2011 Men's Lacrosse Wrap-Up

The Elmira College Men’s Lacrosse team finished the 2011 season with an overall record of 5-8. The Soaring Eagles went 1-7 in the always challenging Empire 8 Conference, but posted an impressive 4-1 record against non-conference opponents. In his 12th season as Head Coach of Elmira, Preston Chapman saw the Purple and Gold defeat Utica College in Empire 8 Conference play, and come away with one goal victories over Keuka College and Susquehanna.

In 2011 the offense was led by the Rick Acorn ’12 (Barrie, ONT -- Innisdale), who tallied a team high 39 points on the season while only playing in 9 of the teams 13 games. Acorn notched 21 goals on 61 shots, and assisted on 18 of his teammate’s scores. On April 17th Acorn tied an Elmira College record for most points in a single game as he totaled 13 points on 7 goals and 6 assists against the Mavericks of Medaille College. David Evert ’14 (Niagara Falls, NY -- Niagara Wheatfield), Kenny Keirstead ’11 (Waltham, MA -- Waltham), Adam Walker ’11 (Corning, NY -- Corning East), and Jackson Correia ’14 (Simsbury, CT -- The Masters School) also provided the offense for Elmira. Evert finished the season with 14 goals and 18 assists in his first season for Elmira. In his fourth year Keirstead provided veteran leadership and offense for the Soaring Eagles from the midfield position, notching14 goals and 13 assists. Walker and Correia ended the season notching 17 and 15 goals respectively, each finishing with 23 points.

Also contributing to the Soaring Eagles on the offensive side of the ball was Dustin Gatt ’14 (Welland, ONT -- Notre Dame College), Tyler Campbell ’13 (Mississauga, ONT -- Gordon Graydon Memorial), and TJ White ’12 (Collegeville, PA -- Methacton). Gatt totaled 12 goals on only 23 shots, and had 4 assists as a midfielder while also grabbing a team high 53 ground balls. Campbell posted 9 goals for Elmira, while White netted 8 and recorded 21 ground balls.

The defense for the Purple and Gold was led by Barrett Gast ’12 (Orchard Park, NY -- Orchard Park), Paul Schwartz ’11 (Allison Park, PA -- Kiski School), and Br ock Sawyer ’12 (Toronto, ONT -- City Academy). Gast and Schwartz were a force for Elmira starting in all 13 games played, causing a total of 47 turnovers and tallying 82 ground balls between them. Sawyer scooped up 18 ground balls in his 11 appearances. In the face-off circle Elmira was led by Travis Armideo ’12 (Kimberton, PA -- Haverford School) and Paul Tagari ’13 (Newbury Park, CA -- Newbury Park). Armideo led Elmira winning 60 face-offs on 129 chances, while Tagari won 55 face-offs finishing with a face-off winning percentage of 47%. Armideo also had 34 ground balls, while Tagari picked up 18.

In goal for Elmira in 2011 was Dave Bucchino ’13 (Cedar Grove, NJ -- Bow), Brady Richards ’14 (Cortice, ONT -- The Hill Academy), and Michael Knowlton ’14 (Manchester, ME -- Maranacook). Bucchino was the primary net minder, starting in all 13 games for Elmira. Bucchino notched 182 saves, allowing 143 goals on 558 shots faced in 702:14 minutes of play. Richards and Knowlton appeared in 3 and 2 games respectively, each gaining valuable experience in their first year for Elmira.

Richard Courto ’11 (Fayetteville, NY -- Fayetteville Manlius), Brad States ’13 (Monmouth, NJ -- West Windsor-Plainsboro North), and John Clewlow ’12 (Brampton, ONT -- Heart Lake Secondary) also contributed for the Soaring Eagles this season. Courto appeared in 12 games for Elmira, while States recorded 15 ground balls and Clewlow tallied 5 points. Also seeing time on the field this season for Elmira was Sam Gagne ’14 (Goffstown, NY -- Goffstown), Christian Archambeault ’14 (Horseheads, NY -- Horseheads), Guillaume Meli ’13 (Burlington, VT -- Rice Memorial), Eric Bertsch ’14 (Middletown, RI -- Middletown), Alex Senchak ’12 (Scranton, PA -- Scranton), Erik Tibert ’14 (Wrentham, MA -- King Phillip Regional), and ErikMeitz ’14 (Sausalito, CA -- Woodson). In their appearances each gained valuable experience that should be beneficial towards next season.

The Elmira College Men’s Lacrosse team will have to depend on its youth to fill the void left by fourth year players Keirstead, Walker, Schwartz, and Courto.