Salisbury preview
This entry is the final in a series taking a look at each of the seven Division III programs in this state according to their order of finish from last season. The Sun’s lacrosse preview is slated to be published on Thursday, Feb. 17. Today is Stevenson’s turn.
Overview: The Sea Gulls enjoyed the kind of success they have become accustomed to, winning 21 of 23 games, knocking off Capital Athletic Conference rival Stevenson twice, and advancing to their seventh NCAA Tournament final in the last eight years. But a 9-6 setback to Tufts in the title game left the players and coaches with a bad taste in their mouths. The motivation to make amends is there, but foes like the aforementioned Mustangs, Roanoke and Gettysburg loom on the horizon.
Reason for optimism: A program that has long been built on offense is quite stacked on defense this spring. Seniors Collin Tokosch and Nick Mooney return as starting defensemen, and junior Chad Surman, a transfer from Onondaga Community College and freshman Danny Sherr are competing for No. 3 role. Junior long-stick midfielder Andrew Sellers, one of the team’s better athletes, is completely healed after sitting out six consecutive games last season because of a knee injury, and coach Jim Berkman is excited about juniors Dean Rossi and Parker Dickerson at short-stick defensive midfielder. “We’re pretty excited about what we’re doing on the defensive end right now,” Berkman said.
Reason for pessimism: The attack graduated a pair of 40-goal scorers in Mike Winter (53 goals and seven assists) and Jake DeLillo (43, 22). Junior Matt Cannone (51, 33) is back, but junior Erik Krum missed last season after undergoing knee surgery and junior Tony Mendes is still getting acclimated to making the move from the midfield. But a second group that could include juniors Kyle Quist, Lantz Carter and Evan Hammersly and freshman Zack Ward could provide some punch. “The attack is a work in progress because there are a couple new guys down there,” Berkman conceded. “But we’re playing together every day and the attack has a lot of promise.”
Keep an eye on: Salisbury ranked fifth in the country in scoring by averaging 15.5 goals per game, and one factor was the play of face-off specialist Ryan Finch, who won 60.5 percent of his face-offs. Junior Justin Radebaugh, a transfer from UMBC, sophomore Tyler Granelli and freshman Chris Turner are competing for reps, and Berkman isn’t ready to tip his hand on who has the edge. “I think it’s all going to play itself out,” he said. “From one day to the next, one guy is a little bit better than the other. Nobody’s defined himself as the better guy. I think you need a couple guys, but obviously, you need a No. 1 guy who can get some confidence and get into the flow of the game. That’s what we’re working through right now.”
What he said: The Sea Gulls boast a first-team All American in junior midfielder Sam Bradman and a pair of second-teamers in Tokosch and senior goalkeeper Johnny Rodriguez. That trio along with a few teammates form the foundation for Berkman’s confidence about his team. “I’ve always said that you have to have a somebody at each position that is probably a borderline first-team All American to be a championship contender,” Berkman said. “I think with Johnny Rodriguez returning, we have one of the best goalies, Tokosch and Mooney are two of the better defensemen in the country and obviously Sam Bradman is – if not the best – one of the best players at almost any level, and Cannone scores a lot of goals. When you have five guys of this quality that you’re building around, you always have a chance.”
