2006 PREVIEW
In 2005, Kevin Tyska was hired as the first full-time lacrosse in the programs four year history.  The number one priority of Coach Tyska was to stabilize the recruiting process, which yielded only one recruit the previous year.  Coach Tyska managed to recruit 19 freshmen to the WJU campus, which has had an immediate positive impact.  The cardinals return 12 seniors to help balance the roster, which has depth and talent at each position.

GOALIES
Stuart Goss (Seton Hall Prep, NJ) will be the leading candidate to start the season in goal.  Stu was the starting goalie for most of the 2005 season, and was one of the best goalies in the country last year.  Stu is 6’3 and 215 lbs, and is extremely quick with his hands and feet.  The cardinals will have two freshmen competing for playing time in 2006.  Bryan Jack (Pickerington, OH) was extremely impressive at the Robert Morris University fall tournament, and Coach Tyska feels Bryan Jack will see plenty of playing time this spring.  The cardinals also have freshman Ryan Ferris (Sycamore, OH) who comes to WJU after leading his high school team to 3 straight semi-final births in the State Tournament.  Coach Tyska is very excited to have three quality goalies competing for the starting position in 2006.

DEFENSE
There will be three seniors returning to lead the young cardinal defensive unit for 2006.  Sebastian Price (Loyola, MD) will bring a wealth of experience coming from one of the best high school programs in the country. Ian Gamble (Hilliard Davidson, OH) is a tall 6’3 and aggressive defender who has worked hard over the past 12 months to become more patient with his checks.  Chris Daugherty (Wilmington, OH) is the best overall defender, who will be asked to cover the opposing team’s best attackman.  Junior Pete Koerner (Troy Athens, MI) will be the leading candidate to start the season at the long pole defender.  Pete has put on 12 lbs of muscle over the summer and his development has been tremendous.  Sophomore Sean Smith (Bethel Park, PA) is the most physical defender on the cardinal defense.  Sean is a classic crease defender who is always looking to double team and hits wherever he can!  There will be four freshmen competing for playing time in 2006.  Trever Veres and Mike Jacques (Windsor, Canada) have both made an instant impact on the cardinal defense, and both will be seeing plenty of playing time in 2006.  Kip Stoffel (De LaSalle, MI) is the strongest player on the entire team and will be competing for playing time on the crease.  Kip played football in high school and his ability to be physical will have an instant impact in Coach Tyska’s defense.  Chris Elliott (Springfield, OH) is a raw defender who has tremendous potential to become a very good player.  Chris is the type of player who I always around the ball and he usually comes up with the GB, or a solid hit!

MIDDIES
There are numerous players competing for playing time at the midfield position, and leading the are senior captains Domenic Marzano (Hilliard Davidson, OH) and Mike McBride (Hilliard Darby, OH).  Domenic is an experienced player who has demonstrated tremendous leadership ability on the field.  Domenic has started every game at midfield since his sophomore year, and will play man-up and man-down as well.  Mike McBride is a very strong physical player who will look to take most of the face-offs.  We are looking for break out season for Mike in 2006.  Senior Pat McMahon (McQuaid Jesuit, NY) is a smooth and flashy player who can penetrate, dodge and take the ball to the goal.  Chris Fox (Ontario, Canada) will be used as a crease player, where he can utilize his experience and shooting skills.  Senior Pat Chrobak (Atholton, MD) will be used as both an offensive & defensive middie, and will see plenty of playing time in 2006.  Junior John Eager (Gonzaga, MD) is another player who can play both offense and defense and will be competing for playing time.  Freshman John Miller (Kent, OH) has had an instant impact on the cardinal offense and will be among the top threats on offense.  John is a gifted athlete who has so much potential its scary!  Senior Mike Fink (Lakeland OH), junior Jonathon Watson (De LaSalle MI) and freshman Joe Joliet (Troy MI) Jeff Arneson (Wilmington OH) Fred Smith (Kent OH) will also be competing for playing time.

ATTACK
Leading the way on attack are junior All-American candidate Mark Greaney and Dennis McKenna who are both from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School (MI).  Mark Greaney has a 3.8 GPA and scored 45 points in 2005, (40 goals 5 assists).  “I have been coaching for 17 years and Mark is the best all around person, student, and player I have had the pleasure of coaching.  I enjoy each minute I have coaching Mark and I expect a huge year for him,” says Tyska.  Fellow UD attackman Dennis McKenna is expected to have a break out season after showing dramatic improvement from the fall season.  Dennis is another Academic All-American Candidate as he is presently carrying a 3.8 GPA.  Dennis is 6’1 195 and can run by anybody in the country which makes him one of our top match-ups who we will be going to throughout the year.  There are numerous freshmen looking to break into the attack rotation in 2006.  High school All-American John Dunbar (Eagan, MN) has a tremendous left handed shot and can find the cage with a high percentage.  Joe Idone (Kent OH) was Ohio attackman of the year in division 1B, and was one of the top 10 leading scorers in the state.  Joe lead his high school team to the state championship game where thy lost to Dublin Jerome 14-10.  John has the ability to see the entire field and is an extremely unselfish player.  Sam Kackman (MN) has been a very pleasant surprise to the cardinal offense.  Sam has great field vision and has ability to change direction  and was a natural fit for the offense we will be running.  Domenic Marzano (Hilliard Davidson OH) will see plenty of playing time at attack position when his midfield line isn’t on the field.  Domenic is a real field general and we will need his leadership on the field as often as possible.  Other players who will see playing time at attack are Senior McConnell (Allentown PA), and Nick “Louis: Guzzi (Bishop Moore, FL).

SUMMARY
As Wheeling Jesuit University enters its 6th season as an official NCAA member, we are looking to turn the page to bring our program to the next level.  We have the talent, experience, and intangibles to have an extremely competitive and successful season.