'53 Lacrosse: Parking Lot Practice

Freshman lacrosse coach Dick Whitney has troubles. For one thing, at least six members of his squad have never played organized lacrosse before. Then, two of his three weeks of outdoor practice have been on a cinder parking lot.

Finally, the '53 club faces a tight 14-game schedule, with four games in the first week.

But the former Williams midfield star has been methodically preparing for tomorrow's opener against Lawrence Academy. Because he wasn't able to hold practices during vacation, Whitney is still unsure of his starting lineup.

What Niemyski has looked good in scrimmages, and will probably start as goal. Bob Rosenmann, of last year's Deerfield's undefeated New England champions, understudies Niemyski.

Broder, Martin Spark Defense

All-New England Turk Broder and speedy Rog Martin will definitely play defense, with Ted Sexton, one of Whitney's beginners a probable starter, provided he recovers from a strained muscle incurred in New York Sunday night.

Whitney's big question mark is the midfield. Hank Wood, Ron Huebsch, and Chuck Pyle form a strong first combination, but behind them Whitney has no outstanding players.

Skip Johnson, ex-hockey mainstay, and George Batcholder, former football player, are among the most promising of the inexperienced men. Both may eventually find places on the second midfield line.

Four men are batting for the three attack positions. Pete Franklin, who scored twice against the varsity in a scrimmage before vacation, plays roamer. Shifty Gus Palacios is usually stationed behind the net as feedor. Norm Hatch and Bitsy Grant, Lawrence's high scorer last year, cover the crease.

Defense Strong

The defense is strong, and the attackmen have scoring punch, so Whitney hopes to use his one good midfield line to set up the scoring. Because midfields in lacrosse must be charged as often as forward lines in hockey, Whitney will only be able to play his first midfield one-third of the time.

He hopes that Broder, Sexton, and Martin will hold down the opposition's scoring while Wood, Pyle, and Huebsch are resting.