Men's College Lacrosse Preview Big D drives SMC By: J.D. Lanigan Photo Courtesy of St. Mary's College

If the Baltimore Ravens were to join the West Coast Lacrosse League, chances are they would play a style of lacrosse similar to the St. Mary's Gaels. The Gaels believe in the same mantra the Ravens rode to Super Bowl XXXV: "Defense wins championships." In fact, had Ravens coach Brian Billick been in San Diego last spring for the WCLL Final Four, he would have witnessed a title run similar to the one his Ravens just completed. St. Mary's, rallying behind their stellar defense, upset San Diego State in the semis before defeating Claremont College 11-6 for the WCLL Division II Championship.

This season, SMC head coach Sasha Dansky hopes the same formula will result in back-to-back league titles. While the loss of All-Star attackman Chip Gibbs - the WCLL's second leading scorer in 2000 - may leave the Gaels short on offensive firepower, its rock-solid defense returns intact. In fact, Dansky believes this year’s defensive unit may be even better than the one which lead SMC to a 10 and 3 record last season. "The defense is the anchor of our team - no question,” says Dansky, "This team is built around their talent and leadership. When we get a great save or strip the ball from an attackman, that's where we get started. Our defense creates our offensive opportunities."

The backbone of the defense is senior goaltender Greg Kirk, a returning WCLL All-Star who posted an impressive 0.672 save percentage in 2000. Fellow All-Star Mike Jennaro, a sophomore who meshes size and tenacity with the solid defensive technique, will flank the talented keeper applying the savvy he developed as a lacrosse and football standout at Bishop O'Dowd. Kirk and Jennaro may grab the headlines, but Nolan Arieta characterizes the unit’s passion.  A senior from De La Salle, Arieta leads with a fiery attitude, and employs his impressive stick skills as a long-stick midfielder when he's not clearing the crease for Kirk.  

Dansky's belief that his defense will be even better in 2001 is predicated on the return of senior Pat Opperman. Hampered by an injured MCL last season, Opperman was unable to make the quick reactive cuts required on defense. But his season was not lost - instead, he took his exceptional stick skills across the field to the SMC attack, where he contributed 5 goals and 2 assists in just 6 games. Despite his successful stint on offense, Opperman looks forward to picking up his long-stick again in 2001.  

But while defense is important, even the Ravens had to put points of the board. For the Gaels, midfielder Kevin Donlon will shoulder much of the offensive burden in 2001. Dansky describes the multi-talented face-off man as "...an aggressive dodger with a nose for the goal. We'll look to Kevin to score a lot of goals for us this year." Other players to watch at midfield are Jeff Ryan and Ed Roybal; both are tough one-on-one defenders who've worked hard to elevate their offensive games. The Gaels will also rely on Joe Werner to provide an offensive boost.

On attack, St. Mary's will look to a couple of underclassmen to fill Gibbs' void. Sophomore Justin Fritzsche, another O'Dowd product, provides a spark with his quickness and hustle. In Will Schaeffler, a freshman from Robert Lewis Stephenson, Dansky sees great potential. "Will has the raw tools to be a solid attackman: he can feed and he can finish. As he adapts to our offensive philosophy and the physical college game, he'll be a key contributor."

While St. Mary's has some promising offensive-minded talent, count on the 2001 Gaels to play their punishing trump card.  No, Ray Lewis and Peter Boulware won't be wielding long-sticks in the WCLL this season, but you can watch a team with a similar mind-set wrecking havoc on teams visiting Moraga this spring.