Men's Lacrosse Announces 2002-03 Captains
10/17/2002 6:49:03 PM | Men's Lacrosse
The Syracuse men's lacrosse team held a vote and selected captains for the 2002-03 season. Seniors Sol Bliss (Tully, N.Y./Tully), Mike Smith (Baldwin, N.Y./Baldwin), Michael Springer (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) and Brett Walther (Ardmore, Pa./Malvern Prep) were chosen by their teammates to lead the Orangemen this year.
Bliss was one of five captains last season. A defenseman, he earned honorable mention All-America honors last season and was voted to the NCAA All-Tournament Team for his performance in the final four. He played the entire championship game against Princeton with an injured knee.
Smith is a midfielder who has seen a lot of game action the past two seasons. In 2002, Smith scored five goals and had three assists. He had an assist in the championship game against Princeton and registered two goals during the regular season against Hobart.
Springer is set to begin his fourth season as a starter at attack for the Orangemen. A three-time All-American, he finished third on the team in scoring last season with 48 points (35 goals, 13 assists). He had four goals and two assists in the semifinal win against Virginia, which sent the Orangemen to their fourth-consecutive NCAA title game. Springer enters the 2003 season ranked 13th on the school's career goals chart. He is 17th on the school's all-time scoring list with 169 points (123 goals, 46 assists).
Walther plays an important position for Syracuse at defensive midfield. During the past two seasons, he has played in every game and has been asked to cover the opponent's top midfielder. He has also played a critical role in SU's man-down defense. Walther scored a goal and had three assists on the season last year.
The Orangemen wrap up fall ball this weekend at the Pumpkin Stick-Out, where they will play Albany, Le Moyne and Herkimer. Their first game begins at 1 p.m. at Coyne Field.
Syracuse won its eighth NCAA men's lacrosse championship last year. It was the second title in three years for the Orangemen.
