| 2010 will showcase something old, something new for Pirates |
 The more things change, the more they stay the same. In so many ways, this is the theme of the 2010 edition of the Riverside men's varsity lacrosse team. A combination of old faces and new, the Pirates are gearing up for an exciting season.COACHES The biggest change is at the top, where a "new" coaching staff has settled in. Head Coach Glenn Estacio has taken over for his mentor and Riverside's long-time "Captain," Jim Kirkley. Estacio brings with him three state titles as a head coach and four more as an assistant during his first stint with Riverside. Joining him is Riverside's second-leading career point-getter, Evan Leekley. Leekley is also starting his second run as Riverside's assistant coach and offensive coordinator. Rounding out the staff is Mark Abbott, in his second year as the JV head coach and varsity assistant. ATTACK Riverside returns a very solid unit on attack. Carson Sterling (32g, 25a) and Ben Bortner (21g, 2a) are returning starters from last season. Junior Mitchell Fagert is a good finisher and rounds out the starting group. A group of juniors, Garrett Abbott, Brad Hinkle, and Ryan Crawford will offer valuable minutes at attack. MIDFIELD The Pirates have a large group of players at midfield who hope to contribute to the offense and defense. The first midfield is a nice combination of speed and skill: Peter Ratcliffe (16g, 7a) makes the move from attack to midfield and is joined by Grant Cullinan and Joe Weitz. There are multiple players fighting for a spot on the second midfield: Scott Levine returns after a season away due to injury, and is joined by juniors Leslie Wickham and Michael Titus, senior John Austin (who played goalie last year), and athletic freshman Jake Pennigar. Steven Greer and Michael Evans have emerged as the top defensive midfielders, and juniors Thomas Tedder, Tyler Campbell, and Cameron Tonn will also add depth at the position. DEFENSE The defense has been a pleasant surprise in the preseason, especially considering the entire starting close defense from last year has graduated. Sophomore Kyle Anderson is a fast player with a very good stick, and is the teams starting longstick midfielder. The starting defense will be comprised of three juniors: Kevin O'Foghluhda will mark the opponent's top attackman and Grant Muir and Brent Samuels add imposing size and skill to the defense. Terrence Pruitt and Conner Bolen will be the first off the bench, and Aaron Fuller, Tyreek Davis, and Kevin Anderson will also help on the defensive end. GOALIE The lone returning starter on defense is goalie Chris Spathis, who stopped nearly 60 percent of the shots he faced last year. Junior Joe Marchese is a tough, scrappy goalie who will also help keep the opposition off the scoreboard. ANOTHER BIG CHANGE For the first time, lacrosse is a sanctioned sport by the NCHSAA, and all the public school teams in the state will vie for one state championship trophy. The Pirates have a tough schedule ahead of them, facing playoff teams Cedar Ridge, East Chapel Hill, Jordan, and Chapel Hill, as well as The Friends School (MD), Durham Academy, and Cape Fear Academy among others. If the Pirates can successfully navigate this schedule, they should make a return trip to the playoffs and have another memorable season. |