Current Release: September 11th, 2007 | Vol. XXIV Iss. 10

Photo by Colleen Peterson

Pushing for success

By Julie Southard

For past two weeks the men’s lacrosse team has played solid, racking up five wins and only two losses against the nationally ranked Roanoke and Lynchburg Colleges.

This past Saturday, VWC fell to Lynchburg on their home turf. The Marlins showed strong efforts as they only tailed behind by two goals at halftime as the number three ranked Hornets lead the scoreboard 6-4. Seven different players landed shots in the net, and goalie Tom Skartsiaris blocked 15 shots from the nationally ranked team. However, the hornets kept the lead until the end by 15-7.

“We are 7-3, and the only teams we have lost to are ranked in the top five in the country,” said junior defender Todd Evans. “I think we are headed in a good direction.”

On Mar. 25 Brett Morris helped lead his team in the right direction as he highlighted the victory against Randolph-Macon with a career high of seven goals, which were all fired in the second half. This also tied with the fourth highest goals scored in a single game in Marlin history. The 11-2 victory brought the team to a sweet 7-2 record, already exceeding performance from the past two years of the program.

On Mar. 22, men’s lacrosse produced another victory with a 15-8 stand over Wesley College. After the Wolverines started the lead at 1-0, the Marlins stole it from there, scoring 12 consecutive goals. Dan Hofmeister led the Marlins with his season high of 8 goals, while Jordan Kenney fired in a hat Rick also tying his season high. Defense came through strong as junior Mike Canino pulled up six ground balls and Skartsiaris saved 12 for the Marlins.

The Marlins faced a more challenging game against Brockport University, but still came out with the win after a 13-10 battle. Again, Morris took action on offense, leading with six goals and Hofmeister followed with two goals and three assists.

Greensboro College faced the Marlins with a similar outcome as the other teams - a loss. The scoreboard once again read 13-10. This game, Hofmeister led the team with five goals and two assists. Morris came through with a helpful hat Rick and Skartsiaris blocked 15 of Greensboro’s shots on Wesleyan. Sophomore Scott Roberts and Evans led the defense with ground balls.

“Everyone played extremely well,” said Skartsiaris. “There is always room for improvement on both our offense and defensive sides.”

Evans shares similar views with his goalie.

“Despite the fact that we are winning games, none of that matters unless you win in the ODAC, which just happens to be the toughest conference in the country,” said Evans. “We need to start playing for a full four quarters and really put some teams away.”

On Mar. 8 the Marlins certainly did just that as they put Eilzabethtown College away with an 11-2 victory. Rookie Drew Langis led with three goals while seven other Marlins contributed to the scores with Marlin style. Brain Fugazy also contributed with three assists while Skartsiaris recorded 12 saves.

“All we are capable of doing is just getting better and better everyday and getting ready for our next opponnonet,” said Skartsiaris.

The Men’s lacrosse will next see action against Colorado College on Saturday, Apr. 8.