Game Info: Saturday, March 6 - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Shields Field - Madison, N.J.
Social Media: @WidenerSports |
@WidenerLacrosse
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Opening Faceoff
The Pride returns to action for the first time in nearly a year as it goes on the road to battle the FDU-Florham Devils on Saturday, March 6. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
2021 Preview
The Pride faces a shortened 13-game schedule in 2021, consisting of a full MAC Commonwealth slate and a strong five-game non-conference lineup. The Blue and Gold returns 37 players from 2020 and adds 15 first year players and one transfer student to round out the 53-man roster. Due to the shortened season in 2020, players were given an extra year of eligibility. Team captain
Paz Gismondi exercised that option and is returning for one more season with WU.
Widener looks to qualify for its 16th consecutive postseason appearance and the ninth under head coach
Jamie Lockard. The Pride got off to its best start in 40 years last spring, going 4-1 before the season was cut short due to COVID-19.
Scouting Report
FDU-Florham finished last season 1-3 overall, grabbing a 20-4 win over Bryn Athyn right before play was suspended. As a team, it excelled in causing turnovers, forcing up the ball from its opponents 12.3 times per matchup. This the Devils' the first meeting with Widener since March 30, 2011 when the Blue and Gold upended them 12-5 on its way to a 15-3 record and an NCAA Tournament berth.
FDU gets back its top scorer from last season in Zane Johnston who notched 10 points in 2020 including a three goal, three assist performance against Farmingdale State. In net, the Devils lose their long time goalkeeper Adam Reifer as either Dan Schlupp or Austin Van Holten looks to fill that role.
Pat Scarpello is in his 19th year as head coach for FDU and with 145 wins he is the program's all-time winningest coach. In that time, he has coached 33 MAC Freedom All-Conference selections and won MAC Freedom Coach of the Year in 2009.
Run It Back
The Blue and Gold returns its top two scorers from 2020 in
Connor Heisman and
Paz Gismondi. A former MAC Commonwealth Rookie of the Year, Heisman led the Pride with 26 points off 15 goals and 11 assists. Gismondi notched 23 points off nine goals and a team-high 14 assists.
He's A Keeper
Widener also brings back one of the best goalkeepers in the country as
Carter Landry gears up for one more season in net. His 7.89 goals-against average last spring ranked first in the conference and 28th in all of NCAAD3. His stellar performance between the pipes earned him MAC Commonwealth Defensive Player of the Week twice.
CLEAR!
Clearing the ball has always been a strong point of emphasis for head coach
Jamie Lockard and it has paid dividends for his teams. Last year, the Pride led the conference with a 85.1 percent clearing percentage. In 2019, it also topped the MAC Commonwealth, converting 84.6 percent of its clears.
Historic Start
With a win over Emerson last season, Widener matched its best start in program history at 4-0. The last time Widener won its first four games was in 1981 when it took down Drew, Ursinus, Upsala, and Wilkes under head coach Ed Dinski.
Up Next
The Pride stays on the road as it takes on Lycoming on Saturday, March 13. Opening faceoff from Williamsport is scheduled for 1 p.m.
