UDM Expert extraordinaire and GLS contributor Reg Hartner gives his take on the 2012 season for the Titans. Prepare yourselves for 3,000 words on Detroit.
The 2011 Titan Lacrosse banquet was both an end and a beginning. Detroit bid farewell to senior Tim Shoemaker, and also to assistant coaches Matt Karweck and Bill Kozyra. It was a night to reflect on the accomplishments of the year and put closure to the 2011 season. While Shoe was taking his final bow, the returning players were already talking about the offseason and preparing for next year.
IMPORTED FROM DETROIT.
Getting within one game of the NCAA tournament was a great accomplishment for a third-year program, but now it’s about MAAC Championships and outworking the competition to get there. The juniors were not trying to minimize the successes of 2011, but they felt like they had unfinished business.
When I congratulated McDonald on making it to the MAAC final I was given a polite but blunt response of “Thank you. Let’s hope it’s the last moral victory we’re stuck settling for.” I loved the kid’s response and knew that while a lot of people make claims about outworking the competition, McDonald wasn’t going to let anyone outwork him or his team.
Season Themes
There are plenty of questions regarding personnel, but a couple that are a bit bigger than that: a change among assistant coaches, and the arrival of a Blue neighbor to the Southwest.
New coach Bill Tully seems to have a lot of talent to work with on offense (about which much more in a moment), and depth is something the previous coaches have not had. It seems the team is really responding well to him. This will be the Titans’ third offensive coach in three years, but a clean slate to work with might be just what they needed – instead of adapting last year’s schemes for the return of Matthews, they’ll start anew. In other coaching moves, Bill Kozyra was replaced by Karl Zimmerman. They fill different roles so it’s going to be tough to compare them. Bill spent nearly all of his time scouting, breaking down film, and running the man down unit. He was a tireless worker, and his effort in the position will be tough to replace. Karl is more of an offensive mind and had tremendous success as a player. He’ll assist Tully with the offense, run the box on game day, and work on the scouting and film duties too.
Michigan’s appearance hasn’t affected the recruiting going forward or attitude of this year’s team. Both schools pursued Will Meter (who chose Michigan) and Sergio Perkovic (who picked Notre Dame). Will is a great player and great kid, but I’m not sure he would be starting at UDM like he is at Michigan. The Feb. 12 game against Michigan is getting some chatter with the younger players. Yes it will be fun to play to a packed house, yes it’s the first home game of the year, and yes it will be a chance to prove to people that they are not a “Cream Puff” on Big Blue’s schedule. The vets, however, are more concerned with larger goals for the season.
Attack
Heading into the season there seemed to be only one question on everyone’s mind. How would Shayne Adams and Joel Matthews be able to share the ball? Matthews was the man in 2010 and Adams did it in his absence in 2011. Sharing is the least of my worries. Shayne and Joel both grew up in St. Catharines and have been playing lacrosse together since they were kids. They still play box together for the St. Catharines Athletics and are good friends off the field. Also, Shayne’s knee is fine. He got fed on the crease three times in The Hill scrimmage with lots of contact each time and not once did he shy away from the hit or come up favoring the leg. Psychologically and physically he seems good to go showing it with 3G and 2A in the scrimmage.
Alex Maini does not have the third starting spot locked up, and Brandon Beauregard is definitely ready for the next level. Maini had to sit out the scrimmage for an undisclosed violation of team rules and Bo took full advantage of the opportunity. He started and led the team in scoring with 3 goals and 3 assists. I knew he was ready to play college ball, but I didn’t see that offensive explosion coming. Whomever starts against Delaware, the leash will be short now that there are depth guys waiting on the sideline.
This isn’t a controversy, it’s a blessing. Two years ago I thought Matthews had some immature moments on the field, but they were so desperate for his offense and thin on the bench that they couldn’t take him out. I think he’s matured a lot in his year off, but there is still depth to pull him – or any player on the starting line – if you need a coaching moment.
If you start any three of those four guys, you’re going to have a dynamic attack out there. Throw in sophomores Wes Steen and Tom Masterson, and you give Scotts Harris and Drummond opportunity to play at midfield to build depth there, and get a more balanced offensive output.
This is what The Hill scrimmage looked like.
Tyler Schroer seems like another one of these diamonds Coach Kolon keeps finding in the rough. Every practice he just seems to be in the right spot to put the ball in the back of the net. He picked up two goals against The Hill and though he’s not flashy, he gets the job done. He seems to be earning some playing time, and one of the seniors told me “He’s got more natural talent than most of our guys and he’s a natural lefty. He might not see the field much this year, but he’s going to be huge in the future”.
While the defense will set the tone for the team this year, this attack unit will win a lot of games for the Titans. I’m counting on them to put a number of games away early so we’re not counting on big stops from the D like they’ve needed in year’s past.
Offensive Middies
The biggest thing that hindered the Titans’ offense last season was productivity from the Midfield. Tim Lehto and Chris Nemes had some decent stats, Ty Maruyama was the leader of the unit, and they got some limited production from Matt Lining, John Nowicki and freshman Troy Dennis. However, they couldn’t roll multiple lines while keeping a scoring punch. That should change this year. With Matthews back at attack and Bo looking ready to contribute from day one, I see three clearly defined lines and nine guys that will fight for time and the ball. Each line will also have two dodgers, so the LSM can’t just lock onto one guy and shut the line down.
Lehto, Harris, and Drummond form the top line. Lehto is one of the fastest players in the league and it seems his shot is more accurate than in the past. When clutch time comes, he is going to be clearing and running the offense from up top. Harris is the one I’m really excited about. He will be drawing a short stick almost every time he’s on the field with Lehto occupying the LSM. I expect him to invert a lot and get tons of assists to attackmen when the double comes. Drummond sat out The Hill scrimmage, but had been practicing with the top line prior to that. He was an All-American at Seaholm, and transferred in from D3 power Roanoke. I expect to see him in the field a lot. He is a good athlete that can complement Harris’ size and Lehto’s speed.
Maruyama, Dennis, and Nemes. Ty is the unit’s leader and just a rock on the field. Troy Dennis is one of the hardest working kids in the program and has a cannon from the point while Nemes has proven he can score and is valuable on the man up unit. In years past, the second line was just asked to not screw up, and now they are going to contribute. Again, if the pole takes Nemes I expect Troy and Ty to be freed up to do some damage.
Mike Birney, John Nowicki, and… TBD. Birney is a freshman that enters with great expectations. He is a natural athlete that was also the starting quarterback at football powerhouse Detroit Catholic Central. In transition, he’s got a cannon for a shot if the D does not slide in time. The questions with his game come in settled offense. At CC he was asked to do it all, now we have to find out if he can play a role. Nowicki was a role player last year, but will be asked to contribute this year. He’ll be expected to step up his output (7G and 4A last year) and be the leader on this line as a senior. I expected Beauregard to be the 3rd member of this line, but he opened eyes with his performance against The Hill. He may slide back here so Maini is in the starting lineup- allowing the Titans’ best players to get on the field together – but could start at attack.
Two other names I’d look at are Alex Wilson and Nick Schesnuk. I was told that Wilson is the most improved middie from last year and Schesnuk is the best pure shooter on the team. My dark horse is Thomas Sible. It seems like he’s had about a dozen knee surgeries, but if the speed is back he’s going to be tough to keep off the field.
FOGO
Faceoffs were often a struggle for UDM in 2011
I don’t think I’m going to hurt anyone’s feelings by saying that the faceoff unit was not a strength of last year’s team. The good news is that Tyler Corcoran developed a reputation as the hardest worker in the offseason, and improved as much as anyone. I think this will still be a position handled by a committee of Brandon Davenport (last year’s No. 1 FOGO) and Corcoran, but freshman Tyler Harper and senior Danny Preston – who missed the last two years with injury – could also contribute. Ultimately, the numbers will speak for themselves and the guy that is winning faceoffs will get more draws. The good news is that Houtby, Janer, Garippa and MacLean can cover for a lot of mistakes with solid play on the wings.
D Middies
LSM Jordan Houtby is a stud and if he played for Duke or Syracuse Quint Kessenich would be gushing over him every broadcast saying he’s the next CJ Costabile or Joel White. He can change a game, and it is no fluke that he was second in the nation in caused turnovers. On the other end, not many LSM’s can brag that they had a game winning goal, but the guy can do it all. He should get a little more respect from the refs this year and if he can cut down on penalties (20 committed last year for 19:30), he’s going to be even better.
His running mates are senior captain Brad Janer and sophomore Nick Garippa. Janer is one of the program’s natural leaders, helping develop D-middie depth on the roster, and priding himself on doing the dirty work. Garippa was recruited as a long stick out of Notre Dame Prep, but made the switch to short stick within his first few weeks on campus to join a line with Houtby and Janer. He loves contact, loves to be on the ball, and never backs down from anyone. He really put in work on the wall in the offseason and should be much better in the clearing game. He has great speed and size and I expect several transition goals to start with Nick even if he doesn’t get credit with the “hockey assist”.
The depth is a question mark. Jon Bemben has moved to LSM after 3 years at SSDM and will probably split time with sophomores Brian Smith and Kevin DiSalle. Joe MacLean and Drew Schupbach are experimenting at LSM but will probably stick to short stick this year. Freshmen Damien Hicks and Chris Mandell have great speed, senior Adam Parrottino has some game experience, and sophomore Tim Robertson will be looking to crack the lineup too. The Titans really play aggressively on defense as evidenced by their Division-1-leading 186 caused turnovers last year. That style will provide opportunities for second- and third-line defensive midfield units. My guess is Bemben, MacLean and Schupbach earn the playing time, but that could easily change.
Defense
The aggressive style of defense predicated on causing turnovers will not change. Three-year captain Jason McDonald will again lead the unit with his presence in the middle. He’s a big, loud, mean, and physical leader back there, but he’s not the guy most teams will be most afraid of. Junior Jamie Hebden is back after being named team Defensive MVP as a sophomore. He’s bigger (probably up to 200 from 185 last year) and more physical, and he hasn’t lost a step. He’ll again be asked to shut down the other team’s top player, but should be better on slides and play the body like McDonald can. He hasn’t shied away from contact in the past, but this year you can tell he’s looking for it. I expect he’ll be right back among the nation’s premier takeaway defenders this year and he’s looking for first team All-MAAC honors.
Who joins the captains on the starting line is the big question. Jonathan Dwyer has the most experience, but he is such a similar player to McDonald (a vocal, physical leader) that he might better serve the team as McDonald’s backup. He is a competitor that wants to be on the field, but could be more valuable replacing McDonald than playing alongside him. Adam Nolan is a senior that got the start against The Hill. He’s experienced, but needs to play with more aggression if he wants to be the man. The other options look like freshman Joe Gifford or Chris Shevins. Gifford is more mobile and is great on the ball, while Shevins is big and specializes in of-ball D and loose ball situations. Even if he doesn’t get the GB, his presence is felt. Brian Smith could also get some time down there. I’m not sure if they see him as an LSM or close D, but his versatility is valuable. Gun to my head: Dwyer gets the start.
UDM took a transfer from former University of Detroit Jesuit HS defenseman Mike Wenderski. After a few years playing football and lacrosse at St Vincent College he’s back home and playing for the Titans. It’s not often you can drop a 6-4, 240-pound freak athlete onto your roster out of nowhere. Wenderski was recruited for football, basketball, and lacrosse as a Cub, and he could be one of the fastest guys on the field in a flat out sprint. All the paperwork has to get through compliance, but he should be in the rotation by league play. Even as a scout team member for the next few weeks, that’s a HUGE addition.
No matter who steps up I expect this unit to again to set the tone for the Titans all year. They will be aggressive and take a lot of risks that will result in a ton of takeaways. They will need depth and a goalie that can again make some tough stops when needed.
Goalie
Junior AJ Levell has started every game for the past two seasons. However, I heard very early in practice that Chris Kelly was standing out as a guy that would be challenging for the starting job if he was a sophomore and not a true freshman. He is a great ball-stopper, but he looked like a freshman in communication and clearing. Fellow frosh Damie Danseglio hails from Long Island, so he’s used to seeing great shooters. He is a natural leader in the net, and also look experienced beyond his years.
When the Titans took the field to play The Hill, Levell wasn’t dressed and Kelly got the start. Canadian shooters can give yougn goalies fits, but in the first 30 seconds of the game he made a huge save on his off-stick hip that I was sure was going to be a goal. You could feel the sigh of relief from the coaches after that save, and he settled in and played great. Zero goals, five saves and strong clearing. I know it’s only a PG team and not Delaware, but he looked like a veteran back there. Damie played the 2nd half behind mostly backups. I had him down for eight saves, while giving up a man-down goal, one transition goal, and two even strength goals.
My money is on AJ to start against Delaware. Like the attack spots, however, he’s got guys waiting in the wings that can step in if needed.
Overall
Will there be more celebrations like this in 2012? Photo by Jim Davenport
The team has made huge leaps in each of the previous offseasons, and now they are all D1 recruits. The program-building stuff is over, and like McDonald said at the banquet, it is time to leave polite compliments behind and start winning. They are probably going to take their lumps against squads like UNC and Georgetown, but I don’t look at any game on the schedule and just write it off as a loss.
It’s going to be a fun year watching these guys. Success will come down to playing disciplined ball, improving the faceoff unit and getting big stops from the goalie. With a defense that plays the style they do, someone needs to make big saves when the chances they take come up short.
The coaches are stacking a great recruiting class behind this team, but the time is now for the seniors and I think they’re ready to accomplish the last program “firsts”. MAAC Champions and NCAA Tournament Qualifiers.
If I’m pressured for a season prediction I’m going to say 10 wins and an NCAA berth, but Siena and Marist are the two that stand in the way.
Many thanks to Reg. Delaware preview will go up later tonight.
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