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Clarkson University Athletics

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Men's Lacrosse February 28, 2017

CU Men's Lacrosse 2017 Season Preview

Four years ago the Clarkson University Men's Lacrosse team lost in overtime in the Liberty League Championship game and came up just short of a trip to the NCAA Tournament, but in the past three years the Golden Knights have reached the conference tournament just once, something that the program looks to change with the coming dawn of the 2017 season.

The Golden Knights went 4-11 overall and 2-5 in the Liberty League last season, but the record doesn't tell the complete story of Clarkson's season. The Knights lost five games by two goals or less and with just a smattering of luck could have turned their season around. Twenty-ninth year head coach Bill Bergan and the rest of his staff simply need fortune to shine upon their veterans to get back into the Liberty League's post-season mix. 

The Golden Knights have plenty of offense returning from last year's squad, as only J.R. Campbell graduated among Clarkson's top 13 scorers from 2016. Senior Ryan DaRin helps run the attack, having led the team in scoring last year with 44 points on 31 goals and 13 assists, and junior Sam Groves was just one assist shy of tying DaRin for the team leading, scoring 30 points on 18 goals and 12 assists. Sophomores Marcus Lavarnway and Peter Herrick combined to play in 16 games last year and the duo produced six goals and an assist in their abbreviated time at attack. First-year collegian Conor Bartlett also could help immediately, while the return of junior Mathew Milne should help as well, as he scored four goals in his freshman season two years ago.

Clarkson received a large part of its offense from the midfield, specifically from three-time Liberty League All-Star Ryan St. Croix. The senior middie tied for the team lead in goals with 31 and already ranks among Clarkson's top 15 all-time in goals scored with 80. The first player that the opposition tries to stop, St. Croix scored at least one goal in 14 of the team's 15 games last year and he ripped more shots per game (8.93) than any other player in the conference in 2016. Classmate Scott Dosser is also not afraid to unleash a shot at the cage, ranking third in that category on the team in 2016, and he came through with 27 points on 22 goals and five assists last year. Kyle Brown, another senior, was also a solid contributor on offense with 14 points, including 10 goals, and junior Mark Uhlig added nine points last season, though he may play more of a defensive role for Clarkson in 2017. Junior Brendan Brady was also just a point shy of Uhlig's production thanks to five goals and three assists. Additionally, Anthony DiGiovanni and Derek White could play step in to play big parts in the Knights' success as impact freshmen in the midfield.

Clarkson loses the most depth on defense, including two-time Liberty League All-Star Keith Mierzwa, Austin Case, Ben Paprocki and Curtis Taylor, but the Knights still possess plenty in the defensive midfield and closer to the crease. First off, junior Brett Mazza and sophomore Shane Kilday rank as Clarkson's top returners for faceoffs, with Kilday also contributing on offense with nine points. Freshmen Ryan Gabriel and Kevin Munn will also share time at the 'x' to get Clarkson possession right off the bat. If they don't get enough of the draws, seniors Marc Simmons and Nate Smart will be physical enough to unfurl the opposition and regain possession as each was successful on getting groundballs and causing turnovers.

Perhaps the most important part of the equation for success in 2017 will come from Clarkson's defense. Bigger and finally healthy, the Knights have plenty of players from which to choose for the defensive zone. Senior Justin Gibson is back after playing in just four games last year, while athletic first-year player Cole German is giving Clarkson a shot in his senior season as well. Gibson is a solid 6-4 and he will be joined by other big defensemen. Sophomore Thomas Stanton, another 6-4 defender, played in 14 games and earned 10 starts as a freshman in 2016, while freshman Trevor Borchardt is a tough player to get around as well, listed at 6-6. Classmate Liam St. Croix isn't quite as big as his brother and former three-time Liberty League All-Star J.D. St. Croix, but he plays similarly and will add to the Clarkson defense. Junior Michael Nourse played in all 15 games last year to provide even more experience, while sophomores Kyle Mazurek and Brendan Sinko each competed in 10 games to get acclimated to the college game in 2016.

In the Clarkson crease, senior Nick Strandholm has the inside track as the returning starter for the Golden Knights posting a 10.73 saves per game in 2016. It will likely be his job to lose, but both junior Tim St. Croix and freshman Colin Holt performed well in the preseason and would be capable replacements if Strandholm falters.
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Players Mentioned

J.R. Campbell

#26 J.R. Campbell

A
6' 0"
Senior
Austin Case

#11 Austin Case

M
5' 7"
Senior
Keith Mierzwa

#10 Keith Mierzwa

D
5' 10"
Senior
Ben Paprocki

#28 Ben Paprocki

M
5' 9"
Senior
Curtis Taylor

#36 Curtis Taylor

M
6' 1"
Senior
Brendan Brady

#39 Brendan Brady

M
6' 1"
Junior
Kyle Brown

#37 Kyle Brown

M
6' 1"
Senior
Ryan DaRin

#17 Ryan DaRin

A
5' 10"
Senior
Scott Dosser

#5 Scott Dosser

M
5' 9"
Senior
Justin Gibson

#44 Justin Gibson

D
6' 4"
Senior
Sam Groves

#9 Sam Groves

A
5' 8"
Junior
Peter Herrick

#6 Peter Herrick

A
5' 11"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

J.R. Campbell

#26 J.R. Campbell

6' 0"
Senior
A
Austin Case

#11 Austin Case

5' 7"
Senior
M
Keith Mierzwa

#10 Keith Mierzwa

5' 10"
Senior
D
Ben Paprocki

#28 Ben Paprocki

5' 9"
Senior
M
Curtis Taylor

#36 Curtis Taylor

6' 1"
Senior
M
Brendan Brady

#39 Brendan Brady

6' 1"
Junior
M
Kyle Brown

#37 Kyle Brown

6' 1"
Senior
M
Ryan DaRin

#17 Ryan DaRin

5' 10"
Senior
A
Scott Dosser

#5 Scott Dosser

5' 9"
Senior
M
Justin Gibson

#44 Justin Gibson

6' 4"
Senior
D
Sam Groves

#9 Sam Groves

5' 8"
Junior
A
Peter Herrick

#6 Peter Herrick

5' 11"
Sophomore
A