By Chris Vaccaro

No clear relation exists between the games of poker and lacrosse, yet this season the No. 25 Pride men’s lacrosse team is using the motto “all-in” as a key ingredient for a successful season.

In poker there is an obvious gamble when someone goes “all-in,” the meaning of the term for the Pride pertains to a level of commitment that is necessary for victory.

Coming off a dismal 4-10 (2-3 CAA), the Pride has a lot to prove this season. Their 23 returning letterman should help for a smoother transition into a difficult schedule, but much remains to be seen.

Schedule

With the idea of team unity and obligation in mind, the Pride sets out to tackle one of the toughest schedules in the program’s history.

“We’ve always had a tough schedule, but this year it looks loaded because of our conference opponents,” head coach John Danowski said. “Every team has talented athletes and good coaching staffs.”

No easy breaks exist in this slate, which on gets harder after Saturday’s season-opening loss to the University of Massachusetts.

After a road game at No.19 Brown the Pride travels to Johns Hopkins for probably its hardest battle of the year. The Blue Jays enter the 2005 season ranked No.1 in the nation and face the toughest strength of schedule. Blue Jays senior attack Kyle Barrie, senior midfielder Matt Rewkowski, and senior defenseman Tom Garvey will keep the Pride occupied.

The longest home stand of the season begins on March 16 when the Pride plays No.7 University of North Carolina. Eyes zero-in on senior attack Jed Prossner, who was ninth in the nation in scoring with 56 points last season.

Shortly after, the Pride faces No.3 Princeton University, Binghamton University, and No.10 University of Notre Dame, all multifaceted threats.

One non-conference game at the U.S. Military Academy precedes the Pride’s Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) schedule. Because there are only five conference games, every game is important for a possible at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Starting with No. 22 Villanova University at home in early April the Pride then travels to Sacred Heart University and University of Delaware before hosting Drexel University. No.11 Towson hosts the Pride in a crucial late season match-up which could have potential to make or break the season.

The Pride’s final two games – both at Shuart Stadium – are against Long Island rival Stony Brook University and Harvard University.

Players

Inexperience reared its head many times throughout last year’s poor performances. Having matured over the past off-season from sophomores to juniors, the Pride attack core is awfully potent.

Junior Chris Unterstein (18 goals, 13 assists, 34 groundballs) was the Pride’s leading scorer last season. His experience and talent combine for a reliable scorer who comes up clutch.

“He’s a two-year starter for us,” Danowski said. “He’s our quarterback out there, a big leader.”

The first attack’s other key component is new to the position. Junior John Keysor (15 goals, 4 assists, 36 ground balls) makes the transition from midfield where he played last season.

Another huge asset to the Pride roster is sophomore Athan Ianucci, who has been out with a back injury, but when healthy carries a dangerous presence down low.

Since Keysor was moved to attack the Pride put junior Ryan Lucas (9 g, 6 a, 30 gb) at first midfield. This move has been smart thus far. In the fall Lucas’ field leadership was evident and he has proven to be a solid crease player.

Senior Ryan Vilar (15 g, 9 a, 17 gb) and junior Jim Treubig (14 g, 6 a, 24 gb) are both returning first-line middies who should form a heavy one-two punch, and have potential to explode this season. Vilar was selected to the 2005 Face-off Yearbook and Inside Lacrosse NCAA Division I Preseason All-America Team Honorable Mention.

Other important midfielders include junior Rob Bonaguro, junior John Orsen and senior Jeremy Kyrkostas. The younger Unterstein brothers, freshman Mike and Kevin, will compete for playing time and show their true competitive sides.

Senior Len Panarelli, who won 42 percent of his face-offs last year, will be the main square-off man this season.

The main defensive-middies will be Kevin Unterstein, senior James Morgan, and junior John Gorman, a transfer from Nassau Community College.

As for defense, the Pride is fortunate to have one of the premier d-men in the nation. Junior Brett Moyer, an STX/USILA All-American honorable mention and an All-Colonial Athletic Association first team member in 2004, will once again be a dominant force at either pole or closed defense. Like Vilar, Moyer was also selected to receive preseason accolades.

Like the other positions, defense has a slew of solid players. Junior Ryan Kelaher, a transfer from Loyola University, also is able to play long stick and closed. Senior John Edwards and junior Kevin McDonaugh are both all-around defenders who are versatile throughout the entire defensive zone.

“When healthy, our strongest position is defense,” Danowski said. “We have a lot of depth at that position, and this means there is a lot of competition.”

There is a noticeable trend of having more than enough talent at each position, a very good characteristic for a team with depth. This depth will help tremendously throughout the year with potential injuries and competition between teammates for position battles.