Crease Campaign
Senior attack man Pat Wilson looks for an opening during Traverse City Crusader Y lacrosse practice at the new YMCA fields on Silver Lake Road last week. The Crusaders are made up of players from Traverse City St. Francis. Photo by Greg Gielczyk
TRAVERSE CITY – Graduation took a bite out of the Traverse City Crusaders' defense from last year, but it didn't completely sweep the cupboard bare. There's enough experience coming back to help offset the losses.
Not that the team won't feel the absence of several outstanding midfielders, but there are enough players coming back who saw extensive action last season to help make the losses less painful.
One thing the Crusaders, made up of players from Traverse City St. Francis, know for sure is that their competition isn't going to shed any tears for their troubles.
Everyone is shooting for the YMCA Northern Michigan Lacrosse League championship with pre-season practice in full gear, and any edge a team can get is welcome.
Returning between nine and 10 solid players, all of whom gained valuable experience a year ago, certainly boosts the Crusaders' chances of getting back to the league title game.
"We've got some really good team speed, and it's just how well we gel together," said head coach William Grombala, Jr. during a sunny but chilly practice last week at the new Grand Traverse Bay YMCA fields on Silver Lake Road.
"Obviously, we want to get off to a good, fast start. Everybody has gotten better. We've been practicing since January.
"The level of competition is going to be up substantially. We're just going to take it that proverbial one game at a time and get after them."
Grombala, Jr. is installing a new offense this season, one that permits considerably more individual creativity that he hopes will promote more scoring.
Basically, it involves controlling spots on the field. When a space is vacated, other players move to that area.
"It just gives them the ability to be on the move, catch a ball on the fly, maybe get shot, maybe get a pass," the coach said.
"We've definitely have some good ideas of what we want to do with the talent that we have."
The Crusaders' offense is bolstered with the return of last year's leading scorer, Patrick Wilson.
Shoring up the midfield positions are Briggs Richmond and Quinn Lyman, who'll be counted on heavily.
Also back is junior middie Nick Clear, who is beginning his second season as a starter. His teammates voted him Most Valuable Player in 2010.
When the Crusaders' starting goalie broke his leg snowboarding last winter, it forced Grombala, Jr. to use two inexperienced players between the pipes.
Nathan Lodge gives the Crusaders that experienced goaltender they were missing last year.
With their new-look offense, the Crusaders should be fun to watch.
Grombala, Jr. also hopes it leads to more victories.
Next week: TC Thunder preview.
