You have to approach every season as though you were on a new team," said Corey Harned, senior long-stick midfielder and co-captain of the men's lacrosse team.
With seven new freshmen and one transfer student, Harned's words ring true this year in particular.
Everyone has had to adjust to the change in the team's composition, both on and off the field. However, the adjustment has been facilitated by both the positive attitude of the freshmen and the dedication of the upperclassmen to help the rookie players thrive in their new environment.
"It's a tough adjustment from high school to college, but it's the responsibility of the older guys to take them under their wing," said junior co-captain Chris Watson. "But the freshmen are great kids with so much enthusiasm, and they're going to be a big part of what we hope to accomplish this year."
On the offensive end, Hopkins gained three new attackers to add to their six returning players: freshmen Jake Byrne and Drew Dabrowski and junior Matt Rewkowski, a transfer student from Duke.
Jake Byrne, No. 25, Attack
Byrne, an All-American from Landon High School, had foot surgery in the fall, so he was unable to participate in the Fall League. However, he has already made an impression on his teammates since he started working with the team this winter.
"We have been amazed by Jake; he's a great player," said Watson. "He will definitely contribute a lot to this team." Jake credits the ease with which he came back from his injury to the encouragement and support of his teammates. "Our team motto is "family,' and everyone embraces that," he said. "I have felt welcome since the first day I got on campus."
Drew Dabrowski, No. 17, Attack
Dabrowski benefited from the playing time he was given in the fall to become a strong attacker at the collegiate level. He has picked up where he left off in high school, as an All-American for West Genesse. Although a little intimidated by the reputation of the team at first, Dabrowski says he became increasingly comfortable as the season progressed.
"The reason I chose to come here is because of the guys on this team," he said. "I like how we are all so close."
Matt Rewkowski, No. 9, Attack
Rewkowski, a two-time Honorable Mention All-America selection, has already had a dazzling collegiate career for Duke University. The leading scorer for the Blue Devils, Rewkowski scored four goals against the Blue Jays. Rewkowski has looked great in practice as both an attacker and a midfielder and should electrify an already potent offense.
"I was looking for a place where I could associate with guys who had similar expectations," Rewkowski said of his decision to transfer.
Hopkins will also have three new midfielders this season: freshmen Anthony Triplin and Brendan Skakandi as long-stick midfielders and short-stick midfielder Jamison Koesterer.
Anthony Triplin, No. 3, Long-Stick Midfielder
"Anthony missed the fall season, but he is doing the best he can to learn our system," said senior midfielder and co-captain Kevin Boland. "Jamison is doing a great job and working hard to execute on the field."
Triplin, a graduate of Gilman High School in Baltimore, feels the toughest adjustment has been coping with the accelerated pace of collegiate lacrosse, but he has benefited from the advice of upperclassmen.
"Everyone from freshmen to seniors lets me know when I make a mistake in order to help me improve," said Triplin, who was a starting wide receiver for Hopkins football in the fall.
Brendan Skakandi, No. 22, Long-Stick Midfielder
"Brendan has really come a long way," said Watson. "He's a tough kid with a great work ethic and he's going to see a lot of playing time on this team."
Jamison Koesterer, No. 32, Midfielder
Koesterer, a product of Cazenovia High School, has struggled to adapt to the collegiate level, since his high school's lacrosse program was only created when he was a sophomore. However, he now plays as the third offensive midfield in scrimmages and could add more body strength to the offense.
The new defenders on the team are Kyle Miller from Cranbrook High School in Michigan and Eric Zerrlaut, an All-American from St. Mary's High School in Maryland.
Kyle Miller, No. 40, Defense
Miller, who also plays football for the Jays, finds it challenging to adjust to the heightened physical and mental pace of the game, but he has made the adjustment through hard work and dedication. He feels the attitude of his teammates has also helped him improve.
"The program here as a whole has really reached out to me and made it easy for me to make the transition," he said.
Eric Zerriaut, No. 36, Defense
Zerrlaut also had to adjust his style of playing, but his efforts have paid off and he is sure to add a great deal of depth to the defense this year. He feels that the jump from high school to college can be a positive experience if approached with the right attitude.
"At this level, you have a lot more trust in your teammates, knowing that every one of them is just as talented as you are," said Zerrlaut.
Greg Raymond, No. 33, Defense
Senior defender and co-captain Greg Raymond is excited about the freshmen that will be joining the defensive line this year.
"Playing defense is very difficult," said Raymond. "New team members have to learn a new style while trying to minimize mistakes. Eric and Kyle are trying their hardest, and I have a lot of admiration for them."
Jesse Schwartzman, No. 2, Goalie
The final new face on the lacrosse team is Jesse Schwartzman, who will battle sophomore Scott Smith for the starting spot in goal. Schwartzman, a native of Owings Mills, has been doing a solid job assuming the necessary position of leadership on the field.
"Coming in as a freshman, goalie is one of the most difficult jobs on the team," said Raymond. "Jesse has had to be a leader, and he has devoted a great deal of time to becoming the best he can be."
James Maimone-Medwick, No. 26, Goalie
After having served as Club Lacrosse president last year, Maimone-Medwick walked on to the team. He will compete with Schwartzman for the back-up goalie spot.
Having spent the fall semester abroad in Florence, Italy, Maimone-Medwick is excited for this season and thinks the team "has a chance to go all the way."
The captains are hopeful this freshman group's talent and enthusiasm will combine with that of the returning players to achieve their goal of winning the National Championship.
"Everyone on the team has accepted their new roles," said Harned. "We may have lost a lot of great seniors last year, but with this new freshman class, we should be as good, if not better, this season."
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