DIVISION II TEAM PREVIEW

Lynchburg-The seniors on the Revolution have a gaudy 28-1 record against DII teams over the previous three seasons, with an overall record of 30-9, with the other eight losses against top notch DI competition. With a tradition that doesn’t graduate, Lynchburg will be up against some stiff competition in 2012 as they defend their 2011 DII National Championship. While they have graduated six seniors, a whopping five were starters for their championship double digit win season. If their defense holds up with talented junior goalkeeper Derek Kegerreis and senior defenders Mike Golibart and Emmet Finneran, the Red and White will have a chance to make another Title run. With their run and gun offense in full gear behind the likes of midfielders Tyler Zinck, James McLeod, and Nick Wagner, and Eric Schlater, look for senior attackman Anthony Thomkins to lead a talented offense. With the recent upgrade in opposition in the Blue Ridge, look for whoever wins the conference to be battle tested and ready to make a playoff push with national implications.

Radford-The Highlanders finished off above .500 with solid wins against VT-Blacksburg and DI rival Virginia before falling to eventual National Champion Lynchburg in the DII Playoffs.  Riding the wave of success from the spring, Radford rolled to an impressive 5-1 fall ball schedule behind the midfield corps of sophomore Eric Chouter  (5,20) and juniors Matt Hendrickson (15,3), Clarkson Meredith (9,7),  and attackman Chris O’Donnell (7,14). With the addition of Air Force transfer Tyler McCullough and incoming freshmen Danny Bentley, Tyler Johnson, and Patrick McCarroll, look for Radford to battle again for a National Championship berth. On defense, a netminder to be named will be fronted by returning shut down defenders in Thomas Austin, Taylor Meason, and Zach Guerra.

Roanoke-First year club after 4-year inactive hiatus, the Maroons will cut their teeth in one of the toughest conferences and begin rivalries with VT-Blacksburg and Lynchburg. The Maroons will be led by Head Coach Drew Manley, a former NCAA member of the last year’s Final Four team and a product of MIAA powerhouse St. Mary’s, MD. With veterans such as Brock Martinez, Nate Katkov, and Jack Dings, the team will be in good hands as they continue the tradition that is Roanoke Lacrosse.

VMI-After a tough going in 2011, VMI will look to improve on their 2-3 record. With tough losses to all ranked teams in Lynchburg, Radford, and VT-Blacksburg, the squad will look to an improved transition game to complement their defense of Aaron Bradley, David Kniffin, Austin Rodemaker and goaltender Josh Wells. With only one senior among this group, look for VMI to continually get better as the year progresses. With sharp shooters in Brett Kitchen, Jesse Wells, and Chris Kelly, look for freshman Austin Capps to find his footing and contribute to the offense.

DIVISION I TEAM PREVIEW

James Madison-After giving up less than 5 GAA last season, JMU had their season end prematurely with a loss to national power Salisbury University 9-6. While winning almost 70% of their games over the past two years, look for the Dukes to up the ante and continue their undefeated fall ball record. With most of their starters back on the defensive side of the field, look for stalwart keeper Gus Cramer to keep offenses at bay with seniors Chris Gauteri , Brian Elliot and  sophomore Alex Yezzi leading the lockdown. The offense will be spearheaded by sophomore leading scorer Rob Spelman and the do everything midfielder Kevin Rowley. If JMU can find the right mix of talented players, look for the Dukes to battle their women’s counterpart as the best lacrosse team on campus.

Virginia-With a 2009 National Championship to their credit, the Cavaliers slipped to an uncharacteristic 2-6 record in 2011. Now, as seniors, the team returns loaded with premium talent and experience to challenge their DI counterparts for the Frederick Cup. While returning strong leadership throughout the offense, the team is looking to nurture a stacked incoming defensive unit. Most notable is Colgate goalkeeper transfer Matt Robertson who has shown the ability to play lights out in front of a defensive unit led by returning veterans Hal Laxcot Turner and Chris Roos. Roos and Turner lead a crew of blossoming but young longpoles, including Nick Shahsy, Kerry Hecker, and Evan Althouse.  With Juniors Ryan Burns and Timothy Gaylord at the helm on the offensive side, look for the orange and blue to reach double digit wins and play their way to a date in May.