Vol. 18, No. 27	April 15, 1999

Rullo Stadium a plus

Men's lacrosse heading for a record season in new home

The game against No. 15 Towson matched the two top NCAA Division I scoring offenses. Though the Tigers (3-4 overall, 2-2 America East) had evened up the score at 11-11 with only 14 minutes left, Delaware (8-0, 3-0) managed to seal the win at 17-16. Senior attack John Grant contributed a career-high seven assists and two goals and senior attack Sean Carney tallied a career-high six goals.

Senior cocaptain Marc Traverso, defense, said the Hens knew that the Tigers would catch up with them, but it was their poise and experience that let them keep control of the game.

"It's a game of runs," he said. "We had ours and we knew theirs was coming. No one panicked and worried that we lost the lead–we just regrouped. We are playing with such confidence right now. Not one person thought that we were going to lose the game, even when we lost the lead."

The confidence of the Hens' team this year comes from the 29 lettermen and 9 starters that returned this year. The team boasts 10 seniors, most of whom have played together since they were freshmen.

"All the seniors have been close friends since we were freshmen," Traverso said. "It makes it twice as good to be playing with guys you have been with for so long."

Head coach Bob Shillinglaw said the success of the team is a sign of the players' experience.

"We have a really experienced team," he said. "The experience and maturity level of the players is what makes it work. It's like a bunch of second coaches out there on the field."

One of the team's biggest strengths is Grant, who is the leading scorer is the nation. The All-American was a member of Team Canada last summer and made first team All-America East. Seniors Traverso, Jim Bruder and Kevin Lavey also are first team All-America East players.

According to Shillinglaw, the addition of Fred Rullo stadium has helped this year's team and the entire lacrosse program.

"We are excited about Rullo as a practice facility," he said. "The practice opportunities have improved dramatically. At the Towson game we had an overflow crowd. It is an excellent venue for spectators to view the game, and night games make it possible for members of the community to attend and become a part of our program."

With their toughest games approaching, Shillinglaw said the accomplishments so far add both pressure and excitement to the remaining games.

"As we progress through our season," he said of the final game scores, "the lower scores signify higher level of competition–and we have a lot to come."

The next few games will be the play-off run for the Hens, he said. North Carolina (April 18), Penn State (April 24), No. 1 Loyola (April 28) and Drexel (May 1) still threaten to end Delaware's winning streak.

"This series of games will be the yardstick by which we measure ourselves," Shillinglaw said.

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