The Spring trip to Miami, Florida was kicked off with a game against the Miami City Club. It took a quarter to get the offensive machine cranking, but the Irish came on strong to post a 9-3 win. Two nights later ND defeated the University of Miami by a lopsided score of 14-5.
A cocky Irish squad suffered a little let-down against a impressive, recently formed Detroit Club, but rallied to win by a 9-7 margin. The team then shifted into high gear easily defeating Albion, and our good friends down the road, Purdue. The next contest was Michigan where the Irish played a sparkling game defeating the Wolverines, 9-5. The Irish then thrashed Illinois 16-2.
In perhaps two of the most exciting games in recent years, Notre Dame spotted Michigan State (a varsity) a 6-0 lead in the first quarter, then rallied to lose by only a three goal margin. Ashland was ranked nationally before the season, but the Irish had their number all afternoon. Ashland had just a bit more talented team and rallied to score the winning goal with approximately a minute left in the contest, as well as an insurance goal. The final score was 9-7. Under the worst playing conditions imaginable, Notre Dame defeated a greatly improved Lake Forest team 9-5. Perhaps the sweetest victory of all was the last game when the Irish defeated the Chicago Club 11-8.
Individually, President Tim Walsh tied John Romanelli for the total points lead. The team had ten players with double-digit scoring and set a club record by scoring 117 goals, while holding the opposition to 64. The opponents' low output was caused by the "Geriatric Defense" made up of seniors Jimmy "Magic" Williams, John "Mandy" Mandico and Treasurer John "J.V." Vercruysse. The nets were ably minded by former defenseman and first year goalie Mark "Jersey" Tallmadge.
1979
President: Tim Walsh, Captains: John Romanelli, John Gray
1979 Roster
1979 Record
Photos from 1979
Recognition:
Most Improved Player - Nick Gehring
Nappy Award - John Gray
Jack Tate Award - Tim Walsh, John Romanelli
Individual Scoring
Goals Assists Points
John Romanelli 11 21 32
Tim Walsh 24 8 32
John Gray 16 4 20
Carl Lundblad 6 12 18
Paul Rizzo 10 5 15
Nick Gehring 7 7 14
Tim Michels 9 5 14
Mike Norton 8 4 12
Mike Caron 10 1 11
Tom Capotosto 7 3 10
Dan Charhut 2 5 7
Mike Lynch 3 1 4
Mike Brogan 1 1
Brett Jackson 1 1
Prospects for 1979
· Tim Walsh, the Club President, is a senior attackman out of Havertown, PA. "Woosh's" intensity and uncanny ability to make things happen have made him an integral part of the team's attack. In addition, his administrative talents have brought about a most cohesive and smoothly run team.
· The Vice-President, Bob Curley from Lake Forest, IL, serves as Tim's right-hand man. Never playing lacrosse before his sophomore year, the junior midfielder hopes to come back from a knee injury and add depth to this year's midfield
· The teams financial wizard, Treasurer John Veracruysse, accounts for a great deal of the team's stingy defense. The senior defenseman out of Mt. Clemens, MI, also did not play lacrosse before attending Notre Dame.
· This year the team is led on the field by two very able captains. John Romanelli, from Long Island, is a hard driving senior attackman. The success of the attack this year will depend to a large degree on the play of John.
· The other captain, John Gray, is a senior middie. The speedster out of King of Prussia, PA also did not play lacrosse before attending Notre Dame. His quickness and natural athletic ability makes him the Irish's field general this season.
· The hard-hitting defense is led by Jimmy "Magic" Williams from Madison, NJ with the aid of John Mandico from Northport, NY. Tom "Mr Faceoff" Capotasto and Paul "Rat" Rizzo lend valuable experience to the midfields. Former defenseman, Mark "Jersey" Tallmadge is looking forward to a big year in his first season of minding the nets.
The 1979 Season