Friday, December 26, 2008

What Is an Installment Loan,Part two: 2009 preseason poll [Faceoff]

Here is the second installment of my look at the lacrosse landscape in 2009. Again, I cannot stress enough that this is not a reflection of next year’s preseason poll because incoming freshmen and potential transfers have yet to be confirmed. If you missed it, click here for Part one (teams ranked from Nos. 20 to 16). Check back in on Thursday for teams ranked from Nos. 10 to 6 and on Friday for those ranked from Nos. 5 to 1.

15. Brown (2007 record: 11-3; tournament finish: no tournament)

Losses: Six seniors, with the biggest departures on the defensive end where starters Reed Deluca and Brian Sharnick graduate from the Bears.

Returners: The entire attack – a trio of Thomas Muldoon, Kyle Hollingsworth and Jack Walsh that combined for 64 goals and 34 assists – is back as is goalkeeper Jordan Burke, who led the nation in save percentage and ranked second in goals-against average.

Reason for pessimism: Burke was spectacular, but can he elevate his game to even higher levels to make up for an inexperienced defense?

Reason for optimism: Brown, which shared the Ivy League championship with Cornell, ended the season with 10 wins in 11 games.

14. Bucknell (10-5; no tournament)

Losses: Nine seniors, but only two starters in midfielder Nick Marks and defenseman Evan Burns (Boys’ Latin).

Returners: Seven of the team’s top scorers – including attackmen Austin Winter, Tim Brandau (McDonogh) and Joe Mele, a trio that totaled 73 goals and 45 assists – fuel what could be a potent offense.

Reason for pessimism: Can the Bison overcome the memory of two losses to Colgate that essentially kept them out of the tournament?

Reason for optimism: A defense that surrendered just 7.8 goals per game this past season should be just as strong with the return of goalies Nick Sciubba and Matt Antonelli (Archbishop Spalding) and defensemen Tom Izard and Billy Haire.

13. Denver (10-7; first round)

Losses: Only five seniors, but the Pioneers bid farewell to two starting attackmen in Jon Paulson and Brett Koll.

Returners: An offense that ranked ninth in the country in scoring with 10.9 goals a contest brings back its top five scorers, including four starters in midfielder Jamie Lincoln, attackman Cliff Smith, midfielder Charley Dickinson and midfielder Joey Murray.

Reason for pessimism: Goalkeeper Austin Konkel must improve his 10.02 goals-against average and .488 save percentage if Denver has aspirations of a final four bid.

Reason for optimism: Maturity may not be an issue. Lincoln will be a 22-year-old sophomore, while Smith, a senior next year, will turn 24 in January.

12. Navy (10-6; quarterfinals)

Losses: Attackman and leading scorer Nick Mirabito was selected by the New Jersey Pride in the fifth round of the Major Lacrosse League draft last week. The Midshipmen also lost three starters in attackman Gregory Clement, defensemen Jordan DiNola and Brendan Teague and primary faceoff specialist Mikelis Visgauss.

Returners: Attackman Tim Paul (Loyola) is back as is the entire midfield of Patrick Moran (Severn), Joe Lennon (Loyola) and Basil Daratsos. Goalies Matt Coughlin and Tommy Phelan (Loyola) present an interesting dilemma.

Reason for pessimism: DiNola and Teague anchored a defense that ranked third in the nation by surrendering just 6.5 goals per game.

Reason for optimism: A healthy Bruce Nechanicky (anterior cruciate ligament surgery) could alleviate some of the pressure off of Paul, who will likely draw heightened attention next year.

11. Notre Dame (14-3; quarterfinals)

Losses: The Irish bid farewell to five starters – three of whom (midfielder Michael Podgajny, goalkeeper Joey Kemp and defenseman Sean Dougherty) were selected in the MLL draft. In addition, faceoff specialist Taylor Clagett, who ranked fourth in the country in faceoff percentage, was taken in the fifth round.

Returners: Notre Dame’s fifth-ranked offense still has four of its top six scorers in attackman Ryan Hoff (Dulaney), midfielder Grant Krebs (St. Mary’s), attackman Duncan Swezey and midfielder Peter Christman.

Reason for pessimism: A defense that ranked fifth in the country this past season will be weakened by the departure of Kemp, Dougherty and starting defenseman Ross Zimmerman.

Reason for optimism: The Irish was on the cusp of beating eventual national champion Syracuse and getting to the final four. Maybe they can carry over that momentum to next season.

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