I

n just five years, legendary coach Rory Whipple and his startup Tampa men’s lacrosse team have formed a habit of winning. The Spartans have made three straight NCAA Division II tournaments, twice advancing to the semifinals.

The rise has been so rapid for Tampa, players now make an effort to stay grounded.

“The new challenge we are beginning to have is not taking anything for granted,” said senior attackman Conor Whipple, Rory’s son.

Tampa’s ascent coincides with Rory Whipple’s ability to attract quality players relatively late in the recruiting process. He struck first with Andrew Kew, an Oakville, Ontario, native that played at the Hill Academy who signed late in the fall of his senior year of high school and led the Spartans with 62 goals as a freshman in 2016. Now, Whipple thinks he may have found another high-caliber player overlooked by Division I coaches in incoming freshman Bryan Wright out of Moorestown, N.J.

Wright broke his leg in his sophomore year, thus slowing his recruiting process during his junior year.

“[Andrew Kew] was a real diamond in the rough last year,” Rory Whipple said. “I think we have another one in Bryan Wright this year. I’m really excited about the whole attack.”

Those youngsters will work alongside Conor Whipple, the one-time Georgetown recruit who led Tampa with 96 points last year. The Spartans believe the trio could help them shake up the establishment of Division II lacrosse, which has been ruled by Le Moyne and Limestone for the past five years.

If nothing else, Rory Whipple wants a title for his son in his senior year.

 “I’ve been working with Conor since he was 4 or 5, so it would be really nice if we went out with a national championship,” he said.

Kew benefited from Conor Whipple’s feeding ability, leading all freshmen, regardless of division, in scoring.

“Whipple and I play really well together,” Kew said. “We’re complete opposites, so he’s more of a dodge-and-dish guy, and I play the middle as a shooter. I know that when Connor has the ball, he’s constantly looking in the middle and looking for me.”

Kew played box lacrosse in the offseason and added bulk to his 6-foot-3 frame. He finished the Ontario Junior A season with 75 points, good for fifth in the league — ahead of Division I players like Adam Charalambides (Rutgers) and Christ Cloutier (North Carolina).

 “This is the year,” Kew said. “Look out for Tampa. We’re going to be right in it.”

NIKE/US LACROSSE RANKINGS

DIVISION I MEN | DIVISION I WOMEN
DIVISION II MEN | DIVISION II WOMEN
DIVISION III MEN | DIVISION III WOMEN

Nike/USL Division II Men
Preseason Top 20

1. Le Moyne

Although the Dolphins lost star goalie Alex Krawec and a trio of offensive veterans, the defensive core remains and should carry this team throughout the season. Brian Rogers will also be back to give some experience to the offense.

2. Limestone

Limestone lost Kyle Rhatigan and Mike Messenger, two of the top players in school history. However, coach J.B. Clarke said there won’t be many changes to his philosophy, especially with Nike/US Lacrosse Preseason Player of the Year and faceoff ace Kevin Reisman feeding the beast. In steps Charlie Sheehan to provide some offense for the Saints.

3. Merrimack

With eight of the nine top scorers returning for 2017, it’s hard not to expect another successful season for Merrimack. Can the Warriors break up the Le Moyne-Limestone dynasty?

4. Tampa

Andrew Kew is primed to be one of the top players in Division II after scoring 62 goals as a freshman in 2016. If he can take the next step alongside Conor Whipple, Tampa might do the same.

5. NYIT

With Alex Seltzer in goal, anything is possible. But NYIT also returns leading scorer Will Kistinger and midfielder Tom Hughes from last year. The Bears can play the top teams tough, and they should continue that trend in 2017.

6. Mercyhurst

The Lakers return a few key offensive weapons, including top scorer James Crowe. Add Kurtis Woodland and Derek Richards to the mix and you have the makings of a pretty cohesive attack.

7. Adelphi

Adelphi lost quite a bit from the 2016 team, including one of the best players in school history — two-time USILA Division II Attackman of the Year Salvatore Tuttle — and faceoff man Joseph Catalanotti. The hope lies on a few players, most notably Gordon Purdie Jr., who had 53 points last year.

8.  LIU Post

It will be a new season with a fairly new offense for LIU Post, as the Pioneers lost their top five scorers from 2016.

9. Seton Hill

Although Seton Hill did not make the NCAA tournament last season, it returns four of its top five scorers from 2016. Garrett Howell will pair nicely with Zach Rusch on offense in 2017.

10. Mount Olive

Many changes on offense will create chances for Brett Kingston and Jacob Ball to step up in 2017. Still, there are a lot of questions facing Mount Olive going into this season, both offensively and defensively.

11. Florida Southern

A young roster in 2016 will have plenty of experience entering this season. Canadian Lucas Claude will lead the way for a team that has NCAA tournament aspirations.

12. Lake Erie

Lost a couple key contributors and starters on defense, but leading scorer Lucas Shafer will return.

13. Pace

Pace loses part of its defensive core, but returns the top two scorers from last season (Liam Brennan and Anthony Gadaleta).

14. Belmont Abbey

Returns three of the top four scorers, the primary faceoff man and the starting goalie from 2016. However, gone are attackman Connor Sellars and All-American long pole Devin Cruz.

15.  Lindenwood

Lindenwood returns pretty much everyone from last year’s team, including its top five scorers.

16.  Indianapolis

Now in its second year, Indy brings back all of its 2016 team that went 8-6. It will be fun to watch this team grow.

17.  Mercy

Mercy returns a couple of top scorers from a successful 2016 team, but it will have to fill holes on defense and between the pipes.

18.  Lenoir-Rhyne

The South Atlantic Conference champions return four of their top five scorers, but might face more competition in conference this season.

19.  Colorado Mesa

The Mavericks welcome back much of their scoring from last season, including Steve Bradenburg and Calen Ketcham.

20. Lynn

Other than goalie Pat Brothers and attackman Anthony Rainone, Lynn starting lineup returns otherwise intact in 2017.