Bucknell University Athletics
Changes in Store for Bison Men's Lax in 2006, But Title Hopes Remain the Same
2/24/2006 7:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
Feb. 24, 2006
The Bucknell men's lacrosse team opens its 2006 season on Saturday against Hobart at the Haverford School in Philadelphia. Game time is 2 p.m. Click HERE to listen to Hobart's live audio broadcast. The Bison were ranked 25th in the Inside Lacrosse preseason poll and third in the Patriot League preseason poll. Following is a 2006 Bucknell season preview.
The theme for the 2006 Bucknell men's lacrosse team could be summed up in a Bob Dylan tune, for the times they are a-changin'.
For the first time in the history of the program the Bison have undergone a coaching change, and on the field they will have to replace an All-American who led the nation in scoring in each of the last two years, their entire short-stick defensive middie rotation and the player who took about 90 percent of the team's faceoffs over the last two years.
Sounds like a daunting task, but ask new head coach Frank Fedorjaka about the upcoming season and he will quote another Dylan title: "I Can't Wait."
"We know we graduated an outstanding senior class," says Fedorjaka, who was an assistant coach under the legendary Sid Jamieson for the last seven years and was named his successor shortly after Jamieson announced his retirement prior to last season, "but we also see it as a tremendous opportunity for our younger talent to step in. This program has competed at a championship level for many years, and I have no question that we have the ability to compete for a Patriot League title this year. We are placing a lot of emphasis on chemistry and team building, and as we head into the season the team chemistry is outstanding. I am so excited to coach this team. We just seem to get better every day."
The highest-profile loss is the school's all-time leading scorer, Chris Cara. A Third Team All-American, Cara tallied a whopping 249 career points, including a national-best 78 in 2004 and 66 last spring. While the Bison likely won't have an individual post those kinds of eye-popping numbers, two veteran attackmen return, as well as what should be a deeper and more experienced midfield unit.
Junior Brian Gargan had been expected to take over Cara's role as the primary ballcarrying attack, but a preseason knee injury will jeopardize his season. One of the program's most improved players since coming in as a walk-on, Gargan pocketed 13 goals last season playing both attack and midfield. Another junior, Kirk Klett, is an outstanding crease attackman who tied Cara and the graduated Patrick Christensen for the team goal-scoring lead with 29 last season. Klett is hardly a one-dimensional finisher, however. He can also play up top or at the X, and he will be asked to move around and become a playmaker.
Freshman Joe Mele made a wonderful first impression during the fall season and is a leading contender for the third attack spot. Another freshman, John Togneri, is also a potential impact player, and Fairfield transfer Matt Castele will also contend for playing time.
"We won't be as predictable this year," says Fedorjaka. "We should be much more balanced offensively. We can dodge from all different areas with all different players. Our first two midfield lines are very good, which should allow us to be more midfield-oriented than in past years. Last year we almost always attacked from behind the goal with Chris Cara. Now we will need to be more balanced."
Junior Steve Case and sophomore Nick Marks are sure to be part of the starting midfield unit. Case had a breakthrough sophomore season, when he scored or set up a number of big goals. He scored 12 goals and was second to Cara on the squad with 16 assists. Marks, who has a cannon of a shot, came on strong late last season and finished with eight goals.
Sophomores John Schlicher and Rick Carolan are both improved middies and will be pushed by an outstanding rookie class. Freshman Doug Buckley was very impressive in the fall and Fedorjaka feels he could be playing with the first midfield line by opening day. Perry Menzies, Alex Simoes and Mike Thon also figure to contribute immediately.
At the faceoff X sophomore Austin Sanders is the top candidate to replace All-Patriot Leaguer Ryan Goodman. Goodman handled the bulk of Bucknell's draws over the last three years, but last season Sanders actually posted a better percentage (.532). Thon is also an excellent faceoff man and will compete with Sanders at that critical position.
"Neutralizing the faceoff X can't be a major issue for us," says Fedorjaka. "We have two guys who we think can do that, and we should have better wing play this year."
The Bison defense will be a mix of the old and the new this spring. The backbone of the defense will be senior Michael Abou Jaoude, a First Team All-Patriot League defenseman, and senior goalie Matt Baran, a Second Team All-Patriot League pick.
Abou Jaoude is one of the Patriot League's elite cover men, a big, physical defender who will almost always mark the opposition's best attackman. Baran ranked among the national leaders in both save percentage (.588) and goals-against average (8.06) while posting an 8-5 record a year ago. He has developed into a very consistent backstop while maintaining his flair for making the spectacular save. Baran is also one of the fastest players on the team and is very adept in the clearing game. Baran will be backed up by freshman Matt Antonelli, a promising and capable replacement if needed.
While senior Chris Carillo will be lost for the season after having heart surgery in February, junior Greg Sowyrda and sophomore Evan Burns both have starting experience along with Abou Jaoude on close defense. Factor in sophomore Patrick Krause and promising freshmen Scott Collins and Tom Izard, and this should be one of the team's deepest positions.
Both of last year's top long-stick defensive midfielders return in junior Paul Stansik and sophomore Tommy Orr, and both are potential all-conference players who bring excellent size, takeaway skills and stickhandling ability.
The short-stick d-middie area is a concern, as Bucknell graduated four outstanding players in Goodman, Daryl Seymour, T.J. Wallace and John Salvesen. Fortunately, the team's depth in the offensive midfield and at close defense has allowed Fedorjaka to shift some veterans over.
Most notable is sophomore Mark Lane, who earned a starting middie spot as a freshman last year. While Lane has the speed and craftiness of an offensive player, he is also a big hitter who possesses excellent cover skills. Senior Patrick Lenhart, a co-captain along with Abou Jaoude and Baran, also moves from the offensive end to defensive midfield.
Junior Danylko Kulczycky will put away the long pole and play with a short stick this spring, while sophomore Patrick Keeney is also vying for playing time.
Freshmen Billy Haire, who can play any of the defensive positions, and Michael Cooke are also capable of contributing right away at SSDM.
"It all starts with the defense," notes Fedorjaka. "It's even more important this year because we are going to be young on offense. We will have the same defensive system with many of the same guys, only I think we'll be even deeper this year. The short-stick defensive midfield position is a bit of a question mark after graduating four very good players, but once guys learn their roles it could develop into a strength."
The "new-look" Bison will be tested early against a very difficult schedule. Bucknell opens the season on Feb. 25 against former Patriot League rival Hobart. Following non-conference games against Mount St. Mary's and Butler, the Bison travel to San Diego for a First 4 showdown with defending Patriot League champion Navy on March 11. The Midshipmen will have revenge on their minds, as Bucknell knocked off second-ranked Navy in Lewisburg last season in one of the biggest victories in school history. The game will be televised live on CSTV.
"The Navy game is a great opportunity for us," Fedorjaka says. "To play a program like Navy in California on national television, it is just great for Bucknell. The guys are really excited about it, and I think we'll go out there and play very loose."
The Bison return home from California and immediately face a date with another national power in Maryland in College Park. Another western trip looms in mid-April, when Bucknell travels to Air Force and Denver for two games in three days. Other non-conference foes include Penn and Penn State.
In addition to the Navy game in San Diego, another Patriot League tilt to circle on the schedule is the Apr. 7 home game with Army. The Bison and Black Knights have engaged in some classics in recent years, and the Orange and Blue will look to return the favor after suffering not one but two excruciating one-goal losses to Army last season. The Cadets won the regular-season meeting 7-6 on a goal with 20 seconds remaining in regulation, then they captured a 9-8 overtime decision in the Patriot League Tournament semifinals.
"We try to put together a non-conference schedule that will help prepare us for the Patriot League Tournament," says Fedorjaka, who will be assisted this year by former Ohio State star Pat Myers. "Teams like Hobart, Maryland, Penn and Penn State are all tremendous programs, and we are looking forward to playing two rapidly improving teams in Air Force and Denver in a Friday-Sunday trip, which simulates our league tournament format."
If the Bison can successfully wade through that challenging schedule, Fedorjaka will be whistling a happy tune next May.
