Lehigh University Athletics
2002 Preview
9/18/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
For the second consecutive season, Lehigh’s men’s lacrosse team had high expectations entering the 2001 season, and for the second straight year, the Mountain Hawks failed to meet the high standards they had set for themselves. Despite back-to-back disappointing campaigns, Lehigh has plenty of reasons for optimism as the new season approaches. For starters, the team has a new head coach: Chris Wakely. Wakely has tasted success in his young coaching career, and brings great enthusiasm to the bench at Ulrich Field. Even though there is a new coach roaming the sidelines, many of Lehigh’s best players from the 2001 team return in 2002, including eight starters. "There is a new excitement, a new energy in the program," says first year head coach Chris Wakely. "We want to get this team back to where it was in 1999 (when Lehigh captured the Patriot League championship), and then beyond that." One of the strengths on this year’s squad is the balance between the strong offense and solid defense. With so many players returning, plus a very talented freshman class, the Mountain Hawks are poised to return to their successful ways on the field. Lehigh’s offense showed last year that it could put points on the board (10.6 goals per game), and the success of this year’s squad is predicated on the ability of Lehigh’s attackers to continue to score. The Mountain Hawks’ attack will once again be anchored by seniors Gabe Osorio and Christian Castellani. Osorio was a first team All-Patriot League selection as a junior, netting 26 goals and scoring 36 points. Castellani, a second team selection, led all Lehigh scorers with 33 goals and 46 points last season. Seniors Anthony Lowe (14 goals and 2 assists last season) and Matt Testa (5 goals and 3 assists as a junior) will be expected to contribute offensively for Lehigh this season. Junior Grant Wasch (18 goals, 15 assists as a sophomore) has come up big and produced in his first two seasons, and Lehigh is counting on him to have another strong season. Three newcomers to the Lehigh offense – Tim Butler (Latham, NY), Andrew Lucas (Baldwin, NY), and Greg Morin (Mineola, NY) – will attempt to crack the lineup and earn playing time as freshmen. Returning seniors David Cohen and Michael Rabinovitz lead a group of athletic and talented midfielders. Cohen continued to do an impressive job dishing out the ball last season. After finishing fifth in the nation in assists per game as a sophomore (2.85), Cohen led the team again last year with 25 assists, while adding seven goals. Rabinovitz showed his versatility by scoring nine goals (17 points), and finishing second on the squad with 65 ground balls. Senior Tom Richardson (6 goals, 3 assists) helped out in a variety of ways last year in the midfield, and his versatility will be just as important to the Mountain Hawks again this year. Lehigh returns an experienced defensive group that will be shouldered with the responsibility of keeping the ball out of the net. Senior Tim Gosser was named to the second team All-Patriot League for his defensive prowess last season. He led the team with 77 ground balls. Senior Trevor Twist, and juniors Scott Carpenter and Thomas Toepke will also bear the burden of cutting off opponents’ scoring chances. Twist captured 36 ground balls in 13 games last year. Carpenter finished third on the squad in ground balls (49) and also proved his versatility on the defensive end. Toepke saw action in 12 games for Lehigh (11 starts), and should see significant minutes again this season. With the departure of goalie Russell Kushner, the netminder’s position is up for grabs. Sophomore Matt McNerney is the leading candidate for the starting goaltending job. He appeared in five games last season, making 26 saves. Also competing for time in the net will be junior Bill Gugliemo. Appearing in four games last season, Gugliemo came up with 11 saves. Once again, Lehigh is faced with tough competition and another challenging schedule including play within the Patriot League, as the conference remains among the leaders in men’s lacrosse play. Last season, Lehigh showed that it could compete with several top teams, including Denver (top 20), Hobart (top 20), Towson (top 5), and Bucknell (NCAA Tournament qualifier). With so many returning players, Lehigh has the experience needed to be one of the better teams in the conference and compete for a league title. "This year’s conference is wide open," said head coach Chris Wakely. "The Patriot League is one of the best in terms of quality, high-level Division I lacrosse. There are so many good teams in our league, that almost anyone has a chance. We’re as talented as any team in the conference, so expect us to be competitive within the league this season."
