2012 Men's Lacrosse Media Day Player Quotes
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Manley Field House - Syracuse, N.Y.
JoJo Marasco, Junior, Midfield/Attack
On if he expects to be in the midfield this year:
"I believe they're going to have me at midfield, and I'm really enjoying it. I've been able to play there for the past two years and learn certain areas to dodge and where I feel comfortable. If they need me to go behind, I'll definitely go there, as well."
On what he learned from the graduating seniors:
"Just always coming every day to practice. They were always there for me. If you ever needed something, they would go to the coaches and talk to them about it, and I'm going to try to do that and pick up on some other things. I've been blessed with being really close to Chris Daniello since my freshman year, and being able to talk to him about being a captain when they won the two championships (in 2008 and 2009). Now it's my turn, and I'm going to try to relay that to the team and be a good leader this season."
On if lower expectations are motivation:
"It's good not to be the No. 1 team and have everyone gunning at you. It keeps the whole team motivated and makes us work hard to prove that we should be in the top three. We want to show everyone out there that doubts us that we can be one of those teams. I'm excited about that, and I think the team is, too."
Brian Megill, Junior, Defense
On the team finding its identity:
"It's been tough. We have a lot of spots open, but the good thing about that is that you have everyone fighting really hard for those spots. In the past two years I've noticed with seven All-Americans, some guys know their role and don't play as hard as they can because they know they're not going to get the spot. But this year it's been a little different. They're hitting and they're running full speed every day. It's good to see. Everyone's coming in and fighting for spots. We have more than 50 guys, which is more than we've had in a long time, so everyone's trying to gets reps."
On preseason rankings:
"Personally, I'm not one to read the papers, and neither are most of these guys. Some of the guys take it to heart, and it is pretty low, but we haven't had the scrimmages like some of the other teams have. All the rankings are about is what we've lost, what we did last season, and what we have coming back. So, those rankings are a little skewed, but a lot of teams are going to be surprised come spring time."
On being the defensive veteran:
"Most of the guys that are on the defense were here last year, and they know the role. I just try to keep them going. We held multiple teams under five goals, under seven, under eight, and not many teams have scored more than 10. Coach (Lelan) Rogers does a great job in keeping our heads level and focused."
Matthew Lerman, Redshirt Sophomore, Goalkeeper
On what he learned from John Galloway:
"John was a spectacular goalie. He also had a great mental edge to the game. He knew everything about lacrosse and could play at any position. Personally, I was able to pick up a lot more about lacrosse and how to play our game in the net compared to other positions of play. He also taught me how to stay focused on the game, in practice, when you're getting scored on or bombarded and how to clear your mind, reset and keep going."
On his biggest strength:
"I think it's to be determined. I have a great opportunity to be able to seize certain aspects of the game. For me, it's going to be a learning process as we go on and start playing a little bit."
On the competition for the starting goaltender spot:
"It's still open. It's been a battle every day. There are only two nets in practice, so fighting for time is a battle within itself. Coming prepared every day and practicing at my best is really what I've been trying to focus on. It's been really good for my own game to feel the pressure (of competition)."
Manley Field House - Syracuse, N.Y.
JoJo Marasco, Junior, Midfield/Attack
On if he expects to be in the midfield this year:
"I believe they're going to have me at midfield, and I'm really enjoying it. I've been able to play there for the past two years and learn certain areas to dodge and where I feel comfortable. If they need me to go behind, I'll definitely go there, as well."
On what he learned from the graduating seniors:
"Just always coming every day to practice. They were always there for me. If you ever needed something, they would go to the coaches and talk to them about it, and I'm going to try to do that and pick up on some other things. I've been blessed with being really close to Chris Daniello since my freshman year, and being able to talk to him about being a captain when they won the two championships (in 2008 and 2009). Now it's my turn, and I'm going to try to relay that to the team and be a good leader this season."
On if lower expectations are motivation:
"It's good not to be the No. 1 team and have everyone gunning at you. It keeps the whole team motivated and makes us work hard to prove that we should be in the top three. We want to show everyone out there that doubts us that we can be one of those teams. I'm excited about that, and I think the team is, too."
Brian Megill, Junior, Defense
On the team finding its identity:
"It's been tough. We have a lot of spots open, but the good thing about that is that you have everyone fighting really hard for those spots. In the past two years I've noticed with seven All-Americans, some guys know their role and don't play as hard as they can because they know they're not going to get the spot. But this year it's been a little different. They're hitting and they're running full speed every day. It's good to see. Everyone's coming in and fighting for spots. We have more than 50 guys, which is more than we've had in a long time, so everyone's trying to gets reps."
On preseason rankings:
"Personally, I'm not one to read the papers, and neither are most of these guys. Some of the guys take it to heart, and it is pretty low, but we haven't had the scrimmages like some of the other teams have. All the rankings are about is what we've lost, what we did last season, and what we have coming back. So, those rankings are a little skewed, but a lot of teams are going to be surprised come spring time."
On being the defensive veteran:
"Most of the guys that are on the defense were here last year, and they know the role. I just try to keep them going. We held multiple teams under five goals, under seven, under eight, and not many teams have scored more than 10. Coach (Lelan) Rogers does a great job in keeping our heads level and focused."
Matthew Lerman, Redshirt Sophomore, Goalkeeper
On what he learned from John Galloway:
"John was a spectacular goalie. He also had a great mental edge to the game. He knew everything about lacrosse and could play at any position. Personally, I was able to pick up a lot more about lacrosse and how to play our game in the net compared to other positions of play. He also taught me how to stay focused on the game, in practice, when you're getting scored on or bombarded and how to clear your mind, reset and keep going."
On his biggest strength:
"I think it's to be determined. I have a great opportunity to be able to seize certain aspects of the game. For me, it's going to be a learning process as we go on and start playing a little bit."
On the competition for the starting goaltender spot:
"It's still open. It's been a battle every day. There are only two nets in practice, so fighting for time is a battle within itself. Coming prepared every day and practicing at my best is really what I've been trying to focus on. It's been really good for my own game to feel the pressure (of competition)."
