Above – Tampa will need to get it done without Jake Rooney this year That Tampa Spartans are preparing, once again, to be the team to beat for a conference championship.  They won the final two Deep South Conference Champioships in 2012 and 2013 as well as the inaugural Sunshine State Conference Championship in 2014.  A year that also saw the Spartans reach the NCAA DII Final Four.

This year, however, they will have to try and do it without DII All American Jake Rooney.  Concussions have forced Rooney from the game and will leave a big hole in the Spartan’s offense.  The lefty attackman scored a team high 64 goals in 2014.  As coach Whipple pointed out, “It’s going to be tough to replace an All American and 63 goals.”  Don’t look for one player to step in and replace that kind of production.  A pair of transfers will most likely step up and make a big impact on the offense.  Towson transfer Chris Vetter looked great at the Lax vs. Cancer event and Nassau Community College transfer Zak Goldbach who sat out last year is looking to make his mark.  Goldbach was an All American at Nassau in 2013 and red-shirted last season. Connor Whipple should have an even bigger year after a scoring 49 goals and 41 assists as a freshman.  We aren’t familiar with too many players who have garnered 90 points in their freshman year.  Mike Morris, who scored 24 goals last year, has the potential for a huge year.  Morris was hampered by injury early in the 2014 season and we think his best lacrosse has yet to be seen.  This could be a break-out year for Mike Morris. Defensively, Marty Heyn returns after a great sophomore year in 2014.  He started all 19 games, picked up 28 ground balls and caused 22 turnovers.  Heyn was named 1st team All SSC and was an Honorable-Mention All American. Ryan Vella sat our most of last season with an injury and he is back and ready to pick up where he left off as an All American in 2013.  Look for him to be an instant impact on defense. Tampa has a pair of home games this year with National implications.  Defending National Champion Limestone comes to town on February 14th followed by Tampa’s Winter Prospect Camp on the 15th. That will be a big weekend on campus at UT.  Mercyhurst, who were knocked out in the first round of the NCAA tournament by Tampa last season, visits on March 14th.  The Spartans will have to go on the road for two of their toughest Sunshine State Conference games this year.  They travel to Florida Southern on March 7th and to Saint Leo on March 28th. Players to watch – Attack – Conor Whipple, Chris Vetter, Mike Morris, Zac Goldbach Middie – Matt Bilak (23 goals last season,) Nick Ferreiro (29 points,) and Bobby Calhoun (18 points) all return after productive 2014 seasons. Transfer from St. Johns Daniel Soviero, a two time All American at Jupiter and Ohio State transfer Sean Giampietro, who is a super fast former Delaware HS POY, will add considerable depth to the midfield. Defense – Marty Heyn, Ryan Vella, Jon McGowan. For information on the prospect camp visit Whipplelacrosse.net.