LEXINGTON, Va.- The 2010-2011 VMI lacrosse team began preparations for the upcoming season this week, as practice commenced Wednesday afternoon on the Parade Ground. Practice opened with 48 players on the roster, and also marked the practice debut of new VMI head coach, Brian Anken.
“I am very excited to officially start fall practice,” said Anken. “The biggest change we're making this fall is a total overhaul to all of our systems. We're trying to change our mentality, change the way we do things.”
One of the overhauls will come in the offensive end, as this season will feature a more up-tempo pace.
“We want to shoot the ball more 40-50 times a game this year, meaning we're going to be shooting 300-400 times a day in practice,” said Anken of the impending offensive change.
The battles that will be highlighted in fall practice will be at goalie, and face-off specialist. Sophomore Kelly McMinn is the returning starter in the cage after starting 10 games last year, while five other netminders, including three freshman, will also push for action.
The faceoff battle will be between what Anken feels is best in the conference with juniors Stephen Robarge and Chris Rossie. Robarge comes into the season after winning 62 percent of his face-offs (192-of-312), while Rossie won 50 percent (18-of-36).
“Offensively, even though we return several very good attackmen, and some of the freshman we have coming in with the new system we are putting in offensively will feature less structure and more creativity on the offensive end.”
One the offensive end, the Keydets return four of their top-seven scorers from last season, with junior Colin Bosse leading the way after scoring 21 goals and dishing out eight helpers last season. Also in the fray are juniors Keith Long (10g, 8a.), Drew Leonard (10g, 6a.), and senior Bobby Davis (13g.,2a.).
“We're going to use this time to gauge where we are by really taking an inventory of what we have personnel wise, and what we can do systematically with what we have,” said Anken of the practice time.
Key dates this fall are Oct. 1, which will feature the 2010 VMI Alumni game at 8 p.m. on the Sprtinturf Field, as well as the Lee-Jackson Classic on Oct. 23 at 1:30 p.m. from Alumni Memorial Field at Foster Stadium.
