Men's Lacrosse
2008 Season Recap
Even though the Pilgrim League Tournament eluded the 2008 Clark University men’s lacrosse team, that didn’t stop the 4-11, 2-5 squad from capturing its first-ever win over Lasell College in its regular-season finale. Senior Andrew Webber's goal with 41 seconds remaining in the first overtime lifted Clark to the thrilling 6-5 win on Senior Day. That marked their second conference win of the season as the Cougars had beaten Norwich University (15-4) earlier in the spring. The Cougars other two wins came against Misericordia University (Pa.) (13-2) and Nichols College (11-2).
Clark made significant strides in conference play this season. They fell to Babson College and MIT by four points with identical 9-5 losses, lost to Wheaton College by just two (9-7) and were edged by Mass. Maritime by one goal (10-9).
This season also saw some noteworthy individual milestones for the Cougars. Senior Dan Rosenak and junior Shawn Roche received second team All-Conference honors, marking the first time Clark players earned the accolade since 2002. Rosenak, Clark’s career groundball record holder, also earned the distinction of being named the team’s first-ever United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Scholar All-American this spring. Additionally, Rosenak, juniors Drew Silverman and Jeff Deluca, sophomore Alex Craven, and freshmen Kevin Schofield and Sam McAdam garnered Pilgrim League All-Academic honors.
Coach Davis also celebrated player accomplishments with team awards. Co-Most Valuable Player honors went to Dan Rosenak and Scott Wheeler, Most Improved Player was Mike Fuchs and Coach’s Award was given to Nate Sherman.
2008 Season Preview
According to sixth-year head coach Evan Davis, all indications aim to a strong year for the 2008 Clark University men’s lacrosse team. Two years removed from setting a new mark for wins in a season (7), the Cougars return to the turf with 17 letter-winners, a first-rate recruiting class, plus a pair of talented transfers, and a stout defense and healthy attack. Davis can only hope those pieces put together will bring Clark its first-ever winning season.
“Last year, the team started to believe they could win,” said Davis, Clark’s all-time leader in career victories with 22. “I can tell by the way they are working this year; their attitudes have definitely changed.”
This year’s substantial 32-team roster not only brings a wealth of depth, but top-notch talent as well.
“Top to bottom, this is the strongest class we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Davis said. “There’s not one person in our freshman class who can’t contribute to the program and make us better. They’ve made us better just by stepping onto the field.”
For starters, Clark acquires high school All-America Eugene Arsenault to join an already imposing offensive attack. At 6-feet-6-inches and 270-pounds, the South Portland High (Me.) product is expected to make a major impact up front. Arsenault will blend well with Garrett McAdam (32-8-40), Shawn Roche (30-26-56) and co-captain Andrew Webber (43-12-55), the 2007, 2006, and 2005 team leading scorers, respectively. Both Roche and Webber return after injury plagued seasons last spring.
“This will be the first year those three have actually played together,” said Davis. “We should have major production out of them.”
Senior Jon Ponte (10-2-12) will also bring a hard shot to the front-line, while freshman Danny Heelan will add quickness.
The list of both offensive and defensive midfielders is equally as impressive. Junior Matt Fram (16-8-24) leads the group of offensive middies that also includes sophomore J.C. Tsagarakis (10-6-16) and the return of senior midfielder Dan Stern (9-8-17). Rookie Sam McAdam, an All-American midfielder from Portland, Me., will undoubtedly play a significant role. Junior Drew Silverman and sophomores Chris Adams, a unique lefty, and Alex Craven, last year’s coaches award recipient, along with newcomers Hakeem Hindi and Ben Stuart will also be in the mix. Sophomore Scott Wheeler returns as the team’s top face-off man and will see a much larger role in the offense.
Top-recruit Tim Roche and freshman Kevin Schofield will combine for a formidable pair at long-stick midfield, while seniors Andrew Sheen and Nate Sherman and sophomore Jeremy Urquhart, who will also contribute on face-offs, will give the Cougars’ defensive midfield a boost. Freshman walk-on Sam Nevin will also compete for time.
Turning to defense, Davis believes the group will be “game-changers” for the squad. Leading the list of returnees is Dan Rosenak, the Cougars’ career-leader in groundballs (283) and two-year captain. He will be joined by senior Mike Fuchs, sophomore Tim Cole, and junior transfer Jeff Deluca. Sophomores Joe BuAbbud, Taylor Morono, Dave Schuberth, and freshman Nick Boschetti should give the Cougars valuable minutes off the bench.
Junior Tyler Campbell (10.91 GAA, .573 SV%) will be the team’s starting goalie. Newcomer Jon Gendron, an All-State goalie from Hebron Academy (Me.), will back him up.
With a beefed-up schedule that includes a first-time clash with two Pennsylvania schools and a NESCAC squad, not to mention a tough conference slate, the Clark team hopes to keep up with the competition this spring.
“We learned that in order to take the next step, we need to play tougher competition,” said Davis. “We have a young team again this year, but we are solid at every position. I’ll take my 10 starters and put them up against anybody’s top-10.”
About the Program
The mission of Clark’s men’s lacrosse program is to foster an environment where academic achievement and athletic success go hand in hand. Team members strive to reach their full potential in the classroom, because only then will they reach their full potential on the field. By focusing on three important traits – pride, strength and character – the coaching staff helps the Cougars become great leaders, not just great lacrosse players.
Head coach Evan Davis states, “Clark lacrosse stands for more than just the uniform on each player’s back; it represents family. Our slogan ‘4 Pillars, 4 Quarters, 4 Each Other’ embody – family, academics, personal character and conduct, and last but not least, lacrosse.”
The Cougars most prized initiative is their community service commitment to Americans Supporting Americans (ASA), an organization that provides aid to United States troops in Iraq. The Clark squad provides U.S. soldiers abroad with non-perishable food, clothes, magazines and health care items. Clark’s efforts were recognized by the NCAA News and Inside Lacrosse TV.
A program on the rise, Clark completed the 2007 season with the second-most wins in the program’s 17-year history. After setting a new mark for victories in a season (7) in 2006, the Cougars posted a 6-8 overall record last spring. Notable player accomplishments included a new record for groundballs in a career (283) by Daniel Rosenak ’08. With the return of 20-letterwinners, the 2008 lacrosse team is optimistic about the year ahead.
Men’s lacrosse at Clark dates back to 1981 when it was a club sport. It was elevated to varsity status in 1990. The team plays a competitive Division III schedule as a member of the Pilgrim League.
 The Cougars play their home games on a lighted sport-turf field. In addition, the Granger Field complex includes a lighted grass field and a $6-million field house. The Dolan Field House, a support facility for the fall and spring teams, provides indoor practice space, a training room, and team locker rooms for the Clark teams and visiting team locker rooms. The entire facility is located within walking distance of the central campus.
Our Mission
The mission of the Clark University Men’s Lacrosse Program is to foster an environment where
academic achievement and athletic success go hand in hand.
We strive for our team members to reach the highest level of success in the classroom,
because we believe that only then will they reach their full potential on the lacrosse field.
Our coaching staff understands that we are here to help our players to become great men and
leaders, not just great lacrosse players. We do this by focusing on three important traits:
pride, strength and character.
Pride in your work, appearance, who you are, and where you come from. Strength of mind and
body, giving our players the ability to overcome any challenge both mental and physical. This is
achieved through hard work in and out of the classroom. And character - promote those character
traits that will make our team members become great men and leaders in their communities.
To become a member of this team is much deeper than the uniform you put on, it is to become a
member of a family.
For more information about Clark University Men's Lacrosse, please contact head coach Evan
Davis at (508) 793-7729 or by email at rdavis@clarku.edu
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