By Dana LaMendola
The Dartmouth Staff
Lacrosse players in Dartmouth's Class of 2006 sprang onto the intercollegiate athletic scene like a bolt of lightning, reinvigorating the College's squad even as first-year students.
During their rookie season in 2003, the '06 laxers played a pivotal role in transforming the Dartmouth squad's previously winless Ivy record, to a 5-1 conference record, winning the Ivy League championship. Dartmouth capped off its season with a bid to the NCAA tournament, where it launched an impressive but ultimately unsuccessful campaign against Syracuse University in the first round. Since the arrival of the '06 laxers in Hanover, the team has boasted a successful 19-8 record.
This past season Dartmouth continued its dominant play, finishing with an 8-5 record. Unfortunately, the team's record was not good enough to secure another bid to the tournament. The squad's record, however, does not do justice to the sophomore class' performance, which was solid and offered glimpses at the good things to come.
Midfielder Brad Heritage '06 explained: "Our goal for next year is to make the tournament and win the Ivy League."
Heritage, coming off a noteworthy rookie season, continued to display remarkable skill and success in 2004. Heritage finished tied for second on the team in goals scored and fourth overall in points. As his confidence continues to increase with each game, Heritage has grown to be a force to reckon with in the Ivy League. Heritage's confidence spreads to his perspective on his team's prospects for success in 2005 and 2006.
"Dartmouth lacrosse has been put on the map in the lacrosse world," Heritage said. "We just now need to carry that image through."
Heritage, along with the other talented rising juniors, hopes to assume a more prominent leadership role within the team to help continue Dartmouth's recent success.
Another emerging dynamo has been Jamie Coffin '06. After nabbing the Ivy-League Rookie of the Year title in 2003, Coffin proved oblivious to the term "sophomore slump" as he led the team in scoring with 29 goals. Nevertheless, Coffin remains eager to improve, hoping to enhance his individual and team play in the 2005 season.
To achieve this, Coffin along with the rest of the '06 lineup has kept busy this summer, routinely lifting, adhering to a strict protein-rich diet, and participating in a local summer lacrosse league. "I want to play as much as I can this summer so that I can keep improving my sense for the game," Coffin said.
Midfielder Alec Hufnagel '06, coming off a breakout season in 2004 echoes Coffin's goals. Hufnagel finished the season with the fourth most goals scored. While pleased with the season, Hufnagel commented that he was sad to see the Class of 2004 go.
"The seniors were definitely good team players, Hufnagel said. "With the '05s off in the fall, our classes grew especially close, they will definitely be missed."
Hufnagel also said that he expected the '07s and incoming '08s to step up in the upcoming season.
This summer you won't find the Dartmouth men's lacrosse team lounging around. In their spare time, to maintain the team's strong sense of unity and family that has distinguished them from other Ivy League teams, the Big Green will hike Mt. Moosilauke to become that much closer as a team and to another Ivy League title.
