It’s been a while.
That’s the best way of summing up last year for Mass.-Dartmouth, as the Corsairs posted their first losing record since 1976-77, finishing with an overall record of 11-15-1.
Despite that, they were still able to win a playoff game, knocking off fourth-seed Westfield State in opening round playoff action before narrowly losing to top seeded Fitchburg 3-2 in the conference quarterfinals.
“We look to improve from a very sub-par season in 2009-10,” coach John Rolli said. “We look to have a strong defensive team with improved goal scoring throughout the lineup.
Rolli enters his 26th season at Mass.-Dartmouth with a .762 career winning percentage, the highest active for any college coach in the country in all divisions.
If the Corsairs are to rebound, they’re going to need to get off to a good start early on and receive quality play from their seniors, Rolli said.
Leading the senior class are forwards Joe Hill (9-21), Todd Bartelson (14-13), Jason Stahl (9-13) and Billy Manning (2-1), who was limited to eight games last season.
On defense, seniors Mickey Dudley (1-4), Kyle Haas (0-1) and Adam Horgan (5-4) will lead the way. Senior Collin Tracy will replace Jon Dryjowicz-Burek in net, who logged just over 80 percent of the time there for the Corsairs last season, and was a member of the second team All-MASCAC.
In addition to Dryjowicz-Burek, Mass.-Dartmouth lost forwards Aaron Blades (6-10), Matt Serino (1-11), and Matt Berard (2-2) to graduation. The blue line lost graduating seniors Paul Moran (1-10) and Graeme Bourne (1-7).
“We have had a very good recommitment in preparation to this season and we go into this year with as good a committed group as any in my 26 years of coaching at UMD,” Rolli said.
