THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

POTSDAM — In past seasons, home games for the Clarkson University men's and women's lacrosse teams often meant short trips to Potsdam High School, SUNY Potsdam, St. Lawrence University or SUNY Canton.

The Golden Knights often could not finally play a home game on their own Hantz Field until late in the season.

But all that has changed as the squads are playing full schedules on a new Hantz Field, which features artificial turf.

"The new facility is great," said senior Tyler Long, a captain on the men's team. "We've been waiting for it for a few years. It's nice to finally see it and they did a great job on it. I'm looking forward to getting our grandstand in the summer."

Clarkson athletic director Steve Yianoukos estimated that the school will save about $10,000, the amount it used to spend on all the travel to other local sites just to practice.

"It's a very significant savings for us," Yianoukos said. "(The men) practiced outside on Jan. 29th. That's probably six weeks earlier than we've ever been outside. We didn't even have to make a spring trip this year because the field was ready and we were able to play."

The field was actually used late in the soccer season last fall and is available for both the men's and women's teams.

By next year the second phase of the project will be complete, which will include bleachers and a press box.

"The field's great," said men's lacrosse coach Bill Bergan. "We're hoping it will help from a recruiting standpoint. We have a new locker room, too. I think there's a trickle down effect from there. We'll play better lacrosse and get some better players."

Along with the work on Hantz Field, work has been done on neighboring Walker Arena, the former home of the Clarkson men's hockey team.

New bathrooms, lights and locker rooms have been built, with funding from a $1 million grant from the state. The former ice surface now has the same type of field turf that is on the outdoor field.

"It's a nice setup," Yianoukos said. "The boards and glass are up, just like when we were playing hockey in there, except it has turf on the floor now."

Men's soccer coach Nick Hillary is already planning ways to work his two fields in his team's favor.

"It depends on who we have to play," Hillary said. "If I have the option to play a team that's predominantly grass, I'll try to bring them on the turf. I'll use it to my advantage. But, predominantly, we'll play all our games here.

"It provides a lot of options for us, especially in the winter field. It's really a wonderful facility to have. It's a good thing we have it right now. We use it as a good selling point."

Clarkson's men's lacrosse goalie Pat Sweeney, a former Canton High School player, knows the dark side of north country spring sports. His old high school grass field often is like walking on a sponge during early season games.

"Especially during the spring, like right now, it can be really muddy," Sweeney said. "It's really gross out there. It's good to have this and know you will play on it every day. When it gets wet it's a little faster, but you usually get a true bounce straight on. It doesn't hit a rock and bounce somewhere."

Another perk for the lacrosse teams will be the chance for more students to see the squad play. Although the other sites were nearby, not all students have access to a car.

"It's nice to be able to tell your friends to just come down the hill because we have a game at 4 today," said Long. "It's nice to have a home crowd."

Clarkson's men have already enjoyed success despite the sacrifices, reaching the NCAA Division III Tournament in 2002 and 2003.

"It will help our recruiting," Bergan said. "One thing people don't really understand is the fact that everybody else has got turf and we're just 10 years later. It's what every other school has had. It's nice to have it."

Here's a look at this year's spring teams:

Baseball

Clarksongot hot at the end of last season and won the Liberty League Tournament championship, earning the first NCAA Tournament bid in school history.Brady Torbittled the Golden Knights (23-21 overall) on offense and was the Most Outstanding Player in the conference tournament. ...St. Lawrencewent 17-18 last season but has gotten off to a strong start this year, going 5-2 on its spring Florida trip. SLU's first win gave longtime coachTom Fayhis 500th career victory.

JEFFERSON CC

Outlook: The Cannoneers' goal, second-year coach John Northrop said, is to compete for a spot in the Region 3 playoffs. But first the team will have to creep a little closer to .500. Division II, St. Thomas-Aquinas signeeAndrew Hancsakdrove in 34 runs last year on his way to all-conference and all-region honors. ... Northrop believes his first incoming recruiting class can make significant contributions. "We have a really talented group of freshmen," he said. "We're continuing to develop the program. Our pitching is deeper and we have more talent."Josh Cox(31 K/33 IP, 20 RBI) and Florida nativeJoseph Pagan, who was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 37th round of the professional draft, should each produce solid numbers, too.

Coach: John Northrop (2nd year)

2009 record: 11-25, 9-14 Region 3.

Players to watch: Andrew Hancsak (All-conference, 2nd team all-Region 3), Andrew Ladouceur, Josh Cox, Joseph Pagan.

Roster: Matt Hayden (Fr., IF), Dan Magovney (Fr., IF), Cory Kendall (Fr., IF/OF), Andrew Ladouceur (So., OF), Sam Cavallario (So., OF), Ryan Griffin (So., C), Brandon Cavalet (Fr., P/OF), Marcus Roggie (So., IF), Josh Cox (So., P/OF), Michael Yeash (Fr., P/IF), Travis Brown (Fr. P), Matthew Sutherland (So., P), Keith Harley (Fr., C), Thomas Hayes (Fr., P), Joseph Pagan (So., IF), Andrew Hancsak (So., IF), Thomas Prescott (Fr., P/OF), Ryan Gentile (Fr., C), Nolan Bodah (Fr., IF), Sean Sullivan (Fr., P/IF).

Softball

St. Lawrencehas already shown improvement from last year's 5-25 team. The Saints, captained by seniorsJennifer Girard, a Gouverneur native, andMolly Swan, are 7-4 after their spring trip to Florida.Jenna Padenihas been the early offensive leader for SLU with a .407 batting average.Chelsea Cavellier(.368),Elizabeth McGinley(.360) andJess Manderfield(.343) have also been key hitters.

JEFFERSON CC

Outlook: Coach Charlie Bridge said the strength of this squad will be its defense. "We don't have too many holes defensively," he said. Bridge said freshmanErica Hovey(General Brown) will likely pitch a majority of the innings. He also expects 23-year oldCourtney Blodgett(Sandy Creek) to make an impact.Ashley Phillips, the top returning hitter, could also prove to be threat to steal bases.

Coach: Charlie Bridge (2nd year)

2009 record: 12-14.

Players to watch: Ashley Phillips (.321, honorable mention all-conference), Ashley Chartrand, Erica Hovey.

Roster: Courtney Blodgett (Fr., C), Sarah Ward (Fr., IF), Emily Nellis (So., OF), Allison Houle (So., IF), Ashley Phillips (So., OF/C), Ashley Chartrand (So., IF), Erica Hovey (Fr., P/IF), Tori Wood (So., OF), Jenna Weaver (Fr., P/OF), Meagan Clemons (So., P), Jenny Jones (So., IF).

Men's Lacrosse

Clarksonwent 10-5 last season but lost several players from that squad, returning only four starters and two seniors. The top returning offensive player is sophomoreBryan Huff, who supplied 15 goals and 15 assists. Other top attackers includeKris MassaroandRyan Esposito. Clarkson's midfield is led byPat Kilday, who had a .532 percentage on faceoffs last year. ...St. Lawrencestarts the season ranked 19th in the nation after going 13-4 last season. The Saints have won 32 consecutive Liberty League games.

JEFFERSON CC

Outlook: The Cannoneers are hoping to continue last season's success, when they enjoyed the best season in school history, and had seven players selected to the Mid-State Athletic Conference all star team.Pete Pike(73 points) is the top offensive player as the team seeks another berth in the Region 3 tournament. Replacing departed goalie Devin Heldt will be one of the biggest factors in determining this spring's success.Joe DiTullio(Potsdam) andDan Donaldson(General Brown) were each high school standouts, and coach Mark Streiff expects either one can effectively take Heldt's place.

Coach: Mark Streiff (11th year)

2009 record: 11-3.

Players to watch: Pete Pike (73 points), Jeremy Youngs, Marc Bingle, Caleb Gardner, Steve Martin.

Roster: Craig Rogers (Fr., M), Mike Ross (Fr., A), Zach VanBrocklin (Fr., A), Marc Bingle (So., D), Tyler Kempney (Fr., M), Joe DiTullio (Fr., G), Trent Ames (Fr., A), Seth Rowsam (Fr., M), Pete Pike (So., A), Dustin Makuch (So., M), T.J. Mulligan (Fr., D), Caleb Gardner (So., D), Vincent Cesario (So., M), Jeremy Youngs (So., M), Joey Sciotti (Fr., A), Damin Sawyer (Fr., M), Ben Koster (Fr., M), Dan Donaldson (Fr., G), Ryan Jackson (Fr., D), Sean Upchurch (Fr., M), Lance Weaver (Fr., D), Travis Phillips (Fr. D), Chase Vantassel (Fr., D).

Women's Lacrosse

Clarksonwent 4-10 last year but has already won its first two games of this season. The squad will be led by senior midfielderKimberly Loucks, who scored 49 goals with 13 assists last season. The defenders areKim Francis, Watertown nativeCatherine Burgess,Hillary Clifton, Potsdam'sMary Twissand Ogdensburg'sAmanda Calton. ...St. Lawrenceis coming off a 6-8 season but should improve this year. The Saints are led by a quartet of players:Mary Jane Sweetland,Anna Parrott,Lexie WisnowskiandKelsey Redpath.

JEFFERSON CC

Outlook: The Cannoneers must find a way to make up the loss of all-americans Maria Martusewicz (51-47) and Theresa Staab (56-46), who last season combined for 199 points, if they are to contend for another trip to the Region 3 semifinals.Tara GerveraandSam Roukousshould pick up a majority of the slack offensively, while coach Kunz expects second-year playersCourtney DrakeandDanielle Shockleyto anchor the defese in front of freshman goalieAmber Neibacker. Every player on the roster is a product of the Frontier League.

Coach: Kelly Kunz (5th year)

2009 record: 9-5.

Players to watch: Tara Gervera (22 pts, 19 G, 3 A), Sam Roukous (43 points, 32 G, 11 A).

Roster: Jen Mercante (So., D), Tara Gervera (So., A/M), Cassandra Marsala (Fr., A), Heather Mushtare (Fr., M), Danielle Shockley (So., M), Stephanie Green (Fr., A/M), Brittney Kulesza (So., M), Sam Roukous (So., A/M), Brittany Koelmel (Fr., M), Courtney Drake (So., D), Nicole Perry (So., A/M), Shelby Arthur (Fr., A/M), Cassie O'Riley (Fr., D), Amber Neibacker (Fr., G).

Golf

JEFFERSON CC

Coach: James Ambrose

Roster: Richard Algie (So.), Drew Laemmermann (Fr.), Adam Beshures (Fr.), Shawn Flynn (So.), Adam Turck (So.), Tyler Woodward (So.), Kyle Horton (So.), Blake Vanvalkenburgh (Fr.), Trey Yelton (So.), Jeremy Aiken (Fr.), John Kelly (Fr.), Dan Sharlow (So.), Scott Kellner (Fr.).