Men's Lacrosse 2005 Outlook - Guilford College

Guilford College Men's Lacrosse 2005 Season Outlook

      Andrew Rowe moved up to Guilford's interim head coach role, after assisting John Burke '88 for 18 months.  Burke stepped down from the head coaching position in January to return to his family and former job in California. Rowe hopes to continue the progress made last year as the team went 5-9, which matched the team's most wins over the last 10 years. Fourteen returning letterwinners along with a strong freshman class look to build upon last year, and help Guilford compete in the tough Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). A difficult out-of-conference schedule along with the always competitive ODAC will make 2005 challenging for the Quakers.

Here's a preview of the 2005 Quakers' lineup by position:

      ATTACK: Graduation meant the loss of two-thirds of last year's attacking unit including Josh Miller '04, Guilford's Division III scoring leader and fourth all-time for the Quakers with 199 points.  Miller led the ODAC in 2004 with 4.36 points per game.  Guilford does return its leading goal scorer for the past two seasons in senior captain Matt Wagner. His role will be expanded this year and he will be asked to lead a very young but talented attack group. Freshmen Todd Bochenek and Dan Orr both enjoyed a successful fall season, and look to see significant playing time this spring. Classmates Preston Gilbert and Colin Davis provide depth up top, a rarity in recent seasons.

      MIDFIELD: The strength of this year's team will be in the midfield, which returns much of its core from last year. Senior captain Ed Massello  returns after compiling a career high in points in 2004.  "Massello is a real throwback player," said Rowe.  "He is as good on the defensive end of the field as he is on offense".  Bryan Borchard rejoins Massello on the first line after a breakout year where he led all Guilford's midfielders in goals, assists and points. Freshman Matt Del Olmo had a good fall and has speed to burn along with Borchard. Senior Tucker Jacobs returns to anchor the second midfield line and improve upon last year's 10 point tally. He joins fellow senior Peter Robinson and freshman FJ Ientile. Freshman Chris Hayes will also battle for time on the second line.  Robinson and Massello will take a majority of the Quakers' face-offs.

Sophomore Carl Simon, last year's Most Improved Player, returns to lead the defensive midfielders and he'll be joined by the trio of Jonathan Jenkins, Marcus Rowe, and Manny Sargeant. All four student-athletes have outstanding athleticism.  Jenkins and Sargeant may see time on the offensive side of the field as well. At long stick midfield, junior Brian Burt returns and is joined by classmate Doug McConnell and freshman Carl Farlow.

      DEFENSE: Drew Wit is the lone returning starter on close defense. The senior captain was one of the team leaders in ground balls last year, and for the last two years has often guarded the opponent's top attacker. Sophomores Brian Cosgray and Alex Penny will round out the starting defensive unit. Cosgray moves down to defense after spending last year at long-stick midfield, while Penny returns to his strength at close defense after playing the midfield in 2004. Both student-athletes improve Guilford's defensive athleticism and aggressiveness. Freshman Tyler Harrison will push for playing time along with senior Aaron Tull and freshman Gary Beste.

      GOALIE: A new face will be between the pipes for the first time in three years for Guilford with the departure of Aaron Skiles. Sophomore Andrew Bond is the lone returning keeper, and he'll fight for the starting spot against freshman Andrew Vigne. Freshman Ian MacPhail will push these two and give the Quakers solid depth, something Guilford has not had at the goalie position for many years.

      The ODAC will again be one of the toughest Division III leagues with four teams ranked in the US Lacrosse pre-season Top-20 poll. Guilford opens the season with a home game versus Goucher on February 19.  The Quakers have also added tough out-of-conference games against Dickinson and Colorado College. Re-matches against Manhattanville, Marymount, Wooster and Oberlin round out the Quakers 2005 slate along with a game at cross town rival Greensboro College.