This past season was one of incredible highs and equal lows around Homewood Field. The Blue Jays were within a goal, or two, from returning to the championship game at Lincoln Financial in Philadelphia. Some familiar faces will return for the Jays, but there are holes that need to be filled as they look forward to the 2016 season.
Offensively, Hopkins is in prime position to be able to gun with any team in the nation. The midfield has a number of horses in the stable and the attack returns to dynamic weapons in senior Ryan Brown and sophomore Shack Stanwick.
Wilkins Dismuke had the opportunity to contribute early in 2015 and will again be looked upon to provide a punch in the scoring column. He started last season in the lineup regularly, but faded as the season progressed. His experience will be counted upon to fill a void left by the graduation of Wells Stanwick.
The good news is that they do return two great players in Ryan Brown and Shack Stanwick. Brown’s goal scoring potency has been on display the past two seasons and the Jays are hoping that he can keep pace this season. Stanwick allowed his brother to be the ball carrier for the team, but looks to move into that position this season. He is more versatile than Wells at this point given that he spent the majority of last season finishing plays more than starting them.
Two freshmen recruits did play in the Under Armour Senior All Star Game, in Kyle Marr and Henry Grass. Both could find a way onto the field early in their careers at Homewood.
The midfield has a lot of depth coming back and the veteran presence will be a great influence on the outcomes of games. Holden Cattoni showed moments of brilliance, but needs to be more consistent during his last campaign at Homewood. Connor Reed’s speed will break down opposing defenses and Coach Benson will like to take pressure off the attack.
After seeing John Crawley’s final game of 2015, Jays fans have to be excited for 2016. He has performed very well in big games and this could be the time he ascends to the top line. His work in the Final Four was some of the best midfield play the Jays’ have seen since Paul Rabil was on campus.
Cody Radziewicz and Kieran Eissler look to provide scoring punch to the second midfield, having anchored the second line for the better part of two seasons. Add in Patrick Fraser’s shooting ability, all via extra man situations in 2015, new addition Drew Supinski, and a few other new recruits, the Blue Jays will be deep in 2016.
Defense was hit the hardest by graduation. Rob Enright and John Kelly were both long time starters on the backline and they will need to be replaced quickly. The returning starters in Nick Fields and Nikon Shuler will shoulder a lot of Coach Petramala’s attention to settle what looks to be a very youthful defense. Shuler could even return to his position at long stick midfield.
Bucknell and UMass transfers could be asked to start right away, lessen the time to transition between different systems to Hopkins defensive scheme. Ben Kellar (Bucknell) and Austin Spencer (UMass) will need to show defensive maturity compared to their freshmen counterparts.
Hopkins recruiting class was light on defensemen, so the staff hopes to develop talent quickly, trusting that the members are ready to focus intently on their development as the fall progresses. Luckily, the defensive midfield might the best in the nation. Joe Carlini, Kelton Black, and Tal Bruno all return and have a wealth of experience behind them.
Eric Schneider is still on campus, but with his eligibility expired, there is a significant battle for the goaltender position. Will Ryan earned playing time last season as Schneider saw struggles. He is not only a bigger, athletic stopper, he is also a spark for the team. Sophomore Brock Turnbaugh is a good stopper, also seeing time last season. Those are the early favorites, but Hunter Sells also walks onto campus with hopes of earning the position.
The success of 2015 showed that the Blue Jays have the grit and determination to continue their rise back to Championship Weekend, but will this team be able to overcome the losses to make it back?
Only time will tell if the Jays can return to Final Four form.
