Feb. 16, 2005

If you're expecting the 2005 Butler lacrosse team to look a lot like the 2004 squad, you'll probably be in for a big surprise. Coach Stan Ross begins his first season on the Butler sidelines Saturday when the team travels to Durham, N.C., to face Duke and he's taking a roster that includes nearly as many newcomers as players with experience in a Bulldog uniform. While most of the Bulldogs have not been in game situations lined up across from the likes of Duke or Princeton, Ross believes the talent is there to compete.

"We're definitely looking to make a statement in the Great Western Lacrosse League, an improvement from the last few years," said Ross. "Obviously we have a young team this season, but we've been working hard preparing for this season and we're going to work hard every minute on the field. We're looking forward to seeing what this team can accomplish."

ATTACK

The Butler attack is the first example of the team's experience mixing with its young talent. Senior Kyle Tietjen returns as the team's leading scorer, scoring a team-high 23 goals in 2004. The Garden City, N.Y., native added nine assists for 32 points. He is one of just four seniors on the 2005 roster. Joining Tietjen will be two of the team's 15 newcomers, Nick Vosburgh and Grant Albertson.

Vosburgh comes to the program from Mountain Lakes, N.J., and despite being able to play either side of the attack, Ross envisions him on the left side. Vosburgh was both an All-State and All-America selection, leading his last three prep teams to a combined record of 60-7. Albertson racked up 88 points in the final two years of his prep career, earning Connecticut "Super Junior Team" honors along the way.

"Tietjen brings leadership to our offense and will really serve as the unit's quarterback," said Ross. "Vosburgh is good using either hand, which makes him hard to defend and Albertson is almost 6-6 and can shoot from anywhere."

Also seeing time on the attack will be sophomore Tommy DeCurtis, who always finds a way to get open according to Ross, and freshman Tom Guest, who suffered a preseason injury, but should return to action later in the spring.

MIDFIELD

Ross is putting three freshmen together on his first line, combining a trio from Maryland, British Columbia and Colorado. Jason Donati played in the 2004 Maryland All-Star game after earning distinctions on almost every Baltimore city or county postseason team. Cliff Smith, the 2003 MVP of the British Columbia Under-17 Field Championships, scored 54 points last season in the 2004 Junior "A" Lacrosse League, good for sixth in the province and "Rookie of the Year" honors. Rounding out the line will be Ben Sultze, a two-time all-conference player from Fort Collins, Colo.

"Donati is extremely smart and quick and is going to be an all-around leader on the field," said Ross. "Smith is very skilled and a good finisher, in addition to being a strong athlete. Sultze is the catalyst for the group, getting ground balls, doing all the little things."

Ross has moved two former attackmen to the midfield, establishing two-third of his second line with a more offensive mindset. Senior Anthony Crimmins is one of two team captains and returns after scoring 18 points last season, good for fifth on the team. Doug Mathias scored four goals as a sophomore, including two in extra-man situations. Sophomore Jim Fairweather rounds out the line after appearing in four games last season for the Bulldogs.

"Crimmins is our workhouse and Mathias gives us a big athlete on the line," said Ross. "Fairweather has a great change of direction and split-dodge, so this line should be able to create some opportunities."

The third unit consists of juniors Ryan Carter and Ken Ormsby and freshman Nik Stoffel.

Stan Ross became the third coach in Butler lacrosse history in June.

POLE UNIT

"We took several of our best athletes and moved them to the defensive midfield," said Ross. "We're looking to get a lot of transition using this unit's size and speed and to shut down the other team's top middies."

Sophomore Brendan Flanagan had a goal and 17 ground balls in 10 games last season. He returns and will be the first long-pole option for the Bulldogs. Pat Hurto, also a sophomore, scored six goals on 47 shots last season, but will make the transition to the pole unit this season, using his 6-4 frame to cover opposing midfielders. Junior Phil Brauch, who finished fourth on the team last season with 14 goals, will join Hurto as the starting shortsticks on the unit with Flanagan.

Junior Chase Cannon will also see time at long-stick midfielder. In addition to his defensive midfielder responsibilities, Brauch will also serve as the team's face-off specialist.

The group will try to collectively account for the loss of graduated "All-GWLL" performer Chris McKay, who was the seventh player selected in the 2004 National Lacrosse League draft.

DEFENSE

Most of the Bulldogs' experience can be found on defense where juniors Steve Forsythe and Gary Gambarani join senior Mike Marrapese. Forsythe, the team's second captain, will cover the opposing team's best player. The Dublin, Ohio product collected 41 ground balls last season, starting all 13 games. Marrapese also saw action in all 13 games, while Gambarani made 11 appearances.

"This is our most experienced unit, with two juniors who have started and a senior," said Ross. "Forsythe is our top cover guy and will draw the toughest assignment each time out. Gambarani can cover as well as anybody and has very quick hands. Marrapese will bring leadership being one of our four seniors."

Three new faces will serve as the unit's back-ups. Freshmen Nick Dimond and Mike Anderson join sophomore Matt Wilcox, who played at Wittenberg University last season, in the second unit.

GOAL

"We're going with Sam Ashley in goal to start the season," said Ross. "He's a great one-on-one goalie and does a tremendous job outletting the ball. Ryan Kaiser is going to be pushing him for playing time all season, just as he did last year."

Ashley had a goals against average of 10.18 last season, playing 719 of a possible 786 minutes between the pipes. The senior made 159 saves, posting a .566 save percentage. Kaiser saw action in four contests last season, making 16 saves against 16 goals allowed.

Butler also brought in freshman netminders Chris Elipas and Ryan Beattie.

SCHEDULE

The Bulldogs' 2005 schedule includes just four contests in Indianapolis, beginning March 30 when first-year GWLL opponent Bellarmine comes to town. Butler will also host Robert Morris and GWLL foes Ohio State and Fairfield. Butler travels to Marist and Princeton, in addition to Duke in non-league contests, while traveling to Notre Dame, Air Force and Denver in GWLL play. The Bulldogs will square off with Hobart, Holy Cross and Quinnipiac in neutral site contests.