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2007 WINGATE
UNIVERSITY LACROSSE TEAM
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Wingate
2007 SEASON
OUTLOOK
The
Wingate University men’s lacrosse team entered uncharted territory in
2006. The Bulldogs (10-5 overall, 7-2 DSC) picked up the school’s
first-ever regular season Deep South Conference championship. Wingate
shared the 2006 crown with four other teams. With the bulk of the 2006
team back for 2007, expectations are high this year.
“We had a
strong season last year,” Wingate head coach Sonny Ziegler said. “Our team was
predominately freshmen and sophomores. We get them back with much experience,
playing important games and winning close games.”
The Deep
South Conference has a different look this year, with five teams competing for
the 2007 title. Wingate’s schedule will not change, as the Bulldogs will play
the former DSC members (now playing in the Carolinas-Virginia Athletic
Conference) as regional opponents.
“We are
playing the same teams and the rivalries are there,” Ziegler noted. “Honestly,
not much has changed. We have to stay healthy and take care of business on our
end. All teams must deal with these factors throughout the season.”
ATTACK
Junior
Kyle Costello is a returning All-DSC performer. He set the school record for
assists (36) in 2006, finishing fourth in NCAA Division II in the process.
Costello had 31 goals, making the magical 30-30 mark. “Kyle has outstanding
quickness and sees the field so well,” Ziegler said. “He is a great leader for
us.”
Junior
Mike Bayliss missed most of 2006 with an injury. “We moved him to attack to try
to better utilize his outstanding shot,” Ziegler noted. Sophomore Ryan
Otterblad rounds out Wingate’s first-line attackers. “Ryan has good size,”
Ziegler said. “He had a solid freshman season.”
A
sophomore and a redshirt freshman will be the first attack men off the Bulldog
bench. Sophomore Greg Williams is one of the most improved Bulldogs.
Redshirt freshman Angus Derbyshire missed his first Wingate season due to
injury. Both Williams and Derbyshire will play different attack positions in
different situations. Freshman Matt Miller will provide Wingate with
depth at attack.
MIDFIELD
“It is
nice to start the new season with the same midfield that played together for the
majority of the 2006 season,” Ziegler noted. Senior Bryan Safarik earned
All-American honors in 2006. He scored 43 goals and dished out 10 assists during
his junior season.
“Bryan
always draws the other team’s best defensemen,” Ziegler acknowledged. “Even
though they are keying on him, he still gets the goals.” Bulldog juniors Mark
Hodsdon and Stephen Torkington also return to starting roles in 2007.
Ziegler
believes Torkington’s move to the first line last year gave the Bulldogs another
strong offensive player. “When opponents were keying on Bryan, Stephen was
open,” Ziegler said. Torkington took advantage, scoring 28 goals as a sophomore.
“Stephen has always had a hard shot,” Ziegler said. “He learned to control it
last year and put it on goal rather then just shooting it hard.”
Hodsdon is
the “do-it-all guy” on the first midfield line. “Mark can do it all: he comes in
on the wings on face-offs,” Ziegler said. “He is great on ground balls. Mark is
a solid defender who can also contribute offensively. He gives us much
flexibility with this first group.”
The second
midfield line includes two newcomers and a senior. The veteran is senior Zach
Ritter. Ziegler compares Ritter to Hodsdon; a player who can pick up ground
balls, play good defense and contribute offensively. Sophomore Tommy Heberer
joins the Bulldogs as a transfer from Lynchburg College. Ziegler mentions
Heberer’s speed as a big bonus for the Bulldogs this year.
Freshman
Nick Northern rounds out Wingate’s second midfield rotation. A high
school All-American, Northern will be a “major contributor on the second line,”
Ziegler said. Northern had a solid fall practice. His playing time will increase
as he learns the Bulldog system.
Senior
Josh Hatchell leads Wingate’s third midfield line. He will bring much
leadership to the third line. Hatchell will work into the mix in specific
situations. Junior John Simpson will also provide support on the third
midfield line.
Wingate’s
defensive middies with the short stick are juniors David Olliver and
Bob Chinn. “I feel very strongly that David is the best at his position in
our conference,” Ziegler said. “He has a strong understanding of Wingate’s
defense and what is supposed to be happening out there.”
Chinn is
one of the top face-off men in the league. “He is a tough player who is great on
ground balls,” Ziegler said. “He will be our number one face-off man.” Junior
Dan Cook made significant contributions in 2006. He could miss the 2007
season due to shoulder surgery.
Sophomore
Bryan Egan is another strong face-off man. “He will be our second
face-off guy,” Ziegler noted. He will join the second line as a short-stick
midfielder.” Ziegler believes freshman Dan Fowler had a very impressive
fall. “He learns things so quickly,” Ziegler said. Fellow frosh Joe Whalen
will spend the 2007 season getting stronger and making adjustments to the
college game.
Wingate
has much experience at the long-stick middies position, as senior Robert
Cotton returns with three years of experience. “He is doing a great job
exhibiting maturity and helping out the younger players,” Ziegler said.
Sophomore Clay Westbrook made the switch from short stick to long stick this
year. “With our style of play, we must have two solid players at that position
during the game.”
GOAL
Following
an intense battle in the fall, junior David Suthers has emerged as the
starter. “David has really improved his ball handling skills this fall,” Ziegler
said. “He is making much sharper and crisper passes.”
Suthers is
a two-time DSC Player of the Week honoree during his career. Ziegler believes
Suthers’ increased confidence will be very beneficial for the Bulldogs this
year.
Sophomores
Evan Watts and Chad Watson will also contend for playing time.
Watts posted a 6-1 record in 2006. He is very strong at clearing the ball. A
left-hander, Watson brings another dimension to Wingate’s defensive schemes. “We
are very confident with David, Evan and Chad,” Ziegler said. “We feel our
goalkeeping situation is in good hands.”
 DEFENSE
The
Bulldog first line of defenders also returns intact for
2007. Junior Michael Watson was a first team All-Deep South performer in
2006. “Since his arrival on campus, Michael covers the other team’s best
attacker,” Ziegler said.
Sophomore
Evan Schaller gives the Bulldogs “another number one cover guy,” Ziegler
acknowledged. Senior Jim Garnham is without a doubt one of the top
success stories in the history of Wingate lacrosse. A three-year captain,
Garnham is a “terrific leader,” Ziegler said. “He has a great understanding of
the game and gets to the right place two steps quicker than anyone else because
he sees the field so well and sees the game.”
Senior
Tim Traynham is one of the strongest players on the team. He will be the
first person off the bench. Redshirt freshman Adam Krinsky has gained
much experience. He is ready to make a big contribution. Freshman Anderson
Muse has the skills to make a difference this year as well.
Wingate is
the pre-season pick to win the Deep South Conference. Ziegler knows the Bulldogs
will see each team’s best efforts. He believes Wingate will be ready. “We have
talked about this during the pre-season,” Ziegler said. “Other teams will come
out with their best effort. We welcome the challenge.”
| Check here often for updates on
Lacrosse at
Wingate. For further information, contact head coach Sonny Ziegler at Wingate University,
Campus Box 3054, Wingate, NC 28174, or telephone him at 704-233-8196 or e-mail: sziegler@wingate.edu. |
Please send all comments or suggestions regarding
the website to dsherwod@wingate.edu
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