Buck Strong
TRAVERSE CITY – Coach Steve Cerone wants to break the Traverse City Bucks' habit of opening slow and finishing strong in Grand Traverse YMCA lacrosse.
He hopes that the Bucks can get off to a fast start, and maintain their momentum right on through the Northern Michigan Lacrosse Conference playoffs.
A league title would be the ultimate payoff, and that's clearly the team's goal as it prepares to kickoff the 2011 campaign on April 7 at home against Cadillac.
Comprised of players from Traverse City West, the Bucks usually struggle early in the season before finding their groove and making a late run.
Last year's 7-7 finish was the team's best since its inception just four years ago, but Cerone knows it could have been much better.
In the league playoffs, the Bucks reached the semifinals where they were defeated by the Crusaders, 10-5.
The Crusaders, whose players are from Traverse City St. Francis, fell to the Thunder in the championship game. The Thunder's roster is filled with Traverse City Central players.
"I consider it was a success," Cerone said of the Bucks' 2010 season. "Every team within our division we played twice, and improved with every game.
"Our biggest highlight was we lost to (the Crusaders), 14-3 the first time and then we beat them the second time, 11-8.
"Basically, we kind of finished where I was hoping for. But, it would have been great to have made it into the championship."
Every team goes into the season with high hopes of making it to the championship game, and the Bucks certainly have that goal this season.
The Bucks lost only one starter, top defenseman Ian Howe, to graduation and return seven starters – including veteran goaltender Zane Rusinowski.
Cerone is high on a couple of newcomers, Colin Peters and German foreign exchange student Malte Eumseil.
Both are midfielders. Peters played on the West hockey team, and is in excellent physical condition.
Where the Bucks should be strongest is in the attack ranks with the return of two four-year starters in J.J. Chouinard and Adam Debevec. Cerone also expects big things from sophomore Jake Monette.
Despite losing Howe, the Bucks' defense has experience, and is battle-tested.
"Our midfield is young from last year, but they've improved tremendously," Cerone stated. "Hopefuly, we can pull off a win against Cadillac."
The Bucks are faced with a challenging early-season schedule, facing every team in the conference from April 7 to April 21.
"In the past we've kind of gotten off to a slower start, and improved through the year," Cerone commented. "So, this year I'm hoping that we start off ahead of ourselves, and hopefully improve (from there)."
The Bucks are inching toward a league title this year, and are determined to sweep all ahead of them in order to reach that goal.
Next week: TC Crusaders preview
Contact Greg Gielczyk at ggielczyk@jackpine.net.
