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Feb. 16, 2004
Charlottesville, Va. – A segment of the mission statement for the Virginia men’s lacrosse program reads “to guide these young men along the path to becoming selfless, thoughtful and responsible adults. It is our firm belief that winning conference and national championships is consistent with reaching those goals. We will graduate, we will win and we will conduct ourselves in a manner respectful of the University’s highest ideals.” Last season’s Cavalier squad graduated all 11 fourth-yearmen, won both the ACC and NCAA Tournament titles and was selected the recipient of the Jim Adams Sportsmanship Award, as voted by the officials for all Division I institutions.
This year’s edition is in hot pursuit of these same goals. Even a casual observer would be impressed with the quality of effort that marked fall and preseason workouts.
“We have a strong core of returning players and some talented newcomers who have demonstrated a firm resolve in pursuit of consecutive national championships,” said head coach Dom Starsia.
A schedule that includes a first-ever trip to Denver, Colo., home games with Syracuse, Princeton, Johns Hopkins and Duke and hosting the NCAA Quarterfinals at Scott Stadium certainly set the stage for another exciting spring. “Capturing a third NCAA title since 1999 will require the leadership of experienced veterans at both ends of the field and the meaningful development of some younger ones in between,” says the 12th year head coach. “Everyone has set his sights on a return to the Memorial Day action.”
ATTACK
A young unit that improved steadily throughout last season will now be asked to shoulder much of the early offensive responsibility. Juniors John Christmas, and Joe Yevoli, and sophomore Matt Ward all scored more than 45 points last season to give the Cavaliers one of the strongest attacks in the nation. “They form a dynamic unit whose various skills and complementary relationships combine to create a myriad of problems for opposing defenses,” notes Starsia.
Christmas led the way with a career-high 36 goals last spring despite always drawing the opponent’s top defenseman. “John’s exceptional quickness and athleticism tend to mask his intuition and deft skills around the cage,” says Starsia. “He earns all of his points.”
Yevoli underwent somewhat of a role reversal last season as he emerged as the “quarterback” of the attack. He led the ACC in goals (40) as a freshman two years ago before turning around and leading the league in assists (26) last year. In the process he became the first player since Doug Knight in 1996-97 to go from leading the conference in goals one year to leading in assists the next. “He can split effectively with either hand and dodges with formidable authority,” comments Starsia.
Ward turned in a big rookie year, finishing as one of only two freshmen nationally to score 20 goals (26) and record 20 assists (20). “Matt is poised beyond his years and his game is nearly complete,” says Starsia. “He has consistently demonstrated that he can pressure a defense with the pass or the dodge.”
Senior co-captain Justin Mullen is a tireless worker who brings a wealth of experience to game situations. He notched three goals last season and is expected to compete for the fourth attack spot. Also competing for the fourth spot is junior Brendan Gill. He worked hard in the fall and has earned the confidence of his teammates and the coaching staff with his maturity and steady influence.
Freshmen Eric Pittard and Adam Fassnacht both exhibited flashes of their potential throughout the fall. Pittard is smart and tough with excellent hands and is a very good shooter. Fassnacht is a “bull” and one of the program’s strongest players. He is an opportunistic athlete who became the first athlete ever to receive first-team Washington Post All-Met honors in three distinct sports last year as a high school senior.
MIDFIELD
The most dramatic change to this year’s squad occurs in the midfield. Stalwarts Billy Glading, Chris Rotelli and A.J. Shannon have taken their four years of experience and 303 combined points with them to the working world, providing plenty of opportunities for some new faces to take on more significant roles.
Red-shirt junior co-captain Ted Lamade returns to the field after missing almost two seasons due to an ankle injury. He redshirted last season and is a “full go” this spring. Lamade led the team in scoring in the fall scrimmages and “his being selected a captain by his peers speaks to his leadership qualities,” notes Starsia.
Juniors Nathan Kenney and Jack deVilliers also bring valuable versatility and experience to the midfield. Kenney continues his development as one of the top two-way middies in the game according to Starsia. “He will be counted on to defend and to take advantage of unsettled offensive opportunities.”
deVilliers was one of the most improved players in the nation last season as he emerged as a premier faceoff specialist, winning nearly 60 percent of his attempts. He has worked hard in preparation for this season and is also expected to stay on the field and be a contributor on both ends of the field according to Starsia.
Junior Hunter Kass has not seen much action in his first two years, but he has worked hard to improve his athleticism and is fighting for a spot on one of the top lines.
Four sophomores played important roles during last season’s championship season and all seem poised for break-out campaigns this season. Kyle Dixon ran on the first midfield with Rotelli and Shannon throughout 2003 and scored nine goals. “Kyle is a big, strong athlete who attacks and shoots with both hands,” Starsia comments. “His placid demeanor belies a passionate instinct.” Matt Poskay can play midfield or attack. Poskay, who scored five of his seven goals in the national playoffs, has an uncanny ability to get open without the ball and his teammates have gained the confidence to find him in any number of situations. Foster Gilbert has an attackman’s vision and presence and is dangerous in invert opportunities. According to the coaches, he is working hard to develop confidence in his ability to dodge “off the top”. J.J. Morrissey is one of the program’s toughest and quickest players. He gained considerable experience last season as a short stick defensive middie and is expected to see time on the offensive end this spring.
Four additional sophs also join the fray for time in the midfield. Mike Abbott played mostly as a faceoff man behind deVilliers last season, but he is a a forceful dodger who shoots it effectively with both hands and should be ready to contribute more this year. Charlie Glazer remains one of the team’s unsung heroes. A tough competitor who works very hard as one of the reserve face-off men, he has shown an ability to contribute as well.
Jared Little and Newton Gentry were both out during the fall, but their presence will have a lot to say about the team’s offensive production from the midfield. Among the most talented players in the program, they are both dangerous and explosive offensively. Little redshirted last season while recuperating from a foot injury, but he was on the second unit two years ago as a freshman.
Red-shirt junior Jon Focht may also be ready to contribute. He is among the program’s best athletes who has been injured and away from school.
The most complete midfielder on the team may be freshman Drew Thompson says Starsia. The head coach cites his ability to faceoff, defend and dodge with poise and conviction. He is likely to find his way onto one of the top units. Fellow newcomer Simon Manka is perhaps the fastest player on the team. He missed fall ball recovering from shoulder surgery, but his return makes the midfield all that much deeper.
DEFENSE
Two new starters on the close defense will surround returning All-American Brett Hughes. Hughes has started every game in his career, while covering all the best attackmen in the country. Clearly one of the nation’s best defenseman, “Brett has always been a passionate leader,” says Starsia of his athletic senior co-captain. “Every bit of his experience will be required to bring together a defensive unit short on experience but with breathtaking athleticism and energy.”
The candidates to join Hughes in the back are almost all sophomores or freshmen.
Sophomores Steve Holmes and Michael Culver were with the first unit in the fall. Holmes returns after a year away and may be on a short list of the game’s best athletes. He started on the close defense in the 2002 NCAA semifinals and is fast and aggressive. Culver captained the U.S. Under-19 National Team that won the World Championship last summer. He saw most of his time last season as a longstick midfielder. Starsia says Culver “has an engine that burns white-hot,” while adding, “If Michael had his way, he would pick up an attackman ‘coming off the bus’.”
Sophomore Chris Ourisman earned most improved honors during fall ball. No one worked harder during the offseason to prepare for this season that Ourisman, who is versatile enough to see action in the midfield and behind. Fellow soph Patrick Buchanan was injured for most of the fall season. He gained significant experience during last spring’s championship season and is another strong athlete being counted on to play a key role this year.
Two freshmen also began to demonstrate their potential during fall workouts. Drew Jordan has a very sophisticated stick and could play in a number of spots. While expected to redshirt this season, James King has proven a quick study and a hard worker with tremendous potential.
When discussing his defensive candidates, Starsia says it is “still to be determined” what their ultimate spots on the field will be.
However, senior Andrew Agoliati and freshman Ricky Smith are most likely to see action in the defensive midfield. Agoliati is fast and strong and has shown to be a dynamic face-off wing. Smith is aggressive, poised and may be the best checker of all the long sticks. He has a knack for making plays in the middle of the field. Freshman walk-on Mike Kirkman is a converted middie who has taken to the long stick.
GOAL
Tillman Johnson’s play during the ’03 Championship Weekend remains one of the outstanding individual performances in NCAA Tournament history. It was fitting that the lacrosse public got to witness what the Virginia players and staff see on a daily basis. “Tillman is one of the program’s hardest workers and exhibits a considerable joy and passion in his daily routine,” says Starsia of the player considered the best goalie in the land. He and Hughes will need to anchor a young, excitable defense in 2004. Red-shirt junior Ryan Thompson comes back to the program after a semester of study and will again be a most valuable and steady reserve. Sophomore Doug Brody continues to make strides in the weightroom and on the practice field. Two newcomers have impressed everyone associated with the program. Kip Turner is quick and strong to the ball and displays uncommon poise in a difficult position for a first-yearman. Bud Petit will redshirt this spring in preparation for future action. He is also a solid stopper and at 6’3″ may be one of the finest young passing goalies to come along. “We now have outstanding depth at this position,” says Starsia.