(Photo: Jodi Vosika/ASU Lacrosse)
After a year in which defensive prowess propelled the Sun Devils into the national championship game, all three starting defensemen are gone, leaving behind big question marks.
How will this team measure up to last year’s, and who will step up?
Losses
Captain Ian Connell, Nick McEneany, and Matt Wallace — all starters, all gone. Even an All-American who inexplicably rode the bench for the entirety of last season, Zach Mendoza, has graduated.
The loss of Connell will hurt the Sun Devils tremendously. ASU’s senior captain was named a First Team All-American twice in his career, to go along with his All-Tournament honors a season ago.
Just a little farther back on the pitch, starting goalie Chris DeLuca will also be missed this season. With an already young, inexperienced defense, his departure puts more stress upon the few veterans remaining.
Additions
A big help to the defense is the arrival of head coach Joseph Thon. A former defensive player himself, Thon garnered two NCAA Division II All-American awards and a 2007 Defensive Player of the Year honor during his time at Mercyhurst University.
This being said, it will take time for Thon’s influence on the defense to be visible as he develops a player-coach trust. Assistant coach and former ASU defenseman Brian Braasch will also play a factor in facilitating this connection.
Weakness
Inexperience and a consequently questionable lacrosse IQ could be the biggest weaknesses for ASU’s defense. If the Sun Devils wants to keep the ball out of their net, they will have to learn well and learn fast.
Strengths
What this team lacks in experience they will be able to make up in stamina and desire.
“We are in good shape and we are only going to get in better shape,” said junior defenseman Mack Regan.
Furthermore, their lack of playing time could mean that many teams might underestimate a potentially strong defense. Capitalizing on that could be their biggest weapon, and could mean the difference between a loss and a win.
Grade: C+. If the proper leadership is there, they have the potential to stack up to the offensive prowess of teams like Chapman and Colorado. On the other hand, it could all go downhill if the leadership of veteran players fails to arrive.
