2006 season preview

March 7, 2006

NORTON, MA- In his first season at Wheaton College, head men's lacrosse coach Peter Toner finally has a program to mold in his image and guide in his style. With last season's top-five scorers and a veteran-heavy lineup returning, Toner has made it clear he believes this team possesses the talent and the pieces to qualify for the four-team Pilgrim League Tournament for the first time since 1998.

"I don't think there's a team on our schedule that I look at and think, 'There's no way we can beat this team,'" said Toner, who spent the last six years as a player and coach at Pilgrim counterpart Springfield College. "Everyone on the team has a role, and they understand it, and it's just a matter of making it come together at the right time." Tim Robbins, a four-year midfielder at Springfield, joins Toner's staff this spring.

During his time at Springfield, Toner was a standout defenseman on the field before serving as defensive coordinator while on the coaching staff. Aptly, the first college team he will guide as a head coach has a strong backfield foundation.

"Overall, the defense is our strength, just because we're returning a lot of guys who played last year," stated Toner, who cited seniors Karl Koenigsbauer (Deerfield, MA/Pomfret School) and Kris Koerber (Brunswick, ME/Brunswick) as the cornerstones of the defensive unit. Koerber will serve as one of Wheaton's three captains this spring.

Toner said junior Chris Hade (Franklin Lakes, NJ/Dwight-Englewood School) is the team's best overall defender and will mark the opposition's top attacker, while sophomore Tom Ahern (Holliston, MA/Holliston) and freshman Marco Barbone (Newton, MA/Newton North) round out the corps as potential starters.

In the defensive half of the midfield, freshman Jeff Gomer (Duxbury, MA/Duxbury) will make an immediate impact and take face-offs, while sophomores Jordan Dubey (Chester, CT/Suffield Academy) and Mike Rabe (Lakeville, CT/Millbrook School) should see time in the starting lineup. Sophomore Kyle Muse (Walpole, MA/Xaverian Brothers) and freshman Nate Mauer (Alexandria, VA/Episcopal), who went to the NCAA Division III Tournament last fall as a member of Wheaton's men's soccer team, provide depth in the backfield.

To an outsider, the biggest question mark for the Blue and White's defense could appear to be goaltending, as the Lyons' two keepers have combined to appear in three college games in net, but Toner is confident in the abilities of sophomore starter Jeremy Beech (West Newbury, MA/Governor Dummer Academy).

"Jeremy has come so far since fall ball," commented Toner. "He's been getting better every week, and we expect him to be 'the guy' out there. He needs to have a consistent year for us, and if he does, we'll be very strong." Junior Tristan Colglazier (Lutherville, MD/Saint Paul's School), who played attack and defense last spring, has changed positions to become Beech's backup.

Lest the offensive aspect of Wheaton's game be forgotten, Toner has high praise for a pair of senior captains. "I've been in the Pilgrim League for the last six years, and I honestly believe we have two of the best midfielders in the league in Taylor Jackson (Middlesex, VT/Union 32) and Ellis Reavey (Longmeadow, MA/Longmeadow)." Toner said the team's offense will feed off of Jackson and Reavey, and he thinks Jackson is one of the best players in Division III. Jackson provided a team-high 27 points last spring, while Reavey led the Lyons with 19 goals.

Among the team's midfield contingent, senior John Sharry (Westwood, MA/Westwood) provides a sure-handed veteran presence and junior Larry Nussbaum (Glastonbury, CT/Avon Old Farms) will run on the first line. Classmate Andrew Rohan (South Hadley, MA/Avon Old Farms) moves from an attack position, where he notched 15 goals and 21 points a season ago, and sophomore Richie Rasamny (Redding, CT/Joel Barlow) returns as one of the team's top face-off specialists after winning 125 of 211 last year. Junior Taylor Palmer (Cross River, NY/John Jay) will get into the mix as he recovers from last spring's early season-ending knee injury, and sophomores Josh Daub (Coral Springs, FL/Saint Andrew's Catholic School) and Chris Hart (Center Harbor, NH/New Hampton School) should see time.

At attack, a trio of upperclassmen heads the offense. Toner considers junior Trey Helms (Cockeysville, MD/Saint Paul's School) the team's top attacker, as Helms and senior Adam Cohen (Montpelier, VT/Montpelier) each contributed 17 goals and 22 points in 2005. Junior Markus Ricci (Wayland, MA/Wayland), who is second in program history in career ground balls, has moved from the midfield and will serve as the Lyons' third attacker.

Toner expects the team to build upon the 6-7 overall mark it posted a year ago, when the Lyons went 3-5 in the Pilgrim League. Despite having such a short roster, he also looks for the success to come right away.

"We only have 24 guys, but we have the right 24 guys, and I know they want to win badly and get to the playoffs," said the first-year coach. "Hopefully we'll get these guys a taste of some postseason play. With the leadership we have, I'm confident we'll be in the mix at the end."

Wheaton opens the season with five straight non-conference road games before beginning its eight-game Pilgrim slate during its home opener on March 25 against Western New England College, whose only Pilgrim losses over the past three seasons have come to three-time defending conference champion Springfield. The Lyons travel to Springfield, which has won 43 of its last 44 regular season league games, on April 8. The Pilgrim League Tournament begins with semifinal contests on May 3.

"I'd love for Wheaton College lacrosse to build a great reputation as having players that show up every day to work hard, as a classy group of guys, and as a team that's going to be playing at the same speed," added Toner. "I want other teams to say, 'We're going to Wheaton. If we don't play well today, they're going to beat us.' Hopefully we'll send a good message this year to the rest of the league."

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 1/30/07.
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Upcoming Schedule

11-Mar Wed Keene State A 4:00pm
14-Mar Sat Elmira (NY) A TBA
17-Mar Tue Colby A 6:00pm