Bucknell Men's Lacrosse Set for 2020 Campaign

LEWISBURG, Pa. – The key to the Bucknell men's lacrosse team's 2020 campaign will be building, and then maintaining, momentum.

"I'm excited to get off to a good start," said head coach Frank Fedorjaka. "Last year, we had a very difficult schedule and lost some close games early. From that point on, it was hard to generate momentum. We didn't really figure out how to win until the end of the season. This year, the plan is to get on a nice roll early in the season, take advantage of having eight home games to build momentum and ride it through Patriot League play."

The Patriot League figures to be wide open in 2020. The league graduated the majority of its All-Americans, and All-Patriot League First Team selections, from a year ago, meaning that almost every team will be looking for returning players and newcomers alike to take on new or expanded roles.

"The league graduated a lot of All-Americans, and First Team All-Americans at that," Fedorjaka said, highlighting Loyola's Pat Spencer and Jacob Stover, Army West Point's Johnny Surdick and Lehigh's Craig Chick. "The league is still going to be very competitive, but there are a lot of teams that need to create a new identity. It will be interesting to see which team gets off to a hot start and which team can finish strong."

A year ago, the Bison were the team that needed to create a new identity. Following a memorable 2018 season that saw them go 11-4 overall, rank as high as 10th nationally and capture a share of the Patriot League regular-season title by going 7-1 in conference action, they lost their three starting attackmen and three starting defenders to graduation; that decorated group included USILA All-Americans Will Sands and Sean O'Brien and three-time All-Patriot League honoree Matt Gilray.

This year, in contrast, Bucknell returns its three starting attackmen, three starting defenders and the majority of its defensive midfield; the holes the Bison have to fill come in net, the faceoff x and the offensive midfield. Fedorjaka has confidence in the players he has coming back, as well as the ones he's brought in, noting that they gelled into a true team during fall ball.

"This year's team doesn't have any superstars, per say," Fedorjaka said. "It's very much a team-oriented team, and that can be a good thing. We'll have a balanced offense; we have very skilled attackmen and athletic midfielders. We're returning almost all of our starters on defense, and they're a talented group. This year's team is unique in that we have only five seniors, but all five have significant roles. I'm confident they'll be able to lead the team."

Attack
Returnees: Colin O'Brien, Brenden Lundy, Tommy Sopko, Alston Tarry, Will Yorke
Newcomers: Jack Billitier, Brian Miller

Entering the 2019 campaign, Bucknell's attack unit was one of its biggest question marks. Fedorjaka acknowledged, at the beginning of that season, it would be impossible to truly replace a player like Sands, who joined a pair of Bucknell Athletics Hall of Famers as the only Bison to reach the 200-point plateau over the course of their career. At the same time, Bucknell lost Connor O'Hara, who exceeded 30 goals in each of his two seasons as a starter.

In the end, Tommy Sopko, Alston Tarry and Will Yorke stepped up for Bucknell, ultimately accounting for exactly 58 percent of its goals scored over the course of the 2019 season. With all three back in 2020, Fedorjaka believes that the Bison's attack unit will be one of its biggest strengths.

"We're really excited to have our starting attack unit back," Fedorjaka said. "All three of those guys had to take on new roles. Now, they're all going to have the same role they had last year, and they're all building on that experience. I'm very excited for their production this year."

As a freshman in 2018, Sopko started alongside Sands and O'Hara. With Sands running the offense, the former Philadelphia High School Player of the Year was mostly tasked with going to the goal and generating scoring chances from mid-range. Last year, Sopko took on an expanded role; not only was he expected to create opportunities for himself, he was also charged with creating opportunities for his teammates.

"Tommy was the third guy his first year, and last year he had to step up and take on a different role," Fedorjaka said of Sopko, who boasts 67 points (52g-15a) in 30 career games. "He worked really hard on his off hand and on being able to set up his teammates. He's much more of a complete player now, and he has two years of starting experience under his belt. And, with Alston and Will's evolution, we're excited for Tommy to be able to do more of what he does best, which is being that mid-range guy who goes to the goal when it's a little unsettled or when he has a good matchup."

Yorke was one of Bucknell's breakout stars in 2019. After spending his first two seasons in a reserve role, he led the Bison in goals (34) and points (45) en route to earning a spot on the All-Patriot League Second Team. Fedorjaka praised the 6-foot-4, 205-pound senior for being the rare mix of size and skill.

"When Will's on, he's very, very difficult to stop," Fedorjaka said. "He's a natural lefty, which adds a different dimension to our offense. He's also really creative. At times last year, he was a bit streaky. He'd score in bunches. He's been practicing at a very high level this year, and I expect him to be more consistent in terms of his production."

Tarry made an impact as a freshman in 2019, finishing third to Yorke and Sopko in both points (36) and goals (25). Notably, he posted team season-high totals in points (9) and assists (4) during the Bison's mid-April rout at Lafayette.

"Alston has terrific vision," Fedorjaka said. "He can go to the rack and create for himself. He can find the open guy. He's also dangerous in transition because he can really shoot the ball from the outside."

Offensive Midfield
Returnees: Matthew Barkauskas, Sumner Brumbaugh, Grayson Burns, Brendan Egan, Jared Hodell, Garrett Sweely, Zach Tucker
Newcomers: C.J. Baroni, Logan Bushweller, Jack Feda, Brett Hobbs, Harry Wellford

While Bucknell graduated its top midfield line from a year ago, Fedorjaka is still excited about the depth and talent he has at his disposal. Sophomore Matthew Barkauskas, senior Grayson Burns and junior Brendan Egan all logged significant minutes a year ago and are ready to take on larger roles; in addition, a pair of transfers, freshman Harry Wellford and sophomore Brett Hobbs, are poised to make an immediate impact.

"We did graduate three seniors who logged a lot of minutes and had very strong careers," Fedorjaka said of Reed Malas, Tom Smith and Ryan Durkin. "But we still have a lot of talent at offensive midfield. I'm excited for what they'll do and what they'll bring to the team."

Barkauskas, who started his career at attack before switching to midfield in the middle of his freshman campaign, earned high praise from Fedorjaka. A blue-collar, aggressive player, he also displayed a knack for always making the right play.

"Matthew is a really balanced player," Fedorjaka said. "He does everything at full speed, and he's very skilled. He can set up his teammates and throw a great skip pass. He always seems to make the right play."

Burns played in nine games each of the past two seasons, netting six goals on 12 shots. Like Burns, Egan is transitioning from reserve to starter. A year ago, he netted his first collegiate goal during his only start at Richmond.

"We expect Grayson and Brendan to have big years," Fedorjaka said. "Grayson is an exceptional shooter with a really quick release. He's doing a good job of dodging the short stick and getting to the goal to make his own shot. Brendan is a go-to-the-goal midfielder who has really polished his skills."

Wellford, a transfer from the University of Virginia, and Hobbs, a rare mid-year transfer from Penn State, will also be in the mix to start.

"I'm really excited about having Harry and Brett," Fedorjaka said. "Harry is a do-it-all midfielder who was a three-time U.S. Lacrosse All-American in high school. He can really attack the goal, and he has a great shot. Brett is a big kid who will add a different dimension to our midfield. He's going to need to learn a lot of stuff in a real short amount of time, but we expect him to find a role and help us out this year."

Fedorjaka also highlighted junior Sumner Brumbaugh and sophomore Zach Tucker as two offensive midfielders who could make an impact in a reserve role.

Defensive Midfield
Returnees: J.J. Alicea, Nick Clarke, Matt Farrell, Matt Fedorjaka, Hunter Newman (LSM), Reid Delanois (LSM), Ben Wilkinson
Newcomers: Luke Diiorio (LSM), Jack Goller, Joe Scattareggia

Bucknell's defensive midfield will have a familiar look in 2020. With seniors Hunter Newman and Matt Fedorjaka back to lead the charge, Fedorjaka believes that the Bison will excel at disrupting opposing team's offenses and clearing games.

"Hunter and Matt communicate very well," Fedorjaka said. "They're two experienced guys who have logged a lot of minutes and understand what it takes to win at this level."

Newman, Bucknell's primary long-stick defensive midfielder, has played in 42 career games, including all 30 over the past two seasons. He enters his senior year with 64 ground balls and 32 caused turnovers.

"Hunter is a great communicator and a playmaker," Fedorjaka said. "He's a really smart player, especially off ball. He's great at intercepting the ball and sliding. He's able to win 50-50 ground balls, and he's great at anticipating plays."

Matt Fedorjaka, Fedorjaka's son and the quintessential coach's kid, is poised to make his senior year his best yet in the orange and blue. A former attackman and basketball point guard at Lewisburg High School, he combines tenacious defensive play with vision that allows him to make an impact whenever he finds himself with the ball in the offensive end.

"Matt is a bigger defensive midfielder," Fedorjaka. "It's hard to get through him. You have to go around him. He knows the defense as well as anybody I've coached. He's good in transition, and he's good at clearing. When he gets the ball in the offensive end, he always makes the right play because of his time as a high-school attackman and point guard."

Junior Nick Clarke rounds out the Bison's "starters" at defensive midfielder. A year ago, he transitioned from the offensive side of the ball and totaled 15 ground balls and six caused turnovers.

"Nick is a real good cover and ground ball guy," Fedorjaka said. "He now understands the defense a lot better than he did a year ago. He's very physical. He's flies around out there and makes a lot of plays."

Backing up Newman at long-stick defensive midfielder is sophomore Reid Delanois, a natural lefty who will take the majority of the wings on faceoffs. A pair of former offensive midfielders, juniors J.J. Alicea and Ben Wilkinson, will be in the mix to see time at short-stick defensive midfield. Freshman Joe Scattareggia impressed Fedorjaka during fall ball and could also see action on the second line.

Defense
Returnees: Bryant Boswell, Frankie Higgins, Phil Puccio, Conor Shears, Travis Talarico
Newcomers: Hank Bethel, Carter McCullough, Ethan Opdahl, Andrew Stanzel

With two All-Patriot League performers back in senior Conor Shears and junior Bryant Boswell, Fedorjaka believes that Bucknell's close defense will be among its biggest strengths.

"It's great to have two All-Patriot League guys back," Fedorjaka said. "When attackmen try to pick or exchange, we can have Conor and Bryant switch because they're equally talented."

Boswell started all 15 of the Bison's 2019 games at defense, finishing third on the team in ground balls (38) and caused turnovers (16). In the Patriot League quarterfinals at Boston University, he logged season-high totals in ground balls (6) and caused turnovers (3).

"'Boz' plays angry," Fedorjaka said. "He's such a physical, aggressive player. He's our best cover guy, and opposing players hate going up against him."

Shears enjoyed a breakout year in 2019, leading the team in caused turnovers (25) and placing third among defenders in ground balls (26). Notably, he caused a turnover in all but one of his 14 starts.

"Conor is a complete player," Fedorjaka said. "He's worked hard to develop his game and become a guy we can count on. He can cover, slide, scoop up the ground ball, run it up the field, clear it and maybe even score."

Entering the season, sophomore Travis Talarico is listed as Bucknell's third starter at close defense. A year ago, he was a valuable long-stick defensive midfielder and faceoff wing for the Bison, and Fedorjaka praised him for having "a good nose for the ball."

Sophomore Frankie Higgins, who Fedorjaka said will have "a huge role as a fourth defenseman and guy who can take wings on faceoffs," and freshman Hank Bethel, who Fedorjaka believes "has a very bright future ahead of him" are also expected to be key contributors.

Goalie
Returnees: Ben Clark, Jack Van Slyke
Newcomers: Daniel Parson

In 2020, Fedorjaka has the unenviable task of replacing his first ever four-year starter at goalie. Fedorjaka, who is in his 15th season at the helm of the Bison program, and 20th season overall as a head collegiate lacrosse coach, said that Christian Klipstein will be greatly missed.

"It's a huge hole to fill, not only in terms of making saves, but in terms of his leadership and communication," Fedorjaka said of Klipstein, a two-time All-Patriot League honoree who graduated third in school history in career saves (593). "You never can replace a certain player, and this situation is especially unique in that Christian was a four-year starter for us. I never had one before him, and it might be a long time before I have one again. He was very vocal and understood the defense very well. In some respects, it was like having a coach out on the field."

Junior Ben Clark and sophomore Jack Van Slyke battled for the starting job throughout fall ball, with Clark narrowly edging Van Slyke out. Fedorjaka said that Bucknell fans can expect to see both in net over the course of the 2020 campaign; he also noted that, while both are very talented, he isn't asking either of them to be the next Klipstein.

"We're not going to expect, or even ask, Ben or Jack to run the defense like Christian did," Fedorjaka said. "We just need them to be solid in between the pipes and in the clearing game. It's definitely been an ongoing battle. They competed in the fall, and it went back and forth. Both are capable of being our starting goalie, and they'll have a strong defense in front of them to help them out."

Faceoff Specialist
Returnees: Nick Crovatto
Newcomers: Cam Hollander, Conor McCusker

For four years, Bison fans could expect to see No. 3 in the faceoff x. Jarett Witzal completely rewrote the Bucknell record book during his time in Lewisburg, graduating as the school record holder in seven different statistical categories, including career faceoff wins (609) and single-season faceoff percentage (.6173).

As he can't with Klipstein, Fedorjaka doesn't expect to truly replace Witzal. However, he has faith that sophomore Nick Crovatto is ready to step into the starting role.

Crovatto, a two-time state champion in high school who won over 750 career faceoffs, saw limited action as a freshman in 2019. The majority of his time in the x came against No. 6 Loyola (6-for-17) and in the Patriot League quarterfinals at Boston University (8-for-14); he collected five ground balls against both the Greyhounds and Terriers, accounting for his entire season total.

"Whenever Nick had extended time in the x, he did very well," Fedorjaka said. "He's a great athlete who's strong and quick out of his stance. He's going to win most 50/50 ground balls. He's great off the whistle, and he's also really good at countering. He can tie up his opponent and make it a 50/50 situation. He's a clear No. 1 guy, and I'm excited to see what he can do."

Players Mentioned

J.J. Alicea

Matthew Barkauskas

C.J. Baroni

Hank Bethel

Jack Billitier

Bryant Boswell

Sumner Brumbaugh

Grayson Burns

Logan Bushweller

Ben Clark

Nick Clarke

Nick Crovatto

Reid Delanois

Luke Diiorio

Ryan Durkin

Brendan Egan

Matt Farrell

Jack Feda

Matt Fedorjaka

Jack Goller

Frankie Higgins

Brett Hobbs

Jared Hodell

Cam Hollander

Christian Klipstein

Brenden Lundy

Reed Malas

Carter McCullough

Conor McCusker

Brian Miller

Hunter Newman

Colin O'Brien

Ethan Opdahl

Daniel Parson

Phil Puccio

Joe Scattareggia

Conor Shears

Tom Smith

Tommy Sopko

Andrew Stanzel

Garrett Sweely

Travis Talarico

Alston Tarry

Zach Tucker

Jack Van Slyke

Harry Wellford

Ben Wilkinson

Jarett Witzal

Will Yorke

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