Pitt

[the lax]

Coach Messina

Can you offer a Pitt season preview?

Thanks

[Mike Messina]

I'de rather not but there aren't really any surprises.
I will be as vague as possible though(LOL).
Pitt enters the season with 8 starters and a number of upperclassman looking to capitalize on experience gained last year. We also have a number of freshman who look to make an impact with regular playing time. I expect players with CCLA recognition from last year to continue to play well. With trips to Auburn and Boston College planned, the OOC schedule looks to be more difficult than last season and the CCLA schedule should be demanding(despite chatter that the lakes should be easier)as every team looks to be improved(Western, WVU both underated IMHO). I think we will compete for the CCLA title though I also think the CCLA will be very competitive this year. The website should be up soon. Check it out for more information.

[UVAlax15]

Looked at the Pitt Website.

There are no goalies listed on the roster. That a concern for you guys this year or is that misprinted?


Good luck on the Season

[the lax]

Coach,

I went to the RMU scrimmage and your sideline was loaded with bodies. This roster doesn't reflect that. Are you still waiting to update it?

[Mike Messina]

Concerning the roster size thing. Against Robert Morris, we did have a large bench. Since that game we had 2 graduations, 1 player who is studying abroad, 1 player left school, and 2 players who decided not to play this spring for whatever reason. We did get a couple of new players for this spring but we didn't replace them all. Our current roster is now on the website.

[the lax]

Sorry for the losses. Good luck this year.

[Mike Messina]

the lax,
Thanks for the support. BTW-what happened to the CSU vikings avatar.

[UVAlax15]

How good is your one goalie?

From what I remember last year, Balliet was a strong offensive player(not sure attack or middie)on your team, not a goalie. That is gonna hurt your team if he actually isnt a goalie.

[Mike Messina]

Kyle did play attack the last two years as we had a more experienced goaltender. Fortunately, hes the type of player who plays well and work hard at any position you put him. While we do have other goalies on the team, for now he will probably play. He has played well up to this point and keeps getting better. The shift to goal was more of a influx at attack than lack of goaltending decision.

[the lax]

Someone made a comment that I didn't like. Their avatar was a cleveland browns helmet so I had to change right away. FYI I'm from Pittsburgh.

[Mike Messina]

I was just wondering cause i'm originaly from cleveland... I was a csu fan in the late 80's. they made it to the sweet sixteen one year but lost to david robinsons Navy team..

[the lax]

During the second half of the Robert Morris scrimmage, there was a huge argument between the pitt staff and refs. What was that about?

[Mike Messina]

We had called a timeout. The nearest ref blew his whistle to stop play. The far side ref let play continue. Half the players stopped and half kept playing. About 5 seconds passed and our player lost the ball. As a RM player picked up the ball, our player hit him. The third ref, who had stopped play on the timeout, then threw a flag on our guy for UR. The crew chief put us man down and we lost the ball because of a flag after a whistle. We tried to plead that the play had stopped for the timeout and not all the players stopped, but we lost the argument when the first ref waved off the timeout call because the second ref called a loose ball(again-it came loose about 5 secs. later) Our head coach then blew up. They added another penalty(this one deserved despite the situation) and RM scored 2 or 3 before the penalty expired. All for a timeout. Its pretty funny, i got some of it on tape. BTW don't you think the lighting was terrible in there?

[the lax]

I agree that the lighting was bad. Essentially, RMU doesnt have enough money for a Division 1 program. The just did it, to do it. Consider they hired a coach with no college playing experience. The overall budget isnt higher than a D3 teams which is unfortunate because a nice D1 program in the Pittsburgh area would do great things for the growth of the game.

[the lax]

Coach, will there be pictures from the IU game posted on the website?