Feb. 17, 2011
By Will Donley, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State Nittany Lions open up their 2011 season against the Binghamton University Bearcats at home on Bigler Field this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The Nittany Lions look to improve upon last season's 2-11 record in head coach Jeff Tambroni's first year at the helm.
The Nittany Lions were competitive in their two preseason scrimmages, showcasing a strong mixture of youth and athleticism. Relying heavily on a strong core of freshmen and sophomores, the offense was led by sophomores Nick Dolik (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), Kyle Van Thof (Penfield, N.Y.) and Drew Roper (Columbus, Ohio). Freshman Shane Sturgis (Downingtown, Pa.) also shined on the attack for the Nittany Lions.
The defense looked solid, and at times, the players showcased the intelligence and physical prowess necessary to be a top-notch defensive unit. In goal, freshman Austin Kaut (Morton, Pa.) is coming off two stellar performances in the net for Penn State.
The 2010 Binghamton University Bearcats finished 4-10. This spring, the team looks to improve on its 1-4 record in the America East Conference and earn a bid to the NCAA postseason tournament.
Offensively, the Bearcats will rely heavily on sophomore attackman Matt Springer. Springer (Hamburg, N.Y.) was named to the American East All-Rookie Team last season. He started 13 games, scored 29 goals and added 13 assists to lead the team in scoring. Named team MVP last spring, Springer hopes to avoid any sophomore slump at the attack.
Springer is joined on offense by his fellow attackman and classmate Tyler Perrelle. Perrelle (Mahopac, N.Y.) was also named the American East All-Rookie Team for his play last season. He started 11 of 14 games, scored 10 goals and tallied 11 assists. Senior Adam Mazzoni (Camillus, N.Y.) could fill the last spot in the starting lineup on attack. Mazzoni appeared in nine games last season, starting two. He scored two goals and added an assist.
Senior Frank Donlon (Mt. Sinai, N.Y.) is the leading returning scorer at the midfield for the Bearcats. He tallied 19 goals and four assists while starting 13 games for Binghamton last spring. He was named second team All-American East. Senior David Raleigh (Norwalk, Conn.) also returns at the midfield. He tallied seven points on four goals and three assists in 14 games last spring.
Sophomore Shane Warner and senior Mike Sciarrino will join Donlon and Raleigh as the only other returning Bearcats with significant experience at the midfield. Warner (Tomkins Cove, N.Y.) played in all 14 games, scoring three goals and adding two assists. Sciarrino (Clay, N.Y.) appeared in 12 games, scoring two goals and tallying one assist.
Junior Jeff Donigan (Skaneateles, N.Y.) returns at the face off for Binghamton this spring. He boasted a 147-300 record and a .490 winning percentage last spring. Donigan led the Bearcats in ground balls, too. He contributed on offense with five points on two goals and three assists.
Junior Ryan Button leads the Bearcats on defense after starting 11 of 14 games last spring. Button (Auburn, N.Y.) picked up 23 ground balls and caused five turnovers. He also scored one goal. Senior Derrick Danieu (Orchard Park, N.Y.) started 12 games last season, scooped up 22 ground balls and caused 11 turnovers.
Senior Adam Pardi (Niskayuna, N.Y.) will also compete for time on defense for Binghamton. Last spring, he started two games, picked up eight ground balls and caused three turnovers. Junior Ben Waldron (Camillus, N.Y.) can add an offensive flair to the defensive lineup. Last spring, he scored three goals and one assist while appearing in all 14 games.
Junior Jordan Marra (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) started three games in net for the Bearcats last spring. He recorded 43 saves and a .457 save percentage. Sophomore Kraig Heston (Rochester, N.Y.) appeared in three games last season and recorded nine saves.
The Bearcats are coached by Ed Stephenson. He is assisted by three Binghamton lacrosse alumni. Kevin McKeown graduated in 2006, Rob Williams graduated in 2007 and Larry Kline graduated in 2009.
Will Donley, Senior Attackman, Penn State Men's Lacrosse Team, GoPSUsports.com
