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March 23, 2005
Michigan Men’s Lacrosse
2005
Weekly Release #4
Upcoming Schedule –
Michigan Invitational
Ann Arbor, Michigan – Oosterbaan Fieldhouse
Friday, March 25
7:30 p.m. #5 Michigan vs. #7 Colorado
10:15 p.m. #11 Oregon vs. Florida
Saturday, March 26
4:00 p.m. #7 Colorado vs. Florida
7:00 p.m. #5 Michigan vs. #11 Oregon
Sunday, March 27
12:00 p.m. #7 Colorado vs. #11 Oregon
3:00 p.m. #5 Michigan vs. Florida
This Week – The
Michigan Invitational
The University of Michigan men’s lacrosse team will be bringing in some
of the best club lacrosse in the country to Ann Arbor this weekend to
compete in the Michigan Invitational at Oosterbaan Fieldhouse this
upcoming March 25-27.
Michigan will be hosting #7 Colorado, #11 Oregon, and Florida for three
days of lacrosse that will have major impacts on at-large bids and
seedings for the USL-MDIA National Championships. Each team enters the
Invitational knowing their respective conference championships won’t be
locks, and every win, especially those against fellow ranked opponents,
will count.
After the Invitational, Michigan will travel to the state of Texas to
take on the University of Texas and Texas A&M on April 1 & 2, before
returning home for conference action.
Last Week
The Wolverines hosted newly added conference opponent, and local rival,
Eastern Michigan University last week in a game at Oosterbaan Fieldhouse
in Ann Arbor. In their first CCLA contest of the year, the Wolverines
dominated the Eagles for most of the game, retaining possession
throughout and limiting EMU to only five shots while tallying 43 of
their own.
Michigan jumped out to early lead just moments after the opening faceoff
as EMU committed a slashing penalty on the Wolverine’s first
possession. Michigan capitalized on the penalty as junior midfielder
Jim Constantine (Troy, Mich./Seaholm) notched his first goal
since returning from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for almost a
month. Constantine was assisted on the play by senior attackman,
captain Ryan Clark (Summit, N.J./Summit) who is also
working his way back into the lineup after suffering a knee injury
before the Wolverine’s last road-trip. Constantine finished the day
with 2-1-3, all firsts of the season.
Constantine opened the scoring in the second quarter and jumpstarted a
seven-goal second period with a blast from the top of circle at the
12:13 mark. Michigan scored six more goals in the quarter, including
four in a two-minute span between 5:55 and 3:37, and entered the
locker-room with a lead of 9-0.
The Maize and Blue scored two more goals in the third period while
continuing to hold the Eagles off the board and by this time, backup
goaltender Graham Townsend (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville
East) had replaced senior Dan Webber (Weston,
Mass./Weston). Webber made the two lone saves of the game in the
second period, while Townsend allowed three goals in his half of play.
Eastern Michigan scored three inconsequential goals in the final frame,
falling to the Wolverines by a final of 12-3. The most telling stat of
the game was the differential in the team’s clearing rates. Michigan
was able earn possession and move up-field with ease, finishing the day
with 20-24 totals. Conversely, EMU was held to 11-35 totals including
4-14 in the first half when Michigan jumped out to the 9-0 lead. The
Wolverines also bounced back with a strong performance in the faceoff
circle, finishing 17-19. Michigan had struggled mightily in that area
during their most recent road-trip and had a .574 faceoff percentage
through their first five games.
U-M notched 61 groundballs to the Eagle’s 28, and held EMU scoreless on
their lone man-up attempt while tallying 4-8 totals themselves.
Scouting the Opponents
#7 Colorado - A member of the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference,
the seventh ranked University of Colorado Buffalos enter the
Invitational with a record of 6-1 and 2-0 within the conference.
Colorado is coming off a 19-0 victory over Utah State on March 22. The
lone loss of the year for the Buffalo came against a common opponent,
Brigham Young, by a score of 8-4, on March 19 in Provo, Utah. Last
season Colorado finished with a record of 14-6, falling to BYU in the
quarterfinals of the National Championships in St. Louis, Missouri. The
last time the Wolverines played Colorado was in 2003, when they earned a
4-2 win in Boulder. Michigan is 2-0 all-time against the
Buffaloes.
The ’05 Buffaloes are led by freshman attackman Tyler Baruch, who
through five games has posted 14-3-17 totals. Second in total points is
junior midfielder Patrick Janson who has notched 9-3-12 in five games.
Junior captain Tate Price leads a balanced group of youth and experience
on defense, while junior goaltender Neema Kasaii has stopped a total of
44 shots in five games played.
The Buffalo are coached by John Galvin.
http://www.colorado.edu/StudentGroups/ColoradoMensLacrosse/
#11 Oregon – The 11th ranked Oregon Ducks of the
Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League enter the weekend of games
with a record of 4-2, defeating Cal Poly SLO by a score of 14-8 in their
last game on March 20. In 2004, the Ducks went 14-8 with an 8-0 record
in the PNCLL. They were defeated by UC-Santa Barbara by a score of 12-5
in the quarterfinals of the National Championships and then lost to
Michigan by a score of 7-5 in both team’s consolation game.
Through six games sophomore midfielder Julian Coffman leads the team in
goals and points with 16-2-18 totals. Pacing the squad in assists and
second in overall points is senior midfielder Daniel Ernst who has
tallied 8-6-14 totals. On defense, the Ducks are led by a pair of
senior captains in Justin Cooley and Jeremy Tesar. Between the pipes,
Nate Cordova has recorded 77 saves and has allowed 43 goals against in
six games for a goals against average of .619.
The Ducks are coached by Joshua Barbour who holds a 51-32 record through
five years. A 1996 graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, is
currently a middle school teacher in Eugene. The Ducks also benefit
from the work of assistant coach Joe Kerwin, a 1999 graduate of Roger
Williams College. Since his tenure with the Ducks began in 2003, Oregon
has posted a record of 29-15.
http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~lacrosse/
Florida – A member of the South Eastern Lacrosse Conference, the
Flordia Gators come to town with a record of 4-3, and are coming off a
13-9 loss to Chico State in Gainsville, Florida. The Gators split two
games this year against future Wolverine opponent, losing 7-6 to Texas
A&M, while defeating Texas 13-10. In 2004, Florida finished 10-5 and
6-1 in the SELC, eventually losing 14-12 to Georgia Tech in SELC
Finals. Early in ’04, Florida and Michigan squared off in Gainesville,
Florida, with the Wolverines defeating Florida by a score of 12-5. The
Maize and Blue had trailed by a goal entering the second half but
exploded for nine goals in the final 30 minutes to grab the win.
In 2005, Florida is led by senior captain, attackman Brian Jones who has
tallied 20-9-29 in seven games and stands fifth in the conference in
total points. Sophomore attackman Blaine Patrick is second on the team
with 19-4-23 totals. Defensively, seniors Mike Militello and Kevin
Schoneck give the Gators good experience. In net, Florida is currently
alternating goaltenders with both senior Dan Rodriguez and junior Phil
Rohlfing seeing time.
Florida is coached by Stephen Larson who enters his third year as head
coach for the Gators. Larson, who is a 1998 graduate of UC – Santa
Barbara, was the SELC Coach of the Year in 2003.
http://grove.ufl.edu/~uflax/
Injury Update
The Wolverines were dealt a serious blow to
the midfield corps as senior Brian Vincent (Farmington Hills,
Mich./Univ. of Detroit Jesuit) will be side-lined for the rest of
the season with a torn ACL. Vincent tallied 3-0-3 before falling to
injury.
Freshman attackman Paul Kang (St. Louis, MO./Parkway Central)
is suffering from an ankle injury and will probably miss the next
two weeks.
Fellow freshmen Brekan Kohlitz (St. Clores Shores, Mich./N.D.
Harper Woods) and Bobby Groat (Canton, Mich./Salem)
will both miss the Invitational. Kohlitz is currently suffering from a
groin injury while Groat has a knee injury that will sideline him for
the weekend.
Sophomore defender Brad Farriell
(Cockeysville, Md./Dulaney) has missed some practice this week with
a calf injury and is questionable for this weekend’s action.
Starting off at Home
Unlike the last four seasons in which Michigan has begun playing the
majority of their games on the road, the 2005 campaign opened with two
home games, a win vs. Missouri 18-1, and 9-8 loss to St. Vincent. In
2001 and 2002 U-M played three of their first four on the road, while
the 2003 Wolverines played their first six contests on the road. Last
season, Michigan opened up with three contests away from home, finishing
2-1 with wins over Central Florida, and Florida, and a loss vs. BYU.
Highs in 2005
·
Brian
Vincent recorded a career-high six groundballs in the contest and a
career-high eight shots vs. Missouri (Feb. 18).
·
Senior
long-stick midfielder David Silverman (Potomac, Md./Churchill),
the team’s leading groundball man last year showed his offensive prowess
vs. Missouri (Feb. 18), registering a career high two goal effort. His
two goals were only the second and third of his career.
·
The five
shots allowed marks the lowest game total so far in the ’05 season.
Michigan’s previous low was vs. Missouri which was eight.
·
Senior
faceoff specialist Trevor Broad (Grosse Pointe,
Mich./University Liggett) finished 10 for 10 in the circle vs.
Eastern Michigan (March 18).
·
Michigan
set a season-high with 61 groundballs vs. Eastern Michigan tied a
season-high with 29 shots on goal.
Show Me Game vs. Show
Me State
In the February 18 contest vs. Missouri, a total of seven Wolverines
notched their first career points for the Wolverines. Missouri native,
Mike O’Leary recorded 2-1-3 totals in the contest, one point shy of his
career high. Paul Kang (St. Louis, MO./Parkway Central),
another player from Missouri scored his first career goal. The
+17 margin of victory was the largest for the Wolverines since last
year’s season opener vs. Central Florida in which Michigan won 24-0, and
other than that game, the last time the Wolverines held someone to only
one goal in a game was in 2003 vs. Illinois on March 28 when U-M won
11-1.
Successful Transition
Michigan has been succeeding so far in ’05 gaining possession and moving
it up field posting 111-139 clear totals for a conversion rate of .799.
After six games last season the Wolverines totaled 84-133 (.632).
With a successful effort last week vs. Eastern Michigan (11-35),
Michigan improved their rate of defending clears, totaling 84-151 (.556)
in ’05.
Team Leaders
Through six games freshman Evan Fox (Suffern, N.Y./Suffern)
leads the team in goals, assists and points with 14-10-24 totals.
Fox also leads the team with 39 shots and four man-up goals. Second on
the team in points is freshman Peter Krauss (Grand Rapids,
Mich./Forest Hills Central) who has registered 8-4-12. Senior Mike
O’Leary is third in points with 8-3-11. Freshman attackman Tom
Lehman (Beverly Hills, Mich./University of Detroit Jesuit)
leads the team with seven assists. 2004’s leading groundball man David
Silverman once again paces the squad with 37 groundballs. Senior
captain Kirk Kozel (Barrington, Ill.Taft Ct.) is second
with 29. Kozel’s season-high was 43 last season, and after only six
games Kozel is more than half way there.
Webber Solid through
Six
Through six games, senior goaltender Dan Webber is posting career
numbers with a 3.58 goals per game average and a .667 save percentage.
Last year, Webber finished with a 6.16 goals per game average and a .627
save percentage. As a team, the Wolverines are allowing 4.00 goals per
game.
Contributing Quickly
To say the freshman class is contributing would have to be considered an
understatement with four of the top five six scorers playing their first
seasons with the Wolverines. Evan Fox leads the team with 14-10-24
totals, while Krauss is second in total points with 11 and Lehman is
fifth with 3-7-10 totals. Freshman Bobby Morales (Bloomfield
Hills, Mich./Brother Rice) is currently sixth on the team with
6-3-9.
O’Leary Building Off
Late ’04 Run
After finishing the 2004 season with a five-game run that included
9-3-12 totals, O’Leary has started the 2005 campaign right where he left
off. Through six games O’Leary is tied for third on the team with
8-3-11 totals and with a six-game scoring streak, is already half way to
his season high in points which is 20, tallied last season. O’Leary
also tied his career high in goals with a three-goal effort vs. Arizona
State and also tied his career high in assists with two vs. Arizona.
Pre-Season Q&A with
Head Coach John Paul
With the strength of the team on defense, and considering some of
the losses up front to the offense, where are you looking for the bulk
of the scoring to come from?
It will be pretty spread this year. I'd be surprised if we have one or
two guys who emerge as our clearest threats. We're fairly deep
offensively, but we don't have any real superstars, which is kind of
similar to last year.
The Wolverines will face another difficult regular season
schedule, taking on a number of top-25 opponents throughout the year.
How do you think a difficult schedule like this prepares the team for
the USL-MDIA Championships?
Of course, it helps. We aren't playing UCSB or CSU this year, which is
disappointing, but we have some other outstanding teams on the schedule,
about half at home and half on the road. We have to become a better
road team, and this spring trip and our Texas trip later in the year
will go a long way toward showing if we can do that.
With an interesting combination of 12 seniors and 17 freshman,
which “unexpected" player from each class do you think might step up and
surprise everyone?
It's a unique mix for us. I think anyone who steps up for us on the
offensive end, other than maybe Ryan Clark, will be a surprise to anyone
not familiar with our program. We've graduated the "name" guys. We
have some guys I fully expect to step up, but I'd like to hold off on
naming names until they emerge on their own.
Having two full seasons under his belt, what can we expect from
Dan Webber in his last shot at a championship?
Dan has consistently improved every year. His confidence is very high
right now. He started to get some recognition at the end of last
season, so I don't think he'll surprise anyone. We expect him to make a
real difference for us this year. If he plays with consistent focus,
he's going to be hard to score on. One of the key areas he's really
improved is his clearing. He's deceptively fast, and he's worked hard
on his outlet and
passing skills. He's also worked hard on his strength. Dan is going to
be a real key for us this year.
Which team(s) do you think might be able to take the next step this year
and become a legitimate national power?
I think Arizona is poised to take that step. Our game there on March 2
is pretty big. We beat them here by one last year in a come from behind
win, and they beat us down there by one three years ago. They are well
coached and talented. Colorado, who we play here March 25, is also
right there. There are other teams like Oregon, Florida, Georgia Tech
and Florida State that are getting close, but getting there and staying
there for awhile are two different things - and all of those teams have
yet to prove themselves over a long haul. I also think Oakland has a
real shot a making some noise nationally this year. If they're going to
do it, this is their best chance. Our game with them on April 13 is
probably going to be the most anticipated CCLA contest ever. A lot of
people question our ability to go farther than we have, so I guess you
can lump us in there as well. I like our chances, but it's early to say
how we match up.
Michigan in the Polls
The Wolverines, who were ranked second behind Oakland in the pre-season
CCLA poll (six votes to five), were ranked #6 in the USL-MDIA Division A
Shamrock Lacrosse pre-season poll, ahead of #10 Oakland. In the third
poll of the regular season, Michigan held on to the #5 spot with a win
over Eastern Michigan The next poll will be released on Wednesday, April
6 on
www.uslia.com. Polls are released every two weeks throughout the
season.
Current USL MDIA Top 25 Poll Presented by Shamrock Lacrosse (Poll #3)
1. Colorado State (27 1st place votes) - 747 pts
2. Univ. of California, Santa Barbara (2 1st place votes) - 714 pts
3. Sonoma State (1 1st place vote) - 681 pts
4. Brigham Young University - 661 pts
5. Michigan - 641 pts
6. Arizona - 574 pts
7. Colorado - 564 pts
8. Virginia Tech - 506 pts
9. Oakland University - 490 pts
10. Boston College - 475 pts
11. Oregon - 391 pts
12. Univ. of California, San Diego - 382 pts
13. Florida State - 377 pts
14. Georgia Tech - 345 pts
15. Lindenwood University - 343 pts
16. Utah - 307 pts
17. Chico State - 278 pts
18. Cal Poly SLO - 221 pts
19. Miami University - 188 pts
20. Chapman University - 146 pts
21. New Hampshire - 143 pts
22. Minnesota-Duluth - 117 pts
23. Washington - 109 pts
24. (tie) Pittsburgh - 79 pts
24. (tie) Simon Fraser University - 79 pts
Contact: Joe Hennessy (734) 276-8493 – jjhennes@umich.edu
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