2015 Shorter Men's Lacrosse Schedule

By Jim O'Hara
 
ROME, Ga. – Perseverance has become the buzz word the Shorter men's lacrosse team as they prepare to open a new season.

Specifically, it relates to the biblical verse that they have embraced – James 1:2-4. For the Hawks, they completely understand that the trials they face are tests of faith that develops perseverance, which allows them to complete.

Heading into Friday's 1 p.m. season and home opener at Ben Brady Field against Rollins, the Hawks will be focused on finding the right chemistry between veterans and newcomers to handle that first test, one that comes a week after the team turned in a disappointing outing in their final scrimmages that left them in a persevering mode.

"It brought them back to reality and made them aware that they have to focus harder," third-year head coach Jason Childs said about the Hawks' letdown in a pair of preseason clashes last weekend against Berry and the University of the South. "If we do that, we have the ability and the talent to have a good season.

"And even though we didn't play well last week, they have refocused. This week we've had great practices."

After posting a 7-7 record in 2014, one in which Shorter closed out the season a three-game win streak, the Hawks take the field this year looking to take the next step forward as Childs will be counting on a combination of proven veterans and newcomers.

"Getting the chemistry together will take time," said Childs, "but they're already starting to come together."

On the offensive side of the field, that blend has all the potential of producing a lot of goals.

Three new faces, Childs said, could form a potent line as a pair of brothers, junior transfer Jordan Getz and freshman Travis Getz, and junior transfer Alex Malinowski will team up.

Yet the attack plans the Hawks have also include a trio of seasoned players in junior Tyler Kristiansen (14 goals and seven assists last year), James VandenBrink (20 goals and three assists) and Zachery Dirkse (14 goals and team-high 20 assists.)

Missing from the lineup is senior Matt Kristiansen, who led the Hawks last year with 50 goals and 10 assists but decided to become a red-shirt this season in order graduate with brother next year.

Shorter's group of midfielders will see some new ingredients mixed into a seasoned bowl as well.

Senior Ben Janes (2 goals) returns as a middie as do senior Tyler Schott (13 goals and four assists), junior Andrew King (11 goals and four assists) and junior Jack Currier (eight goals and four assists), while freshmen Brody Glimnitz and Logan Wilkerson are expected to roam the field as well.

Also back is junior Joshua Skinner, the Hawks' faceoff specialist who won 57 percent last year and a team-high 89 ground balls last season.

The longsticks on defense may have the most experience on the squad.

Returning to protect the crease includes senior Tyler Bradford, juniors Michael Santry, Michael Williams, Michael Myerson and Colin Doyle, who is designated as the Hawks' longstick midfielder, and sophomore Sam Lyons, while freshman Morgan DeNoers is the picture to see playing time.

Behind the defensemen are two goalies who return to play between the pipes – junior JR Willers, who has 151 saves in 13 games last season, and sophomore Tanner Short, who had an 8.31 goals against average in five games.

As far as Childs in concerned, the team has encompassed the work ethic that began last fall and has carried over in the start of the season.

"We asked them to do so much in the fall and they did it," the coach said. "Now they have to concentrate on every game, every week.

"I'm excited about what we have and I can't wait to see how we develop on the field."