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In his first year as head coach, Bryan Poole looks to lead a talented nucleus of freshmen onto the field and into the history books. Thunder lacrosse will start the inaugural season with a group of 31 athletes hailing from 12 states across the country. The core of Tri-State’s roster is built around high school award winners like midfielder Logan Parsons (first team all-region, second team all-state), defensemen Hunter King (second team all-state) as well as goalies Alex Gregg (all-state, Indiana (HM) and Kenny Fleming (first team all-state, honorable mention AA). Kyle Mates, transferring from Bellermine University (Division I, Lexington, Ky.) will provide the leadership and stability necessary to drive the team throughout the season. Combining their speed and athleticism will allow the Thunder to adjust to the faster paced and harder hitting college game.
Attack
Tri-State will field a high powered offense fueled by the midfield transition game, allowing the real scoring threats to break free. The Thunder attack will be lead by sophomore captain Kyle Mates (Noblesville, Ind.) whose high-powered shot and precision dodging will make him a regular go-to threat. Supporting Mates will be the freshmen J.J. Griesinger (Apple Valley, Minn.), Sean Hitz (Chicago, Ill.) and Jordan Richtsmeier (Grand Rapids, Mich.). Griesinger’s physical presence and finishing capability will provide an ample match for any opposition. Sean Hitz brings with him an uncanny ability to see the field, as well as unparalleled passing, which will allow the Thunder offense to control both possession and pace. Jordan Richtsmeire levels the playing field with his natural athleticism and knack for finding the back of the net.
Midfield
We believe lacrosse to be a midfielder’s game. As such, it will be up to these players to control the tempo of the game on offense and defense. Offensive threats captain Logan Parsons (Hudson, Ohio), Corey Childs (Savage, Minn.) and Dan La Fond (Neenah, Wis.) will lend mental awareness and physical prowess to an already explosive attack group. Freshman captain Dylan Weber (Lake Zurich, Ill.) dominates the transition game with his hard-nosed play and impeccable technical skill. Battling for supremacy at the face off “X” will be Dan Giorgis (Avon, Ohio) and mid-year transfer Charlie Semaan (Detroit, Mich.). On the defensive side of midfield threats Sam Clinton, Ian Neerken, and Brad Leyba provide the Thunder lockdown capabilities in any scenario. Logan Nickel (Durango, Colo.) contributes speed and agility to both offensive midfield and extra man offense. Daniel Glaze (Austin, Texas), Luke Hickok (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Fransisco Robles (Chicago, Ill.) round off the midfield lines, supplying end-to-end hustle for 60 minutes.
Defense
Focused primarily on creating turnovers, the Thunder defense is pressure-oriented, with a desire to dominate physically and fundamentally. Captain Hunter King (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and J.T. Sears (Champagne, Ill.) govern opposing offenses with their powerful stick checks and body play. Overseeing crease operations will be Nick Brock (Perrysburg, Ohio), Anthony Garavito (Miami, Fla.) and Jared Widseth (Omaha, Neb.). Brock and Garavito lend a large physical presence to slides and help situations, while all-state award winner Jared Widseth will contribute with both his stick and his body. Tom Hopkins (Chicago, Ill.) and Sean Millican (Chesterfield, Mo.) supply solid fundamentals in every pressure situation and will look to hold down the wings. Longstick midfielders Tom Shermetaro (Auburn Hills, Mich.) and Brenton Barteck (Perrysburg, Ohio) will be called upon to contribute, with turnovers and groundballs dictating play at the top of the box. Joe McIntyre (South Bend, Ind.) will lend his athletic ability to both the longstick midfield and close defense locations, splitting time between the positions.
Goalies
Quarterbacking the defensive core of the Thunder will be a spurring competition between four highly talented freshmen. Alex Gregg (Zionsville, Ind.), Quinn Cupp (Dublin, Ohio), Adam Eickhoff (Fenton, Mich.) and Kenny Flemming (Minneapolis, Minn.) will be battling for minutes throughout the season. Wheeling Jesuit (Division II, Wheeling, W.V.) transfer Kenny Flemming will look to push the three existing Thunder keepers as Tri-State takes on opponents all spring.
Schedule
Thunder lacrosse opens its inaugural season Feb. 20 on the road against Fontbonne University at a neutral site. Following this will be the team’s spring break trip to battle three East Coast schools in two states. The first opponent is Christopher Newport University in Virginia, followed by back-to-back matches outside of Philadelphia against Scranton College and Marrywood University. After this three-and-a-half-week road bout. Tri-State will have its home opener at Shive Field March 15 against the College of Mount Saint Joseph. The Thunder battle NCAC power The College of Wooster the following weekend before going back on the road until the end of April, when they make a four-game home stand to end the season.
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