Retooled Illini Build Fall Momentum
For Immediate Release – University of Illinois Lacrosse
Offseason Moves Excite Illini
CHAMPAIGN, Ill.- After three years of a coaching merry-go-round, the University of Illinois men’s lacrosse team looks to start the 2010 season with the optimism and consistency that brothers and coaches Joe and Phil Dodson bring to the team daily.
Recently graduated (U of I class of 2009), Phil Dodson signed on to the Illinois coaching staff during the summer, bringing impressive credentials and an accomplished resume from his four years as a defensive starter for the university’s lacrosse team.
Phil joins his brother, Joe, as a two-time MCLA All-American and two-year defensive captain of the Illinois squad. Phil will be taking up the responsibility of working directly with the defensive unit, as well as assisting his brother and offensive-minded head coach Joe Dodson on the sideline. “It’s going to be a much better situation for everyone,” said Joe Dodson. “I’ll be able to focus more on the offense and he’ll be in charge of the defense. It’s going to be an exciting year for the Illini.”
Phil agrees. “We have a great chemistry together,” he said when asked about what it’s like working with his older brother. “We’re able to keep it real with each other, and trust me, neither of us are worried about hurting any feelings.”
Despite the exciting addition of a familiar face to the coaching staff, the loss of 12 contributing seniors from last year’s team raised significant questions about how those losses would affect the team’s skill level in 2010. Among those lost to graduation were attackman Joe O’Malley, the GRLC assists leader for four years straight, attackman Nate Prescott (20g, 7a), midfielders Stephen Black (2008 GRLC offensive player of the year, two-time All American), Doug Sutherland (two-time All American), Chirs Fallon (2009 Most Valuable Player), the midfield unit’s workhorse Ricky Valencia, and Phil Dodson on the defensive side.
However, with the first day of fall practice came perhaps the most exciting and highly-skilled incoming class that the lacrosse club has ever seen. “The first day of practice is like Christmas,” Joe Dodson excitedly remarked. Indeed, all 15 newcomers have contributed to the team’s success this fall. Among the newcomers are graduate student and former Denison University football starter Will Minor, Ben McClellan, a midfielder out of the Boston area, Kevin Ford, an attackman out of Evanston, Ill., Mike Grutch, a highly-skilled defenseman out of Wilmette, Ill. and Kyle Blouin, an offensively talented attackman/midfielder.
The returning members of the squad also look to continue to contribute. Returning starters Scott Pfiffner (17g, 22a), Bob Ridlen (12g, 4a), Eric Rakoczy (G), as well as several others, including Dan Dickson (10g, 3a) who has recently been moved to the attack position, look to lead the team to the national tournament this spring.
It’s an exciting time to be involved with the University of Illinois men’s lacrosse team. Check back often for scores, stats, and updates as the team looks to close out the fall preseason and enter 2010 on a high note.
Illini End Fall with Two Undefeated Weekends
No one knew how the Illini would respond this fall after losing 12 seniors—most notably Stephen Black, Doug Sutherland and Phil Dodson, all two-time All-Americans, as well as Joe O’Malley, GRLC assist leader four years in a row, and Chris Fallon, the Illini’s 2009 most valuable player—during the offseason. But after three exciting weekends and two championships, the future for the Fighting Illini is looking brighter than ever. This fall season boasts a new coach, 15 new players, a NIU Classic Championship and a Big Ten Shootout Championship.
The fall season came to an exciting end with the Illini blasting through eight straight wins. First was the Northern Illinois University Fall Classic in which the Illini dominated both sides of the field. It was a beautiful weekend in DeKalb, Ill. wherein the Illini ended up outscoring their opponents 4-1, including a 9-1 championship game against Loyola University. The Illini also topped University of Dayton, Division II 2009 national runners-up, 9-4, in their second game of the weekend. The weekend was filled with tremendous defense, outstanding transition play, and exciting offense from the Illini. Almost equally impressive is that the Illini were able to play four different goalies this weekend, including newcomer Matt Walker.
The following weekend found the Illini up against several conference opponents, including Indiana and Wisconsin, who has recently been welcomed to the GRLC. It was an added pleasure for the Illini to be able to host the Big Ten Shootout in Champaign. A chilly morning became an amazing afternoon for lacrosse as the Illini wore orange and blue argyle shorts. The Illini proved to outplay the competition, topping Ohio State’s club team in the championship game, 7-4. The game proved to be a defensive battle with the first score coming late in the first quarter off a broken OSU clear when attackman Scott Pfiffner found the back of the net. It was interesting seeing the differences between the two squads. The Illini’s offense was much more deliberate, possessing the ball for long strings of the game while OSU, a player coached team, played more off transition and pure athleticism. “I love the Big Ten Tournament. I think that there is no better athletic conference in the nation and to be able to play these schools is an amazing experience,” said Phil Dodson. Notably absent from the tournament, however, were Michigan and Michigan State, who would have surely given the Illini a run for the trophy. The win over OSU completed the Illini’s eight game win streak.
But the fall isn’t over for the Illini; they continue to practice in Champaign as long as the weather permits. As the spring season comes nearer, they are looking forward to the nationwide schedule, which includes Michigan State, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Florida and conference rival Lindenwood University, all of whom were ranked in the top 25 at the end of the 2009 season.
