The men’s lacrosse team at Seton Hill University (SHU) has been making a lot of difficult improvements this year. With a lack of upperclassmen to direct the team, both sophomores and freshmen have had to step up and assume leadership roles.
Coach Brian Novotny, however, is confident in his team’s underclassmen. �We have 13 freshmen on the team this year. They have been doing an excellent job,� he said.
�We have several freshman playing key roles on our team. Joel Zalesky and Justin
Menefee are tied for third in points with 20 points apiece. John Groat, Ray Lindsay, and Bob Snyder have been doing an excellent job on the defensive side of the field.
By Kathleen Walker,
Staff Writer
The men’s lacrosse team at Seton Hill University (SHU) has been making a lot of difficult improvements this year. With a lack of upperclassmen to direct the team, both sophomores and freshmen have had to step up and assume leadership roles.
Coach Brian Novotny, however, is confident in his team’s underclassmen. �We have 13 freshmen on the team this year. They have been doing an excellent job,� he said.
�We have several freshman playing key roles on our team. Joel Zalesky and Justin
Menefee are tied for third in points with 20 points apiece. John Groat, Ray Lindsay, and Bob Snyder have been doing an excellent job on the defensive side of the field.
The list can go on and on. Almost every member of the freshmen class is contributing in a big way to our program,� said Novotny.
Novotny was also quick to point out the difficult transition freshmen lacrosse players must make.
�College lacrosse is a much different game than high school lacrosse- the game is much faster and more physical. It can be a tough transition for some freshmen,� he said.
The team has also had to overcome the injuries of various players throughout the season. Novotny and assistant coach Pete DeSantis have dealt with all kinds of medical setbacks.
�Sophomore Shawn Fink missed more than half the season with a broken thumb. Freshman Justin Menefee was sidelined with a strained hamstring for about two to three weeks. Freshman Nate Benya also suffered a torn ACL and is scheduled to have surgery once school is out, but has been able to continue playing with a brace,� Novotny said.
Though these injuries have had a major impact on the team, they are an inevitable part of college lacrosse.
�Lacrosse is a very physical game…Bumps, bruises, sprains, and concussions are going to happen. It is something that you try to prepare for the best you can,� said Novotny.
Novotny said the upperclassmen’s leadership skills were the team’s greatest strength.
�They should not be overlooked when it comes to our team, for they have helped to set the foundation for the future of our program,� he said.
Both Novotny and his players realize that there is a lot of room for improvement.
�The team needs to improve upon consistent play and being able to control games with what we do best. That being said, our team needs to determine what game strategies will allow us to influence the game in such a way,� said freshman player William Robbins.
Freshman player Michael Washington felt that the team’s defense could be improved.
�Next year I would like the team to improve defensively. We need a more intense defense that can intimidate and pull through in the clutch,� Washington said.
With a current 4-8 record, the team is looking forward to their upcoming game at Wheeling Jesuit University. Novotny knows that Wheeling will be a fierce competitor.
�It is their senior night, so I�m sure they will be ready to play,� said Novotny.
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