Looking to rekindle the triumphant momentum of 2003's Ivy League Championship season, the Dartmouth men's lacrosse team is loaded with the talent required for a return trip to the NCAA tournament in 2005. Coming off last year's 8-5 season, which landed the team a disappointing third-place finish in the final Ivy League standings, the laxers hope to capitalize on the return of several decorated starters and navigate their way through an undoubtedly tough approaching schedule.
Co-captains Ben Grinnell '05, Pat Keeley '05 and Adam White '05 will lead the team this coming spring. Grinnell's team-leading 41 points and 22 assists earned him first team All-Ivy and All-New England selections, the same recognitions garnered by Keeley, who -- along with White -- will be guiding one of the stingiest defensive fronts in the Ancient Eight.
"Everyone on our team is very excited about the upcoming season," Keeley said. "Our starting goalie, starting defense and almost all of our starters on offense are returning. We have all the talent necessary to do great things and hope to make a serious statement this year."
White echoed his fellow defensemen's thoughts about the huge potential for the team going into preseason, "I think the team's sentiment is that this could be a monster year for us and we're doing everything in our power to make it happen."
Standing between the Big Green and its second Ivy League title in three years is a daunting schedule that includes four of the top-20 ranked teams in the country. A grueling early spring gauntlet will send the laxers up against perennial national powerhouse Maryland in late March and a formidable Notre Dame squad in the first weekend of April.
Afterwards, the Big Green will embark on the Ivy League portion of their schedule, with key match-ups slated against Cornell, Princeton and archrival Harvard to round out play in the regular season.
But despite the demanding nature of this year's schedule, Dartmouth is aiming confidently towards a return trip to the NCAA tournament in May. With several returning starters like Grinnell, Keeley and White mixed into an already talent-laden team, there's little doubt of the lofty expectations for this year's squad.
Should Dartmouth's defense, anchored by Keeley, White and senior goalie Andrew Goldstein, maintain their excellent performance of years past, the Big Green should go toe-to-toe with every slated opponent. Longsticks Matt Nicholson '05 and Jesse Klempner '05 look to add valuable help to the defensive effort throughout the spring.
"With all this defensive talent and experience returning, there's no reason we why shouldn't frustrate and stifle opposing teams' offenses and only improve our goals-against average from last season," Nicholson said.
On the other side of the ball, Grinnell highlights a high-octane Dartmouth offense that could also see scoring fireworks from the likes of sharp-shooting attack Jamie Coffin '06 who led the team with 29 goals scored, and Brandon Wright '05, whose big inside presence makes him a valuable weapon around the goal.
Sophomore Midfielder Brad Heritage will be another important returning asset. recorded 17 goals and three assists last season. Heritage and Grinnell will also be joined by returning middies Steve Daley '05 and Alec Hufnagel '06, who are both aiming for breakout seasons and thus may help fuel the Big Green's scoring machine.
As preseason begins for a Dartmouth team looking to dominate every squad it faces this year, the focus is now on staying healthy in preparation for the strenuous months ahead.
"The team has been working hard in January, preparing for practice in February and games in March," White said of the team's winter training. "We've got a good mix of older guys and younger guys, experience and energy. We're hoping to have everyone healthy by the time our season starts so that we can play to our full potential."
The 2005 men's lacrosse regular season opens at Scully-Fahey Field on March 5 against non-league adversary Quinnipiac.
