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Sports

Spring Sports Previews: Madison Boys Lacrosse

State semifinal run could be sign of things to come for Dodgers in 2010.

In 2009 it was a tale of two seasons for the Madison High School lacrosse team as injuries and suspensions weakened the team's depth, leading them to an unspectacular 11-10 record.

A late season run in the state tournament though, (ending in a semifinal loss to rival Chatham) showed the true grit that the Dodgers lax squad was composed of.

"[Last season] wasn't good," head coach Mark Sweeney said as he watched his team practice. "We struggled in the middle of the year, we had a couple of kids suspended and injured and once we got everyone back, we went on a little run and made it to the semis of the states."

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That late season run gives Sweeney high expectations for the upcoming season–assuming everyone can stay on the field.

"We always set goals to make it to the state finals, county finals and to win our conference," he said. "Those are big goals, but we set them. We can put 11 to 15 guys out there who can compete with almost anybody. We just hope that everybody stays healthy and eligible."

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In 2010 Madison will rely on a number of their seniors, in particular, attackmen Charlie Oldendorp, who is headed to Lynchburg College next season, and Austin Lein.

"They've both been three-year starters for us. Those two guys are big," Sweeney said.

Lein, headed to the University of Delaware next year, thinks the team is primed for a good season in 2010.

"We should go pretty far in states and counties," he said. "We have a lot of talented players, a lot of good young players, two good goalies, good middies and good attack so, if our defense steps up and we get good clears and transitions, we should be good this season."

The two goaltenders that Lein referred to are senior captain Ryan Colwell and junior transfer Brett Anton. The two will split time in net.

"The team rallies around both of them and I think that it would be detrimental to the team to have one on the bench," Sweeney said. "We can use Colwell in goal for the first half and then in the second half have him faceoff."

Sweeney says Colwells' good hands and hips make him a very good faceoff man. Good faceoffs will help keep the team in a more offensive position throughout the game.

"We had a lot of adversity last year and I think that may have always been in our heads. We're looking to do a lot of things this year. I think we're going to be real good," Colwell said.

Madison's season will kick off on Thursday at home against Montville.

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