LACROSSE PREVIEW: CAN DULANEY DEFEND ITS LEAGUE, REGIONAL CROWNS?
The Lions are looking to return to past glory, perhaps with their first Class 4A-3A state title since 2005.
Published: 03/20/2008
by Lem Satterfield
Dulaney is the defending Baltimore County and Class 4A-3A North Regional champion, and has won five Class 4A-3A state titles, the last one being in 2005.
But after losing last year's semifinal to eventual Class 4A-3A state runner-up Wootton of Montgomery County, the Lions missed the state title game for the first time since being runners-up to Severna Park of Anne Arundel County.
This year's Lions are a talented, high-scoring bunch, with Notre Dame-bound All-American midfielder, Eric Keppeler, being among the six returning starters.
The others include Jay Mann, who is bound for the Naval Academy's Prep School, senior attackman Spencer Martin, and senior attackman Cody Lehrer, who is headed for Mount St. Mary's.
Also back are Washington College-bound Brad Ruzicka and Michigan-bound Patch Ronald.
Martin is the Lions' top returning scorer with 23 each in goals and assists. Keppeler scored 25 goals and assisted on 17 others, and Mann scored 24 goals and also contributed 17 assists.
Ruzicka scored 21 goals and had two assists, and Leherer, 10 goals with 13 assists.
Also helping the Lions, who went 14-5 last season, are transfers senior Mike Roe and junior Mackey Scanlon from Severn and Boys' Latin, respectively.
"We're replacing a starter in the goal and some on attack and defense, so there are some question marks," said second-year coach Jake Reed, a Dulaney alumnus.
The Lions have a difficult early schedule with Saturday's game opposite three-time Virginia state champion Robinson, as well as a game on March 27 at Dulaney against Boys' Latin of the prestigious Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference.
A week from this Saturday, the Lions will compete in a tournament at returning Class 3A-2A state runner-up Fallston of Harford County.