Pride Announce 2007 Roster
Published on May 14, 2007 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
New Jersey Pride News Release
CLIFTON - The New Jersey Pride, the Garden State's only professional lacrosse team, announced today the team's roster for the 2007 season after breaking training camp at Rutgers Prep in Somerset on Sunday.
The squad is comprised of a mix of familiar names, those who helped the Pride to within one game of the 2006 playoffs, and newcomers who bring enthusiasm to the squad.
"We are happy with where the team is and with the guys we have on our roster,'' said Pride General Manager Trey Reeder. "We have a nice blend of young guys and veterans, and we think it's a team that has a shot to be very successful this season."
The team will once again be anchored by veterans Jesse Hubbard and Scott Urick, both of whom have been with the team since the inception of the league in 2001. The pair combined for 82 points in 2006 and were the top two scorers on the squad. Third year player Kyle Harrison will team with veteran Adam Doneger to provide a potent 1-2 punch in the midfield. Doneger led the Pride with five 2-point goals in 2006, and Harrison (who is widely considered one of the most exciting players in the game today) will use his quicks and cannon shot to beat defenses.
"You look at the offense we're returning and you have to be excited,'' Reeder said. "Then switching to the defensive half of the field, we return everyone so we feel we're going to be very strong on that side of the ball.''
On that defensive end, the team is anchored by goalie Rob Scherr who started all 12 games for the Pride in 2006 and allowed only 13.5 goals a game. In front of him, Scherr will have veterans Ryan Mollett and Ryan McClay as well as one of the best cover defenders in the league in Brett Hughes.
In addition to other holdovers in Liam Banks, Kevin Boland, Dan Chemotti, Conor Ford, Corey Harned and Greg Raymond, the Pride have also added several new pieces to the pack. New Jersey acquired versatile midfielder Greg Peyser from Philadelphia mid-way through training camp to help solidify the transition game, as well as Matt Rewkowski in a trade following the Supplemental Draft.
Other newcomers include Adam Doneger's brother, Jason (attack), as well as Greg Peyser's brother, Mike (defense). Both should provide added depth to those positions. Long pole Oliver Barry and short stick midfielders Ryan Lang and Rob Parengkuan have also made the team's 23-man roster, and could help immediately.
The biggest change to the Pride roster comes at the face-off 'X' where rookie Geoff Keough will take over for the departed Andy Corno. Keough, a 2005 Syracuse graduate will be backed up by Greg Peyser, Harrison and Parengkuan.
The team also announced the placement of seven players on the MLL's Did Not Report List. Those players, Greg Cattrano, Chris Cercy, Mike Regan, A.J. Haugen, Ben Grinnell Joe Ghedina and Walid Hajj are ineligible to play for the Pride in 2007. The team also released long stick Mike Abou-Joude, as well as Zach Burke and Ian Rosenberger.
The Pride open the 2007 MLL season on Friday May 18 when they host the Washington Bayhawks at 7:30 p.m. at Rutgers University's Yurcak Field. For tickers, call the Pride offices at (973) 614-1792.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from May 14, 2007
- Pride Announce 2007 Roster - New Jersey Pride
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
