Season Preview
Dec. 14, 2009 Written By Cole Moore & Matt Davis
This season the Red Raiders look to take the next step in the program and return to the MCLA national tournament. At the helm is head coach
Andrew Widmer with Trevor McKeehan handling the assistant coach position for the second year. Read more below for a position by position breakdown of what to expect on the field for Texas Tech this year.
(* - Denotes Captain)
Returning Players
Attack:
Neil Gordon
(Sophomore, The Woodlands, TX) – Neil is a quick, shifty attackman with great vision. After an impressive rookie campaign in which he finished top 5 on the team in scoring, Neil looks to operate, run behind the goal and take the reins of the offense.
Danny McNamara
(Senior, Southlake, TX) – A threat to shoot at all times, Danny brings extensive knowledge of the game having played for D-3 program Catholic University.
Willie Sterner
(Junior, Kingwood, TX) – Made the move back to attack after playing midfield last year. Is a tenacious rider whose size presents matchup problems for most defenses. Has great field vision and is a threat to score from the outside.
Drew Wallace
(Sophomore, Allen, TX) – Sophomore attack who looks to rotate into the offense and find more scoring opportunities. Good size and vision. Looks to contribute at attack and midfield.
Midfield:
Matt Davis *
(Senior, Plano, TX) – A four-year starter, Matt is the on-field leader and has already established himself as a threat to score with both hands from the midfield. The offense runs through him with his playmaking ability. Look to see him taking face offs as well.
Mason Herbert
(Junior, Houston, TX) – One of the most solid offensive players on the team. He is a physical midfielder who loses the ball very rarely. Has good recognition of the clearing game, as well as all aspects of the offense.
Cole Moore
(Senior, Houston, TX) - Cole is one of the most intelligent and versatile players on offense. He is always a threat to score as well as feed. His strengths lie in his vocal leadership and intuitive play.
Caleb Pirtle
(Junior, Austin, TX) - Looks to be a go-to-guy on line 2 of the midfield. Great all around middie who shows shades of excellence and potential.
Brandon Kaker
(Sophomore, Keller, TX) – As a face off specialist Brandon is improving on his technique and his recognition of when to push the pace. Should see significant time at the face off X this spring.
Andrew Bice
(Junior, Alamo Heights, TX) – A strong defensive midfielder with quick feet. Bice will play a great deal in the transition game this year. As one of the fastest players on the roster, Bice is a threat in the clearing game and off the face off wing.
Austin Wolf
(Sophomore, Plano, TX) - After becoming a starter at the end of last season, Austin looks to becoming one of the team’s premiere defensive midfielders.
Ricky Del Bosque
(Senior, Dallas, TX) – One of the team’s most physical defensive midfielders. Great athlete with good size. Should emerge as a senior leader on the defense.
Tim Massey
(Sophomore, Allen, TX) – Tom is a knowledgeable midfielder with a team mindset. He is a smart player on defense and has a good chemistry with any teammate on offense.
Justin Castle
(Junior, Houston, TX) – As the top long stick midfielder, Justin plays a fundamentally sound game. Plays a bend, don’t break mentality when it comes to covering the opposing midfield. Will be covering the best midfielders in the LSA.
Michael Wayne
(Sophomore, McKinney, TX) – Immensely improved from last season. Good checks and positioning. Shows great promise off the face-off wing and in clearing game.
Chris Driskill
(Sophomore, Austin, TX) – Looks to return as a contributor on the wings of face offs and see time at the long stick middie position.
Defense:
The strength of the team this year lies in the defense. With 3 returning senior long poles and a senior goalie the defense has all the leadership, experience and physicality to hang with any attack in the conference.
Gavin Carr *
(Junior, Shady Shores, TX) – Gavin looks to pick up right where he left off last year: 3rd Team All LSA. As the only junior defender, Gavin brings speed and the most threat to run the ball up from the defensive box. Posting goals and assists as a freshman and sophomore he looks increase the tempo of the game when he gets possession. Great one on one coverage, can cover any attackmen on the field.
Matt Bickham *
(Senior, Allen, TX) – A second year captain this year, Matt brings a physical presence to the defense while playing his best in the crease or from X. Limited in his action last year due to sickness, Bickham will be a big weight on the defensive end as well as the vocal leader.
Spencer Nolan
(Senior, Sugarland, TX) – Returning starter from Sugarland, Spencer looks to continue his dominance as a defensive leader. He is a versatile athlete that can cover any style of attackmen. This four-year starter is deceptively fast and can lay the lumber if needed.
Mark Meyer
(Junior, Mt. Vernon, WA) – Has some of the best feet with the flashiest checks on the team. Can match up with quick attackmen that have a good change of direction. Earned Honorable Mention All LSA last year.
Gavin Rogus
(Junior, Austin, TX) – Gavin is a fierce and energetic pole with good size. He has a lot of confidence with the ball in his stick and always looks to push the pace for a fast break.
Erik Peterson
(Senior, Dallas, TX) - After playing his freshman year at D3 University Wittenberg College, Erik brings his size and experience to the team. Erik defends the crease like no ones business and isn't afraid to lay someone out. He is one of the best in the game at picking off passes.
Goal:
Bart Jameson
(Junior, Bellaire, TX) – Bart comes into his senior year with an emphasis on team defense and playing within his skill set. He will be looked to for a quick start to the up tempo style Tech has always looked to start early in their games. Bart is the only goalie in the past few years to have a shut out game to his credit.
New Faces
Offense:
Monty Gumble
(Freshman, McKinney, TX) – Already a contributor for the offense, has seen significant playing time on the first midfield throughout the fall. Team player.
Nick Cooke
(Sophomore, Austin, TX) – Texas State transfer who is establishing himself as an all around offensive threat. Had an impressive fall in Dallas.
Patrick Syring
(Junior, Houston, TX) - All around athlete, can play both sides of the ball equally well. Will be a great middie in the clearing game and on offense.
Scott Garlich
(Freshman, Allen, TX) – Shows a natural understanding of the game. A natural lefty who should mature into a good wing shooter.
Taylor Watson
(Freshman, Allen, TX) – Can run attack and midfield, makes good use of space in close. Is a very good finisher on the crease.
Eric Drown
(Junior, Spring, TX) – already understands the offense in place. After a few years off from playing is making a return to old form.
Preston Taber
(Freshman, Allen, TX) – A good athlete with great size advantage at the midfield, he is also a good finisher around the crease.
Defense:
Mike Hatcher
(Freshman, Austin, TX) – Will see time at long stick midfield and close defense this year. Has a great knowledge of the slide packages and plays within a team orientated defense. Quick feet, has the ability to cover quick opponents.
Preston Munson
(Sophomore, Snyder, TX) - A North Texas transfer he will use his size and willingness to learn to rotate into the close defense spots
Barron Parker
(Freshman, Ft. Worth, TX) – The solo goalie in his class, shows promise early on and can potentially be a three year starter for the Red Raiders.
Evan Kelley
(Freshman, The Woodlands, TX) – Shows a great eagerness to learn all aspects of the game. Should develop into a good all around midfield threat.
Chris Gonzales
(Freshman, Plano, TX) – Likely to compete for time at defensive midfield and on face off wings.
WRECK 'EM!
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