Strong midfield again a hallmark of Riverside's team New starters on attack and midfield are the question mark as team begins 2002 campaign By Coach Jim Kirkley In high school, as in college, there really is no such thing as defending state champions. With graduations and moves, every year brings a new team. Although the Pirates won their third state championship in 2001, the 2002 team will have to replace half their starters in order to have a chance to win a fourth title. Riverside lost their All-State goalie, an All-State attackman, an all-conference attackman, an All-State defenseman and another starting defenseman. That would normally portend a rebuilding year. However, with probably the state's two most dominant players on their roster, the outlook is still fairly positive. At midfield, two seniors, All-American Chris Feifs (70g, 7a) and fellow All-State selection Kevin Raspet (25g, 25a), will provide the scoring strength and could be dominating influences this year. After a harried fall recruiting season, they are ready to lead the Pirates forward as co-captains. Kevin will be going to the Naval Academy next year, with Chris joining him after spending a year at the Naval Academy Prep School. However, if opponents focus too much attention on those two, juniors Cory Coffman (12g, 14a) and Tim Gregory (5g, 1a) are speedy and major scoring threats. Tim hopes to enjoy his first full season after suffering through injuries and illnesses the past two years. Junior Anthony Howard (7g, 2a) will also be an indispensable factor as he contributes all over the field. Sophomores, Brian Jobe, T.L. Hutchins, and Chris Cherry step up from the jayvee and will give needed depth to the team, as will senior Gordon Bowman. The midfield will definitely be the strength of this year's team. At attack, only senior Graham Murray (24g, 2a) returns. However, he will move from the crease to behind as a feeder instead of a finisher. Joining him in the starting unit are converted middies, senior Madison Thompson (10g, 1a) and junior Owen Ham (4g, 1a). Senior Chris Wells will also work into that rotation. Depth will be provided by junior Colin Rossi, sophomore Jay Whitaker, and senior Scott Page, all of whom played jayvee last year. At defense, the Pirates have only one returning starter and despite several seniors, very little experience. Senior Nick Wallhauser may be one of the most underrated defensemen in the area. With 69 LBC's last year, he led the close defense in that statistic. He will be joined in the starting unit by senior Mark Hamilton and sophomore Bryan Thompson, both of whom saw limited playing time last year, but who have solid stickwork and speed. Senior Adam Keough is rejoining the team after a year's hiatus and despite that break is pushing those three for playing time. Behind them are senior Nate Hall and junior Michael Woodard. At long stick middie are senior Ned Phillips, who led the team with 83 LBCs last year as a rookie, and junior Bryan Van Dyke. Phillips is a relentless defender who tends to harass an opponent into mistakes. The key will be getting this unit to gel and not get rattled in early games. In the goal is last year's back-up, junior Zach Brewer. Zach had a .680 save percentage in limited action last year, but came up huge in the state finals while starter Rich Ladd was on the EMO unit. He has the potential to have an outstanding year between the pipes. Backing Zach up is last year's jayvee goalie Brian Ring. Brian has tremendous potential as a goalie, as he has demonstrated in practice. The story of this year's team will be determined by how quickly the five new starters gain essential experience. Early games could either be frustrating struggles, or growing adventures. The talent level and ability are there to have a successful year as long as the team improves throughout the season, as the 2001 team did.

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