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March 13, 2009

Cardinals on road in lacrosse

By CRAIG KNOWLES

PLATTSBURGH — The Plattsburgh State men's lacrosse team will hit the road for a seven-day swing to play four games on their annual spring break.

The Cardinals last year went 2-2 on their four-game road trip, defeating Western Connecticut and Fontbonne and dropping games to Eastern Connecticut and Montclair State.

"I think that we upped the schedule from last year," Plattsburgh State head coach P.J. Kavanagh said. "We played three pretty good teams (Western Connecticut, Eastern Conneticut and Montclair State and one weaker team in Fontbonne.

"This year there is no easy games on our road trip."

Plattsburgh (2-1) will face a familiar foe in their first game as they take on Western Connecticut today at 2 p.m. Last year, Plattsburgh defeated the Colonials 14-13.

The Cardinals added three different teams to their schedule taking on Goucher, 4-1, (Townson, MD) at Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School in Virginia Beach, Va. on Monday at 1 p.m., followed by a game on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at Mary Washington, 3-2, (Fredricksburg, VA) and finishing up their swing with a game the following Saturday March 21 at 1 p.m. at SUNY Maritime, 2-1, (Throggs Neck, NY).

"We are playing two Southern Region teams (Goucher, Mary Washington) that the school has never played before," Kavanagh said. "It is good for us because it shows us new styles, new region and new types of players which all helps prepares us for the different styles ahead."

Kavanagh enjoys the trips outside the region because not only is it an opportunity for the players to play but also looks at it as a recruiting aspect as well.

"We are going to see good competition and it helps us broaden our recruiting search," Kavanagh said. "It isn't a fun road trip we play four games in seven days."

This road trip will also have a different feel to it as the Cardinals stayed within five to six hours from home. This year the longer trip will be a little longer and tougher.

"I love the road trips," Kavanagh said. "We get away from the distractions of home, the dorms and being at home and go on the road and play our game."

The Cardinals have been strong in their first three games of the season scoring 17.7 goals a game, which ranks currently seventh in the nation and allowing just 11 goals a game.

Also, Plattsburgh boasts two strong scoring threats Luke Weidlein, who has 14 goals and seven assists good for fifth in the nation with 21 points. Kyle Norchi cracked the top-20 with his 13 goals and five assists for 18 points. Matt Maes also made it on the point leader board with his one goal and 13 assists good for 14 points. Maes is also second in the assist category.

"Maes as absurd numbers especially being form the midfield," Kavanagh said. "He just is a hustler."

Tom Cerny, who has also been strong on the season for Plattsburgh (8-2-10) will also be a threat up top.

"It is a reflection of the style we play and it is a great thing and great publicity for the school and the program," Kavanagh said. "All of the attackers goals reflect the hard work that starts in the midfield and defense winning ground balls and playing tough on defense."

Ryan Price, who helped the Cardinals break two ties in the win over Utica, will have to continue his dominance at the face-off position and use his wheels to keep Plattsburgh ahead.

The defense will have to tighten up a little as Western Connecticut averages 20 goals a game and allows just nine goals against. They have a very diverse scoring attack with nine players notching at least one goal on the season. Sean Macey (7-0-7) and Adam Lanehart (5-1-6) look to be the toughest match ups for the Cardinal defense.

Goucher is also strong scoring 14 goals a game but giving up nine goals against. They have five players with 10-points or more. Kyle Boncaro (11-9-20), Brian Hoge (10-2-12), Matt Lynch (7-5-12), Sam Fitzparick (7-5-12) and Rory Averett (10-1-11).

This past week in practice Kavanagh challenged his players with competition.

"We injected a little more competition in practices this week and told the guys that you can't take a play off whether it be in practice or a game," Kavanagh said.

Matt Billia, who was tagged for goalie of the week last week, with his 18 save performance in the win over Utica College will look to keep his work strong in the net for the Cardinals. Billa has made 57 percent of his saves grabbing 41.

"Billa told me that it was a defensive award not just an award for him," Kavanagh said. "He knows his defense blocks shots and stops shots for him and he is there to pick up the rest."

The defense in front of Billia will have to be tough throughout the road trip and not get away from the game plan that Plattsburgh plays, and not giving in when they have a big lead.

Plattsburgh will have one more road game against Saint Lawrence on March 30 before returning home for a game against Clarkson on April 1.

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