By Jeff Powalisz
They’ve been training since October, quiet and out of the spotlight, preparing for a spring season that continues to draw near.
A California trip against two of the nation’s top 25 teams starts the season for the Northeastern men’s club lacrosse team at the end of this month (Feb. 29-March 4) as they hope for a better conclusion to their season than last year’s.
Finishing at 5-7 overall last spring did not prevent the Huskies from advancing to the semi-finals of the Pioneer Cub Lacrosse League against UNH where they lost 14-6, as the team fought adversity throughout the season and dispelled most doubts cast on them from the beginning of the year.
A similar story exists this year as Northeastern was placed seventh in the preseason poll with Stonehill, behind two teams they beat last year (UConn and Bridgewater State) and a team that is only starting this year (University of New Haven).
“We’re always underdogs,” said quad-captain midfielder Pat Morrell. “We never receive much credit but we made it to the semi-finals and nobody expected us to get in. We’re like the 2001 [New England] Patriots.”
“What it is, we don’t know, but we don’t get recognized for what we are,” said coach and former player Tim Gray. “But it’s fine with us, it just gets us motivated to beat the teams ranked ahead of us.”
And despite the loss of their top scorer last year in David Jensen (21 goals, 8 assists, 29 points) along with top defenseman Paul Ras, the team is coming around after four and a half months of practice.
“Things are starting to click more as a team,” Morrell said of the team which had 30-40 players at the most recent count.
“We’re finding our go-to guys and who will be able to pull through for us in the end. In the next few weeks, things will really shape up.”
Defense will be the key priority for the team this year. The Huskies are of the mindset that defense will win them games, as their offense can usually be counted on.
“Defense is our focus in the early part of the season,” said Gray. “The offense can always re-group but the defense needs to be settled. A lot of defenses are different once you enter college as well.”
The Huskies do have upper class leadership on the defense with juniors Mark Kurkjy, J.P. Bichun, Bobby McGuinness and Ryan Sullivan returning. Their work in the backfield may have major effects in a competitive conference that includes UNH, Boston College and Boston University.
Mike Mandeville, a returning attack man and quad-captain, will be at the forefront of the Husky offense. Finishing with 18 points last season (13-5), Mandeville will lead a freshman-dominated attack team (8 out of 12 players).
“Mike is the cornerstone of the team,” Gray said. “He’s been a starter since freshman year, and he sets examples on the field and off the field. He’s a true leader.”
Sophomore transfer and midfielder/attack man Chris Cook (Stonybrook) is another talent that stood out in training thus far.
“He’s extremely knowledgeable of the game,” Morrell said. “He’s extremely athletic and could easily be playing for a D-3 school. He’s just doing excellent mentally and physically.”
Ross Valentino and Matt Heriot, both quad-captains for the team and midfielders, will be important on offense as well. Their leadership will be important in bringing together a team that includes new faces and new recruits on a regular basis. Freshman defenseman Jason Aloma and midfielder/attackman Shaun Sullivan are two other players who have performed well in practice.
“There are a lot of kids this year and we’re just trying to get everyone together,” Valentino said of the team, which draws more and more interest each year. “There are guys coming back from co-op and others living both on and off campus, so it’s also about getting to know one another.”
Middler attackman James Dickson and sophomore defenseman Joe Lang are two other members of the team that will be counted on for experience and talent. Sophomore attackman John Maydick (13-5-18 last year) is another talented player returning.
In goal, sophomore and returning starter Kevin Crowder and freshman Craig Sini have both done well in practice and are both vying for the starting job.
“Craig Sini and Kevin Crowder have both been outstanding,” said Morrell. “They are both very open to each other in practice.”
The key elements of the game are in place for the team as well.
“Coach Gray is satisfied with our motivation and hussle, and that there have been plenty of people stepping up and being vocal,” said Morrell. “He has his worries like any coach but he’s just looking for some upperclass leadership.”
Chapman University (16 in nation rankings) and University of California-San Diego (24) loom closer in the radar screen for the Huskies as their trip to the Golden State starts with a match-up against San Diego on Feb. 29 at 4 p.m. Loyola Marymount University is the third California team Northeastern will face before they return to Massachusetts.
“This trip is huge for the program,” said Gray. “First of all, it will be a bonding experience for the team and really help team chemistry. And second of all, we will be playing top quality teams that will give us a huge advantage for when we return.”
They will start in Worcester against Worcester Polytechnic Institute (March 22, 7 p.m.) and then Rhode Island (March 27, 1 p.m.) in Boston.
“We’re just continuing to prepare for our season,” said Morrell. “UNH is always a good team in our conference with a great fan base. BU and BC are always tough challenges as well.”
