In the first quarter, it was Anthony DiSanzo. In the second, it was Mike Leyden. In the third, it was Corey Elmer and Damien Sobieski.
No matter what the game situation may be, the men’s lacrosse team can score and score at will.
That was evident in the Cavs’ season opener against Haverford on Saturday, Feb. 23. The Cavs beat the Fords, 18-12, with nine different players scoring goals.
Despite a slow start to the game, the Cavs really turned on the scoring in the second quarter. Led by the sophomore Leyden, who scored all four of his goals in the opener in the second quarter, the Cavs scored seven goals as a team. That included to first of the season for senior Bobby Thorp and first career goal for sophomore Joey Shallow.
Cabrini lacrosse faces high expectations this season after an incredibly successful 2012 season that saw them advance to the Elite 8. The No. 5 ranked team will need this scoring depth not just now but in the future as well.
Thorp has 52 goals last season and only netted two in the opener. It was clear he is the focus of opposing defenses. That only helps the Cavs more. With Thorp drawing attention, the remaining goal scorers like Elmer, Leyden and Sobieski can be left open and available for shots.
Thorp still managed three points in his season debut, including a pair of goals both from in close on the net.
Thorp had a career year in his junior season serving in a similar role to what Sobieski, Elmer and Leyden will be playing this season. Thorp is the headliner of the lineup. But it is a team effort and a full roster supplies offense.
That’s why in addition to Thorp’s two goals, eight other Cavs scored in the opener.
This is also a coming-of-age season for players like Elmer, Leyden and Sobieski. Leyden and Sobieski each made strong first impressions in their freshman seasons. Elmer’s sophomore season saw him emerge as a scoring threat.
Now, all three will put that into effect. The Cavs showed they have scoring depth last season. Now they must prove it carries over.
In their first game, they did just that. All class levels were getting involved. Thorp was making his presence felt by drawing attention. Leyden and Elmer were the top scorers. Even freshmen Ethan Heisman scored in his debut, earning some decent playing time early in the season.
Playing a team like Haverford was the perfect way for the Cavs to get their feet wet. Looking ahead, they face six teams ranked in the top 25.
For a Cavs’ team ranked fifth, they will be put to the test and need to fire on all cylinders. Offensively, they looked ready to go for their next pair of tests against No. 7 Dickinson and No. 3 Lynchburg.
But whether the Cavs win or lose those mammoth tests early in the season, simply competing will be a victory in itself. The Cavs are simply preparing for games within the conference and by playing games of this magnitude, they find themselves more than prepared to bring fire and energy to the field against CSAC foes.
