Bloom Men’s Lacrosse, Skilled Beyond its Club Status
Bloomsburg men’s lacrosse can often be overlooked as a non-NCAA sanctioned club regulated team. However, Bloom lacrosse has a fluidity compared to some Division III and Division II schools and as such they deserve respect. The team has earned that respect, and now they have something to show for it.
Bloomsburg men’s lacrosse can often be overlooked as a non-NCAA sanctioned club regulated team. However, Bloom lacrosse has a fluidity compared to some Division III and Division II schools and as such they deserve respect. The team has earned that respect, and now they have something to show for it.
Over the past weekend the Bloomsburg Men’s Lacrosse team galloped their way to victory over a strong field of teams at Kutztown’s annual Fall-Ball tournament. Decisive wins over Temple, Rutgers, and the nail biting finish to beat Kutztown for the first time in three years capped off the last month of hard work and dedication. This in turn translated into a content celebration on Kutztown’s home gridiron.Fantastic goalie play from sophomore Andrew Outten, of Landenberg, Pa., and Eric Ness, of Chalfont, Pa., gave the stingy Bloomsburg defense when all else failed, some insurance at the back. Both registering more than eight saves per game and running the clear efficiently gave Bloomsburg exactly what they needed in order to come out with the victory. Circus saves from Eric Ness in the Championship game may have been the decisive reason as to why the Huskies came out on top.
Every coach knows that the game is won at the mid-field; with faceoff guru John Lawless, from Collegeville, Pa., BU Lacrosse pulled all the strings in order to possess the ball. Solid wing play on face-offs from Tom Klodarska, Media, Pa., and freshman stalwart Tim Ashton, Oreland, Pa., gave Lawless the support he needed when the trick of the trade he possessed did not comply with Kutztown’s strategy.Other great performances from Ed Piccione, Langhorne, Pa., and some sharp-shooting tutorials from Kevin ‘Kub’ Pearsall, Harrisburg Pa., and Justin Idzenga, Hillsdale, NJ, gave something the fans could cheer for.
Along with solid goaltending and efficient midfield play, the flashy offense led by Scott Radzinski, Northern NJ, Downingtown Native Michael William Francis Porter, and Phoenixville local Mike Vogan, gave Bloomsburg help in all 20 goals over the three games at the tournament.
After a great showing and solid play at this past weekend’s round-robin style tournament a few important figures in this club were interviewed on what to look forward to in the upcoming spring season.
Defensive-Captain and part time bass player, Andrew Andre who hails from a small suburban village outside of Nashville, Tn. believes “this year’s team can accomplish a lot with the number of returning players and our great team chemistry.” Andre was extremely happy with the win over the past weekend, recalling, “it was the first time we beat Kutztown in the three years that I’ve played here.”
Along with Andre, Bench coach Andy Spengler, who no longer plays due to a chronic shoulder injury, is excited about the upcoming season. After the dubbed “Championship” performance this weekend Spengler said, “We have a very talented team with players like Drew Andre, and Brad Poley with tremendous goalkeeping to rely on. Team-Captain Steve Wittmer leads with great focus and determination as well.”
Captain Steve Wittmer who resides in beautiful Lansdale, Pa. said, “We just have to play our game and not their’s, finish our shots and communicate defensively.” Passion and heart is another aspect this team has and allows the other teams they play to recognize that.
The stingy defense and efficient offense is a great combination of hard work, great fluidity and special ingredients to a fantastic team.Cousin of Defensive-Captain Andre, Poley, of Pottstown Pa., is a standout mid-fielder for the Huskies.His younger brother and long stick mid-fielder, Tyler Poley, is a possible recruit for the team.With years of club lacrosse played on the club franchise known as “Black Bear” he will bring talent, passion and insurance to the squad.Just another person the Bloomsburg student body will embrace and engulf as a Husky and one of their own.The thought of a one-two punch midfield combination in the coming years will give Bloomsburg lacrosse more and more things to look forward to in the future. Along with Poley, freshman midfielder Greg Banis, seasoned-veteran Defensemen Andrew ‘Red’ Sibley, and junior mid-field Ironman Kyle Getz, just to name a few, will show the league and rivals how diverse and different Bloomsburg Lacrosse’s offensive and defensive schemes can be.They add depth and talent to the already stellar nucleus of what the kids on the block call Bloom Lax. Lookout for a few games to cap-off the fall ball season and as well as a the regular season schedule with games against Penn State, Wilkes University, Penn Tech, and East Stroudsburg.
