THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 3, 1996 TAG: 9603030205
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KEVIN DOEPP, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
With only three juniors and two seniors on his 28-man roster, one would think Virginia Wesleyan lacrosse coach Kyle Hannan might be concerned.
Oh, to the contrary. Hannan, entering his third season as coach of the Marlins, is confident that his young squad will come to play every match.
``Right now this team excites me,'' Hannan said. ``We have good team chemistry and the young guys (sophomores) have had a taste of the ODAC last year. The young guys make up for a lack of knowledge with enthusiasm for the game.''
Hannan has penciled quite a few of those sophomores into the starting lineup. And that doesn't bother him a bit.
``I don't get wrapped up in if they are freshman or sophomores,'' Hannan said. ``I get wrapped up in how they perform.''
Leading the way for Hannan's troops is senior midfielder Sean Lally.
Lally, switching from attack to help bolster the midfield production, is on track to become the school's all-time leading scorer.
According to Hannan, ``He will be the key to our success.''
Two other key returners are sophomores Tom Lewis and Pete Derby at attack. In the midfield, Chris Whitener, Brian Smith and Jason Therrien return.
On defense, the Marlins are led by sophomore Jeff McGlashan, a Cape Henry alumnus. Hannan says McGlashan likes to throw checks and has good clearing skills. Also on defense is sophomore Tyler Anderson, who was also elected as a team captain by his teammates.
Some of the newcomers to look out for are attackman Scott Chandler, midfielder Jason Hatch and transfers Colin Palmer and Craig Harrison.
The Marlins will face a tough conference and nonconference schedule.
Along with ODAC powers Hampden-Sydney, Washington & Lee and Roanoke, Hannan has scheduled Division II schools Sacred Heart, Greensboro College and Marymount.
``Every game in the ODAC is going to be a battle,'' Hannan said. ``We also wanted to play teams that would be a challenge to us out of conference, some teams that are well-respected.''
Hannan is a demanding coach who has high expectations of his players. He emphasizes the mental aspect of the game more than the physical.
``We always talk about being prepared and to know what the tendencies of our opponent are,'' Hannan said. ``Understanding situations and doing the right thing mentally are what I demand.''
NSU SOFTBALL: Having lost seven starters from last year's squad, Norfolk State head coach Turan Smith says he has to go back to the basics with this year's team. ``It is going to be an interesting year for us,'' Smith said. ``We are young and we don't have the bench strength that we had a year ago.'' Back for the Spartanettes are seniors LaKicia Coltrane at shortstop, Nakia Johnson at catcher and Beverly Withers in leftfield. Rounding out the the lineup will be designated hitter Danielle Johnson, second baseman Tonya Johnson, third baseman Tammy Pezzella, rightfielder Evett Shavies, first baseman Lekita Wilson and pitcher Angela Smith. ``The freshmen are going to be tested right away,'' Smith said. ``The college game is faster than the high school one, and the freshman won't get a chance to see that from the sidelines. They are going to be thrown right into the fire.''
VA. WESLEYAN SOFTBALL: Second-year coach Valerie Kepner has a good mix of experience and youth entering the 1996 season. Back for the Lady Marlins are seniors Kris Saltarelli at shortstop and La Donna Flanagan in the outfeld. Junior Lisa Paternite and freshman Emily Ouzts, a Great Bridge grad, will join Flanagan in the outfield. Lake Taylor graduate Lisa Newnam returns as catcher, and Monica Saltarelli and Kelly Wilson will anchor the pitching staff. Two other top freshman are catcher/infielder Jen Goudy from Salem High and infielder Jessica Jones. ``The biggest difference between this year and last is that we have 19 women on the roster,'' Kepner said. ``People will compete for positions and people will be pushed every day.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Midfielder Sean Lally is on track to become the Marlins' all-time
leading scorer.
by CNB