Past Rhino Player, Peter Baum, Gets Some Love from Inside Lacrosse!
Monday, January 18th, 2010 at 10:09 amInsideLacrosse.com NCAA Preview 2010: No. 27 Colgate
Talking to Colgate coach Jim Nagle after just their first practice of the new year on Tuesday, it was still a little early (understatement alert) to get any definitive opinions on how the Raiders will address the issues presented by Brandon Corp and Kevin Colleluori’s graduation.
But as the ball gets rolling toward spring in Hamilton, N.Y., here are the notes to watch as move through a scrimmage schedule that includes dates at Delaware, Towson and Princeton in consecutive weeks before opening at Binghamton on Feb. 20.
Molding an Identity
Rebuilding the offense will be a priority for the early part of practice as Colgate has to replace 45% of their scoring in their two All-American attackmen.
“I think we’re still molding the identity,” Nagle said. “We had some pretty talented kids, and Brandon and Kevin were the two guys that we went to on offense and were the focal points. To think we’re going to come back from that isn’t going to happen, but we’re not looking to be the team we were. We feel like we have some talent down there, just maybe not the same talents — more shooting/finishing types, as opposed to dodging.”
Senior Zack Craumer and big junior Ben McCabe are the two likely options to pick up the scoring slack, but outside of their talents, Colgate’s pass-first approach at the offensive end should be a calming factor for their fans.
“I think the biggest thing we try to preach is versatility on the offensive end — pass and shoot, moving the ball, sharing the ball and playing unselfishly,” Nagle said. “We probably run fewer plays than most, so I can’t say there’s a real system.”
Outside of looking for playmakers, Nagle and his staff will be looking for leaders to step forward in the locker room. It appears senior midfielder Ian Murphy is the prime candidate there.
“As far as the dominant personality, we pass the torch to the seniors, and that’s where it will fall for us this year. With regard to leadership, Ian Murphy’s the guy for us.”
Building Block in Net
Tim Harrington could be in the running for Goalie of the Year honors.
A known-quantity on the defensive end after starting since he was a freshman, goalie Tim Harrington enters 2010 coming off of a season in which he stopped 51% of the shots he faced. Good work in the offseason was undercut by a nagging nerve injury in his neck, and sophomore Jared Madison is providing some competition for the starting gig.
About Harrington, Nagle says: “I think the biggest thing about him is he’s had some great experience and the characteristic he epitomized to rebound from tough games. He’s had some great games, and he’s had some games where he would’ve like to have played better, but he always comes back the same way.”
New Faces
Among the talented freshman class Colgate brought in, midfielder Peter Baum from Portland, Ore., and defenseman Will Manning from Garden City, N.Y., are two that could see time early. Baum was a surprise on the recruiting trail who showed exceptionally well at the Under Armour All-America Game, and Manning is a polished player coming out of the Westminster School in Connecticut.
Nagle says that in terms of early playing time, Baum’s position gives him the edge.
“Defense is a more challenging transition initially, so I think Peter has a better chance of playing early,” he says. “[Baum] has all the tools, but I think the most impressive thing has been his focus and work ethic. He takes a ton of shots.”
