came during his freshman year when, even though he was tasked with guarding three conference players of the year and two other All-American attackmen while allowing just one goal, he did not make any of the East Coast Conference postseason teams. “We went through the voting process
and not only did he not get first-team ECC, he got nothing,” said Ryan, still agitated about the snub. “At the end of the meeting, I was a little bit irritated and said, ‘Did anyone notice that when you played us this year that your top attackman sort of disappeared? That’s because of Andrew Wagner.’” “I remember my assistant coach
asking me to meet him in the dining hall one day and I wasn’t really sure why,” Wagner said. “It was just me and him and we had a nice long talk about it, and that definitely started motivating me from that day on.” The second snag happened last
May, when top-ranked and undefeated Mercyhurst lost by a goal in the NCAA championship game to Le Moyne. Despite the Lakers’ sparkling record the last two seasons, they have not won it all since 2011, when Wagner and his classmates were freshmen. “Me and the whole class have been
through everything. We’ve won it our freshman year, and then last year we came up one goal short, which definitely was the worst feeling I’ve had in my whole life.” Wagner said. “That’s been the motivating factor all summer to the fall. I’m just trying to push my teammates as hard as possible knowing that I don’t want to go out on that note again.” Wagner has never been a big talker, according to Ryan. He just goes out, matches up against the best offensive players in the country and makes them disappear. “To tell you the truth, I don’t want
to be around Andrew the day he feels like he needs to say something,” Ryan said. “Andrew doesn’t have to say anything to get people to fall in line. There is a presence around him and an air of leadership that the kids respond to and respect. You have a kid who is 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, and he’s in the weight room every day. He’s carrying a 3.7 GPA and he’s an outstanding lacrosse player. Andrew sets the bar around him very high just by his actions.” LM
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Best BETS
MacLaughlin Award (Most Outstanding Midfielder)
ANDREW CHADDERDON, LE MOYNE
The knock on Le Moyne was it could only play at its designated methodical pace, but it shed that label on the way to the 2013 NCAA title, helped in large part by Chadderdon. Whether Le Moyne was grinding out 7-5 regular season wins or running and gunning to a 16-13 tournament victory, Chadderdon set the pace with an extended possession or clutch goal.
Schmeisser Award (Most Outstanding Defenseman)
ANDREW WAGNER, MERCYHURST
The Lakers know opponents’ top guns will be neutralized by Wagner’s blend of brute strength and methodical positional defense.
Kelly Award (Most Outstanding Goalie)
AIDEN BENNARDO, ADELPHI
Bennardo (7.18 GAA, 58.9 sv%) has played in the shadow of Eric Janssen, platooning last year. He’ll get his chance to show his stuff for 60 minutes.
First-Team All-Americans A Luke Miller, NYIT, Jr. A Matt Delmonico, Seton Hill, Sr. A Joe Leonard, Molloy, Jr. M Andrew Chadderdon, Le Moyne, Sr. M Reid Reinholdt, Limestone, So. M Reagan Harding, Lake Erie, Jr. FO Greg Puskuldjian, Adelphi, Sr. LSM T.J. McAndrew, LIU Post. Sr. D Andrew Wagner, Mercyhurst, Sr. D Danny McDermott, NYIT, Sr. D Gerald O’Brien, Le Moyne, Jr. G Aiden Bennardo, Adelphi, Gr.
Bracket Buster MERRIMACK
The Warriors haven’t been to the NCAA tournament since 2009. That Merrimack wasn’t able to crack the expanded field last spring with a stacked lineup speaks to the difficulty inherent within the Northeast-10. The team enters 2014 under the radar, and that might be just what it wants.
Enners Award (Most Outstanding Player)
ANDREW WAGNER, MERCYHURST
Regrouping from their NCAA championship game loss won’t be easy for the Lakers. Wagner will lead them back.
Breakout Player DAVID SOLOMON, COLORADO MESA
A former prep standout and Maryland recruit, Solomon transferred to Mesa in the offseason, giving the callow program seven former Division I players. Solomon, a redshirt sophomore attackman, is a polished feeder.
Sleeper Team MOLLOY The Lions got back on the positive side of the
ledger last spring with a 10-4 record. Juniors Joe Leonard (32g, 44a) and Tom Engelhardt (30g, 32a) lead a powerful offense that should hold up under the strain of the ECC schedule. There’s a question mark on faceoffs, but the Lions will be a tough out for the elite teams.
February 2014 >> LACROSSE MAGAZINE 71
Turnbull Award (Most Outstanding Attackman)
MATT DELMONICO, SETON HILL
Delmonico has shared the Griffin spotlight for most of his career with James Delaney, but now he’s the focal point. He has plenty of offensive talent around him to lighten the burden, allowing him to once again be a blend of goals and assists. When the game is on the line, however, all eyes will be on Delmonico. And if the past is any indication, he’ll deliver.
©SETON HILL; ©JOHN STROHSACKER (RR)
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