Kent Roosevelt Lacrosse 9-2 on the Season

The Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders men's lacrosse team is now 9-2 on the season. After a rough stretch where the team dropped back to back games to Medina and Bexley (Columbus), they have righted the ship by winning 3 games in a row. The Rough Riders are ranked second in Division 2's Central Region.

Kent, who is ranked sixth in the state in scoring, with an average of 13 goals per game, is led by senior attackman Pat Valerius, who has 47 goals and 8 assists. Pat uses his quickness to dodge past his defender, often the opponents best player, and is incredibly dangerous when coming around the crease looking to score. Kyle
Manning, with 28 goals and 14 assists on the year, is highly effective shooting from the wing and is a team leader despite being a junior.

Leading the midfield is senior Troy Haren, who has 31 goals and 23 assists. Troy has an incredibly quick first step and a blazing shot. He is often shutoff and doubled by opposing teams. He has been using this to his advantage by feeding other players. It is highly unusual for a midfielder to have as many assists as Haren does. Troy is also a player the team looks to in tight situations. He has both of the Rough Rider's game winning goals. Bobby Danner, the other leading scorer at midfield, with 15 goals and 5 assists is one of the most competitive and hard working players the team has ever had. Besides being a scoring threat in the offensive zone, Danner takes face-offs, is a member of both the man-up and man-down units and is often called upon to shut down the opposing teams top midfielder in the defensive zone. Danner, who is a senior, rarely comes off the field, which is unheard of for midfielders.

Defensively, the Rough Riders are led by senior goalie Tyler Gallagher, one of the state's best goaltenders. He is in charge of calling out all of the defensive plays, and will be vital come playoff time. Tyler has the ability to change the entire tide of a game due to his skill. Michael Ruller, a junior defenseman, has shut down almost all opposing teams best attackman. He uses superb footwork and throws vicious stick checks at his man, often resulting in turnovers. Eli Kepner has played long stick middie most of the year, and does a great job of shutting down the opposing teams star midfielder. He is also an offensive force, scoring a goal against Granville.

#15 Kent Roosevelt 18 , #82 Mentor 4

Pat Valerius (3 goals, 2 assists), Kyle Manning (3 goals, 2 assists), James Strange (1 goal, 2 assists), Troy Haren, (4 goals, 2 assists, 13 ground balls), Bobby Danner (3 goals, 1 assist, 7 ground balls), Kevin Rodgers (2 goals), Tom Fisher (1 goal, 1 assist), Jon Blank (1 goal) Aaron Stainbrook (1 assist), Tyler Gallagher (4 saves)

Kent Roosevelt 6, #3 Medina 12

Pat Valerius (3goals), Kyle Manning (2goals), Troy Haren (1 goal, 2 assists), Tyler Gallagher (20 saves)

Kent Roosevelt 7, #45 Bexley 13

Pat Valerius (4 goals, 1 assist), Kyle Manning (2 goals), Troy Haren (1 goal, 2 assists, 5 ground balls), Bobby Danner (7 ground balls), Tyler Gallagher (13 saves)

Kent Roosevelt 8, #20 Rocky River 7

Pat Valerius (4 goals), Troy Haren (4 goals), Kyle Manning (1 assist), Tyler Gallagher (20 saves)

Kent Roosevelt 17, #41 Wooster 5

Pat Valerius (3 goals, 2 assists), Kyle Manning (4 goals, 2 assists, 4 ground balls), James Strange (2 assists), Troy Haren (4 goals, 1 assist, 5 ground balls), Bobby Danner (2 goals, 1 assist, 5 ground balls),  Kevin Rodgers (1 goal), Brady Weber (3 goals), Eli Kepner (7 ground balls), Matt Sommers (6 ground balls), Tyler Gallagher (9 saves)

Kent Roosevelt 15, #60 Granville 2

Pat Valerius (5 goals, 1 assist), Kyle Manning (3 goals, 2 assists, 4 ground balls), James Strange (1 assist), Troy Haren (2 goals, 4 assists, 6 ground balls), Bobby Danner (2 goals, 1 assist, 9 ground balls), Tom Fisher(1 goal, 1 assist), Eli Kepner (1 goal, 5 ground balls), James Breiding (4 ground balls), Tyler Gallagher (8 saves)

*Senior Night is this Friday at 7pm vs. Hawken School. Come and show the team support!