
JU Men: Hendrick Finds His Home
Written by Lee Roggenburg on . Posted in Uncategorized.
via press release – photo via JU web site
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Many new faces dot the Jacksonville University men’s lacrosse program, and its latest scoring sensation is one Dolphin fans need to be familiar with. Will Hendrick, a transfer from Mount St. Mary’s, leads the squad with 11 goals and 14 points thanks to a new mindset.
“I think I just got back to the basics and why I played lacrosse. I was uptight and didn’t play the way I could prior to Jacksonville, but down here I stay loose and have fun with it,” said Hendrick. “I like to step back and let the game come to me. I don’t think it’s a game you’re supposed to play very uptight; I think you should be loose and creative, and that’s how you’ll find success.”
“Throughout my career I have played my best lacrosse when I feel loose and comfortable. It’s great to hear Will feels that way,” said Jacksonville offensive coordinator Casey Powell. “That’s the environment that we are trying to create on the offensive end.”
Hendrick got his start in the third grade in a lax-rat infested neighborhood of Lancaster, Pa. The son of Mary Beth and Ed, Will played football and ice hockey with his sister Molly in addition to lacrosse until high school, when he placed full focus on the sport. The competition worked out well for Molly, too, who is a returning All-America captain on top-ranked North Carolina this spring.
Hendrick joined the team at Mount St. Mary’s following an impressive career at Manheim Township, but after two seasons was looking for a change. He was close with a number of Dolphins who were from the same Lancaster area, including alumnus Chase Miller and Brady Charles, and decided to join the JU program before the June announcement of Jacksonville’s new coaching staff.
“They’re all from Lancaster, Pa., too, so JU was a no brainer. I saw how much those guys loved it and I’m glad I came here,” said Hendrick.
The Business Management major has reaped the benefits of learning under Powell, Head Coach John Galloway and assistant Ryan Liebel.
“The coaches put me in a spot where I excel at the game in a position to be successful. I am appreciative of that and playing with a bunch of dudes that are so skilled it makes my job easy,” said Hendrick.
“He’s been an unbelievable addition. He’s got a great shot and is very fast. He’s added a huge element and we are thrilled to have him. He can do a little bit of everything but his shooting ability is up there with some of the top shooters in the country,” said Powell.
Hendrick recalled his first goal in a Dolphin uniform.
“We were man-up against Lehigh and McLean Chicquen, who is also a transfer from Stony Brook, is an unbelievable player who sets me up all the time and has a bunch of assists to me this year. He drew a guy, I stepped into a gap, and I shot the ball as I hard as I could. I remember seeing the net move and I heard the crowd and it was awesome,” reminisced Hendrick.
“He’s (Chicquen) such a sko (a good teammate who will lay it on the line for his brothers) guy. He draws a lot of attention whenever he’s on the field because of obviously what he can do. So he’ll draw players, I’ll find spots, and he’s very good at finding me for assists. I love playing with him,” said Hendrick.
While the first win has proved to be more elusive than the scores, Hendrick believes the Dolphins are on the right path.
“We’ve just got to stay positive. I mean we’re so close. We have just got to clean up little things and cash in on those opportunities. But we’ve been working hard in practice and I think winning is going to take care of itself soon,” he said. “Winning isn’t easy. If it was everyone would do it, but I think we’re that close to it and we’re on the right track for sure.”