April 1, 2004
Like the ever-popular comedy Seinfeld, the Villanova men's lacrosse seniors each have their distinct personalities that they bring to the group. The practical joker, the clown, the object of the jokes, the quiet guy and the North Jersey guy.
Believe it or not, preseason All-American and All-CAA honoree Matt Lucas is labeled the prankster of the group. David Cacciabeve relayed a story from a road trip as proof.
He and fellow senior Richie Kratz were sitting in a hotel room when a maintenance person from the hotel called to say there was a problem with their air conditioning unit and they would have to change rooms.
"So we packed up all of our stuff and went to this other room," Cacciabeve continued, "but when we knocked on the door, there were other people in there. While we're standing in the hall, Lucas came by and asked what was up. We told him what happened and then he laughed and said, 'Oh, yeah, that was me.''
Lucas just smiled and said, "I do stuff like that, but just to have fun on the road. I like to give them a hard time."
The other seniors admit that was not the only time that "Beaver" had been the target of a joke.
"Even as freshmen, I'd laugh at Richie making fun of Beaver because he has a very distinct voice," Scott MacMullan said. "There are a lot of impressions of Cacciabeve on the team, that's for sure. Richie does a pretty good Beaver impression."
Kratz also receives a fair amount of ribbing from the group, particularly about his primping.
"He fits the typical Northern Jersey stereotype," Lucas said. "I got introduced to gold chains and hair gel when I came here. It's a little bit different than Virginia, a little faster pace."
"I definitely see that," Kratz said. "I get dressed up more and I always have gel in my hair. Every day before practice I come in the locker room and have to go to the sink and wipe the gel out of my hair, while everyone else is pretty much watching and laughing at me. But, I've gotten used to it, so it's not that big of a deal."
But Kratz can also be known for turning the teasing the other way, especially with the Cacciabeve impression.
"I've been doing that since high school, so it's been around for a while," Kratz said. "I'd say I'm more laid back and a bit of a jokester."
At the opposite end of the spectrum is MacMullan, who has more of a quiet and reserved personality.
"I just watch it all and laugh," he said. "I'm just a laugher, always laughing at them going back and forth at each other."
Despite all the antics off the field, it is what these five seniors have accomplished on the field that is so impressive. Over the last two seasons, they have played to a 17-6 record and helped guide the Wildcats to their first CAA playoff appearance in 2003. They have combined for 45-percent of the team's offense this season as well as invaluable leadership.
"Our upperclassmen always make the younger kids feel important and that they are a big part of the team," said head coach Randy Marks. "The team is important to our seniors and they share the common goal of wanting to find success."
While none of the seniors play a rah-rah leadership role, all five let their actions speak for themselves.
"I see myself as leading more by example," Kratz said. "Lucas does more talking and getting everybody focused on what we have to do. I try to step back from that and try to work hard and lead by example during the games."
