By: Kevin Hulsmann '16
BEREA, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University men's lacrosse team will compete in its second Ohio Athletic Conference season. Tthe Yellow Jackets have their sights set on winning the 2015 OAC title and earning a berth into the NCAA Division III National Tournament.
Head Coach Jason Tarnow has a young team of mostly freshmen and sophomores, but he and his staff have set high expectations for the program's third season of varsity competition.
Tarnow returns 30 lettermen and six starters from last season's 7-7 overall squad. Despite being picked fourth in the OAC Coaches preseason poll, he feels he has a team that will be extremely competitive and will get better and better as the season progresses.
"This team is very young," said Tarnow. "Ninety-percent of the team is freshman and sophomores. We know that we will continue to have growing pains, so our focus again will be on improving every day in practices and games. Regardless, everyone involved in this program, from the coaches to the players, have high standards."
Leading the way offensively are junior Vinny Carson (Cleveland/ Benedictine) and sophomore Shane Rakich (Dublin/ Olentangy Liberty). The defense will be led by junior goalkeeper Jake Harders (Rocky River/St. Edward), who looks to build off a strong sophomore campaign.
Carson was first with 28 goals and earned honorable mention All-OAC accolades. He had 11 man-up scores, tied for first with 18 assists, recorded a team-high 46 points, collected 41 ground balls and caused three turnovers. Rakich had a strong freshman campaign and tied for first on the team with 18 assists and placed second with 32 points. He also collected 11 ground balls and caused two turnovers.
Last spring, Harders logged 793 minutes in goal and allowed 8.85 goals-per-game, saved 50 percent of the shots he faced, and made 115 saves, including 10 or more in eight games.
Joining Carson and Rakich as returning starters on offense are sophomore James Wilhelm (Bay Village/St. Ignatius) and Tanner Roberts (Murraysville, Pa./ Franklin Regional). Wilhelm was tied for second with 19 goals, had seven assists and collected 24 ground balls. Roberts netted 19 goals, collected 16 ground balls and caused six turnovers.
In addition, senior Luke Riemenschneider (Rocky River) returns to the team after taking last year off to concentrate on football. The two-time All-OAC and All-North Region defensive end scored 24 goals and had four assists for 28 points two years ago. His size and strength will add solid depth to the attack.
Joining Harders on defense are returning starters in sophomore Michael Dickey (Rocky River) and first-team All-OAC sophomore Josiah Greve (Loveland/ Milford). Dickey snagged 35 ground balls and was third with 19 caused turnovers. Greve collected 37 ground balls and led the team with 32 caused turnovers.
Tarnow has a bevy of freshman to help fill out the rest of the starting lineup as BW welcomes 12 incoming freshman, including attack Brock Riemenschneider (Rocky River), Luke's brother, and a few transfers to its team.
BW opens the season on Monday, Match 9 when the team hosts Washington & Jefferson (Pa.) College in a rescheduled game from February 28 on the Tressel Field at 6 p.m. The team will then host LaRoche (Pa.) College on Wednesday, March 11 at 5 p.m. and Hanover (Ind.) College on Saturday, March 14 at 2 p.m.
