Generals lacrosse program welcomes a familiar face
By Brian Questel
March 22, 2010
551
Curtis Didato knew the Wooster High boys lacrosse program well from his days as a player. He is going to see it from a different perspective now that he has been named head coach.
Didato replaces Matt Smith as head coach, being elevated to the top after serving as an assistant. That familiarity with the program is something that has served him well in making the transition.
The guys have responded real well to me coming in, said Didato. I set the tone early about what I expected of them and they seem to have bought into the system. Were not perfect, but that is something we strive to be every day and they have worked their tails off.
The numbers are up this year from 39 to 44 players, due to an extremely large freshman class, said Didato. We graduated six or seven seniors, who were all contributors, so were going to need guys to step up and fill in.
That will be key with only six seniors on the squad, although Didato made it clear these seniors will need to contribute.
I challenged the seniors that this was their team and they needed to take ownership, he said. They have done a good job of leading the guys into battle, as we say.
One senior will be key and that is keeper Jordan Boreman.
Hes a captain and hes leading by example. Hes a rock defensively, said Didato.
Two seniors return to defense – Elliot Wagers and Nic Spencer, although an injury will slow Spencers emergence into the lineup. Others to be counted on are Jarvis Haines, Jesse Jolliff and sophomore George Kulka. Its an area with some inexperience, though, and Didato is counting on it to improve as the season progresses.
In the midfield, Nate Pagniano and Brent Meininger will start, with backup keeper Phillip Nolletti also expected to see some time there.
Nate is a very skilled player and he knows the game, and I look for Brent to step up and get more involved in his role, said Didato.
The attack is where we are definitely the youngest, he added. Junior Bryce Pasquariello started as a sophomore, and hes a very unselfish player and fun to watch. Two sophomores, Bryan Kennedy and Grant Delaney, are picking up the speed of the game.
With our swingers, we have 23 on varsity and we have 12 returning letter winners. I told everyone the teams arent finalized. Were looking at guys to step up and bump guys on varsity. Ive been impressed with our stick skills and we come to play each practice.
This is a big week for us. We dont want to throw guys into a situation they arent prepared for. We tell them weve got to get better every day. If we come to practice and leave a little better, that will lead to success.
The Generals open with a road match at Shaker Heights March 25.
