Coach Flip Naumburg's Journal

Monday, September 20, 2004

ALMOST WRAPPED IN ALUMNI FOIL

On Saturday we had the largest gathering of CSU alumni lacrosse players that we have ever had. We played two games, one full game (The Big Boy Alums vs. Dawgs) and one shortened game (Older guys and smokers, etc. vs. UnderDawgs). Everyone was having a great time. Well, with the possible exception of me.

The first game was a good match and a full-length game. The Current team managed to squeak by, 10-9, as freshman middie Ryan McDonald scored the winning goal on a beautiful feed from sophomore attackman Danny Stevens (#32) in the final minute of the game. The older guys tied the game late, twice, but never led. This final score was a far cry from the romp that this game has been over the years. I suppose it shouldn’t surprise me, as our Alumni was more talented than most of the teams we will play this upcoming season. They were loaded with lots of the players that won 3 championships here over the last 6 years.

They do not practice the way we do, though, and our advantage in that area unfortunately did not show itself enough in this game. One strategic problem (for me) was that most of the alums already knew our team terminology and tendencies better than we know them yet. The alums also had deep depth for once. Probably most of all they now had the Plonkey advantage, and I was feeling a little less than whole, no longer having it myself. Time and they always move on.

I should feel great about the game. It was fun and close and well attended. The weather was absolutely perfect. We did many good things and won. We (CSU Now) are young and we played pretty well for as far along as we are. They responded to situations and circumstances pretty well. We are not a budding juggernaut. Our potential lies elsewhere. There are a couple of issues to work on. We are young and developing. I will try my best to be patient. We will need resilience while we grow.

Shay Cunningham (#39) showed what kind of player he will be for us, with three goals and a helper. Timmy Farquhar (#13) had two Timmys (High, tight, and unassisted) and a beautiful assist to Murph. Murphy (#9) had two goals. He leaps and stuff. You never know what he will do to flourish whatever it is that he is really doing. It’s like he is Errol Flynn running around, playing the part of Robin Hood (very old reference - For those who think young, think Shrek).

Captain Kellin Bershinsky (#29) had the double team knockdown du' jour.

T.O. DAVIS

When he scored the Alumni goal to tie the game at one point late in the game, Ryan Davis (#16 – 2002) pulled a Sharpie out of somewhere (probably where the sun NEVER shines) and signed the ball. I am sure the ball has found its way to his ample "trophy case" by now. This was not the high point of the day for me personally, but I have to admit that it was pretty amusing. It was hard for me to enjoy it at the moment, as I was busy just then fretting the fact that he had scored the equalizing goal from the doorstep, about two inches away from our goalie (way too close) on a feed from about 4 inches behind the middle of the goal pipe. It was a simple dunk. Also he (Davis) did not have to pick his ass up off the ground in order to pull the pen out of his wherever. He was untouched and celebrating an easy, important goal. This was a "blow" to me, because people who shoot on our goal must go down, alumnus or whoever. The closer to the goal you are, the quicker you should find ground. That is the cost of doing business in my "scheme". We gave up an extremely important goal way too easily.

We did, however, get it right back, scoring on the other end less than a minute later. The Current team answered challenges all day. That was encouraging.

They had the starting attack from our 2001 Championship team, a trio that once scored 33 points in a single game against Arizona in that "Cinderella" year of 2001. If you said the Alumni names out loud they would echo down the corridors, that is if we had any. Davis had two goals and an assist. Mike Roth (#13 - 2001) had three goals, all late, all important. What else is new? Napi (#11 - 2002) brought his gun and had two goals and an assist while playing most all positions except goalie. Current assistant Kale Nelson (#1 - 2003) had three assists as he toyed a bit with our defense. Alex Smith (#26 -2003) was reedickyouluss in the goal, making magic saves one after the other.

Kelten Johnson, Phil Eicchorn, T-Rob, Mark Plonkey, Dave Clark, and Sean Fitzgerald had all played WITH us just 4 months ago.

TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE

The second game was a shortened one. I think our kids won by one again. Lots of our young players are good players with great excitement to play and to be part of a program. I am the "Family Guy", really I am. Right now, however, I feel overwhelmed by the numbers. I am spread too thin. My immediate plan is to get another coach (Bo?) to help us get some more direction from top to bottom. I want to spend more time now with the "A" Team, and meanwhile I must know that the "B" Team is coming along in a certain kind of way. Right now I do not have that "luxury".

SMILE – IT’S ALL GOOD

The thing that did get to me a little bit was how badly the alums wanted to beat us. I got the feeling that this was the "game of the year" for them, and if they (alums) could just beat the "Old Man", then all would be right with the world. It flatters me that so many of our alumni are great players that still play and coach, and that they compete so well together. Maybe I am a bit hypersensitive right now in the wake of my recent psychological gymnastics. No you-know-what, Sherlock.

Santa, don't forget me now. We (Current) pretty much didn't win a face off all day.

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