As the winter sports come to a close, the Castleton State Spartan spring sports teams will be hitting the field with high expectations for the 2007 season.The men’s lacrosse team comes off three seasons in a row with a huge rate of success, but coming up one win short every year of a North Atlantic Conference championship.

“Our goal is to take the North Atlantic Conference title and in doing so receive an Automatic Qualifier to the NCAA tournament,” said fourth year head coach Dave Wiezalis.

Wiezalis says that his players have truly dedicated themselves to the program and will stop at nothing less than the NAC championship.

“New talent has intermixed well, added depth and improved the dynamic of the team. The 2007 Spartans are a tight group with a shared vision,” said Wiezalis.

The Spartans put five seniors on the green this year and it could very well play into their favor as the experience is an incredible advantage when teams begin their playoff run.

The veteran defense of senior captain Al Brown, junior Jimmy VanDerKar, and sophomore Patrick Duffy will be in the backfield working on keeping the ball out of the net for the Spartans this season.

Between the pipes for the Spartans will be first year player Mike Mamunes. Mammunes steps in after last year’s goalie, Avram Feldused, finished his four years of eligibility.

Senior midfielder, Matt VanDerKar, is returning for his final season. As a two-year MVP and team captain, VanDerKar holds an impressive record of NAC honors, goals, ground balls and face-offs won.

“Matt VanDerKar expects nothing less than perfection,” said Wiezalis.

Although the Spartans season looks bright, there are a few concerns. The team has already lost one its captains, Brett Quillia, who sustained a season-ending injury while snowboarding.

Wiezalis says the team was counting on Quillia to be a big producer this year but other members of the team have already begun stepping up and filling his shoes.

The Spartans will host their first home game on March 27, when they square off against New England College.

“They are focused and ready to get the job done,” said Wiezalis.