This season, the Frostburg State offense has garnered much attention for ranking 16th in Division III in scoring at 13.7 goals per game. But the defense is not exactly a slouch on that side of the field.
The Bobcats (16-2), who are ranked No. 19 in the latest United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association poll, are tied with No. 8 Salisbury for fourth in the country for fewest goals per game allowed at 5.7.
The defense's play might be considered surprising after graduating five starters in goalkeeper Tyler Haines (7.76 goals-against average and .580 save percentage), defenseman Kevin Kinney (24 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers), long-stick midfielder Korey Bosley (25 GB, 11 CT) and short-stick defensive midfielders Zach Douglas (58 GB, 6 CT) and Andy Luhmann (22 GB, 9 CT).
But Frostburg State has reloaded with junior goalie Tom Kraemer (5.51 goals-against average and .622 save percentage), senior defenseman Andrew Richardson (22 GB, 5 CT), sophomore long-stick midfielder Alex Phillips (36 GB, 19 CT) and a trio of short-stick defensive midfielders in sophomore John Gamber (44 GB, 7 CT), junior Erik Geiser (84 GB, 5 CT) and sophomore Kyle Horak (59 GB, 4 CT).
"I think we've got some great guys down there to begin with," coach Tommy Pearce said Wednesday. "Tom Kraemer is making a bunch of saves for us. [Senior defensemen] Zach Burkhardt and Paul Newman have been playing down there for a long time, and they're kind of our leaders down there. Andrew Richardson has done a great job. I think it's awesome for Andrew to be a senior and get an opportunity to step into a starting role after three years of working hard in limited playing time. Our long-stick middies, Alex Phillips and [sophomore] Chris Santina, are doing a great job. John Gamber is a guy that saw limited playing time last year with Zach Douglas and Andy Luhmann kind of being our top D-middies, and he's really stepped into that role and done a great job as a D-middie."
The defense has shaved almost two full goals from last year's average of 7.4, and Pearce credited Burkhardt (32 GB, 18 CT) and Newman (15 GB, 6 CT) with rallying the group.
"We returned two of our three starting defensemen, and Paul and Zach have taken being the leaders of our defense very seriously," Pearce said. "They're working hard, and I think those guys are better leaders this year than they were last year."