Colbert’s return to Peddie lacrosse comes as coach

By: Neil Hay
   With more new players than returnees on board, the first priority facing new Peddie boys’ lacrosse Coach Rodger Colbert will be getting everyone on the same page.
   "Cohesion. That’s the biggest issue. Once the players get to know each other, things will go smoother. Once they have confidence in each other, the sky’s the limit," said Colbert.
   Colbert could have added that the players have to get familiar with the coach, too. Colbert, Peddie Class of 1997, is in his first year with the Falcons. He played Peddie varsity lacrosse for two years, and was captain of the Georgetown University lacrosse team.
   A year ago the Falcons went 10-5. Back from that squad are seniors Steven Bauer (defense), Andy Simon (attack), Bryan Rice (midfielder), Chris Davis (mid), and Christian Harris (attack), and junior mid Sean Stiefel.
   Four post-graduates bring their skills and experience to the lineup: attacker Ray Allen, defenders Charles Meyer and McLean Cross, and midfielder Rob Stauning. Also new to the varsity are junior mid/attack Sam Meyer, junior goalie Gordon Gray, junior mid Ronnie Walton, sophomore attack Marcus Craig, and freshman goalie Sean Murphy.
   Like a number of the other Peddie spring teams, the lacrosse squad went to Florida to get in shape for tomorrow’s season opener at Blair and the remainder of the 2005 schedule. Although a couple of the Florida games were rained out, Colbert did get enough of a look at his players to offer some thoughts.
   "We didn’t play as well against stiffer competition, but the trip gave us something to build on. I don’t know what to expect this season. We are not stacked like Lawrenceville is. It is always a matter of building (a program). I like to build from youth up. Playing as one team, that’s part of it. That’s what Florida was about.
   "I won’t make any predictions. Our goal is to be a competitive team at the end of the year, and a successful team by our own standards."