COLLEGE PREVIEW 2013 NCAA DIVISION III MEN TOP 20 CORTLAND
2012 RECORD: 21-1 (6-0 SUNYAC) COACH: STEVE BEVILLE (7TH YEAR)
RED DRAGONS 1
The contrast was startling. In the bowels of Gillette Stadium,
Salisbury players poured out of the locker room, jumping around, making odd-sounding seagull calls and generally causing a ruckus. Everyone in the tunnel
turned and took in the spectacle. Minutes later, Cortland fi led out of its lair. All eyes forward, no talking. Not a sound, save for the click of cleats on cement. This is Red Dragon lacrosse — a workmanlike outfi t that, despite dripping with talent, mostly adopts a no-nonsense approach to game day. “We defi nitely try to foster a blue-collar mentality, and it’s not hard to accomplish, because most of our kids are very much from that background where there is a strong work ethic,” Cortland coach Steve Beville said. “Some teams like to get into the talking and screaming and some teams don’t. Every team has their own approach, but our approach is more on the side of taking care of business.” It’s no surprise the team’s leaders are its grittiest guys. Beville lauded the leadership of Doug Meehan, an unheralded short-stick defensive midfi elder; C.J. Nye, a long pole who sat for two years before working his way into the starting lineup last spring; and Joe Slavik, arguably the team’s best all-around player who has the humility to do the dirty work.
Feb 23 at Albright Mar 2 at Union Mar 6 Scranton Mar 13 Stevens* Mar 16 at Cabrini Mar 22 Ithaca Mar 27 RIT Mar 30 at Plattsburgh Apr 4 W. New England Apr 6 at Oneonta Apr 10 at Geneseo Apr 13 Brockport Apr 16 at Nazareth Apr 20 Clarkson Apr 24 Oswego Apr 27 Potsdam * at Virginia Beach,Va.
Since Beville arrived in central New York in 2007, the Red Dragons have posted a 106-17 record with four trips to the national championship game and one title. Coming up short in the fi nals, as Cortland did last year, always has a residual effect, which Beville saw in the fall. “A lot of guys were very disappointed that we were not able to win that last game last year after winning 21 the entire season,” Beville said. “It burns, but it’s great motivation to improve.” Cortland’s defense once again will be the signature unit for the Red Dragons, who bring back everyone from a group that allowed just 5.86 goals per game. With 6-foot-4 goalie Mike Kaminski returning for his fi nal year in the cage — along with Nye, junior Brian Winterfeldt and senior Craig Sullivan — Beville probably could focus on retooling the offense.
But he won’t. In fact, Beville challenged the defense to be even better this year. “Why wouldn’t I, right? Our goal is to improve on our goals against average from last year, when we were pretty good,” Beville said. “But obviously it wasn’t enough.” This is where Beville will lean on his blue-collar types — to take care of business. No talking or jumping around. Just do your job, and let the scoreboard make the noise.
— J.C. A Publication of US Lacrosse February 2013 >> LACROSSE MAGAZINE 53
Cody Consul RIVAL COACHES SAY
“They’ve kind of put themselves in a similar situation as Salisbury. Both coaches have fi gured it out… Our fi rst 10 or 15 guys can play neutral with Cortland, but their depth catches up to you… Joe Slavik is one of the best kids out there. He plays 100 percent and 100 miles per hour in everything he does.”
TOP RETURNER A Cody Consul (Jr.)
With four-year starter Scott
Tota and three-year starter Greg Wright graduated, Consul (37g, 23a) is the lone gun returning on attack. The replacements will be talented, but there will be growing pains. That’s where Consul will play an important role. “He’s going to be the big key in helping to develop that unit,” Beville said.
X-FACTOR M Doug Meehan (Sr.) One of the most unheralded short-stick middies and wing players in the country, Meehan may play an even bigger role for Cortland if the new NCAA rules cause the wide-open play between the lines as expected.
TELLING NUMBER 3 PROJECTED
STARTERS A Cody Consul (Jr.)* G: 37
A: 23
A Ben Dunlavey (So.) G: 2
A: 1
A Eric Ohman (Jr.) G: 3
A: 0
M Mike Cantelli (So.) G: 7
A: 3
M Matt Rakoczy (So.)* G: 22
A: 5
M Joe Slavik (Jr.)* G: 29
A: 15
FO Patrick Baldwin (Fr.) FO%: 76.0 (at Alpharetta High)
LSM Pat Brown (So.) GB: 6
CT: 1
D C.J. Nye (Sr. )* GB: 31 CT: 12
D Craig Sullivan (Sr.)* GB: 23 CT: 11
D Brian Winterfeldt (Jr.)* GB: 63 CT: 18
G Mike Kaminski (Sr.)* GAA: 5.59 SV%: 64.5
* returning starters
Number of times Cortland allowed opponents to crack double digits in 2012. Just one of the 18 regular season opponents managed to break the barrier.
©GREG WALL (CC); ©CORTLAND (JS)
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