Boys' Lacrosse Tournament Preview

By LoudounExtra.com staff

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Click here to view coverage of the girls' lacrosse tournament.

No. 1 seed Heritage (7-1) hosts No. 8 Freedom (1-7), 7 p.m.

BREAKING DOWN HERITAGE

The district tri-champions, Heritage is led by coach Jason "Choppy" Burke and has a dangerous offense featuring three seniors including VMI-bound Chris Rossie.

Players to Watch: Chris Rossie, Sr., A; Tyler Barton, Sr., GK; Dean Stambules, Sr., A; Kyle Startsman, Sr., A; Russel East, Jr., M.Keys to the Game: Heritage will lean on their potent attack, featuring Rossie, Stambules and East to put a lot of pressure on. In the back their lockdown defender Kyle Startsman and senior goalkeeper Tyler Barton should continue their shutdown play.

8th Seed: 5-9 ,1-7 district record

BREAKING DOWN FREEDOM

The Eagles took a big step forward, winning five games this season and starting to form the base of a much more competitive programs. While the team is inexperienced and still growing, the improvement of the team was encouraging this year.

Players to Watch: Mike Surowiec, Jr., A -- 46 goals, 6 assists; Gunnar Laasanen, Jr., M -- won more 50% of his faceoffs this season; Bill Zana, Jr. GK -- 89 saves.

Keys to Advance: In order to advance, Freedom has to control the faceoff and keep the ball on offense. Transition and TEAM defense will be essential.

Soundbite: "This team has improved a great deal this year, and more often than not has beaten themselves early leading to big losses late," Coach Eric Olsen emailed. "Freedom can be competitive and successful in the playoffs this year. However, we will need to play as a team, be fundamentally sound, and honestly, play the perfect game in order to advance."

No. 4 Dominion (5-3) hosts No. 5 Briar Woods (4-4), 7:30 p.m.

BREAKING DOWN DOMINION

Under second-year coach Pete Lenotti, the Titans had good results and close games against some strong teams this season.

BREAKING DOWN BRIAR WOODS

The Falcons won more games this season than in their previous two years combined, taking some huge steps forward in building a competitive program.

Players to Watch: Alex Frantz, Soph., M - 27 goals, 12 assists, 78 ground balls; Jake Ashton, Jr., M - 21 goals, 6 assists, 44 ground balls; Andrew Davidson, Jr., A - 19 goals, 12 assists, 37 ground balls; Matt Bukovac, Fr., GK - 9.2 saves per game.

Keys to the Game: The Falcons will look to control the faceoff action and will need heavy contribution offensively from their attack. They also must play focused defense on Dominion's dangerous attack.

Soundbite: "We've learned how to win and we learned how to win the close games. It's been a great year for us and we've taken a big step forward," said Coach Steve Sheetz.

No. 3 Broad Run (7-1) hosts No. 6 Loudoun County (3-5), 7:30 p.m.

BREAKING DOWN BROAD RUN

A tri-champion, Broad Run has three sharpshooting scorers, including Eric Madigan, who will play for Sacred Heart. The Spartans will be seeking retribution after falling to Heritage late in the season.

Players to Watch: Eric Madigan, Sr., A; Connor Foreman, Sr., M; Tim Sanders, Jr., M. Kenny McAdow, Jr., GK.

Keys to the Game: The Spartans will look to lean on their dangerous attacking trio to overpower opponents throughout the tournament.

They also boast loads of experience in the postseason.

No. 2 George Mason (7-1) hosts No. 7 Potomac Falls (2-6), 7 p.m.

BREAKING DOWN GEORGE MASON

Improved from 6-7 last year to 13-1 overall this season, a young team was able to grow into its own, with the transition game and ability to create turnovers being the strong points.

Players to Watch: John Mann, M - 35 goals, 7 assists; Mike Dunning, A - 36 goals, 23 assists. Russ Intermaggio, D; Sean Mondragon, D. Keys to the Game: Mason will have to stay out of the penalty box and be efficient defensively. They also will look to have high percentage shots and keep their transition game moving effectively.

Sound Bite: "I don't think many people expected too much out of us this year and I don't believe many of our opponents think very much of our team," Coach Richard Costello said in an e-mail. "That's something we've used as motivation this season and will be something that will hopefully keep us motivated through the playoffs."

BREAKING DOWN POTOMAC FALLS

Under a new coach, the Panthers were competitive in most games but were unable to put the pieces together enough to get wins, losing several contests by one goal.

Players to Watch: Kevin McIntire, D; Austin Baird, GK.

Keys to the Game: The Panthers will have to find a way to put every thing together enough to eke out an upset win. They'll need a strong game from Baird, who has over 150 saves this season.

Soundbite: "Kevin [McIntire] plays with intensity and is a team leader on the field," Coach Jason Leuck said in an e-mail. "He is a threat to any offense."

Tagged: high school sports, lacrosse

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