The similarities between
this year's men's hockey and lacrosse teams were eerie. Bothfeatured
the most prolific offenses in the nation and defenses that were
second to none. Both pulled off big upsets and advanced to the semi-finals
of the national tournament, and, to take these comparisons one step
further, both lost in semi-final match-ups against Middlebury College.
The lacrosse team
wrapped up the best season in the program's history (13-3) with
a tough 15-14 loss to the Panthers. It was the most wins any RIT
lacrosse team ever posted in the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Guy
Van Arsdale recorded his 100th career win in the first round of
the NCAA Tournament against area rival Nazareth College. His career
record of 101-50 is the best in the program's history. Senior
Ben Hunt also established a record for most points in a career
with 274.
The men's hockey team
finished the season 27-3-2 after losing to Middlebury and Norwich
University in the Frozen Four of the NCAA Tournament this March.
The Tigers advanced to the semi-finals after trouncing Amherst
College in the regional playoff. The Tigers also won the ECAC
West Tournament en route to the second seed in the NCAA playoff.
RIT was ranked as
one of the top two teams in the nation the entire year. Forward
Pat Staerker and defenseman Jerry Galway were named first-team
All-Americans and head coach Eric Hoffberg was named the ECAC
West Coach of the Year. One week after the Tigers completed a
spectacular season, Hoffberg resigned after 10 memorable seasons.
Under his tutelage, the Tigers played in five NCAA Tournaments,
including two Frozen Four appearances. He finished with a 188-82-22
overall record. Wayne Wilson, a 13-year assistant coach at Division
I Bowling Green State University, is now RIT head coach.
