Newsday: Post Men Go For Three-peat
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By Steven Marcus
After winning two straight national titles in Division II, the 2011 C.W. Post men's lacrosse team has an even more ambitious goal. The Pioneers want to make history.
"There's definitely a different kind of energy around,'' said senior Mike Messina, who had 18 goals and nine assists for Post (16-1) last season and is the Pioneers' best all-around player.
"We all are excited for the chance to win three in a row,'' Messina said. "We just helped send two classes of seniors out on top and that's definitely what we want to do this season.''
No lacrosse team has won three straight titles in Division II. "It's going to be very difficult,'' said coach John Jez, 51-9 heading into his fifth season. "Every year, every other team just keeps getting better and better. Last year, there was a lot of pressure. This year, everyone's out to knock us off.''
Jez has the usual heavyweights to carry the offensive load. On attack, sophomore Eddie Plompen scored 45 goals. Senior Nick Coric had 27 assists. Justin Patterson scored nine goals - on only 12 attempts - and had 15 assists. There's even more offense with Vito Minerva (6, 12), James Johnston (18) and Keith Rodriguez (16, 14).
Steady goalkeeper Mike Giordano returns. John Wood and Wayne Ungar are the top defensive midfielders, and Erik Boyd and Sean Baum anchor the overall defense. Ronnie Irving has a big role in replacing All-American Mike Cama as the division's top faceoff man.
All of the efforts go in one direction - another title. "It's an unbelievable experience to be able to win back-to-back,'' Rodriguez said. "I find it great going into every game knowing we have a bull's-eye on our back. Every team wants to beat No. 1. As for this year, we have a chance to do what no team has ever done, be a three-peat. I think that's what makes us even hungrier for this one.''
There is a stark reality that follows Post and other teams in the East Coast Conference. Because there is no conference tournament, one regular- season loss at the wrong time can eliminate a team from postseason play. It happened last season to Mercyhurst, which had been ranked No. 2 but had its season ruined when it lost to Post in a defining moment of the regular season.
"With one loss,'' Jez said, "you can be sitting home.''