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Wakefield's prospects? Check back in a few weeks
Every once in a great while, coaches enter sports seasons with absolutely zero question marks. There are no lineup issues, no new faces and no need to be even the least bit apprehensive.
For Wakefield coach Warren Shumate, this is not one of those times.
The Owls' coach freely admits that his team will need some time to gel — even if they did not look like it their opener.
Wakefield pulled away from Fredericksburg Academy for a 14-4 win Friday. Afterward, Shumate spoke with reserved optimism about his team. “This team is going to evolve,” Shumate said. “We're starting over with a lot of what we are doing.”
Wakefield returns plenty of players from last season's team that finished 11-7 overall. More noticeably, though, is who did not come back. The Owls lost five middies and four defenders to graduation. So — at least in the defensive zone — Wakefield has work ahead.
“We have a young 'D',” middie Ross Ozburn said. “We haven't had the communication set in place with each other, and that's one thing we can improve on.”
The pressing need to improve is there because of Wakefield's position in the state's lacrosse hierarchy.
During last season's 11 wins, the Owls often dominated. They routed Delaney Athletic Conference foe Randolph-Macon twice, hammered Fredericksburg Academy and easily downed eventual VIS Division III state champion Seton.
But of their seven losses, two were blowout defeats at D-II champ Notre Dame's hands, and four came to arch-rival Highland.
The boys lacrosse team is Wakefield's only squad that plays in the state's more competitive Division II. It became apparent in 2007 that the Owls were far better than most other opponents — and just below the elite level.
“It's been a struggle,” Shumate said, with a laugh, about playing up in D-II. “We beat everyone, but lose to Highland and get clobbered by Notre Dame.”
One piece of good news for Wakefield is that Notre Dame moved to Division I for 2008.
But for Shumate and the Owls, the competition does not matter nearly as much right now as simply improving from within. “We're excited to see what happens,” Shumate said. “We're putting together the nuts and bolts.”
The construction project appeared to be on schedule Friday.
The Owls jumped out to a 7-3 halftime lead over Fredericksburg. They coughed up a goal in the third quarter's opening seconds, before closing on a dominant 7-0 run.
Sophomore Will Fraser started the late surge. Breaking out of the defensive zone, he spun off a hard check attempt near midfield. Fraser then found Tim Oakes in front for an easy goal.
Fraser created another goal in the fourth period. He drilled a Fredericksburg ball carrier, scooped up the loose ball and hit Matt Bohn, who deposited it home.
Bohn tallied four goals on the afternoon with Oakes and Rob Rosse adding three each. Ryan Plummer, Fraser, Ozburn and Mike Heim all chipped in lone markers.
“I'm satisfied with the day,” Shumate said of the easy triumph. “We were able to control the tempo and carry the ball.”
Defensive stalwart Duncan Matheson — a Division II All-State Honorable Mention last season — is part of a talented core that provides the Owls' reason for optimism.
He will anchor Wakefield's young backline. Ozburn, who is searching for a home to play collegiately, will do the same in the midfield. And Oakes, Bohn and Heim patrol a prolific front.
They will line up in front of goalie Blake Morris, back for his senior year. “He's a solid goalie, big guy, makes good decisions,” Shumate said.
The impressive showing came despite Wakefield having just two weeks of practice prior to its opener. That lack of time together is one of the main reasons the Owls need time to gel. “We're rusty,” Matheson said. “It's going to take a couple of weeks.”
Lurking on the horizon, of course, are the anticipated matchups with Highland.
The two teams meet at Highland on April 7 — their lone regular season showdown.
If all goes according to plan for both programs, they will see each other again on May 10 at the DAC title game.
There is also the potential for a Division II playoff battle. Last year, No. 3 seed Highland eliminated No. 6 Wakefield, 14-7 in the state playoffs.
“Later this season, I have a feeling we'll be able to compete with Highland,” Matheson said.
That is the type of answer Shumate can live with.
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