The Virginia Tech lacrosse team has been a force to be reckoned with in the NCAA, with a rich history of producing talented players and competing at the highest level. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the Virginia Tech lacrosse roster and player profiles, highlighting some of the key players to watch and the team's strengths and weaknesses.
Team Overview
The Virginia Tech lacrosse team competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and has a long history of success, including several NCAA tournament appearances and conference championships. The team is led by head coach John Sung, who has been at the helm since 2014 and has built a reputation for developing talented players and creating a competitive team culture.
Roster Breakdown
The Virginia Tech lacrosse roster is comprised of 40 players, including 25 returning players and 15 newcomers. The team has a strong balance of experience and youth, with several key players returning from last season's squad.
Here's a breakdown of the roster by position:
- Attack: 12 players
- Midfield: 15 players
- Defense: 10 players
- Goalie: 3 players
Player Profiles
Here are some of the key players to watch on the Virginia Tech lacrosse roster:
Attack
- Ian Chenault: A senior attackman from New Jersey, Chenault is a returning starter who led the team in goals last season. He's a physical player with a strong shot and the ability to finish in tight spaces.
- Ethan Walker: A junior attackman from Maryland, Walker is a speedy and agile player who can create his own shot. He's a key contributor to the team's offense and has a strong ability to dodge and finish.
- Will Wiseman: A sophomore attackman from North Carolina, Wiseman is a talented young player who saw significant playing time as a freshman. He's a strong shooter with a high lacrosse IQ and the ability to make plays off the ball.
Midfield
- Matt Moore: A senior midfielder from Pennsylvania, Moore is a returning starter who led the team in assists last season. He's a physical player with excellent speed and agility, and the ability to create for himself and others.
- Kevin Lindley: A junior midfielder from Maryland, Lindley is a speedy and agile player who can create his own shot. He's a key contributor to the team's offense and has a strong ability to dodge and finish.
- Cade Saustad: A sophomore midfielder from New York, Saustad is a talented young player who saw significant playing time as a freshman. He's a strong shooter with a high lacrosse IQ and the ability to make plays off the ball.
Defense
- Chris Hamlin: A senior defenseman from New Jersey, Hamlin is a returning starter who led the team in caused turnovers last season. He's a physical player with excellent speed and agility, and the ability to shut down opposing attackmen.
- Ryan Sabiston: A junior defenseman from Maryland, Sabiston is a speedy and agile player who can create turnovers and start the transition game. He's a key contributor to the team's defense and has a strong ability to anticipate and react to opposing players.
- Jake Taylor: A sophomore defenseman from North Carolina, Taylor is a talented young player who saw significant playing time as a freshman. He's a strong shooter with a high lacrosse IQ and the ability to make plays off the ball.
Goalie
- Jacob Goltz: A senior goalie from Pennsylvania, Goltz is a returning starter who led the team in saves last season. He's a physical player with excellent agility and the ability to make big saves in key situations.
- Zach Volpe: A junior goalie from Maryland, Volpe is a speedy and agile player who can create turnovers and start the transition game. He's a key contributor to the team's defense and has a strong ability to anticipate and react to opposing players.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The Virginia Tech lacrosse team has several strengths and weaknesses that will impact their performance this season.
Strengths:
- Offensive depth: The team has a strong attack and midfield, with several players who can create their own shot and make plays off the ball.
- Defensive experience: The team has several returning starters on defense, including Chris Hamlin and Ryan Sabiston, who have a strong ability to shut down opposing attackmen.
- Goalie play: Jacob Goltz and Zach Volpe are both experienced goalies who can make big saves in key situations.
Weaknesses:
- Youth and inexperience: The team has several young players who will be playing key roles, which may lead to some growing pains and inconsistency.
- Faceoff struggles: The team struggled on faceoffs last season, which may impact their ability to control possession and create scoring opportunities.
Conclusion
The Virginia Tech lacrosse team has a strong roster and a good balance of experience and youth. With several key players returning from last season's squad, the team has the potential to compete at a high level and make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. However, the team will need to overcome some weaknesses, including their youth and inexperience, and faceoff struggles, in order to achieve their goals.
Gallery of Virginia Tech Lacrosse Players
FAQ
Who is the head coach of the Virginia Tech lacrosse team?
+The head coach of the Virginia Tech lacrosse team is John Sung.
What conference does the Virginia Tech lacrosse team compete in?
+The Virginia Tech lacrosse team competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Who are some of the key players on the Virginia Tech lacrosse team?
+Some of the key players on the Virginia Tech lacrosse team include Ian Chenault, Ethan Walker, Will Wiseman, Matt Moore, Kevin Lindley, and Chris Hamlin.