Inside Lacrosse Writeup on Men's Team

Albany's potentially potent offense has generated a lot of buzz coming into the season. With the arrival of top recruits Miles and Ty Thompson (Lyle Thompson is slated to enroll next year), and talented veterans Joe Resetarits and Brian Caulfield returning from injury, the Great Danes have the tools to produce some prolific numbers in 2011.

"When you have kids that can score, people have to pay attention to them," says head coach Scott Marr. "They kind of open things up a little bit for us, so hopefully we can get back to scoring over 10 goals a game, which would be nice."

The cousins Thompson have complementary roles, Marr describes. "Ty has a good way of getting himself open, and he moves very well without the ball."

Miles then becomes more of a set-up man, carrying, dodging, and initiating two-man games and other tricks of the trade brought over from ample box experience.

Resetarits becomes the interchangeable third wheel of the unit. He is just as comfortable playing the feeder at X, dodging to score, or moving on the inside. Resetarits tallied 16 points in just five games before breaking his foot to end his sophomore campaign.

"Joe's got such a burning desire right now because he didn't play last season," Marr says. "Joe's enthusiasm and his energy are probably the two best qualities that he has….He brings the whole team up."

Brian Caulfield returns from a broken jaw that cut short his junior season as the midfield's most dynamic offensive threat. After wracking up 131 career points mostly playing attack for the Danes, Caulfield will be bumped up to the position he used to play in high school.

"I find it easier to see the field from up top, to see how the play's developing and the open players." Caulfield says. "It's nice to get a short stick once in a while, it's a lot easier to do things than against a pole."

Another converted attackman, senior Matt Johnson and sophomore St. Joe's transfer Artie Marrapese provide extra scoring punch, along with juniors Jack Reynolds and Rocky Bonitatibus. Senior Kyle Crotty, sophomore Mike Woods and freshman Ryan Feuerstein provide Marr a stable of speedy, athletic middies that can fly from end to end.

"We've got a host of sophomores and juniors that got a lot of playing time last year," Marr said. "We want to get back to kind of pushing the ball, pushing the tempo, and trying to play that upbeat kind of style."

Of course playing an up tempo style can put extra pressure on a defense that struggled in 2010. The consensus at Albany points towards a lack of communication and control causing the defensive lapses of last season, two areas emphasized throughout the fall.

Senior Mike Banks returns the most experience to the defensive unit. "He's had a good career," Marr says, "But he's looking to have a great year here." Junior Travis Lyons worked his way into the close unit during the second half of last season. Sophomore Jack Nickla, switching from middie to defense, will probably fill out the third spot, but seniors Mike Finnegan, Matt Novosel and Scott Raffensperger all could rotate through the defensive end.

Albany goes into winter practice with an open goalie competition amongst returning starter junior John Carroll, junior Tony Behling and freshman Edmund Cathers.

"We know we have a kid who's proven himself his first couple years for us as a stopper at the Division I level," Marr said of Carroll. Behling's game is similar to to Carroll's, Marr said, but they both have worked to improve their clearing capabilities. "Edmund can throw the ball 40, 50 yards on a dime," he said. "It will be a pretty good fight."

Albany has reached the America East Championship eight times in its nine year's of conference play, but Stony Brook may have emerged as the new power in the league, going undefeated in the league and earning a Top 10 ranking for much of last season. The Danes have this April 23 contest circled.

"How could it not be?" Marr says. "It's a conference rival, we've battled them for years now."

Albany may have the pieces to take back the America East crown, a fete the Great Danes enjoyed in 2007 behind an offense that averaged nearly 14 goals a game, but held opponents to fewer than 10.

"I think Albany has really always been about putting up a lot of goals," says the senior Caulfield. "We've always had decent offenses, but to win a championship we're looking to put together booths sides of a team. We're looking to put up double digits while keeping the opposing team in single digits."