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2008 WINGATE UNIVERSITY LACROSSE TEAM

The Wingate University men’s lacrosse team had high expectations for the 2007 season. The Bulldogs (11-4 overall, 3-1 DSC) defended their Deep South Conference regular season title last year. In addition, Wingate won its first-ever DSC tournament crown by defeating Catawba in the 2007 DSC championship match.

“One of our strengths (for 2008) is our experience,” Wingate head coach Sonny Ziegler says. “We also have a good influx of young talent. One of our goals for this year is to stay focused…we are going to prepare one game at a time.”

ATTACK

Senior Kyle Costello is a pre-season All-American for the Bulldogs. He is a two-time All-DSC performer. In 2007, Costello led the Wingate team with 56 points. He posted 24 goals and 32 assists last season. “Kyle is the quarterback of our offense,” Ziegler says. “He sets the tone for our team with his hustle and hard work.”

Junior Ryan Otterblad led the 2007 Bulldogs with 36 goals. “Ryan is a great finisher,” Ziegler states. “With Kyle Costello, he gives us a great right/left combination.” Redshirt sophomore Angus Derbyshire will occupy the third starting position. “Angus does a good job finding spots in our opponents’ defense,” Ziegler says. “He handles the ball well in traffic.” Derbyshire had 12 goals in 2007.

Junior Greg Williams will be the first attack off the Bulldog bench. “Greg had a strong season (last year),” Ziegler acknowledges. “He will also see time in the midfield. We want him on the field as much as possible.”

Junior Bryan Egan made a big move in the pre-season, switching from midfield to attack. Egan will also bolster Wingate’s face-off efforts. Freshman Billy Mutton gives the coaching staff another viable option up front. Mutton has been working hard to learn the intricacies of the college game. 

MIDFIELD

The Bulldog midfield will miss two-time All-American Bryan Safarik in 2008. Safarik had 29 goals and 15 assists in 2007. He was selected by the Arizona Sting in the 2007 National Lacrosse League (NLL) Entry Draft last fall.

Team captain Mark Hodsdon will lead the Bulldog midfield in 2008. “Mark is a leader on and off the field,” Ziegler notes. “He is a do-it-all guy with great offensive skills. Through hard work and determination, he has improved his game so much.”

A redshirt junior, Hodsdon had nine goals and four assists in 2006. He played only two games in 2007 due to injury.

Senior Stephen Torkington returns for the Bulldogs. The 2007 Deep South Conference tournament MVP, Torkington was a big reason the Bulldogs won their first-ever tourney crown in 2007. He had two goals in Wingate’s 11-6 semi-final victory over Saint Leo. Torkington tallied the game-winning goal as the Bulldogs picked up an 8-6 championship game victory over Catawba.

“Stephen is a strong offensive presence for us,” Ziegler says. “He has good size and he is a great dodger. Stephen is a tough match-up for our opponents.” In 2007, Torkington recorded 21 goals and eight assists.

All-DSC performer Bob Chinn led the NCAA Division II in ground balls during the 2007 season. Chinn recorded 141 ground balls in 15 games. Wingate’s top face-off man, Chinn compiled a 53.8 percent face-off rate in 2007. “Bob will have a great offensive impact on our team this year,” Ziegler says. “He is one of the best, if not the best face-off men in the country.” Chinn had seven goals and five assists in 2007.

Senior Dan Cook is a veteran who will see much time on the field this year. “We are looking for Dan to make an even greater contribution to our offense (this year),” Ziegler states. “He has great experience and knowledge of our system.”

Freshman Seth Crowell leads a talented group of newcomers in the midfield. Ziegler believes Crowell has the skill set necessary to make an impact this season. Classmates Travis Barrett and Troy Bradbury are good athletes who will make a contribution as they adjust to the speed and the flow of the college game. Barrett’s older brother Shawn is an All-South Atlantic Conference wide receiver on the Wingate football team.

Ziegler believes senior short-stick defensive midfielder David Olliver “is the best at his position in the Deep South Conference and possibly in the nation. I believe David’s experience in game-situations is big key.”

“David has worked very hard to expand his offensive repertoire,” Ziegler adds. In 2007, Olliver had six goals and four assists. He was second on the Wingate charts with 54 ground balls.

Wingate junior Evan Watts will make the move from goalkeeper to short-stick defensive midfielder. “Evan Watts is too good of an athlete not to have on the field,” Ziegler asserts. “He has been working very hard to get acclimated to his new position. His stick skills are amazing. Evan will help us in clearing situations.

Sophomore Dan Fowler has a year of college know-how under his belt. He will look for ways to make a contribution this season. Freshman Chris Johns is a solid defender who understands his role on this year’s team.

Freshman Matt Ramsey moved from attack to short-stick defensive midfielder. Classmate Ryan Kasek will also give the Bulldogs depth at the short-stick defensive midfielder position.

At the long-stick midfielder position, junior Clay Westbrook leads the charge. “Clay has good size and runs extremely well,” Ziegler states. “He will play a huge role in our close defense.” Freshman Kris Stanford gives Wingate great depth at the long-stick midfielder spot. “Kris has great reach,” Ziegler says. “He covers much ground in the defensive end of the field.”

Senior Mike Bayliss and junior John Simpson will miss the 2008 campaign due to injuries. Bayliss had 18 goals and 10 assists in 2007. The Bulldogs elected Bayliss one of three team captains for the 2008 season.

DEFENSE

For the second year in a row, Wingate’s first line of defenders returns virtually intact for 2008. All-American candidate Michael Watson is a two-time All-Deep South performer. “We are asking Michael Watson to play a different role this year,” Ziegler says. “He will move inside to the crease (in 2008). Michael will be responsible for directing traffic and making our play calls.” Watson is a team captain for the 2008 season.

Bulldog junior Evan Schaller is Wingate’s number one cover guy. “Evan does an outstanding job,” Ziegler states. “He will be responsible for covering the opponent’s number attack man.” Both Schaller and Michael Watson earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III at-large second team honors (college division) in 2007, as selected by CoSIDA (the College Sports Information Directors of America).

Schaller was one of five Bulldogs named to the 2007 DSC All-Tournament team. Joining Schaller on the DSC tournament honor squad were Torkington, Safarik, Costello and Otterblad.

Redshirt sophomore Adam Krinsky rounds out Wingate’s first trio of defenders. “Adam is another strong cover guy for us,” Ziegler says. The Bulldog defense allowed only 8.53 goals per game last year, tops in the DSC and sixth in the NCAA in scoring defense.

Freshman Adam Jones gives the Bulldogs another solid cover man. “Adam has a soccer background that helps him in lacrosse,” Ziegler notes. “He is still learning our team concepts. He will see playing time as our number one sub.” Classmate David Robinette is learning the collegiate game. Robinette is working hard to understand the Bulldog system.

GOAL

Senior David Suthers returns after a solid 2007 campaign. Wingate’s 2007 team MVP, Suthers ranked fourth in the nation in goals against average, allowing 7.94 goals per game last year. He was seventh in save percentage, saving 57.9 percent of the shots he faced. Suthers started all 15 games last season for Wingate, recording 150 saves.

“David knows our system inside-and-out,” Ziegler asserts. “He faces many easy shots because he does a great job directing traffic. David also does an excellent job in one-on-one situations. His outlet passes are outstanding.”

Junior Chad Watson is a left-hander who saw action in five games last season. Watson works hard in practice; Ziegler believes Watson has improved every day. With Suthers and Watson in the nets, the Bulldogs will again have one of the top defenses in the NCAA Division II.

For the second straight year, Wingate is the pre-season pick to win the Deep South Conference. Ziegler notes the Bulldogs have upgraded their out-of-region schedule to prepare for the tough DSC slate. “We are playing three of last year’s Final Four teams in New York Tech, Mercyhurst and Limestone,” Ziegler notes. “We will be ready.”

Link to information on Lacrosse Camp at Wingate