Guilford's men's lacrosse team returns 15 letter winners
from last season's club set on taking the next step in building the Quakers' lacrosse
program. Sixth-year head Coach welcomes a cast of newcomers to join the upperclassmen.
Despite a large number of returning players, Guilford remains a fairly young team with 14
of the 20 players on the preseason roster in their first or second year of college
lacrosse.
In order for Guilford to move forward, Mercer will identify those players committed to building a winning program and willing to put forth a winning effort. The Quakers must work harder than all of their opponents in order to improve on their standing within the highly competitive Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). The last two recruiting classes produced greater athleticism and depth, which, if maximized by a tenacious work ethic, should lay the foundation for a successful present and future.
The Quakers welcome senior attackman Fran Randall back to the front line following an injury-riddled junior campaign. Minus their offensive leader, Guilford scored just 77 goals in 13 games in 1998 as the defense took advantage of Randall's absence. While Randall attracts the opposition's top long stick, sophomore Matt Synowiez has more space to work with senior midfielder Chad Tripp, last season's leading scorer. Sophomore John Gardner moves up to the attack after playing with the midfield in his rookie season.
Fresh off a 14-goal, 10-assist campaign, Tripp leads the cast of returning midfielders. Back from a spring semester in Italy, freshman Nick Laughton will receive consideration for a top midfield spot. Ever-improving senior Ted Long leaves the front line and moves to midfield where Mercer hopes his blazing speed will enhance Guilford's transition game. Additional veterans such as sophomore Kevin Dawyskiba, Jason Gauthier and the Ollerhead cousins, junior Dusty and sophomore Rusty, will be pushed in offseason workouts by a cast of new recruits.
Senior Tim Gerbracht and sophomore Quentin Packard headline the returning defensemen. Packard showed flashes of strong play in his initial season, but succumbed to a reoccurring shoulder injury midway through the campaign. Mercer also likes sophomore Charlie Georgopolous and rookie Bob Montemarano of Mt. St. Joseph Academy (MD).
Sophomore Anthony Roman has company this season in goal. Guilford's lone netminder in just his third year of organized lacrosse, Roman made tremendous strides from the start of the fall season to the end of the regular season thanks to playing every minute of every game. He'll be challenged by rookie Jason Capen an all-state performer out of New Baltimore, MI. Both goalies have a chance to win what Mercer calls a "wide open" race for the starting goaltenders spot.
In addition to the influx of new talent and experience gained by last year's returning player, a more competitive schedule helps the Quakers chances for success in 1999. The ODAC proved its place among the Division III lacrosse world last year by sending three squads to the eight-team NCAA Division III Tournament. Defending conference champion Hampden-Sydney and runner up Roanoke join Washington and Lee in the league's upper echelon. Randolph-Macon and Virginia Wesleyan also spent time ranked among the top 30 teams in the land with Lynchburg not far behind. Bates, Kenyon and Greensboro provide stiff non-conference challenges. The Quakers welcome Division II Catawba, Tufts and Western New England for the return of the Guilford College Lacrosse Tournament, March 20-21.