Today:

TOP JOBS Attention Drivers Dearborn Steel Express is now hiring 6 Company drivers for local- intra ... JOB COACH Part-time in a vocational program. Training preferred. Call 313-299-0387 between...  [ View All Top Jobs ] TOP AUTOS FORD WINDSTAR LX 2001, 99K miles, good condition, very clean, new tires, brakes & steering... 1997 SEADOO Jet Boat, new engine, exc. condition, new battery. $3950. 313-318-4629  [ View All Top Autos ] TOP HOMES Flat Rock "Deerfield Estates" Doublewide on Gardeners Lot ** Beautiful 3 bdrm. ** 2 full ...  [View All Top Homes ] TOP RENTALS DEARBORN HTS. 4995 Jackson, 4 bdrm., garage, fenced, $895/mo. Showing Sun. & Wed. 6:30 pm.... LINCOLN PARK S. Efficiency Lower Unit Perfect for single person/student 1 Bedroom Walking...  [ View All Top Rentals ] TOP MERCHANDISE PROFESSIONAL COUPLE looking to rent in Chelsea area, no children, no pets, non smokers. 23... TAYLOR 10674 Continental Dr. May 17th & 18th. 10-4. Moving sale. Furn., clothes, new books...  [ View All Top MDSE ]   View Classifieds   Submit a TopAd        or call 1-877-888-3202

	The Ypsilanti Courier A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Rails excited for new season

Squad will lean on attacker David Palmer for success

By Tom Perkins, Special Writer

PUBLISHED: March 27, 2008

Improving on last season's 7-7 effort for the Rails varsity lacrosse team comes down to Lincoln's midfielders.

Advertisement

With two dangerous attackers in David Palmer and Kyle Anguilm, a thoroughly solid defensive unit and junior goalie Justin Henry who has experience, the team's success will largely ride on how well a squad of young middies step up.

"We have a fairly young but athletic group of midfielders this year and we're hoping several of those guys come in and pick up for Eric Mitchell," Daniels said. "Our season will pretty much be determined by what happens with our young midfielders."

Mitchell, a four-year starter, led midfielders in scoring last season - finishing behind Palmer and Anguilm overall - and is the most significant loss for the Splitters.

Like last season, Palmer and Anguilm will keep their opponents' defensemen busy, but with an added year of experience under their belt. Palmer put in 55 goals last season and is on pace to score 200 for his career.

"There are some guys who seem to have knack for scoring and he's that kind of guy," Daniels said. "On the field he works hard, he has good size and he's got a lot of experience. The defense has to know where he's at and respect him and that puts pressure on them."

Anguim, a junior, tallied 37 goals, which means Lincoln's opponents must field at least two solid defensemen if they are going to stop the Railsplitter attack.

"They've been playing together for three years and they work well together," Daniels said. "There are two guys you have to account for and that helps a lot on offense. It helps us control the ball and if we control the ball there, it means the other team won't be scoring."

Senior Chris Branham, junior Cody Watkins and sophomore Ryan Bottorff make up a defensive unit in which Daniels holds great confidence.

"On defense we'll be strong," he said. "They probably form the fastest, most athletic defense we have had here. They all have pretty good sticks and some good size."

Henry, a junior, missed part of last season with an injury, but Daniels doesn't foresee any goaltending issues.

"With his experience, he'll provide solid goaltending all season," he said.Lincoln opens their season on April 1 at home against Salem.

Tom Perkins is a freelance writer for the View/Courier. He can be reached at trperkins@gmail.com.