|
The 2008 Tony’s Tavern
lacrosse team season begins the season as the reigning
back to back GCLA Champs. They will face fierce
opposition as they look to increase their winning streak
and defend their title in the 2008 season.
Veterans and first year guys will have to come together
as one of the most talented teams Tony's Tavern has seen
to continue the winning tradition.
Tony’s opens the 2008 with a home game against Bayou
City Sunday (1/13) in the first of 12 regular-season
games. The team kicks off its GCLA schedule on 1/27
against Lonestar. Tony’s will only have one showdown
with Metro this year on April 6th. Other non-area
match-ups include a March 29th game down in Corpus
Christi as well as a contest against Alamolax. The team
is still looking to add one more trip to play some other
non-conference opponents in the DFW area. Tony’s Tavern
looks to have a great season as the team builds on their
experience from last years as well as the support from
their fans.
Tony’s Tavern 2008 men's lacrosse, position by position
...
DEFENSE
Returning – Nathan Daniels (0-2-2), Brad Cook (0-2-2),
Matt Walton (1-0-1). Lost – none. Injured – Chris
Wilkie. Newcomers – Michael Dufour.
Outlook – Tony’s Tavern returns the bulk of their
defense led by Nathan Daniels, Brad Cook and Matt
Walton. Daniels and Walton will lead the way with great
position defense, checks and the ability to clear the
ball with their legs. Cook will continue to throw
precise take away checks, get loose balls and keep the
crease clear in front of Shearer. Joining this highly
talented defensive unit is A&M standout Michael Dufour.
This looks to be the best and most talented defensive
unit that Tony’s has had.
Daniels continues as a
great position defender who also has stealth take away
checks and great clearing ability. Daniels will
continue to be a leader on the defensive end of the
field in 2008. Walton will once again bring his high
intensity defense and relentless pursuit of the ball to
the team. Walton has great experience and leads by
example and is always ready to move the ball up field
with his legs. Cook was named Newcomer of the Year due
to his great defense and shutdown ability that he
exhibits every game. Cook showed the skills that made
him a good player at Georgetown in 2007 with his
clearing ability and great field vision. Michael Dufour
joins his brother on Tony’s Tavern and will bring his
skilled position defense and take away checks to the
team in 2008. Cook, Daniels, and Walton are expected to
start and make a major impact for the defensive unit
this spring. Dufour will also, see time starting with
his hard checks and ability to clear the crease at any
time. This looks to be the most talented unit the team
has had.
GOALIE
Returning – Mike Shearer (76 saves, 23 GAA, .77 save %),
Eric Markeloff (12 saves, 4 GAA, .75 save %). Lost –
none
Outlook – Mike Shearer
will return in the starting role for 2007 and
quarterback of the defense. His quickness and great
clearing ability will help Tony’s Tavern continue to
dominate between the pipes along with a great transition
game. He will look to anchor the defense that posted 2
shutouts in 2007 and killed 80% of the man-down
opportunities. Eric Markeloff will have return to the
team as the 2nd goalie and more than capable back-up.
Markeloff saved 75% of the shots he faced in 2007 and
will look maintain that in 2008. Markeloff will
continue his role as the team’s indoor goalie.
MIDFIELD
Middies Returning – Dexter Spriggs (13-9-22), Matt
Shearer (15-5-20), Justin Hill (15-3-18), John Mitchell
(8-4-12), Brandon Stowe (3-4-7), Tim Glass (3-2-5),
Brian Dufour (2-2-4), Blake Stoker (3-1-4), Kyle Nelms
(1-1-2). Middies lost – Joel Hill, Mikey Issacson. Injured –
Jimmy Constable (1-0-1). Newcomers – George Drogaris,
Tim Loveless, Reid Singleton.
Outlook - With the main core of the midfield unit
returning and highly talented new comers to add extra
depth, Tony’s Tavern could have its best midfield units
ever. It starts with face-offs and Drogaris, Hill, Singleton and Stowe will look to get Tony’s off and
running every face-off this year and improve on their
high percentage of face-off wins from 2007. Dexter Spriggs returns after his first full year playing for
Tony’s. His leadership, scoring and passing ability
made him a key player in 2007 and earned him Team MVP
honors. Matt Shearer will look to continue his
leadership on the field as well as his big game scoring
ability as he finished 2nd among middies in points with
20. Playing both middie and attack saw Justin
contribute 15 goals to give the team a great amount of
options at attack. Justin tallied 18 total points
and had 6 goals in the playoffs. John Mitchell joined
the team in 2007 with a bang tallying 12 points and
immediately making an impact with great cuts and finding
open spaces for easy shots. Brandon Stowe stepped up
big all year long with his face-offs and at times was
the only face-off guy. Stowe also, found the cage and
picked up a few assists along the way. Tim Glass
continued his great all around play especially in
transition and wing play. Glass was an unsung hero with
his great defense and clearing ability due to his great
speed. Brian Dufour was a great asset to the team
playing middie and filling in at attack a few times.
Brian’s understanding of the offense should net him more
assists and goals in 2008. Blake Stoker continued his
team first play and helped on offense and defense.
Jimmy Constable had a shortened season due to work and
injury and will look to be back fall of 2008. The team
is excited to get standouts: George Drogaris, Tim
Loveless, and Reid Singleton who all join the team in
2008. Drograis known mostly as for his face-offs
will bring his great speed and knowledge of offense and
defense as well. Loveless joins the team after
starring at St. Lawrence University. Loveless is a
dominating force as a feeder and scorer. Loveless
will rack up a lot of points in 2008 and help Tony’s on
both offense and defense. Singleton comes to
Tony’s after a great career at North Texas where he
dominated at all areas of the field. He will bring
his face-off ability and scoring ability to a talent
midfield unit. Joel Hill quit this year.
Tony’s Tavern has a great midfield unit with lots of
talent and depth which they will need to take full
advantage of as they face an 11 game schedule in 2008.
LONGSTICK MIDFIELD
Returning – Colin Gittings (2-0-2), Cole Nowak. Lost –
none.
Outlook – Colin Gittings and Cole Nowak should continue
to split time at the long stick midfield position. Both
have the ability to create transition along with the
ability to neutralize a team’s top scoring midfielder.
Gittings speed will help Tony’s on the wings during
face-offs. Nowak will continue to play ball control
defense and slow down over ambitious middies.
FACE-OFF
Returning – Justin Hill, Brandon Stowe. Lost – none.
Newcomers – George Drogaris, Reid Singleton.
Outlook – The combination of Hill and Stowe last year
helped Tony’s Tavern continue fast starts and season
long domination at the face-off X. They will both
return to bring a combination of power and technique.
Face-offs will be key this year as Tony’s Tavern looks
to add some non-league games. Joining the group will be
2 fresh faces that bring their own list of awards as
outstanding face-off guys. Reid Singleton and George
Drogaris will be able to add speed on the face-offs and
bring the fastbreak face-offs to help Tony’s get out to
big leads early on.
ATTACK
Starters returning – Bobby Jee (28-15-43), Jeff
Mazzolini (10-23-33), Rene Kozarsky (19-12-31). Lost –
None. Other returning attack – none.
Newcomers – Jason Dunn, Colin Linggo
Outlook – The attack comes back for another year. In
2007 they were very well balanced as a unit with Bobby
Jee leading the way in scoring with 28 goals, Jeff
Mazzolini tallying 23 assists, and Rene Kozarsky with 19
goals. Jeff Mazzolini continued
with his top feeder role as he had 1 goal & 8 assists
vs. Southside. Kozarsky will look to bring balance to
the attack as a scorer and feeder. Kozarsky put in an
astounding 7 goals vs. Sam Houston giving him back to
back seasons with a 7 goal game. Jee will look to come back with another strong
offensive year as he led Tony’s Tavern in goals and
total points. 2007 was highlighted for Jee by a
6-goal, 3 assist effort vs. Southside. Colin Linggo
joins the group in 2008; bringing in his experience from
playing at Loyola and both his accurate shooting and
nice feeding to make the unit stronger. Jason Dunn
joins Tony's Tavern after moving back to the Houston
area and adds one more A&M almunus to the team. He
brings his well balanced game and rocket shot to give
defenses one more option to worry about. The 2008 season
looks to be one where the unit learns from past
experiences and adds some new blood to make the attack
unit stronger and among the best in the league.
|
