The 2015 Major League Lacrosse season was a bittersweet campaign for the Rochester Rattlers. While they once again were short of obtaining their second championship, Rochester’s run this time around was aided by the outstanding play of their new, young players. From Jordan Wolf to Randy Staats, the rookies and second year stars on the Rattlers’ squad have aided the team in key moments during their tough season. Here’s a look-back at some of these rising players:
No. 32: Jordan Wolf
Position: Attack
School: Duke University
Games Played: 14
Season: 61 points, 37 Goals, 24 Assists
In this look back of emerging young players, starting at the summit of the Upstate New York’s squad is a no-brainer. The Major League Lacrosse Offensive MVP, Wolf had nothing next to a sophomore slump in 2015. Being nearly impossible to guard at times, the NCAA Champion Duke Blue Devil’s ability to draw an instant slide, find the off-ball cutter, or break down a defense, all while driving to GLE, almost single-handedly changing the Rattlers’ entire offensive system, sometimes to their detriment. However, there is no denying that his presence on the field did a lot of good for a Rattler’s team that was going to strongly miss the presence of MLL great Kevin Leveille at the attack.
No. 7: Kevin Rice
Position: Attack
School: Syracuse University
Games: 8
Season: 21 points, 11 Goals, 10 Assists
Graduating from Syracuse University and being drafted to the Rochester Rattlers should be an enforced rule in my humble opinion. Kevin Rice’s debut in the MLL have setup his squad for newer heights, in the form of a second championship. The Orange star was the best on-field general when his career ended at Syracuse, and that ability to take command of the offense increased in the MLL. Particularly, his ability to play with another Jordan Wolf, who commands the ball from the attack position. A few times, both players would switch from uptop to behind in order to contort and confuse defensive assignments. His game winning goal against Ohio in the dying moments of their second in a home-and-home matchup, after Ohio severly beat the Rattlers the game before, showed his ability to stay calm and collected in tense moments and make the right play when his team needed it. With the Canadian heavy presence on the Rattlers’ team, a starting attack with Rice at the head along with Jordan Wolf will be a powerful threat.
No. 55: Randy Staats
Position: Midfield
School: Syracuse University
Games: 5
Season: 9 Points, 7 Goals, 2 Assists
In keeping with the Orange theme, the Six Nations product from Ontario was a fantastic addition to the powerful Rochester midfield unit. An amazing passer and finisher, Randy Staats’ limited playing time was enough to show how valuable he will be down the road for Coach Soudan in the second half of MLL seasons, as he and fellow Canadians Mark Matthews, Jordan MacIntosh, and others will play NLL games. His run in the Dome with Kevin Rice reared its ugly head to opposing defenses in the MLL as well, as Rice’ natural chemistry with Staats allowed for them to make key plays in different moments throughout the year.
No. 22: Jack Neer
Position: Midfield
School: Notre Dame
Games: 5
Season: 3 Goals
Despite 2015, Rochester is a defense to offense team, with the midfield being their most important component in a manner similar to the Chesapeake Bayhawks. Jack Neer provided a much needed boost in that regard in 2015. Neer is a complete midfielder, the classic, two way middie whose ability to play great defense and provide good offense in transition is exactly what Rochester, a team whose amazing in transition offense, was looking for. He also provided a much needed defensive presence on a weakened Rattler’s squad, though it never gelled due to the inconsistencies and the rotating cogs in that defensive system. Nevertheless, a full season, provided no NLL time, will allow Neer to showcase his full abilities to the deep and varied Rochester midfield.
