Local NCAA teams getting set for 2013 season

By Tom Hoffman

Area college lacrosse fans will have a lot to look forward to in the next few weeks as a number of games will be taking place in the Philadelphia area as the 2013 season gets into high gear.  While a number of local schools have already started their seasons, many others will be hitting the field for the first time this weekend gearing up for Memorial Day weekend’s NCAA Championships taking place at Lincoln Financial Field.

The University of Delaware Blue Hens have already played twice this season, defeating High Point then falling to Bucknell,  but will face a tough opponent this Saturday when the defending National Champion Greyhounds of Loyola University invade U of D’s Rullo Stadium for a 3 PM faceoff.  Blue Hens attackman Eric Smith missed the 2012 season due to injury but already has 6 goals and 2 assists to start the 2013 campaign and will look to add to his totals against a stingy Loyola defense that ranked fifth in the nation in 2012.  Jack Runkel will again be the starting keeper for the Greyhounds, who open the season as the top rated team in the country according to the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Coaches Poll and the Nike/Inside Lacrosse Media Rankings.   In addition, Villanova University will open their 2013 season at Villanova Stadium on Saturday hosting Lehigh University at 1 PM.  The Mountain Hawks are 1-0 already having defeated St. Joseph’s last weekend and enter the game ranked 10^th in the Nike/IL poll and 11^th in the USILA poll. 

The following weekend, more big names will take the fields in the area starting on February 22 at 7 PM when the Duke Blue Devils will faceoff at Franklin Field against the University of Pennsylvania for the Quakers season opener.  Saturday the 23^rd will see a local Division III matchup featuring Haverford College at fifth ranked (USILA) Cabrini College at 1 PM.  On February 26^th, Villanova will travel to West Philadelphia and a date with Drexel University at Vidas Field while Penn takes a ride to City line Avenue to face St. Joseph’s.

These games are just an appetizer to get local college lax fans ready for what’s coming up the rest of the season, including the Inside Lacrosse Whitman’s Sampler Independence Classic on March 9 at PPL Park in Chester.   This event, along with other key local games in March will be highlighted in the coming weeks.   Stay tuned to LaxPhilly for previews of these upcoming games across all three NCAA divisions.  

Interview With Nick Schroeder

Pictured with Dallas Eliuk, Nick Schroeder (right) in one of
his many hillarious poses that Wings fans came to
know and love

Kevin M. Neibauer recently caught up with an old friend and genuinely funny and nice guy, the one and only, Nick Schroeder.

Nick was a back-up to the legendary Dallas Eliuk....

So, let's catch up with Nick

 KMN-'How long did you play with the Wings?"

NS- "I joined the Wings in 2001 and stayed until I went to NY for their first season, I think that was in 07_08, i dont remember... too many hits to the head."

 KMN-"How hard was it too stay focused being a back-up?"

NS-"Focusing while backing up Dallas Eliuk was easy... make sure the water bottles were full and keep opening and closing the gate. Not a lot to keep straight

 

 KMN-" Since you left, you now have a family, care to talk about that?'
NS-"I love talking about my family! My daughter is 6 now and in grade one and my wife still thinks im a knucklehead for playing lacrosse still. That about covers it."

 KMN-:New Jersey Rascals, first player signed, what is your status with them?"
NS- "Who knows... that was a highlight of my career, for about 5 minutes."

 KMN- "Favorite city to play in?"
NS-"There is only one answer to that and we both now what it is."

 

 KMN-' Toughest city to play in?"
NS-"Same city! I remember my first game for the Wings playing the Washington Power in Washington. After a poor warm up in front of one fan that came early, I walked over to the bench to get a squirt of water when I noticed the fan was a cute little old lady wearing a Wings jersey so I gave a wave... She returned my friendly Canadian greeting by clearly mouthing the words "you Suck Big". I promptly let in 4 goals on 5 shots and got pulled. It was the beginning of the end".

 

 KMN- "Best teammate?'
NS-" Everybody who ever stayed in the Canadian embassy. Its a bond of silence that will last forever. Or we would all be in jail."

(The Canadian Embassy is where the players from Canada lived while in season)....a lot of secrecy!!!

 

 KMN-"Do you have a day job, or full time goalie?'"
NS-"Being a full time goalpretender was the dream for a long time but when I found out its about what you truly love to do and not have to... Thats when I became a dump truck driver."
 

 KMN-' "What advice do you have for the younger kids who aspire to be a pro lacrosse player?"
NS-"Dont be a goalie. It hurts"

.Nick Schroeder was always very kind to my daughters when they coming to games with me, he, more than others, showed them what good guys lacrosse players can be. Nick always found time, win  or lose to badger and tease me, good naturedly...always a nice word and a smile...it was an absolute pleasure to catch up with him.

Thank You Nick for doing me the honor of doing this interview!!!