Wakely announces captains for 2006 season
11/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
King is a four-year starter and leader of the Mountain Hawks defensive unit. The
Wakely continues, “Jeff has previously served as a captain, but in more of a secondary role, allowing the upperclassmen to lead with their words, while Jeff was a ‘lead by example’ kind of guy. He was tremendous in that role, but now he’s learning how to become more of an effective leader in a more primary role. What he’s learned over the past few years will serve him very well this upcoming season.”
King led Lehigh in ground balls with 47 in 2005, including seven in a victory over No. 25 Penn. King also scooped up six ground balls and added a goal against No. 15 Army, and recorded nine ground balls versus No. 12 Bucknell.
After an injury to his knee in the spring of 2004, Jeff Wiener worked his way back to become an integral part of the Mountain Hawks midfield last season. Wiener was switched from the midfield position to attack during his sophomore campaign, but just a few days before his first scheduled start, he injured his knee, cutting short his season. Wakely was impressed with the way Wiener attacked the rehabilitation process. “Jeff showed his character in the manner in which he rehabbed and trained to come back. He was diligent, consistent and determined to return as a junior and compete for a role on last year’s Patriot League Tournament qualifying team.”
Wakely continues, “Jeff displayed his leadership qualities after a move back to the midfield spot and on the extra man unit. His teammates recognized his character in electing him as a captain and the coaching staff appreciates his value to the team, moving him back to the attack position, where he can be most effective.”
Wiener saw time in 13 games a season ago, and finished the season tied for fourth on the team with eight assists. He also scored three goals and scooped up five ground balls. The
A fifth-year senior who originally did not come out for the lacrosse team, Dane Kasschau has worked very hard to become an integral part of the program. Kassachau walked-on to the Mountain Hawks team during his sophomore season, and has now seen time in 18 career games. In 2005, Kasschau picked up his first collegiate point, recording an assist in Lehigh’s dramatic 12-11 overtime victory against Patriot League foe Colgate.
Wakely offers his thoughts on the marketing major. “In spite of our recruiting classes becoming more and more competitive year in and year out, Dane continued to add value to what we were attempting to accomplish. He has executed every role he was offered and in doing so, gained the respect of the coaching staff and his teammates.”
He continues, “As a fifth-year senior, his maturity will be a profound resource for our program, both on the field, in the weight room, and all over campus.”
As Lehigh continues its training into the winter months, and then hits the practice fields come second semester, Wakely and the entire Mountain Hawks program will look to these three young men to lead Lehigh on its quest for a second consecutive berth in the Patriot League Tournament, and ultimate quest for a league championship.
