Wildcats return nine out of the top ten players from last year's squad.
Feb. 29, 2000
VILLANOVA - The 2000 Villanova men's lacrosse team enters this
season with talent, experience, and a hunger to build
upon the success achieved in 1999. The Wildcats
return their starting goalie, all but one defensemen,
and 9 of the top 10 scorers from a squad that finished
with a solid 8-6 mark. Although once again facing a
schedule full of top-notch competition, including five
opponents ranked in the preseason Top 25, Villanova is
poised to improve on its winning record of Ô99 and
capture its first 10-win season since 1984.
Attack
Senior Tom Hourican (1999: 12G, 8A) a strong, rugged
attackman who is a relentless rider, plays his best in
big games. Junior Andrew Bogle (17G, 16A) is a
natural lefty who will be the quarterback of the
offense. Bogle, who has started every game of his
career, finished second on the squad in scoring last
year. Sophomore Justin Marks is a good shooter lefty
and righty, and freshman brother Brian Marks is a
smooth attackman who plays with confidence. Senior Tom
Lasky has a rocket shot and is dangerous on the EMO.
Sophomore Pete Franchetti will add depth to the unit.
Midfield
The strength of the 2000 team is in the midfield
where five seniors will run. Eric Dauer (18G) is an
all around middie who has a hard shot, is excellent
defensively, and will take some face-offs. Dauer
enters the year as an All-America candidate and is one
of the team's tri-captains. Jack McTigue (9G, 35A)
was the team MVP in '99 and placed fifth in the
country in assists per game. Like Dauer, McTigue is a
captain and a potential All-American. Chris Larson
(31G) is the Wildcats' top face-off man and an
explosive player with a hard shot. He is the third of
this year's team captains and is a bona fide threat to
earn All-America honors. Justin Loonie and Clayton
Greene will run on the second line. Junior Tim
Ristau, sophomores Mike Holloway, Randall Calvert,
Craig Clancy, and Andrew Driscoll will provide depth.
Junior Jesse Ford returns as the team's top short
stick defensive middie. Sophomores Andrew Quinn, Carl
Holbig, Tim Cestaro, and freshman Mike O'Donnell will
all compete for playing time as defensive middies.
Defense
The defense returns two of three starting close
defensemen and the number one long pole middie.
Junior George Hribar is super in transition and will
cover the top middie as the number one LSM. Freshmen
Owen Corso and Oscar James will compete for the
number-two LSM spot. Senior Rich Carter is the vocal
leader of the defense. Sophomore Chris Bowman,
Villanova's Rookie-of-the-Year in 1999, started all 14
games as a freshman. Junior defenseman Brian O'Hagan
is entering his third year as a starter and an
excellent groundball man who is an excellent clearing
defenseman. Mike Morash and Andrew Galano will push
for playing time as freshmen.
Goalies
Junior Matt Wilk (193 saves, .616 save %, 10.4 GAA)
is an outstanding shot-stopper in the cage. Last
year, he garnered the team's Most Improved Player
award for the great progress he showed in his play
from his freshman season, including ranking eleventh
in the nation in save percentage. Junior Mike
Mullette, an all-state player from New Jersey, had a
great fall and will push Wilk for playing time.
