5/10/2012 - West Side Leader
     

BATH — Revere High School boys lacrosse head coach Ryan Fletcher said he has seen both an improvement in play and an increase in confidence from his players as this season has progressed.

“From day one of the season to this point near the end, our team has shown tremendous improvement,” he said. “The team we have now seems completely different than the team we fielded in our first game. Players have much more confidence offensively, defensively and in transition.”

Through May 6, Revere’s overall record was 3-10.

“Two big upset wins against Padua Franciscan and Columbus Academy have really built the players’ confidence for the remainder of the season,” the coach said.

Overall, Fletcher said, Revere has “a very young team” this season.

“Our first and second line of midfielders are all freshmen and sophomores,” he said. “Our goalkeeper is a sophomore, and we start one sophomore on attack and one on defense. We only have four seniors and three juniors on the team at this point. As a very young team, we are trying to work on on-field communication and ball movement.”

The team’s seniors are Dan Schweikert, Sean Cox, Corey Spector and Ben Tisdale.

“Dan and Sean came in as two-time letter-winners and our most experienced players,” Fletcher said. “Dan has really embraced the role of a behind-the-goal attackman. He has more assists than anyone on the team and is the quarterback of our offense. Sean is a very solid and dependable defenseman. His enthusiasm and leadership have helped anchor the defense all season. Ben had never played lacrosse before this season and has made huge strides. He is our current-leading goal-scorer. Corey has stepped up and is making great contributions, primarily as a defensively oriented short-stick middie.”

Schweikert and Cox serve as team captains, as does junior Jake Totten.

“They were elected captains by their teammates,” the coach said. “Jake was elected to that position as a sophomore as well. Jake is a great all-around player. He is a defenseman who usually takes the face-off for our team. Having experienced players serving as captains on both ends of the field — attack and defense — really helps with our communication and keeps our players settled on the field.”

Another key player this season, Fletcher said, has been the sophomore goalkeeper, Carl Roman.

“Carl has improved greatly since last year,” the coach said. “He is playing very well, and the rest of the team notices the improvement.”

According to Fletcher, defense is one of the team’s “greatest strengths.”

“Our strength this year is defense, both man-down and six on six. Our transition game is really starting to pick up late in the season as well,” he said. “Our long poles — Sean Cox, Jake Totten and Jeff Carter — and long stick midfielder Joe Pearl are very athletic and play solid defense. First-year player David Suchy rotates with Joe Pearl at long stick midfielder and is making great contributions as well.”

On offense, the coach said, Revere has gotten much better during the season.

“Our offense is based on quick ball movement rather than individual players trying to dodge the defense. This was problematic at the start of the year, as our team is made up of many young players and first-year players,” he stated. “As the season has progressed, our offense has improved greatly, and our scoring has picked up.”

Revere will play its last regular season home game tomorrow, May 11, at 7 p.m. against Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy. Fletcher said his team is looking for a strong finish to the season.

“With just a week left in the regular season, we are looking to finish with at least five wins on the season,” he said. “As the OHSLA (Ohio High School Lacrosse Association) has placed us in Division II Central, we are as yet unsure about how our playoff draw will look. One of our major goals all season has been to develop individual players. With so many young and first-year players, that had to be a major goal, and they are all progressing very well.”

Fletcher is in his second season as the team’s head coach.

“Bob Heubeck and Mark Totten are volunteering as assistant coaches,” he said. “They have been a tremendous help this year.”

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