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2003 Early Season Preview
by Alex Smith, '03
The Colorado State men’s lacrosse team will have a vastly different look on
the field in 2003. With Mike Napolilli, Ryan Davis, Doug Priebe and Mike
Hamm all graduated, the Rams will have to find a way to replace the combined
220 points they took with them. The defense will be the core of the team
this year with a slew of starters returning. All-Americans Mark Plonkey and
Jeff Schmid will join sophomore Ryan Price and Ryan Robichaud, an
All-American in 2001 before a season ending injury kept him on the sidelines
for all of 2002, in protecting the goal. Joe Glischinski returns as well at
longpole middie to form one of the most experienced groups of long sticks in
the country. With fifth year senior Alex Smith in net, Flip Naumburg can
focus more of his attentions on the young attack, who without Napolilli and
Davis will need to find their identity quickly.
Colorado State has traditionally fielded one of the strongest attack units
in the country, fielding at least one All-American every year since the
USLIA has named a team. Nick Stanitz-Harper is the only incumbent at a
position that could have upwards of six players vying for the two remaining
starting spots. Bo Everett, Kelten Johnson, Matt Disney and Jeff Epstein
will join a talented group of freshmen in what basically amounts to a
complete overhaul at attack. In order for this group to be successful, they
will have to find a way to be cohesive in a new-look offense.
The midfield corps is probably the deepest group Flip Naumburg has enjoyed
at Colorado State. All-Americans Tim Farquhar, Kale Nelson, and Jared Katz
lead a group that will have more to do with the team’s offense than ever
before. John Naab, Thomas Robinson, Phil Eichhorn, and Justin Clark all
return to add to team depth as well. The face-off circle also sees a
welcome addition in Clint Chafin, a transfer from the New York Tech team
that finished second in NCAA Division II last year. Dave Clark looks to
recover from a knee injury in time for the spring season in order to take
some of the responsibilities from Colorado State’s do-everything long pole
and 2002 RMILL Defensive MVP Mark Plonkey. With Chafin and Eichhorn sharing
the face-off duties in the fall, the Rams will have a formidable trio taking
draws when Clark returns in the spring.
Juniors Stanitz-Harper and Plonkey are both coming off a successful trip to
Perth, Australia with the USA West lacrosse team and will find themselves in
positions of increased leadership in 2003. A host of young talent from
across the country will no doubt have an impact on what appears to be Flip
Naumburg’s most balanced team ever. Freshmen enter the program from
Colorado, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Michigan, and
Missouri to add an exciting amount of diversity to the mix. Returning
captains for the team are Kale Nelson and Jared Katz. The team will elect
new captains at the end of the fall season.
Newcomers to keep an eye on for Colorado State include native Fort Collins
resident Derek Koll (midfield), Californian Pat Bird (midfield), Heritage
high school grad Chafin, and Coloradoans Alex Paul and Jon Carpenter at
attack. Expect a lot from the youngsters this year as balance and depth
will need to be cornerstones for the Rams’ success.
See the CSU Lacrosse Scoring Records through 2003. |
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Flip's Journal
Read a very interesting log of the CSU head coach's thoughts. |
All-Time Points Leaders
since 1998 season: G-A-Pts
1 Mike Roth ('01) 243-132-375
2 Mike Napolilli ('02) 170-160-330
3 Pat Shanley ('98) 138-68-206
4 Ryan Davis ('02) 107-66-173
5 Kelten Johnson ('04) 76-93-169
6 Nick Stanitz-Harper ('05) 123-37-160
7 Jim Hasson ('03) 74-46-120
8 Tim Farquhar ('05) 74-43-117
9 Ryan Ferrin ('00) 60-53-113
10 Brian Linehan ('99) 62-34-96
All-Time Save Leaders
since 1998 season: Saves
1 Alex Smith ('03) 232
2 Cale Vanvelkinburgh ('01) 188
3 Pete Jokisch ('06) 117
See Full Lists
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Schedule/Results
2003 Game Results
2/15 - Arizona - Win 6-5
2/22 - Colorado - Win 12-11 OT
2/25 - Northern Colorado - Cancelled
3/1 - Colorado College - Cancelled
3/2 - Illinois - Win 9-3
3/7 - Virginia Tech - Win 15-4
3/8 - Florida - Win 18-12
3/9 - Florida State - Cancelled
3/10 - Auburn - Cancelled
3/25 - Oregon - Win 17-8
3/29 - Boise State - Cancelled
3/30 - Galyan's - Cancelled
3/30 - Colorado College - Loss 12-11
4/2 - Denver U. Club - Cancelled
4/4 - BYU - Win 7-6
4/5 - Utah Valley State - Win 17-5
4/5 - Utah - Loss 4-5
4/8 - Sonoma State - Win 6-5
4/12 - Michigan - Win 11-6
4/19 - Colorado - Win 7-5
4/22 - Northern Colorado - Win 25-3
RMILL Play-Offs
4/25 - Utah - Win 13-2
4/26 - BYU - Win 8-7
USLIA National Championship
5/7 - Boston College - Win 18-2
5/8 - Texas A&M - Win 12-9
5/9 - Sonoma State - Win 8-6
5/10 - UC Santa Barbara - Win 6-4
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USLIA National Poll
Announced on 5/16/03
1 Colorado State (30) - 18-2
2 UC Santa Barbara - 21-2
3 Sonoma State - 17-3
4 Brigham Young - 13-6
5 Texas A & M - 20-4
6 Michigan - 16-5
7 Florida - 15-5
8 Simon Fraser - 13-3
9 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo - 11-8
10 Oakland - 15-3
11 Minnesota - Duluth - 18-3
12 Chico State - 12-5
13 Colorado - 11-9
14 Chapman - 12-7
15 Arizona - 9-8
16 Auburn - 10-6
17 UC San Diego - 10-4
18 Boston College - 12-3
19 Oregon - 11-5
20 Georgia Tech - 11-5
21 Washington U. - 8-7
22 Virginia Tech - 11-7
23 Stanford - 6-6
24 Texas Tech - 10-3
25 California - 10-5 |
New Ram Gear
Call the Rock-It Pocket offices and order by credit card at
1-800-374-7468. |
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