Men's lacrosse looks to sweep past opponents

Coughing up dust, sneezing grime and sweating dirt. The men's lacrosse team has been forced to practice in Oberlin's dust bowl, otherwise known as Jones Field House, to prepare for a tough league schedule.

The Yeomen will also have to contend with the loss of several key players from last year's 8-6 squad including Second Team All-Leaguers Josh Cantor and Eli Kaufman, as well as captain Noah VanAmburg. The seniors led the team to their best record in over three decades.

This year's team is steadily rebuilding. Coach Jim Donovan is at the helm, assisted by Pete Peterson. A fresh crop of first year students and the continued improvement of veterans has definitely put the Yeomen on their way.

"We're strong on defense," sophomore Chris Lavin said, "there's going to be a lot of cramming going on." Cram they will, with Lavin playing at an imposing 230 lbs, junior Michael Brown weighing in at 220 lbs. and junior David Kumpe tipping the scales at 190 lbs. The Yeomen's size and aggressiveness on defense will allow them to physically dominate their opponents.

In goal, sophomore Haakon Faste has big shoes to fill, but so far has looked up to the challenge. At midfield, the Yeomen look to sophomore Sam Krasnow to lead a young group of midfielders. First year players Ted Carlton and Matt Jensen join Krasnow, senior Brian Templeton, and sophomore Josh Gepner at the short stick position.

At both midfield and attack the Yeomen feel the loss of last years seniors, but with veterans like seniors Ryan Kelley and Tasker Gundy on attack the Yeomen expect to pick up where they left off last season racking up goals. Along with Gundy and Kelley on attack is first-year Mark Gilmore who has shown much promise in practice so far, and looks to be a major contributor.

The Yeomen have their fill of rookie players, but this is no real cause for alarm. As David Kumpe said, "The freshmen and first time players are coming along real well, and have been making the transition from high school to college quickly."

With most of last years leaders absent, the Yeomen have to grow up quickly, and learn to work together as a team. Kumpe feels that isn't that much of a problem, "We're very optimistic," he said. "We've been coming together nicely in practice, and we look to carry that into the season."

The first opportunity for the Yeomen to prove themselves will be at home. On Saturday at 1:30 p.m., the Yeomen face off against the Cleveland Club, a team comprised of skilled, older veterans. The Cleveland Club game in the past has always been close, so this match should be tightly contested, and a fight to the final buzzer.