2002 Men's Lacrosse Outlook

Taking over for retired head coach Mike Darr is former assistant coach Brian Silcott. A 1993 graduate of Nazareth College, Silcott earned All-American and Midfielder of the Year honors while leading Nazareth to three Final Fours and a National Championship in 1992. Silcott takes the reins from Darr committed to continuing the rapid development the program has seen in recent years. Increased efforts to recruit the best athlete from around the country and provide them with the tools necessary for success make Silcott very optimistic about the future of Trinity Lacrosse.

"Trinity is a great school and there is no reason we should not be at the top of the Division III ranks. We are still young but these kids already have a taste of college lacrosse and I think we are ready to start making waves."  A total of 28 players return from last year’s squad including 14 sophomores.

At attack the Bantams will be lead by junior Ravi Pillay, who has started every game since arriving in Hartford.  Expected to take over as the leader of the offensive unit, Pillay has done just that in pre-season. Joining Pillay, who had 17 goals and seven assists last spring, will be a pair of sophomores that saw considerable time in their freshman campaigns. James Skiff had 17 goals last spring and Dave Huoppi tallied 14.  Pesky senior Alex Westcott and freshman Peter Scala will also be in the mix, as Trinity rotates five attackmen in and out of the game. 

Trinity was hit the hardest by graduation at the midfield position, particularly the loss of All-NESCAC performer Mark Tassie. However, there is a long list of solid young players eager to step up and fill the void, led by senior tri-captain Sean Rohan, senior Peter Rogers and sophomore Erik Mazmanian.  Rohan had 14 goals and 10 assists a year ago, while Rogers notched three goals and five assists.  Mazmanian has stepped right in as a starter after missing the 2001 season with an injury.  Sophomores Will Peace and Sandy Leighton, a converted attackman, and freshman John Thach will see significant playing time, along with versatile senior Bill Meara,  sophomore John O'Brien and freshman prospect Jake Dore.  O'Brien and sophomore defender Jamie Creed will handle the face-off duties.

The defense returns intact, anchored by senior tri-captains Matt Gjerulff and Jeff Bruno and joined by juniors Will Seifert and Dan Bernardi, 2001 NESCAC Rookie of the Year Tony Alexandre, and fellow sophomores  Peter Kennedy, and Creed.  Junior Keith Huffman, sophomore Ben Thomas, and freshman Win Huffman provide quality depth in one of New England's top defensive units.  In the goal the Bantams boast senior Eric Wilson back with a solid year under his belt as a starter, pushed by talented sophomore backstop Geoff Shaw. 

The Bantams will be playing one of the toughest schedules in the country this spring. In addition to the challenges within the NESCAC, Silcott has added national powers Gettysburg and Salisbury to the spring tour. "I believe the best way to reach the top is by seeking out the toughest competition out there." says Silcott, "I want kids who are competitors and who want to test themselves against the best."