The 2007 season arrived with one of the most arduous opening weekends to go along with one of the most challenging schedules in the country, playing seven of the top 11 teams nationally. The 2008 Dartmouth Big Green return ready to take on the challenge of competing against one of the toughest national schedules and to restore Dartmouth's reputation as an Ivy League Championship contender and one of the top programs in Division I lacrosse.
While there were many positives gained from last season, the final results have created a focus and determination within the team to work even harder to uphold the Big Green brand of lacrosse and continue to take Dartmouth lacrosse to the highest level.
As the team anxiously waits in anticipation of the 2008 season, a young Dartmouth team's return has been characterized by excitement and enthusiasm. From the start of the school year both school spirit and competitive spirit have highlighted this team's early journey toward finding its own identity. With a young team filling new roles and responsibilities, the fall was distinguished by excited strength training sessions, competitive practices, and hard-working speed training sessions.
Once again in 2008, Big Green lacrosse will face the rigors of a strong out of conference schedule challenging the team to develop in preparation for the competitive Ivy League season. Early season home games with Hartford, Holy Cross, and Vermont will christen the new “Field Turf” surface at Scully-Fahey Field. Traveling to Fairfield, and to Atlanta, Ga. for a spring break game with Notre Dame, a contest in Long Island, NY with Duke, home and away Ivy League conference games, and a late regular season game at Virginia rounds out one of the most thrilling schedules in lacrosse.
ATTACK The attack position includes two returning players who combined for 99 points in 2007 playing along side All-America and unanimous first team All-Ivy
Nick Bonacci. Junior
Brian Koch enters his third year as a starter and exhibits great passion and undying work ethic according to head coach
Bill Wilson. “Brian's conditioning and desire to create second chance opportunities has made him one of the best riding attackmen in the country,” said Wilson. Sophomore
Ari Sussman enters his second year as a starter and is one of our most dynamic players both with and without the ball according to Wilson. “Ari's quickness complements his vision as a dodger and as a feeder. His continued improvement each day is marked by tremendous work ethic. Ari is a leader both on and off the field,” said Wilson.
Youngsters in the sophomore and freshman classes will complete the attack corps. Sustaining a season ending hamstring injury in 2007, sophomore
Benji Spanier returned this fall healthy and reinvigorated. A determined athlete, Spanier's size and strength are assets he has been able to incorporate into his game this fall according to Wilson. “When Benji brings fury to his game and utilizes his assets, he is a big strong dodger that defenses are forced to deal with."
Sophomore
Andrew Peisch returned this fall as one of our most improved players by adding strength and speed during out-of-season training. “Andrew has a very good understanding of our offensive patterns and will make an important contribution again this year,” Wilson said.
Two freshmen have been bright faces this fall. Josh Etzion and
Miles Suter both made continuous steps forward throughout the fall season according to Wilson. “While Miles and Josh each highlight different areas at the attack position, they each possess a strong motor and to our surprise have ability facing off. With continued work Miles and Josh could find themselves in the line-up early in the spring season."
The wild card player at attack is sophomore
Josh Gillam. A forward on the varsity hockey team, he will join the lacrosse team mid-season and may contribute at attack. “One of the best passers and finishers on the team, Josh's immediate impact may be earning time on the Man Up unit,” Wilson said.
MIDFIELD After missing his junior season due to a devastating hamstring injury, senior
Ryan Orr returns with perhaps the strongest understanding of the offense and the fire of a senior according to Wilson. “Ryan's energy during practice this fall was a key component in the leadership of the team."
Junior Jon Livadas was the most improved midfielder during last season after his transition from attack, says Wilson. “After breaking his thumb at the start of his freshman season, Jon broke out toward the second half of his sophomore season and will be asked to do everything this year. He is going to play Extra Man again this year and will be challenged as a two way player.”
Sophomore Chris Root is one of the most dynamic players in the program, says Wilson. “Chris is one of the best all around midfielders in the college game. With speed, quickness, and a motor that does not quit, Chris will be asked to play both ends of the field this year. Chris returned this fall with tremendous out-of-season training gains and has emerged as a consistent midfield leader."
Junior
Doug Rendall enters his third year as a starting midfielder. “Doug is one of the most passionate and hard working players I have ever coached. His exceptional work ethic and team first mentality makes him an outstanding leader. His teammates' decision to select him as an undergraduate captain speaks to his stature in the program,” says Wilson.
Junior Jim Mullen, sophomore
Towny Swiggett and junior Phil Killian will all be given the opportunity to play key roles. “Jimmy has contributed on offense and in face-offs since his arrival on campus. One of our fastest, quickest, and most explosive players, we will need Jimmy to take on a larger role this spring as he continues to develop defensively, as well as contributing to the value of our transition game,” Wilson said.
“Towny played with the top six midfielders this fall and with strong out-of-season gains is playing his best lacrosse," Wilson said. "With solid speed he has been a major contributor on defense since his first year. While Towny will play on the Man Down unit and will strengthen our defense, we will need him to take on a greater offensive role this spring.'
Killian is quick on the dodge with size and a strong right hand shot, according to Wilson. “Phil could bring balance to any of our midfields, but we will need consistency and a strong physical conditioning presence to unlock his potential as a midfielder,” said Wilson.
Freshman
Rhett Miller ran with the first midfield this fall. “While Rhett has a powerful shot with both hands, it was his fast learning curve that has turned heads,” says Wilson.
Martin Bernstein and
Ted Newhouse are two juniors who continue to make steady progress. “Martin's size and right handed shot on the run will help him on offense as he makes the transition to the midfield position,” Wilson said. “Ted is quick and fast, and may play a greater role on offense this spring.”
In addition, four talented freshmen arrived this fall all possessing a range of skill sets. “
Adam Boardman is a smart, two way midfielder who displayed consistency and attention to detail this fall. Big, strong, and smart, he will find his way onto the field this spring,” said Wilson. “
Jordan Nesmith is an explosive player who can split and shoot with both hands. He is an aggressive player who was impressive during the fall.”
“Mike Whitcomb is a dynamic player who demonstrated consistent progress on both offense and defense this fall,” Wilson said.
Dennis Lally has surpassed expectations this fall according to Wilson. “Dennis is a smart player with speed and quickness and seemingly no fear. When he gains the poise that comes with experience he will find himself on the field this spring,” Wilson said.
Senior
Will Boardman is a starting defenseman for the Big Green hockey team, and will join the team during mid-season this spring. “Will is a big, strong and experienced young man who is a winner. He brings excitement and a love for the game to the field everyday,” said Wilson.
Tim Daniels missed fall lacrosse while recovering from last year's knee surgery. “Tim is a strong and determined athlete who continues to work hard in preparation for this season. During his sophomore season, Tim was one of the nation's premiere face-off men and will be called upon this spring to bring experience and veteran leadership to the field,” Wilson said. Due to his surgery, rehab schedule, and academic pursuits, Tim has altered his “D-plan” and will be with the Big Green for two more years.
FACE-OFF “Senior
Chad Gaudet returns with a physical presence at the face-off position and could be our lead face-off man this spring,” said Wilson.
One of the premiere face-off men in the game as a sophomore Daniels returns poised to re-capture the lead face-off role this spring, according to Wilson. Junior
Kyle Lagratta also returns as a likely contender to lead facing-off. “Kyle is a quick athlete with speed and the skill set to be a force at the position. He has a motor and an aggressive mentality that can be developed,” Wilson said.
Other players to watch for this spring include a cast of characters with a mixture of skill sets who will all compete for the position. Juniors Mullen,
John Mattimore and Livadas; sophomore
Casey Hingtgen; freshmen
Jordan Nesmith, Mikey Whitcomb, Josh Etzion and
Miles Suter have all shown aptitude at the position.
DEFENSE Senior short stick specialist Gaudet returned this fall and established himself as a leader of this team. “Chad has been a major contributor at the defensive midfield since joining the team. A big, strong, and explosive athlete, Chad's speed proved to be an asset last season" Wilson said. "We need him to take on a greater role this spring in order to help fuel our transition game. Chad also took limited reps this fall with a big stick in his hands and took pride in making the simple play."
The defense features youngsters returning with big game experience. Sophomore
Andy Gagel returns after starting every game a year ago. “One of our smartest athletes, Andy is a versatile defenseman who is capable of matching up with either big/strong, or small/quick attackmen,” Wilson said.
Hingtgen returns after starting at long stick midfield a year ago. He missed fall lacrosse while still recovering from last season's toe injury. “Casey is determined to return this spring healthy and at the top of his game. One of the most physical players in the game, he is fast and strong with the hands, nose and mentality for ground balls. Being sidelined this fall it is still unclear whether he will play close defense, long stick midfield, or both,” Wilson said.
Junior
Tim McVeigh and sophomores
Andrew Pollack and
Kevin Davis continue to compete for a full time starting position. McVeigh returns the most experienced of the group, as he continues to be a strong influence in the program, according to Wilson. “Tim is a competitor who continues to work hard in preparation for this season.”
Pollack worked hard this fall gaining valuable experience at close defense. “Andrew made a very positive impression at close defense. He gained significant game experience at the long stick midfield position last season and as his stick work continues to consistently improve, Andrew will be a mainstay at close defense,” Wilson said.
Wilson calls Davis “one of our most improved players from a year ago. He has worked rigorously on his physical game, and most noticeably on the mental aspect of the game. He is going to see the field this spring.”
There are many candidates for the long stick midfield position with a wide range of skill sets according to Wilson. Hingtgen played there as a freshman last season and is one of the most athletic poles in the game. Pollack, McVeigh and Davis are also options.
Two freshmen,
Andrew Leonhard and
Garrett Nicholson are also candidates for the long stick position. “Andrew is a competitive defenseman and a hard worker who will continue to improve as he gains more practice experience as well as game experience, said Wilson. “Garrett is an enthusiastic student of the game who worked hard this fall on and off the field. Superior conditioning will be a key element for both Andrew and Garrett this spring.”
Freshman
Joe Coleman injured his knee in the fall and will undergo ACL reconstruction during the winter in preparation for summer and fall 2008.
Mattimore and sophomore
Mike Wiedman continue to compete for a full time starting position at short stick midfield defense. “John and Mike both made an important contribution a year ago. John is an intense competitor who brings fire to the game. We will need consistency to accompany his potential,” Wilson said. “Mike gained valuable experience this fall, and has made significant strides working on his stick skills.”
GOAL Sophomore Mike Novosel returns to anchor the defensive unit this spring. “One of our hardest workers, Mike returned this fall playing his best lacrosse. He enters his second year as a starter and will be asked to be the foundation for a young team early this season. Mike has continued to assume greater responsibility and is a leader of this team,” said Wilson.
Junior
Pat Marshall returns this spring to compete for the start. “Pat was playing his best lacrosse at the close of last season. He is extremely supportive of his teammates and continues to work hard in preparation for the spring,” Wilson said.
Sophomore
James Pyo has made tremendous strides in the goal and could be our most improved player over the past year, according to Wilson. While a sore ankle could have impeded James this fall, his resolve allowed him to make significant gains both on and off the field.