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HIGH: 68 LOW: 45 www.DailyCollegian.com FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011 Sizing up UMass Forwards anchor

By Scott Cournoyer Syner. “This year, we have more he’s going to do everything pos- By Scott Cournoyer Syner, who scored nine goals last season. “This Collegian Staff size and that’s only going to sible to prepare himself the best Collegian Staff year, we have more size, and that’s only going to help. Hopefully, it will translate he can.” help. Hopefully it will translate in to good things To put it bluntly, the into good things for us.” Despite going through In 2010-2011, the Massachusetts hockey team, for us.” 2010-11 season for the because of its lack of physical size, relied on Sophomore Michael wh at Teglia called “rough, defense Massachusetts hockey team speed, quickness and good movement to dictate Pereira will also be looked bumpy roads” last season, the Last season, UMass ranked eighth in the was a campaign to forget. upon to help carry the load the tempo and pace of each game. sophomore worked relent- Hockey East for goals allowed (88). In part, it With 14 freshmen and five offensively. Pereira tied Hobbs This season, with the physical development was due to the defense, particularly, a lack of size contributing seniors depart- for the team-high in goals (12) lessly over the offseason to seen in returning players, as well as a bigger against bigger offensive threats. ed from ’09-10, along with last year, as well as posting 13 make leaps in his game. incoming freshman class, UMass coach Don This year, with the development of sopho- defensive miscues, shaky assists, good for third on the “I worked on a lot of fun- Cahoon hopes that more balance will be created goaltending and the inabil- team in points (25). damentals this summer, stay- in the realm of the team’s physicality, allowing for more Adam Phillips (who’s listed at 6-foot-6), as ity to score on opportunistic “Mike [Pereira] has a ing here for a month and also better offensive opportunities and defensive pres- well as the impact of freshman defenseman Oleg chances, UMass plummeted deceptive shot, crafty, a head getting in the gym a lot to sure on the puck. Yevenko, the Minutemen may have found a poten- to a 6-23-6 overall record, for getting to the net,” said prepare myself,” said Teglia. Forwards tial front line on defense to compete with the best including a 5-16-6 record Cahoon. “However, he can “I’ve worked on a lot of Last season, a collection of young and older in the HEA. against Hockey East oppo- learn to shoot the puck a bit angles to pucks and I’m really players carried UMass offensively. Even after “We definitely recruited bigger bodies over nents. better from a range. He’s got happy with the work that I put the departure of senior Chase Langerapp, the the offseason,” said Cahoon. “It’ll take time for The Minutemen relied Minutemen are still capable offensively with many some of these younger guys to catch up to what such a good shot that if it can in this summer.” on undersized forwards and get to the net more often, it can goal scorers returning, including Michael Pereira, we’re doing. However, I’m happy with the physi- Other contenders include defensemen to dictate the flow really be the difference.” Conor Sheary and Branden Gracel. cal dimension that we’ve added. It’ll allow us to senior Kevin Moore, who and pace of the game, using A major part of becoming “Last year, our biggest strength was our speed control tighter areas better than we did last year.” Cahoon said is “a very impor- speed and fluid movement in more physical in the Hockey and our movement,” said Cahoon. “We hope Despite having to adjust to a new way of play- and out of the zones to move East is having the players with tant piece to the team,” as to have a little more balance on offense, and to ing hockey here in the United States, the Belarus the puck. This style of play the size and strength to do so. well as freshmen Kevin Boyle see these guys development. You see the biggest native Yevenko has taken to the high-speed, high- didn’t fare well for UMass in With the development of sopho- (Manalapan, N.J.) and Steve development of a player between their freshman tempo of practice instituted by Cahoon. tight contests, as it dropped 10 more Adam Phillips and senior Mastalerz (Meriden, NH). and their sophomore year.” “I like all of the guys here at UMass,” said Senior Danny Hobbs made huge leaps forward one-goal games. Michael Marcou, who played With the ability to capital- Yevenko. “I’d like to think that I’m a defense-first last season as a junior, tying a team-high in goals This season, the Minutemen big parts in dictating defensive ize on offense in close games, guy. We can definitely bring size and defense, but return many players from last pressure in the neutral zone, (12) and ranked second in assists (16). Hobbs physical play in the neutral I also hope that I will be able to take my chances year and have also brought in along with the recruitment of and defensive zones and sound hopes to make even bigger leaps this year, as UMass looks to spread the puck out to create looks offensively when I can.” recruits that will bring more Oleg Yevenko, a 6-foot-7 fresh- goaltending by whomever is size and physicality, hoping to man , the Minutemen may have all over the offensive zone. Goaltending appointed in net, UMass may create more balance on both the size they’ve been looking for “These younger guys are going to become The most significant transition UMass will be able to turn the Hockey ends of the ice. to hang with defensive lines in more comfortable each day,” said Hobbs of the undergo this season is in its goaltending as Jeff “Last season, our strength the conference. East upside down with its newcomers, who will help fill the depth chart Teglia, Kevin Moore, Kevin Boyle and Steve was our movement and our “We like the idea of hav- play in ’11-12. and will contribute right from the start Mastalerz compete for the spot. speed,” said UMass coach ing a little bit of everything Scott Cournoyer can of the season. “With the guys from “They are in a real competitive battle for the Don Cahoon. “We weren’t out there,” said Cahoon. “If be reached at scournoy@ last year, you’re going to see that starting job,” said Cahoon, who noted that the able to own strategic pieces of I feel that putting a physical student.umass.edu. progression that we’re looking players are in a competition to take the starting job the ice, mainly in front of the lineup out there gives us the for. These guys after the departure of Paul Dainton, who started net. Now, we’re going to do best chance to win, I will. The just have to be all four years before graduating this past spring. a better job at defending our physicality is definitely there.” themselves and “Now that we’re in camp and under way, we can own grade A and penetrating Despite more scorers return- play like they’re start to refine and work with them on the position.” in the offensive zone.” ing this year and a bigger lineup capable of.” Teglia, who played in nine games as a sopho- Two key factors to make present, the position of goal- Senior T.J. more last season has the “early advantage, because that happen are seniors Danny tender will undoubtedly be the Syner will also he played last year,” according to Cahoon. Hobbs and T.J. Syner, who each team’s gage for success. After play a signifi- In Dainton’s absence, who was out with an made huge leaps during their the departure of four-year starter cant part on the injury to start last season, Teglia started four games offensive end junior years last season. Paul Dainton, UMass will look in net, playing against pivotal opponents such as this year for the Hobbs, who racked up 12 to fill the void left behind. Minnesota, Boston University and Wisconsin. With four goalies on the Minutemen. As goals and 16 assists, good for Despite growing pains, Teglia said that his mindset roster, the early frontrunner for a junior, Syner second on the team, has been this year is significantly different than last year. the starting job in net is sopho- posted 27 points encouraged by the progress “I worked on a lot of fundamentals this sum- more Jeff Teglia. Teglia played last season, good he saw during camp earlier mer, staying here for a month and also getting in last month. nine games in net while Dainton enough for sec- the gym a lot to prepare myself,” said Teglia. “I’ve “All of these guys are going was out early last season with ond on the team. worked on a lot of angles to pucks, and I’m really to feel more comfortable each an injury, competing against Syner’s ability happy with the work that I put in this summer.” day,” said Hobbs. “We’re going nationally ranked opponents to get the puck to see that progression. They just Minnesota, Wisconsin, New in the net more When asked about the rough start to his col- have to be themselves and do Hampshire and Boston frequently this legiate career, Teglia acknowledged the “bumpy what they’re capable of doing.” University. year will have roads,” he encountered, but that, “It was good for Syner, who scored nine “He’s got HOCKEY ISSUE 2011 an impact on the some of the younger guys, like me, to get that goals and totaled 27 points in great athleticism team’s chances in experience, and I’m excited to see us step it up ’10-11, like Cahoon, too real- and he’s a really close games. this year.” izes that balance on both ends good human “I think last Moore, a senior, will compete against Teglia will only help the team going being,” year’s team was for the goaltending position. Cahoon notes Moore forward this season. said one of the fastest will be, “an extremely valuable member of the “I think last year’s team was Cahoon. teams we’ve had team, due to his experience.” one of the fastest teams we’ve “So, you since I’ve been Scott Cournoyer can be reached at scournoy@ had since I’ve been here,” said know that here,” said student.umass.edu.

Teglia favored between the pipes

By Michael Wood comparing him to where Dainton was last season isn’t Teglia is a much more hybrid style goaltender, results to quantify and acknowledge.” Collegian Staff really possible. Like any second-year goalie, Teglia isn’t blending the stand-up and butterfly styles and using his Comparing statistics, it’s not as easy as it seems to expected to be as technically sound or experienced as a body to make saves by any means possible. He cuts differentiate between the two. Dainton holds UMass’ With the season just about to begin, the Massachusetts four-year starter would. down angles on pucks and high shots and has a quick all-time saves record, but he also played on four teams hockey team is no closer to choosing a starting goalten- “Paul [Dainton] went into last season with three glove that makes it difficult for opponents to get off a that struggled defensively, forcing him to make more der than it was at the end of last season. years of experience under his belt which amounted to shot that fool him. saves. His save percentage is also higher than Teglia’s After losing former captain and all-time saves leader close to 100 games,” said Cahoon. “Jeff has a few games “The best thing I do is track the puck,” Teglia said. first nine games, but Teglia was just a freshman and Paul Dainton to graduation, the Minutemen are without under his belt coming on the heels of backing up the “I think I’m excellent at fighting through screens and in Dainton’s career, he recorded just two shutouts in a the veteran leadership and experience that helped them starting goaltender, so it’s a whole different position for things of that nature and I rely on my athletic ability a game that he started. through a tough year last season. Jeff [this year] trying to get to a point where Paul essen- lot. But also, I’ve incorporated a lot of little things and While on the surface, losing Dainton seems like it Sophomore Jeff Teglia figures to be the odds-on favorite to win the job because he saw time in nine tially was already.” fundamentals from last year that I think will help me not will leave the Minutemen with a gaping hole in net and games a year ago, most of which came during games Style-wise, Dainton and Teglia couldn’t be more dif- have to rely on that as much and I think that will help me as far as experience goes, it does. where Dainton was pulled early. But with four goalies ferent. Dainton made his career at UMass as a butterfly- a lot this season.” Teglia, if he does get named the starter, possesses on the roster this year, UMass coach Don Cahoon said style goalie who could also be mobile around the net at Cahoon agrees and says that Teglia’s best quality is skill on par with Dainton and has incorporated some of nobody has the job yet and whoever he chooses will times if he needed to. his natural ability and how competitive he is during both the veteran’s technical skill into his own game. have to earn the right to start. A butterfly goalie plays with his feet apart and knees games and practice situations. Cahoon agrees that it will take bottom-line results Teglia will compete against senior Kevin Moore bent, covering low shots by dropping to his knees and “The biggest thing that Jeff does well is he’s an to quantify the differences between Teglia and Dainton. and freshmen Kevin Boyle and Steve Mastalerz for the using the span of his pads to cover the net. Dainton’s unbelievable competitor,” Cahoon said. “He’s really That means wins. If Teglia can lead UMass to victories spot, though according to Cahoon, he is the favorite to strengths were his lateral mobility and his ability to competitive and he never quits on a shot. If you look early and often against an annually tough Hockey East earn the spot. quickly take away the bottom of the net. However, he at his body of work, you won’t see an orthodox goal- schedule, he will have the chance to make his own name. Specifically in regards to Teglia, Cahoon acknowl- also lost some upper-net coverage with this style and tender playing the position. He’s very unorthodox and Michael Wood can be reached at mcwood@student. edged his skill and competitive attitude, but said that could sometimes be fooled by the angle of a shot. consequently that’s something that takes bottom-line umass.edu.

NEWS ARTS & LIVING EDITORIAL & OPINION DailyCollegian.com Thomson lectures on reporting Dream Theater up to old tricks Collegian columnists Max Go online and check out the UMass alumni Peter Thomson talked yes- Metal band Dream Theater is up to its Calloway and Brian Clement DailyCollegian.com Sports terday with senior Kimya Hedayat-Zadeh old tricks again with their new album, “A discuss Occupy Wall Street. Podcast, titled “The Mass about the challenges and techniques of Dramatic Turn of Events.” Attack is back, Jack.” environmental reporting. SEE PAGE 2 SEE PAGE 5 SEE PAGE 4 6 Friday, October 7, 2011 The Massachusetts Daily Collegian www.DailyCollegian.com The Puck Drops Off The Wall Combo

jeff bernstein/collegian Junior forward Eddie Olczyk takes a shot on sophomore goaltender Jeff Teglia during the annual Maroon and White Scrimmage last week at the Mullins Practice Rink. White defeated Maroon, 2–1. Students rock Mullins Adding strength By Steve Levine going to allow us to hopefully control tighter ing to wait an hour for the game to start. The unranked Collegian Staff areas better than last year.” HOCKEY from page 8 Minutemen were about to take on No. 2 Boston University Scoring goals doesn’t always require a in their first game of the 2009-2010 season, a team coming Hockey is just as much about size, strength finesse move or a perfect shot. In fact, in most couldn’t get into hockey. Sorry, Tom, it wasn’t your fault. off a national championship the year before. The air in the and physicality as it is about speed, agility and cases, it’s just the opposite. Ugly goals are a You tried, but hockey still wasn’t exciting. arena was crisp and cool next to the ice, but there was a skill. major part of hockey, and they result from dis- In the interest of space, I’ll spare you the details of how palpable energy there I’d never felt before. Last year, the Massachusetts men’s hockey placing bodies and gaining position in critical I ended up here at UMass since they would probably be From the second they dimmed the lights at 6:50, “The roster consisted of 14 freshmen, many of areas of the ice. edited out of this article anyway. But I did. I transferred in Funeral” blasted through the speaker system, fog rolled whom possessed only those latter elements With more experience and their newly- for my sophomore year, and began trying to find a way to out of the tunnel at the far corner of the ice, and Sam the in their game. The dreaded “freshmen 15,” acquired strength, the Minutemen are confident fit in at a school with 20,000 students. Fortunately, I had a Minuteman skated out and began to hype the crowd, I was enemy of the young weight watchers, needed they can keep up with Boston College, Boston little help. hooked. The crowd roared and chanted, and I can honestly to be packed on to UMass coach Don Cahoon’s University, New Hampshire and Maine, who The only person I knew on campus was my cousin, say that when 8,000 people start banging on the seatbacks players, who he saw as undersized. The team’s are not only some of the best teams in Hockey Kathleen, and she was quick to inform me that once in front of them at the same time, the thunderous sound it physical statures disadvantaged in strength East, but also in the nation. hockey season started, packing the Mullins Center was makes is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen and heard at a battles, whether they were in front of the net or “Last year it was a bumpy road,” said the thing to do on Friday nights. “Hockey games are awe- sporting event. along the boards. sophomore goaltender Jeff Teglia. “We were some. Everybody goes,” she told me. “If you’re coming Player introductions were exciting and enjoyably However, the Minutemen are much bigger in every single game [except Merrimack]. We to UMass, you have to go to a hockey game. They’re so aggressive, and when the puck dropped and the game coming into this season. All seven true fresh- played every single top team tough a couple much fun.” started, I got lost in it all. I got lost in UMass and what it men are at least 6-foot-1 and weigh in at at times. Some of our younger guys getting that While that didn’t exactly thrill me, I was willing to meant to be at a collegiate sporting event. Every goal and least 194 pounds. Add them to the rigid off- experience is going to really help them. I’m give it a chance. Tom had taught me a little more about every student chant made the experience that much better. season strength program the returning players really excited about our team and I think we the game in freshman year and I knew what Hockey East The Minutemen won that night, upsetting the defending underwent, and Cahoon’s team suddenly looks can really step it up this year in the league.” was all about. I liked sports, and if 8,000 other people who champion Terriers, 3-2, and I was hooked. From that point ready to bang bodies. UMass was picked to finish seventh in the liked sports filled an arena to watch a game, I was pretty on, I’ve been a hockey fan. “There’s a big difference between what the Hockey East preseason coaches’ poll, the same sure I could have fun with it. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was in college. sophomores looked like 12 months ago to what spot the team finished last year. Looking back at it now, going to that first UMass For the first time in college I felt like I belonged. And in they look like now,” said Cahoon. “Most of Although the Minutemen are optimistic that hockey game was the best decision I ever made here. that three hours, UMass managed to completely change them have put on some weight, they’ve got- they can fare much better this year, it remains I had discovered a couple friends in my dorm and my opinion about the sport of hockey. ten thicker through their bodies, they’re much to be seen. After the conference-opening game heard dozens of other people corroborate what Kathleen Now, I can say I’ve been to every home game the Future is bright more fit than they were a year ago. I’d be against Northeastern on Oct. 7, UMass will Hockey scores at UM had told me. So once it came time for the home opener, Minutemen have played since I’ve been here, I’m a huge totally devastated if that wasn’t the case.” play Bentley in a non-conference game before we were all pretty eager to see the Mass Attack in action. Bruins fan and hockey rivals football and baseball as the Strength is required in many areas on the it takes on six consecutive conference oppo- STARS from page 8 year to go toe-to-toe with Notice a pattern here? It’s Growing up, I never liked hockey. Growing up in northern Vermont, where the frigid When we lined up at the front gates at 5 p.m. and there most exciting sport for me to watch. I love it. New Hampshire, Boston clear that the Maroon and White ice. From a skating perspective, strong legs nents. I hated watching it on TV. It wasn’t fun to play. I didn’t winters demand that you find a way to enjoy them or face was already a line for the 7 p.m. game, I had a feeling it In one night, I felt all that. That’s a pretty fantastic College, Boston University, are missing that final piece that are important for powerful strides, starting, “There’s a lot to be measured,” Cahoon know any of the teams in the NHL. The being miserable for six to eight months, I turned to the ski leadership last year to guide their was going to be a fun night. The Mullins Center was, and night. What’s even better is that I never expected it. Merrimack or Maine for an puts them over the hump and into turning or stopping. In addition, leg strength said. “We have to measure how much we’ve rules were confusing, and frankly, there resort in my town for winter activity, as did most other abundance of freshmen. still is, the nicest indoor arena I’ve ever been in, and when You say college football? Please. You say college bas- entire season. Anybody out- contributes to a powerful shot and increased actually progressed before I can accurately were better things I could be doing with people. Once the snow flew, everybody I knew either Those freshmen are one year the same category as those teams. we found our seats – second row, in front the faceoff circle ketball? Not a chance. I say college hockey. I say UMass side of HEA can look at those balance. Upper body strength helps assist with [assess where we fit in Hockey East].” my time. It wasn’t until I arrived at worked or skied at the mountain to stay sane through the older now, and in a perfect world, The reality for now, at least, in section S – it was the closest I’d ever sat at a sporting hockey, and I’m proud of it. teams and see a handful of puck control, as well as defeating opponents in “We’re going to be a team that attacks,” UMass that I changed my mind. winter. That’s not an exaggeration. The mountain became they would be one year wiser, one is that UMass has not been in event that I wasn’t playing in. Michael Wood can be reached at mcwood@student. NCAA title contenders. one-on-one situations. Cahoon added. “The Mass Attack is a cute To me, hockey has always been the my winter home, and I loved it up there. I still do. year stronger and one year better. the same class as those teams Students filed in quickly and everybody was will- umass.edu. USCHO’s Division I pre- One of the major areas the Minutemen must little slogan, it’s a great thing and we created neglected middle child between base- There was simply no room for hockey. It was a winter Unfortunately, it’s not that black since the glorious 2006-2007 sea- season poll ranks BC at No. 5, son. However, the beautiful thing control is the space in front of the net, which it and I think it is. But the truth of the matter ball and football. It’s a sport without a sport that clashed with ski season and didn’t have a large and white. Cahoon doesn’t want demands strength and physicality in order to BU at No. 10, UNH at No. 12, about hockey is its unpredictabil- is our team, with the way we can skate, has to dedicated season, and one that’s much following in the first place. There were a few kids in to take anything for granted, and gain position, set screens and collect loose Merrimack at No. 15 and Maine ity. Any team can win on any have a competitive edge that says ‘we attack on harder and more expensive to play my school who would occasionally show up to class in he believes it would be foolish at No. 16. rebounds. offense, we attack on defense, we play hard.’” given night. Michael than its brothers and sisters. Baseball Colorado Avalanche or New York Rangers jerseys, but to think his team can make big Despite their lofty rankings, “We’re really happy with the physical Steve Levine can be reached at slevine@ While I’m sure the had always been America’s pastime when they started to talk hockey, nobody really listened. strides within the conference just UMass played those teams very dimension we’ve added,” said Cahoon. “It’s student.umass.edu. Wood Minutemen will have some and football has become the world’s Even more surprising, I don’t remember seeing a because those freshmen are now tough last year, often times falling single Boston Bruins jersey on any one of those kids. This surprising, uplifting wins over most successful and exciting profes- sophomores. Still, the optimism just short of a marquee win. just furthers my point about hockey having no consistent nationally-ranked teams this year, sional sport. America has never had room in its hearts or is there, and if history is any Against BU, the Minutemen following when I was a kid. The Bruins are the closest they will be few and far between on its television sets for a sport that didn’t originate in this indicator, UMass should at least were 0-2-1. Both losses were country and didn’t generate a lot of money. NHL team to Vermont, but nobody wore their jerseys? unless they get some stand-out improve from last season. decided by one goal. After As an active kid in Stowe, Vt, you watched baseball Sounds like a joke of a sport to me. individual performances from Despite the positive an 11-2 drubbing against games in the summer and cheered for the Red Sox or the But then I went to college. outlook, the Minutemen’s Merrimack, UMass responded their experienced upperclassmen Star searching Yankees, then you watched football in the fall once school I chose Sport Management as my major at Ithaca 2011-2012 campaign won’t with two close games, losing or their bevy of young talent. It seems like ages ago was when the Massachusetts forwards Casey Wellman and James Marcou and started. Surprisingly, not many people cheered for the College in New York, and began to learn about the indus- end with them crowned as both by one goal. It was more of As coach Cahoon likes to say, defensemen Justin Braun and Matt Irwin. The four- Patriots. Remember this is back before Tom Brady and try. Then I met a kid from New Hampshire who loved champions of Hockey East. the same against Maine, who the “In the end, the cream will rise to hockey team finished in second place in the Hockey some has since moved on to play with NHL affiliates. Bill Belichick, when the Pats were so bad it was embar- hockey. He is now one of my closest friends, and at the It’s possible, but unreal- Minutemen played very tough in the top.” East. In reality, it was five years Wellman and Braun both have NHL experience, rassing to call yourself a fan. time he was the first person I’d ever met who worshiped istic. Nobody can expect a their final two games (a 4-3 loss Steve Levine can be reached In the winter, some people watched the NBA, but the Bruins more than the Celtics or the Red Sox. His pas- team that won six games last and a 4-4 tie). at [email protected]. ago, when the 2006-2007 combining for 56 games over the past two years. Minutemen enjoyed their most Without them last year, UMass was forced to rely basketball wasn’t too popular where I grew up. Once sion started to rub off on me a little, but, try as I did, I still successful season in over a on production throughout the roster. The philosophy February rolled around, it was back to baseball for spring See HOCKEY on page 6 decade. was more or less “score by committee” – a mantra training and the light at the end of winter’s long, icy tun- That year, UMass went 15-9- that invites inconsistency and a habit of falling just nel. That’s the way it was. It’s just what you did. 3 in the conference, riding a short. balanced scoring attack and In order for the Minutemen to return to the glory senior goaltender Jon Quick, days five years ago, they’re going to need some stars who now starts for the NHL’s to light up and shine bright. Steve Los Angeles Kings, all the way Senior winger Danny Hobbs could be one of “Your Ad Here” those stars. In his first two years, Hobbs didn’t receive Levine to the East Regional Finals. But Are you a local business in search of new customers? the Minutemen fell to Maine, much playing time because of veteran presence. What about a University Department looking to 3-2, disabling them from mak- However, last year’s freshmen-filled team ensured ing their first-ever appearance in the NCAA’s Frozen that Hobbs, who was selected in the seventh round of inform students of a new policy? Four. the 2007 NHL entry draft by the New York Rangers, Or an RSO with an upcoming event? Since that remarkable run five years ago, UMass would get major playing time on UMass’ top line. has been eliminated in the first round of the Hockey Hobbs ran with the opportunity, notching a team- East playoffs each year. leading 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in 31 games. Granted, it’s tough playing in one of the hard- Senior center T.J. Syner could also be one of Contact the Advertising Department at the est conferences in college hockey. Of the 10 teams those stars. Syner has enjoyed consistent playing time in Hockey East, you can count on at least three to throughout his UMass career, registering 60 points be ranked among the nation’s top 10 teams. Over (24 goals, 36 assists) in 99 games. Syner has gotten the last four years, HEA has boasted three National better each year, and he finished last year with 27 Massachusetts Daily Collegian Champions (Boston College in 2008, 2010 and 2011, points (9 goals, 18 assists) in 35 games. Boston University in 2009). Finally, sophomore winger Michael Pereira could But UMass coach Don Cahoon isn’t about to be relied upon for a jump in production. Pereira make excuses even with obvious disadvantages such opened eyes across the conference last year, tying • Print & Online Packages Available as last year’s team makeup of 14 freshmen, who were Hobbs for the team lead in goals (12) while finishing • Large Student, Faculty, & Staff Readership all trying to hang with the big boys. The Minutemen with a third-best 25 points in 34 games. ended up finishing 5-16-6 in the conference and 6-23- Hobbs and Syner have the experience to take throughout the 5 College Area 6 overall, marking the worst season since 1997-1998, one last big leap before they graduate. It remains to when the Minutemen went 6-24-3. The season was a be seen whether they will take on even bigger roles nightmare filled with heartbreaking losses for a team in the offense, but it certainly would be a welcome

that struggled to find an identity. sight for UMass, which desperately needed veteran jeff bernstein/collegian Two years ago, UMass had a clear identity. That Call (413) 545-3500 or email [email protected] for more info season, the Minutemen could count on consistent See STARS on page 6 Sophomore forward Michael Pereira was one of the brightest spots for the Minutemen last season. In 34 production from four highly-skilled, proven players: games, Pereira registered a team–leading 34 points (12 goals, 13 assists).