Carolina enters lacrosse tourney with Philly flavor
It has been 21 years since North Carolina won its last NCAA men's lacrosse title. And if that is to change this spring, some local players will have to play a big part.
It has been 21 years since North Carolina won its last NCAA men's lacrosse title. And if that is to change this spring, some local players will have to play a big part.
The Tar Heels are seeded third overall. And when they begin pursuit of the national championship with a first-round game with Patriot Conference winner Cornell on Sunday, All-ACC selections Joey Sankey (Penn Charter) and Ryan Kilpatrick (Salesianum, Del.) will be key.
The Tar Heels (12-3) are riding a two-game losing streak after winning 12 of their first 13 games. They lost their regular season finale to top-seeded Notre Dame, and then fell to eventual ACCchampion Syracuse, 9-8, in the semifinals.
The Tar Heels view those setbacks in a positive light.
"The two losses could really help us because you learn more from losing games than you do from winning them," said Sankey, an attackman who is a three-time All-ACC selection. "We are well-rested and ready."
Sankey has 27 goals and a team-high 36 assists. He became the school's all-time leading scorer this past season.
Senior cocaptain Kilpatrick, a defenseman, is one of the nation's top long-stick midfielders. This season he has 35 ground balls and has caused 11 turnovers.
Other local players on the roster include junior midfielder Steve Pontrello (St. Augustine Prep, N.J.), a three-year starter, and sophomore defenseman Austin Pifani (Abington). Pifani has started all 30 of his career games at close defense.
Lavine leads the way
First-Team All-Conference junior midfield Marc LaVine (Nashua, N.H.) is one of six Widener players named to the 2015 All-Commonwealth team.
Named first team for the second time, LaVine has 23 goals and nine assists this season.
He was joined on the second team by senior defender John Holland (Latham, N.Y.), junior defender Scott Allison (Downingtown East), junior attacker Tim Taylor (Archbishop Ryan), and junior goalie Tyler McClary (Galena, Ohio). Senior short stick specialist Trevor Alspach (Holy Cross, N.J.) earned honorable mention honors.
All-America banquet
The 2015 United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association All-America Awards Ceremony will be held at the Philadelphia Hilton at Penn's Landing on May 24 at 10 am. . . . Lincoln Financial Field will play host to the 2015 NCAA semifinals (May 23) and Finals (May 25).
@JmitchInquirer
