Aug. 21, 2003
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Fairfield University men's lacrosse Head Coach Ted Spencer announced the addition of 13 players for the 2004 lacrosse season on Thursday morning. Incoming freshmen Michael Bocklet, Taylor Bush, Tim Cyphers, Greg Downing, Gavin Frank, Tim Gazzini, Brian Gorman, Charles Keinath, Nate Krinie, Michael Kruger, Jake Olson, Rob Renetta and Jarrad Wilson will attend Fairfield University in the fall.
Bocklet, a 6 foot, 185 pound attackman from Katonah, N.Y., was named a high school All American as he was the N.Y. State Section I Point Leader, scoring 108 points on 54 goals and 54 assists during his senior season. He was named the 2003 Journal News Con Edison Award Winner, honoring Westchester County's outstanding scholar-athlete, for his accomplishments on the field, in the classroom and in the community. Bocklet was named All-Section and All-League in 2001, 2002 and 2003 and was a member of the Hudson Valley Empire State Team in 2001 and 2002.
"Michael could be an offensive impact to our program right away," Spencer said. "He is both a scorer and a playmaker with exceptional speed and quickness."
Bush, a Chevy Chase, Md., native, stands 5 foot 10 and weighs in at 175 pounds. A starter on the attack for the 2003 pre-season no. 1 Landon School, Bush tallied 10 goals and 10 assists as a senior. In 2002, the Landon School won the IAC Championship.
"Taylor comes from one of the best high school programs in the country where he started at the attack position his senior year," said Spencer. "He brings Championship experience and a winning attitude coupled with solid all around play to our team."
Cyphers, a 5 foot 11, 180 pound attackman from Phoenix, Md., tallied 38 points as a senior with 24 goals and 14 assists as his Loyola-Blakefield high school team reached the Final Four of the MIAA. In 2002 the team was the MIAA Runners-up after capturing the Championship in 2001.
"Tim is a skilled attackman with the ability to score with the best of them," Spencer said. "He is always in the right place on the field and has a knack for finding the net. Tim is as smart of a player as they come."
Downing, a midfielder from Auburn, N.Y., stands 6 foot tall and weighs 185 pounds. Though sidelined with an injury in his senior season, Downing scored 43 points as a junior and was named a Central Empire State Team member. He also garnered All-League honors in 2001 and 2002.
"Greg is one of the most talented all around midfielders I have ever seen," said Spencer. "He can play defense, is great both with and without the ball and is an outstanding athlete. Greg will be an outstanding addition to our team."
Frank, a 6 foot 3, 190 pound midfielder from Crownsville, Md., helped to lead Annapolis high school to a Class 3A2A State Championship as he tallied 50 points with 16 goals and 34 assists as a senior.
"Gavin possesses both the size and speed to be successful at the Division I level," Spencer said. "His ability to see the field makes him an exceptional playmaker and will make him a great addition to our team."
Gazzini, a goalie from Fayetteville, N.Y., stands 5 foot 10 and weighs in at 180 pounds. As a senior, he led all Class A schools with the highest save percentage, stopping 68% of shots faced and making 168 saves on the season. For his efforts, he was named an All-League selection, All-Central N.Y., team MVP and recipient of the David E. Volles Award, given to the best senior lacrosse player at F-M. He was also named MVP of the Central N.Y. Senior All Star Game.
"Tim is an outstanding leader who controls and commands his defense," said Spencer. "Along with being a great stopper in the net, his energy and enthusiasm are contagious. Tim will be competing for a spot in the goal right away."
Gorman, the second largest recruit of the class, brings a 6 foot 2, 200 pound frame to the midfield for the Stags. The Lutherville, Md., native led Calvert Hall College high school to the MIAA Class "A" State Championships as a senior. In 2002, he was named a Free State Team member, as one of the top juniors in Maryland.
"Brian brings superior strength and speed to the midfield along with excellent skills," Spencer said. "Brian has the potential to make a very significant impact to our program right away and has a burning desire to be successful."
Keinath, a 5 foot 10, 185 pound midfielder from Melville, N.Y., finished his prep career with a four-year face off percentage of 90% and led St. Anthony's high school to the Long Island Catholic League Championship in 2003. As a senior, he registered 25 goals and 47 assists, was named the Long Island Catholic League Tournament MVP and garnered All-League honors.
"Charlie is a tough and tenacious athlete with the heart of a lion," said Spencer. "A face-off specialist, he looks to compete for a position against team members who are some of the best in the game. He will add depth and create an even higher level of competition for those around him."
Kirnie, a Syracuse, N.Y., native, is the largest incoming freshman, standing 6 foot 4 and weighing in at 225 pounds. A defensive player at East Syracuse Minoa high school, he was an All-League selection as a senior.
"Nate is one the biggest and strongest defenseman that we have ever recruited," Spencer said. "He brings toughness and solid defensive play to our team and will be a great addition to our defensive unit."
Kruger, a 5 foot 10, 165 pound goalie from Ellicott City, Md., was a member of the 2003 MIAA Class "A" State Championship team at Calvert Hall College high school. As a junior, he was named a Towson Times All Star.
"Mike was the starting goalie for the 2002 Calvert Hall team where he performed exceptionally in the goal," said Spencer. "In his senior year he served as the backup goalie for the MIAA State Championship squad. A very talented goalie, Mike is coming off a very frustrating senior season and is hungry to prove himself at the Division I level. There is no doubt he will!"
Olson, the second incoming freshman that was named a high school All American, hails from Woodstock, Vt., and stand 6 foot tall and weighs 185 pounds. As a senior, the attackman tallied 97 points with 75 goals and 22 assists. Olson was named an All-State team member in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
"Jake is one of the most devoted athlete's I have ever recruited," Spencer said. "His ability to score coupled with his outstanding work ethic make a recipe for success at the Division I level."
Renetta, a 6 foot 2, 185 pound attackman from Syracuse, N.Y., was a 2002 and 2003 All-League selection for East Syracuse Minoa high school. As a senior, he registered 43 goals and 22 assists, bringing his varsity career total to 75 goals and 65 assists.
"Robbie is a gritty player with the athletic potential to make some real noise his freshman year," Spencer said. "With hard work Robbie could become a real impact player for the Stags."
Wilson, an attackman from Baldwin, N.Y., stands 5 foot 11 and tips the scales at 185 pounds. Named All-County as a senior, he registered 74 points with 37 goals and 37 assists and broke the Baldwin high school career scoring record and career point total record with 124 goals and 96 assists for 220 career points. He was also named to the All-Conference and All-County Academic teams in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
"Jarrad is a balanced scorer with exceptional skills and quickness," said Spencer. "He has the ability to make the players around him better and he has a burning desire to be successful every time he steps on the field."
Fairfield finished the 2003 season with a 5-6 overall record and a 1-4 mark in the Great Western Lacrosse League. The Stags begin the 2004 season versus Providence College on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 1 p.m.
