skills and should see significant time in his first season at the college level.

Adding depth in the backfield will be junior Nick Juskin (East Hanover, N.J.; Hanover Park), sophomore Kyle Shearer (York, Pa.; Dallastown), and freshman Tony Mackin (Springfield, Va.; West Springfield).

The defense will be playing in front of a relatively inexperienced keeper. The three student-athletes competing for the starting job have played a combined 218 minutes in the cage at the college level.

Senior Erik Shepski (West Chester, Pa.; Unionville) returns to the team after taking the 2004 season off. Shepski saw action in 12 games during the 2002 and 2003 seasons. He is probably the best of the three outside the cage – clearing the ball back to the offensive zone.

Sophomore Alex Tankleoff (Malvern, Pa.; Great Valley) played in two games as a freshman for a total of 23 minutes, making two saves and allowing three goals. Tankleoff is the quickest of the Warrior keepers. Fellow sophomore Matt Lyons (Radnor, Pa.; Conestoga) also played in two games during the 2004 season, making seven saves and allowing two goals in 22 minutes. Lyons is the biggest of the three keepers, taking up a lot of space in the cage.

Lycoming’s midfield will be an extremely athletic unit led by junior Chris McQuade (Lower Gwynedd, Pa.; Wissahickon). McQuade, a team captain, is the Warriors’ best all-around midfielder. Last season, he scored 16 goals, assisted on 10 other scores and picked up 26 groundballs. He will also be the team’s primary face-off man in 2005.

Two seniors will see significant time in the middle of the field, as well. Chris Jordan (Doylestown, Pa.; Germantown Academy) is the fastest player on the team who is expected to play a major role in the attack after scoring four goals and recording nine assists in 2004. Joe Karam (Clinton, N.Y.; New Hartford) will play more of a defensive role in the midfield and be counted on to be a leader in transition.

Junior Tyler Fitzgibbons (Doylestown, Pa.; Archbishop Wood) did not play last season, but returns to the team in 2005 hoping to use his speed and stick skills to contribute on the attack.

Sophomore Ryan Crowley (Chatham, N.J.; Madison) brings good size and solid stick skills to the midfield, making him a valuable asset on the attack. Freshmen Justin Dixon (Baltimore, Md.; North County) is also expected to compete for playing time early in his career contributing as an offensive middie and a second face-off man.

Adding depth to the midfield will be sophomore Ben DeLuca (Conestoga, Pa.; Penn Manor) and freshmen Mike Reilly (Aston, Pa.; Sun Valley) and John Stark (Lewisburg, Pa.; Lewisburg).

Lycoming’s attack will be led by senior co-captain Dave Kirschner (Newton Square, Pa.; Marple Newton). Kirschner is the team’s top returning scorer with 20 goals and 12 assists in 2004. He is an excellent shooter with outstanding field vision, who will be the Warriors’ on-field offensive coordinator.

Sophomore Thomas Nairn (Fairport, N.Y.; Fairport) is expected to step into a starting role this season after playing primarily in the midfield as a freshman. Nairn has excellent stick skills and good footwork for changing directions.

Nairn will be challenged by freshmen James Cusick (Aston, Pa.; Sun Valley) and Dan Cannon (Orangeville, Ontario). Cusick is extremely athletic and is left-handed. Cannon, also left-handed, adds size to the attack. Sophomore Andrew Reckley (Aston, Pa.; Sun Valley) also brings good size to the unit and provides valuable depth up front.

“I think it has been a smooth transition with the players buying into a new system,” said Talarico. “All of the guys have worked hard during the offseason and are looking forward to a successful spring.”

Lycoming opens their season on Tuesday, March 1, when they take on St. Mary’s College of Maryland. The Warriors’ first home game will be on Thursday, March 24, when they host Elizabethtown College at 3:30 p.m.