2011 Men's Lacrosse Season Preview: Berkman, Bears Eye Another SUNYAC Postseason Appearance

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Senior captain Kevin Green and the Potsdam men's lacrosse team aim for an 11th SUNYAC Tournament appearance in the last 13 years.

POTSDAM, N.Y. (02/28/2011)(readMedia)-- For 10 of the past 12 years, the SUNY Potsdam men's lacrosse team has finished in the top four of the State University of New York Athletic Conference to earn a berth in the conference tournament.

Despite having just three seniors and a bevy of freshmen and first-year players on a roster of over 40 student-athletes, expectations remain high in 2011 for head coach Rick Berkman and the Bears, who finished with a 7-8 record, including a 3-3 league mark, last season. Potsdam fell in the SUNYAC Tournament semifinals at Cortland, a perennial powerhouse which eventually made it to the NCAA Division III semifinals.

"Our first goal is to qualify for the SUNYACs, and our second goal, which we've talked about the last four to five years, is to get the second seed in the SUNYAC playoffs," said Berkman, who enters his 17th season at Potsdam. "It's a lofty goal, but it's something we're working for, to try to get a home game, which can help us reach the SUNYAC final."

Berkman is encouraged by the play of his team, which has yet to practice on a full outdoor field just two days before its season opener. The Bears will rely on a host of returning players early in the season before mixing in several new faces into the lineup.

"Leading up to our first game, we're going to be leaning heavily on our returning players who have the experience, who know the system and know the things that I expect from them," Berkman said. "At the same time, there are going to be some freshmen who are going to have a big impact. I'm also expecting a lot of the incoming transfers to have a big impact throughout the season."

Potsdam begins its season on Wednesday, March 2, at Utica. The team then travels to Myrtle Beach, S.C., for a pair of games next week against Medaille (March 8) and Alfred (March 11), before returning for its home opener against Cazenovia on March 15 at 4 p.m.

The Bears start SUNYAC play on Saturday, April 2, at home against Brockport. The conference, which is annually among the best in NCAA Division III, boasts two teams ranked in the top 15 of the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Division III Top 20 preseason poll in No. 4 Cortland and 13th-ranked Geneseo.

"I've always been big on playing the best teams we can play (in non-conference)," Berkman said. "I think our three games right out of the gate are going to be a good test for us. They're games we can win, but I also think they're games where if we don't play well, we could lose.

"There are a lot of teams there that will expose some of our weaknesses and let us see what we have to do better heading into SUNYAC play with Brockport."

Here is a position-by-position look at the 2011 Potsdam men's lacrosse team:

Attack

Despite losing Garrett Sharp and Ben McCullough, two of the team's top scorers from a year ago, Berkman believes his offense can be a team strength once it finds its rhythm.

"From what I've seen in practice, we're moving the ball real well and we have a lot of guys who can shoot the ball and a lot of guys who can dodge," Berkman said. " As we get going into the season, I'm expecting us to score 10-12 goals per game no matter who we're playing, which is going to give us a better chance to win."

Seniors Sean McAuliffe (Watertown, N.Y.) and Kevin Green (Penfield, N.Y.) return to anchor the front line. McAuliffe, who transferred from Jefferson Community College prior to last season, finished second on the team with 23 goals and third with 10 assists in 2010.

Green, who is one of the team's three captains, scored 21 goals, which was third best on the team, to go along with seven assists and 16 ground balls.

"Kevin Green is a great kid and a perfect captain," Berkman said. "Everybody on the team respects him. He works hard. He's been a part of the program and has had a lot of success over the years. I expect him to have a little bit bigger season this year scoring."

Kyle Nicholas (Syracuse, N.Y.), a sophomore transfer from Division I school Robert Morris, rounds out the starting attack.

"Kyle brings another element to our attack," Berkman said. "He's a more athletic kid with a little bit of speed and ability to dodge. He's only a sophomore, but we feel he's ready to step in and have an impact."

Other first-year attackmen: Alex Pavone (Fr., Rochester, N.Y.); Chris Mazzeo (Jr., Bellmore, N.Y.); Steve Tupper (Jr., Canton, N.Y.); Kevin Logan (Fr., Brasher Falls, N.Y.)

Midfield

According to Berkman, the team looks to replace McCullough, a three-time All-SUNYAC honoree, on a "by committee" basis.

Junior Ryan Paparella (Whitesboro, N.Y.) and sophomores Robbie Ashlaw (North Syracuse, N.Y.) and Derek Frost (Buffalo, N.Y.) form the starting midfield line.

"Our top three middies play well together and have a good feel for each other," Berkman said. "They form a very formidable first midfield line. They're athletic and can play at both ends of the field. We've got a lot of confidence in them."

Paparella, who converted to offensive midfielder a year ago, posted 22 points (16 goals, six assists) and 32 ground balls, good for third-best on the team, last season. He has been named a captain for the 2011 season and, according to Berkman, made great strides in 2010.

Ashlaw and Frost recorded 25 an 18 points, respectively, a season ago. Ashlaw led the team with 18 assists.

Berkman expects a pair of newcomers – juniors Zeppy O'Geen (Massena, N.Y.) and Tyler Flath (Brownville, N.Y.) – to make facing off one of the team's top strengths in 2011. O'Geen transferred from Herkimer Community College, while Flath played for two season at Jefferson before coming to Potsdam.

Other returning midfielders: Travis Diana (Jr., North Bellmore, N.Y.); Mike Faltisco (So., Williamsville, N.Y.); Brady Fremont (So., Syracuse, N.Y.); Cory Turner (So., Newport Beach, Calif.)

Returning long stick middie (LSM): Matt Barstow (Jr., Marcellus, N.Y.)

Other first-year midfielders: Peter Pike (Jr., Watertown, N.Y.) Bobby Morris (So., Liverpool, N.Y.); Taylor Caswell (Fr., Potsdam, N.Y.); Pat Mahar (So., Baldwinsville, N.Y.); Ryan Minsker (Fr., Brewster, N.Y.); Matt Donovan (Fr., Oswego, N.Y.); Sam Covell (Fr., Fairport, N.Y.); Brian Bostic (Fr., Whitesboro, N.Y.)

Defense

Junior Rashaun Durden (Buffalo, N.Y.), the team's third captain, has shifted from long-stick midfielder to close defense. Durden, a 2010 honorable mention all-conference and All-SUNYAC Tournament selection, caused 47 turnovers, good for second on the team, last season.

Durden will be joined by junior Jason Falk (Pittsford, N.Y.) and sophomore Pat Nealon (Syracuse, N.Y.) in the starting defensive line. Falk picked up 25 ground balls in nine games last season, while Nealon started seven games before an illness sidelined him for the remainder of the year.

"With Rashaun moving to close defense, these three have to get accustomed to playing together and learning the defense," Berkman said. "I'm expecting that to take a little bit of time, but they're all good players and very capable of filling in down there."

Other returning defensemen: Jake Gyder (So., Liverpool, N.Y.); Nick Peryea (So., Liverpool, N.Y.)

First-year defensemen: Jake Armstrong (Fr., Mahopac, N.Y.); Jeff Love (Fr., Watertown, N.Y.); Joe Fitzgerald (Fr., Rome, N.Y.); Kegan Van Skoik (Fr., Mount Pleasant, S.C.); Billy Temple (Fr., Cicero, N.Y.); Dylan Saxon (Fr., Henrietta, N.Y.); Enrico Gonnella (Jr., East Syracuse, N.Y.); Andrew Rupp (Fr., Victor, N.Y.)

Goalie

Sophomore Stefan Sloma (Niskayuna, N.Y.), who appeared in five games as a goalie last season, projects to replace Billy Richards, last year's starter.

"Stefan is a very athletic goalie, an excellent stopper and he's great on the clears," Berkman said. "He's a good athlete who can get the transition game started, and is a good leader back on defense."

Other returning goalies: Pat Corbine (Sr., Canton, N.Y.); Paul Gordon (So., Maine, N.Y.)

First-year goalies: Mike Quinlan (Jr., Buffalo, N.Y.)

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