ASU Lacrosse: Senior captain Berns talks leadership, transition from last year

(Photo: Jodi Vosika/ASU Lacrosse)

ASU defenseman Ryan Berns has been in a mainly utility role during his career with the lacrosse team. Now, after a series of departures following the 2014 season, he is the top defensive pole entering his final year on the team. From top to bottom, this Sun Devil defensive unit could best be described as inexperienced. Berns will be charged with guiding the defense as a captain.

“It’s a big step for these freshmen coming from high school,” Berns said. “Playing at the college level is a different game completely – a lot more physical. You have to rely on your brains up here. It’s about showing [the freshmen] how it’s done and making sure I’m doing it right so that I can preach the same thing.”

Coach Joe Thon is now at the helm of the team as a defensive mind, with extensive experience playing at the NCAA level during his career at Mercyhurst.

“[Thon] was an All-American [long-stick midfielder],” Berns said. “He is able to give us the direction that we haven’t had before. Making sure we are taking the right angles and really thinking about that. Definitely nice having.”

Despite the amount of changes that have taken place on this lacrosse team, Berns is confident in the transitional process.

“It’s tough,” Berns said. “But we (the upperclassmen who played under former ASU coach Chris Malone) went in and said this is not going to be a rebuilding year. This is just going on what we did last year.”

With the defenseman now in his senior season as a captain on the ASU lacrosse team, he mentioned what legacy he wants to leave behind at Arizona State.

“My goal going into the season is to finish what we started from last year,” he said. The senior captain definitely wants to make it a memorable one for his final year on the team.

“Overall, strength in general has been huge,” Berns said of his development as a defensive player throughout his career at ASU. “I am able to make sure I’m the one who’s dominating the field. I really been able to take control of the game. Rather than just running with kids, I can make sure that I’m making them do what I want them to do.”

The season’s start is looming for the senior captain and the rest of the Sun Devils.

“I’m not sure if words can describe how excited I am,” he said. “It’s fun to get out there and be able to make a play, get the crowd going, get your teammates going, [and] show your brothers that you care about everyone.”

You can reach Michael Baron via email at michael.baron@asu.edu.

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