The skyhawks end a great fall ball season at 3-1 with just a heartbreaking loss to Grand Canyon University in Arizona. Armed with a new head coach and a new group of quality freshman, the Fort looks to win an RMLC championship and make a deep run at the national title. The Fort has reshaped the face of the team after the worst season the Skyhawks have had in the past 3 years at 6-5. With the rejuvenated returners and a new team identity taking form during the fall, Fort Lewis could have one of the most promising seasons in recent memory. Watch for them to reclaim a spot as one of the elite of the country.
Zane Bilgrav takes the reigns of the Skyhawks as the head coach for the upcoming 2010 season. Zane comes from a rich background in lacrosse with an incredible list of accomplishments as a player and coach. Zane spent the last several years building the Durango high school lacrosse program with a panel of other coaches. As a record setting attackman at Colorado College, Zane is sure to give the Skyhawks back the offensive potency they lacked a season ago. Moreover with being an offensive professor he brings a great deal of discipline and overall successful team scheme to the campus in the sky. With these weapons at his fingertips Zane is sure to help bring a conference title and great national recognition for Fort Lewis College.
The Fort returns a core of players that could match up with any program in the country. Armed with a great senior class in: Adam Allen who tallied 2 goals, 2 assists last year and a defensive presence to be reckoned with. Andy Grenhart that stepped into an attack role last year notching 44 points for the hawks. Kellen Seitz brings leadership and a never back down attitude to the midfield and is prepared to make a career season topping his 13 points last year. Lastly leading the senior class is all-American and RMLC offensive player of the year Dan Riecks. As 2010 approaches, Dan is expecting to bring a championship back to Durango; he closes his outstanding career and expects to top his 36 points from the midfield in 2009.
Following a great looking senior class comes the leadership from the players that make up the majority of the team. Offensively Matt Lindsley, a junior led the Skyhawks from attack with 46 points. Sophomore Kevin Harkey will be one of the outstanding players for 2010 from the midfield and attack bringing in 40 points from 2009. Matt Dacey and Josh Deguzman, sophomores, will be looked to for the intangibles to top of the offensive side of the skyhwaks. Defensively the Skyhwaks return the entire defense that was able to disrupt all offenses during the 2009 season. Sean Claussen comes into this year as what seems to be the most anticipated goalie to watch in the RMLC. Sean had 132 saves last season with some game winning performances that will be highly valuable coming into 2010. Mike Kelly, the sophomore stand out who was thrown into college lacrosse after surgery gets his chance to make his healthy run at a title. Jon Bock, 2nd team all conference defense, opens this season as one of the most valuable assets to the Fort. Lastly Matt Cawley, all-American junior, will have the most ambitious season of his career to take the skyhawks into greatness.
The freshman Skyhawks that teams across the country will be looking out for include: Fred Waddle from Colorado Springs, Drew Larson from Columbine high school, Ian Hays from Centennial, and Brian Ourlser representing Grandview high school, Luke Blacketer, and Durango native Aaron Blue. More than just bringing in a spectacular freshman class he Fort returns some true talent after a year off. Erik Johnson who was an all-American attackman two seasons ago will spend his last year in the hunt for the title along with Cullen Bilgav and Zach Young. Both of which will be bringing leadership and a high level of confidence to Fort Lewis.
The Skyhawks will begin the 2010 season with one goal in mind; to win a national title. Watch for the Skyhawks to make a fun filled and memory-making season to tap off something special in Durango. Thank you to all of those who will support us!
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