March 9, 2001

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Villanova Wildcats

versus

Drexel Dragons

Friday *?March 9, 2001Franklin Field *?7:00 p.m.

Scouting Drexel: The Dragons of Drexel enter tonight's game against Villanova at famed Franklin Field with a 1-1 overall record. Drexel lost its season opener to #8 Duke 10-5, but reponded to roll past Ivy League opponent Yale, 10-8. Their early season efforts have paid off by earning them a #24 national ranking in the USILA/STX Division I poll. The Dragons feature an attack led by junior Joe Iannarino. Iannarino has accounted for 40 percent of Drexel's offense, tallying six of their 15 goals to date. Joining Iannarino on offense is Mark Williamson, Jeff Spano, and Sean Metz. Williamson leds the team in points with seven (1G, 6A). Spano and Metz have each netted two goals. In the goal, Drexel features the talented Jordie Olivella. Olivella currently touts a 9.00 goals against average and a .561 save percentage. Drexel has been fairly ineffective with an extra man, scoring only 16.7 percent of the time.

Last Time Out: Villanova fell behind early and could not recover from Penn State's early offensive assault. The Nittany Lions took a commanding 8-2 advantage into the halftime. Villanova tried to salvage the game late, but could manage only four fourth quarter goals. The Wildcats struggled in several areas, including extra man defense, allowing two goals in three attempts, and clearing. Villanova was effective in clearing the ball only 50 percent of the time. Highlights for Villanova included the stellar play of freshman Matt Lucas as well as the play of Michael Holloway. Holloway tallied three of Villanova's seven goals. Lucas was phenomenal on face-offs winning 70 percent of his efforts. Lucas also grabbed eight groundballs and tallied one goal.

Among the Nation's Best: Entering 2001, Villanova will be riding the backs of their two senior leaders. Andrew Bogle and Matthew Wilk both are legitimate All-America candidates. Wilk began play in 2001, much the same as he did in 2000. Wilk currently touts a goals against average of 9.32 and save percentage of .568. In 2000, Wilk allowed just 9.61 goals per game and recorded a .621 save percentage. His save percentage ranked him seventh nationally. In much the same fashion, co-captain Andrew Bogle has also been an important factor. Bogle's ability to quarterback the offense allowed Villanova to score 19 goals this season and record 78 shots. Bogle himself tallied three goals and two assists in 2001. He netted Villanova's first goal of the year just four minutes into the first quarter against St. Joe's.

Making their Marks: Lacrosse is a family tradition in the Marks family as is Villanova University. Head coach Randy Marks leads a team that features his three sons in prominent roles. His eldest son, Dave, a 1998 graduate of Johns Hopkins and former Villanova lacrosse player before his transfer, is the team's assistant coach. On the field Marks watches closely as his middle and youngest sons lead the attack. Justin, a junior, is off to a phenomenal 2001 campaign tallying six times in the season's two games. The youngest one, sophomore Brian, has continued his excellent play from his freshman season. Brian Marks has scored two goals and handed out five assists for seven points. He currently leads the team in points, with Justin Marks right behind him with six.

No More Home Cooking, For Now: From now until March 18, the `Cats will be playing on the road. Villanova will square off two times in that span at Drexel and Lafayette. The Wildcats will return home for three consecutive home games against Lehigh on March 18, Dartmouth on March 24, and Sacred Heart on March 31.

Bolstering the Attack: The dawn of the new millennium brings with it some change for the 2001 men's lacrosse team. Minus eight seniors that graduated in May of 2000, the Wildcats will attempt to replace a skilled midfield and potent attack. To balance the deficit incurred by graduation, head coach Randy Marks went out and brought in 14 newcomers, including 11 midfielders. Leading the way for the Class of 2005 will be midfielders Richie Kratz, Matt Lucas, and David Cacciabeve. The trio is currently performing together on the second midfield unit. Combined they have tallied four goals and 13 groundballs. In total, they have accounted for 21 percent of the offense and 19 percent of the groundballs. In the opener Kratz was flat out solid netting two goals in his first career game. Lucas was next line to step up as he tallied a goal and eight groundballs against Penn State. He also won seven of 10 face-offs. Cacciabeve currently has netted one goal in six shot attempts. He posseses a high velocity shot that often finds its mark. He will be featured on extra man opportunities, because of his scoring abilities.

Expecting an Explosion: Villanova features a very talented midfield that has yet to reach its potential. First midfielders Michael Holloway, Jesse Ford, and Randall Calvert played very well in the spring as well as in practices. They trio has shown an ability to be extremely explosive. Together they have combined for 28 shots in two games. Unfortunately they have only connected on four of those attempts. Expect this trend to change. Ford played as a short-stick defensive middie last season and flourished. He is currently adjusting to the offensive end. Holloway exploded last game for three goals and is expected to continue that offensive production. Calvert has produced 13 shots, but has yet to score. That statistic will change and when it does, expect the change to be dramatic. His size, strength, and ability to get good looks bode well for the future.

Tough Road Ahead: Villanova enters its inaugural campaign in the 21st century much the same as it has in previous years. The Wildcats will do battle with perennial national powers, including preseason #4 Johns Hopkins, #6 Loyola, #23 Pennsylvania, and #25 Denver. Villanova has already played preseason #18 Penn State and was defeated 14-7. The five ranked opponents are one more than they had on their schedule at the end of the 2000 season.

USILA/STX Division IRankings:1. Syracuse2. Princeton3. Maryland4. Georgetown5. Loyola6. Virginia7. Notre Dame8. Johns HopkinsT9. DukeT9. Massachusetts11. UMBC12. Bucknell13. Brown14. Cornell15. North Carolina16. Hofstra17. Hobart18. Rutgers19. Novy20. TowsonARV: Penn State, Harvard, Delaware, Drexel, Army, Dartmouth, Penn.

Brine/360 Lacrosse.com top 20:1. Syracuse (6)2. Princeton (5)3. Virginia4. Maryland5. Johns Hopkins6. Georgetown7. Loyola8. Duke9. Notre Dame10. Massachusetts11. Cornell12. UMBC13. Bucknell14. Brown15. North Carolina16. Hofstra17. Hobart18. Rutgers19. Navy20. DelawareARV: Penn State, Towson, Butler, Yale, Howard.
Both polls released 3/5/01.