Underclassmen Bolstering Seminole Attack

The Florida State Men’s Lacrosse team reached the half way point of their 2009 campaign with a 27-10 victory over the Miami Hurricanes on March 7. The win came a night after FSU beat the University of South Florida Bulls 25-5 in Tampa. Coach Bill Harkins and his red-hot Seminoles are off to a perfect 9-0 start and a #6 ranking in the CollegeLAX.us Prodigy Top 25 Poll. The offense has been making short work of opposing defenses while enjoying high productivity from upperclassmen in the midfield and attack. However, new additions to the Seminole roster have contributed to the team’s immaculate record. Numbers don’t lie: the Seminole attack dropped an astounding 52 goals in their last two games. At the front of the action was senior captain, Corey Noonan. The veteran short stick has been the focal point of the Seminole offense. Noonan tallied 5 goals and 3 assists against USF and 8 goals and 2 assists against the University of Miami. He will undoubtedly have the ball running through his stick in weeks to come, but the Seminoles are enjoying increased productivity from some of the team’s younger offensive players. Upstart freshman attackman Taylor Roop has tallied 17 goals and added 9 assists so far in his first season for the Seminoles. Sophomore attackman Tom Byrne is a new face on the Seminole roster and has contributed 9 goals and 10 assists in his first season with the team. Returning starting sophomore attackman Tyler Richey is playing with a high level of confidence and has sniped 19 goals and 8 assists through 9 games. When asked how he and the other under classmen were able to become so comfortable in the Seminole offense, Richey said, "It took some time for the returning players and the new guys to really start working well together, but I think the combination of repetition and scrimmaging during practice has brought us together as a unit." Florida State coaches aren’t relying solely on the attack to provide all the offense. Sophomore midfielder Jon Yates has been devouring opposing defenses with 22 goals and 7 assists. "Jon has the skills to become a very special player for us," said FSU Defensive Coordinator Matt Waesche, "He’s a very good offensive and defensive player. He made a big impact for us on the second midfield last year, and he’s having a good season so far this year with the first midfield, but there really is no ceiling on what he can do for this lacrosse team." The Seminoles will be missing the outstanding play of freshman midfielder Sean Neary who suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Hurricanes. On the loss of his talented midfielder Waesche said, "Sean has done a great job for us this year, and I’m really disappointed that his season is going to be cut short. Thankfully, he’s going to be able to have his knee repaired by the doctor who works with the FSU football team, and knowing how hard Sean works, I’m sure he’ll make a complete recovery." Neary had contributed 7 goals and 3 assists in his first season with the team. Saturday night, the Seminoles are back in action as they travel to Orlando to take on the UCF Golden Knights. Look for consistency and leadership from Seminole upper-classmen to anchor the team as the younger members continue to contribute and mature.