Garden City, N.Y. - The 2013 men's lacrosse season was highlighted by an impressive 13-3 overall record, 8-2 Northeast-10 mark, a semifinal appearance in the Northeast-10 Tournament, nine All-Conference performers, five All-Americans and consistently being ranked among the nation's top-10 week after week through the course of the year.
Despite the successful season in the books, the Brown and Gold were unable to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament as they did in 2011 when they were the national runner up.
“Last year we came up shy of our goals,” stated Head Coach Gordon Purdie. “We only lost to two teams, both nationally ranked and in our conference. We know how important our conference games are and how it will affect us when it comes to earning a berth into the NCAA Tourment so we have to be on point when it comes to facing these teams.”
In his sixth season at the forefront of the men's lacrosse program, Purdie is eyeing another NCAA appearance and is ensuring that the schedule is setting them up to compete against some of the top schools in the country.
“Our goals are to win the NE-10 Championship and be selected as one of the four teams from the north in the NCAA Championship Tournament and make it to the Championship as we did in 2011. To do that, we created one of the toughest schedules in the NCAA.”
With a squad comprised of 22 new faces, 15 of which are freshman, the Panthers have a young and diverse team which will make senior leadership a crucial piece of the puzzle in order for the team to be successful. Additionally, they will have to learn to play together very quickly if they plan to make a deep run into post season play. If the team chemistry clicks early, Purdie will have the fire power and many different weapons at his disposal to combat any type of situation the team will face.
“This year, our team has worked extremely hard. With so many new faces, players are constantly learning about each other's tendencies, strengths and style of play. We as coaches have tried to create practice situations and scrimmages that will help prepare the team for the tough schedule in front of us.”
The 2013 Panther squad will be without the familiar face of Joe Vitale who graduated as the programs fifth all-time leading point and goal scorer. Vitale was also last year's leader in points (66), goals (39) and assists (27). Additionally, Danny Blau concluded his four year career donning the Brown and Gold and ranks ninth all-time in career assists (78).
“Anytime you lose All-Americans that have managed to post a top-10 career achievement, you will struggle to fill the position the following year. It is bitter sweet to see them leave because they were my first recruits. We have had to recruit hard and globally in an effort to fill the void.”
Attack
This year's front line will consist of a mix of newcomers and experienced attackers that will have to learn to play together very quickly if they want to be an effective goal scoring unit and match the 200+ goals the Brown and Gold offenses have posted each season over the past two years. Senior Vinny Coiro is the only returner on the attack from last year's squad but will be joined by transfers Nick Watson from Manchester, England, Ikerson Hopper out of Onondaga, N.Y. and Salvatore Tuttle from Massapequa Park, N.Y. who should all see significant playing time and play crucial roles up field.
“Our attack will see many new faces, each of whom brings different styles of play that complement one another and open up the field, creating scoring opportunities. They all have the ability to attack the cage, finish and score goals which should pose problems for the opposing goalies.”
Last year, the Panthers were third in the country in scoring offense, averaging 12.75 goals per game.
Faceoff
Following a breakout year that included First-Team All-Conference honors, USILA All-American Honorable Mention and an ECAC All-Star nod, Gregory Puskuldjian makes his return as the Panther's go-to face off man. Last year, the junior won 145 of 205 face offs to post the highest face off winning percentage in the country (.707).
“Greg has continued to improve over the summer months and I anticipate him to gain possession for us off the face off and give us valuable possessions off the ball.”
He will be joined by Rashad Cureton, a graduate student transfer from Stony Brook. “With the addition of Rashad, they push each other in practice and continue to improve every day. Rashad and Greg have two very different styles, each effective in their own way. This should enable us to counteract the different oppositions and quickly adjust to the new faceoff rules.”
Long Stick Midfield
The second highest returning goal scorer is long stick midfielder, senior Kevin Kennedy. In 2012, the Massapequa, N.Y. native registered 18 points on 12 goals and six assists while starting and playing in all 16 games.
“Kevin is a flashy long pole with great stick skills and vision. His first few years as an offensive midfielder have given him a unique style that allows us to push the ball in transition. With the new rules, Kevin's role will not only make him a threat as a defender, but also cause problems for the opposition's defense.”
Kennedy will be joined by NJCAA All-American Tyler Felice-Jennings. The senior transfer helped Onondaga Community College to their fourth straight NJCAA Championship last year and was named the Defensive player of the Year. “Tyler can give much needed support and strengthen an already strong back line. I'm very excited to see how well both of these guys will play this year.”
Defense
A strong defense is the backbone of the success Purdie has enjoyed. Last year, they allowed just 97 goals and held opponents to just 6.06 scores per game which ranked them fourth in all of Division II. A large part of their tight defense was due to senior Jeff Melsopp and juniors Vincent Alestra and Wayne Marx. The veterans should be the pillar of the back line and will receive help from several newcomers including Joe Giardina.
“Our back line is coached by Ernie Olson,” says Purdie. “He has done a fantastic job since joining the staff. This year, we return all of our starters and have added some additional support. Returning so many players on the defensive side of the ball will give us experience and allow us to be aggressive and pressure the ball all over the field.”
Midfield
Heading the midfield will be senior veteran Joe Celano who returns as Adelphi's top scorer from a year ago. In his junior campaign, he posted the second highest amount of goals with 27 to compliment his five assists.
“I feel that Celano is one of the best two-way middies in the country. And with the new rule changes, it will enable him to play both offense and defense. Fortunately for us, we added quite a number of freshmen and transfers that will take advantage of the new rules of not having to sub after the ball goes out of bounds.”
This year's rule change features the elimination of the horn so that substitutions may take place without the necessity of waiting for suspension of play by an official. Additionally, when a stall warning is issued, the team with possession of the ball has 30 seconds to get a shot off.
Also, sophomores Joseph Sciara and Jamie McAndrew will be called upon in the midfield to join Celano. The duo combined for nine goals and one assist last year.
“With the return of Joe, Jamie and Joe, I feel comfortable with our midfield and their capability of playing together and work with our new attack line. Much of our practice has centered around uneven opportunities off the dodge and moving the ball to get the best scoring opportunity. We have many new faces which will give us plenty of support and depth this season.”
The Brown and Gold return their reliable goalkeeper and two-year mainstay in cage in Eric Janssen. The graduate student started in all 16 games last year, was tied for second in Division II in save percentage (.626) and fourth in goals against average (6.08). Janssen was named the NE-10 Goalkeeper of the Year and Second Team USILA All-American in 2011 and has the experience on the big stage to keep the Panthers in it when the game is on the line.
“I'm thrilled to see Eric is returning for his final year here with us. He has championship experience and over the last two years and as a returning captain, has provided great leadership to the program. ”
Upperclassmen Aidan Bennardo has worked hard this spring as well. Last year, the senior saw 171:54 minutes of action in eight games, made 36 saves on 90 shots faced, allowed just 18 goals for a goals against average of 6.28 and a save percentage of .667.
“Along with Eric, Aidan will see some time this year in the cage. He is not only a hard worker in practice, but also a great stopper goalie who will make our defense better.”
Schedule
Of the 13 games Adelphi has on their slate, five of those teams that are ranked in the top-12 according to the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association, three of are NE-10 competitors.
The Panthers kick off their season with two difficult games right off the bat beginning with longtime rivals, #9 LIU-Post on Saturday, March 2 in front of the home crowd on Motamed Field. They will follow it up with another home stand a week later against former East Coast Conference rivals, #6 NYIT.
March 16 marks the first NE-10 contest and first road game as the Panthers travel up to Manchester, New Hampshire to take on Saint Anselm College. Perhaps one of the most difficult obstacles in an already tough schedule will be on Saturday, April 6 when they host #3 Le Moyne. The Dolphins are the reigning NE-10 Champions and beat the Brown and Gold 9-6 last year in their only meeting.
In their final home game on April 20, #5 Merrimack comes to Garden City in what will be yet another test of their schedule. The Warriors accounted for two of the Panther's three losses last year; once in the regular season and once in the NE-10 playoffs.
Adelphi closes out their regular season on the road at Bentley on Saturday, April 27 before heading into the conference tournament.
