Bulldogs Open 2006 Season Saturday at No. 1 Duke

Feb. 15, 2006

In just his second season at the helm of the Butler lacrosse team, Stan Ross has already gotten a preview of where he wants to consistently take his program. It's tough to look back on the 2005 season and not think of the students storming the field after Butler downed No. 16 Fairfield in overtime in the season finale. However, Ross knows the climb is still slightly uphill.

"We didn't do ourselves any favors with scheduling," said Ross of his 2006 slate that includes nine Top 25 teams. "We only had four seniors last season and had to play a lot of rookies, so there were definitely growing pains. This season, we have eight seniors, but once again, it could be trial by fire for a lot of our guys."

DEFENSE

Much of that senior leadership can be found on the defensive side of the field. First-team All-Great Western Lacrosse League selection Steve Forsythe returns for his senior campaign. Joining him will be classmate Gary Gambarani, a second-team All-GWLL pick. The duo combined for 62 ground balls last season.

Junior Carlos Navarro returns after injuries forced him to redshirt the 2005 campaign. Ross welcomes him back to the field as a steadying influence, after shuffling a number of players alongside his All-GWLL combination last season. Sophomore Mike Anderson brings athleticism to the position, while freshman Mike Geocaris is making a push for playing time after a strong fall.

"This unit is going to be the backbone of our team this season," said Ross. "We know what this group is capable of doing and they are going to have to play well for us, really set the tone in games."

Sophomore Nick Dimond and freshmen Nate Deibel and Will Jeffery round out the defensemen.

LONG POLE

Junior Brendan Flanagan returns at the long-pole position. He pulled in a team-high 44 ground balls last season. Ross cites his work ethic as one of the team's best and something that has rubbed off on many of the team's newcomers. Senior Chase Cannon saw action in five contests in 2005 and will see time in a variety of roles, including the pole.

GOAL

Playing time between the pipes is up for grabs between junior Ryan Kaiser and newcomer Kyle Harer. Kaiser started three games (appearing in eight total) last season, registering nearly 250 minutes of action. Harer arrives in Indianapolis from Upper Arlington High School in Columbus, Ohio where he led his team to state championships in both 2004 and 2005, while being honored as an all-state and all-Midwest selection.

"Kaiser does a great job with communicating to his defense, really showing experience," said Ross. "Kyle sees the outside shot extremely well and has come in from day one and competed for time."

MIDFIELD

Senior and three-year starter Phil Brauch returns as the team's face-off specialist and will anchor the Bulldogs' midfield. Brauch netted six goals a year ago and his 41 ground balls were the second-best mark on the team. Joining him on the first line will be juniors Pat Hurto and Jim Fairweather. Hurto has the size (6-4, 210 pounds) and the athleticism to cause havoc for Butler opponents, while Fairweather saw most of his time on the man-down unit a year ago.

The second line shapes up to be sophomore Ben Sultze, junior Brian Welch and freshman Jeremy Sieverts.

"Sultze is really becoming a leader for us," said Ross. "He has a very talented stick and good quickness. Like Brauch, Welch will do it all for us. He uses his speed well and is going to be on the field a lot. Sieverts is talented with good size and really understands the game, especially for a newcomer."

Senior Danny Harper and freshmen C. J. Ciaravino, Daniel Gassel and Kevin Finn round out the middies.

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD

Junior Matt Wilcox, sophomore David Starvaggi and junior Sebastian Paul will all see time in the defensive midfield. Wilcox appeared in all 12 games last season in his first season at Butler after transferring in from Wittenberg. Starvaggi saw action in 10 contests, while Paul appeared in six.

"Wilcox is a strong, athletic player, who like some of our other guys is fighting injuries right now," said Ross. "Starvaggi uses his speed well to control an offensive player and is starting to really understand the game. Paul is in the rotation here and will also take some face-offs behind Brauch."

ATTACK

Perhaps the biggest question marks for the Bulldogs come at the attack, where only one of the team's top five scorers return this season. Sophomore Cliff Smith had 18 goals and eight assists in 2005, while his 46 shots were the second-best mark on the team. The left-handed finisher will be called upon to lead the Butler offensive.

Senior Doug Mathias appeared in all 12 contests a year ago, seeing time at attack and in the midfield. He was one of the Bulldogs' most dangerous weapons on the man-up unit. Like Mathias, senior Ryan Carter could also see time in the midfield, but will get the call first at attack. He saw action in six games last season.

Junior Adam Wade, a transfer from Essey Community College, will get a long look as well. He and Smith both stand 6-3. Ross likes Wade's athleticism and how he passes the ball. Fellow rookie Will Morgan was Ohio's Player of the Year last season, along with earning all-state, all-Midwest and All-American honors. He joined Harer on Upper Arlington's championship squad and registered 110 points in his prep career.

Rounding out the Butler attack are senior Dan McLoughlin, sophomores John Clark, Kyle Sickman and Mike Hinker and redshirt freshman Tom Guest. Junior Chad Henry will redshirt the 2006 campaign.

The Bulldogs open the season Saturday at Duke, which is ranked first in almost all the preseason polls and comes off a 2005 NCAA runner-up finish. Butler opens the home portion of its schedule March 11 against Marist.