The 2006 season was a year of improvement for the Mules, who finished with a 6-8 record. The squad was very competitive, losing three NESCAC games by only a goal and another game by just two. The highlight of the season was a big 17-9 win over Tufts. The Jumbos were ranked 15th in the nation at that point in the season and the Mules exploded for their highest goal output of the year.

Caddy Brooks ’09 (Darien, Conn.) was named NESCAC Rookie of the Year and earned a league Player of the Week honor in April. He tied for the team lead in scoring and led the Mules in assists with 24 goals and 14 assists for 38 points.

The Mules’ offense scored 140 goals in 2006, an improvement of 52 goals from the previous year. The defense was the anchor of the team, keeping opponents just under 10 goals a game.

Junior Ryan Scott ’07 (Tobyhanna, Pa.) had another stellar season with 35 goals and three assists from his attack position, and was tied with Brooks in total points. Junior Rory Murphy ’07 (Brunswick, Maine) was the third leading scorer with a very productive 23 goals and 12 assists. Murphy, coming off a sophomore season when he did not play due to injury, was the third crucial element to the potent Colby attack.

Sophomore midfielder Drew Piekarski ’08 (East Sandwich, Mass.) had a breakout year with 11 goals and seven assists after an injury-riddled first year, while junior midfielder Dan Schupack ’07 (Cheshire, Conn.) continued his consistent scoring tallying 10 goals and six assists. Another first-year impact player was midfielder Todd Boertzel ’09 (Mt. Lakes, N.J.), who scored 10 goals and had four assists.

Senior goalie Jeff Miller ’06 (Marshfield, Mass.) was voted MVP by his teammates for his outstanding play between the pipes. Miller had numerous clutch performances that kept the Mules in many games. Senior long stick midfielder Nate Werlin ’06 (Winchester, Mass.) also had an outstanding spring, leading the team in caused turnovers with 48. Senior Jonathan Bodansky ’06 (Seattle, Wash.) and juniors Kyle Haskett ’07 (Burlingame, Calif.) and Chafic George ’08 (Lincoln, R.I.) all had very impressive performances on defense. Junior Ryan Connolly ’07 (Concord, Mass.) was again a crucial defensive midfield specialist and was excellent between the lines.

With many of the top returning starters from last season on offense and defense, Colby looks to have an experienced group to start the 2006 campaign. The Mules were competitive last year and gained confidence as the season progressed.

Ryan Scott led the team in scoring a year ago with 27 goals and three assists. The Mules also return Tim Brown (8 goals, 11 assists), Zach Goodnough (9 goals, 6 assists), Dan Schupack (8 goals, 5 assists) and Rob Dudley (2 goals, 9 assists).

First-year attacker Caddy Brooks will start and should generate some offense for fifth-year head coach Rob Quinn. Rory Murphy, who missed nearly all of last season with an injury, also will be counted on for scoring.

Schupack, Goodnough and Drew Piekarski will be key midfielders for the Mules. Piekarski was another player who missed chunks of time a year ago with an injury. First-year players Todd Boertzel and Geoff Parr will both play right away in the midfield.

Colby's defense should be solid with the return of long stick midfielder and tri-captain Nate Werlin. Kyle Haskett, Ryan Connolly and tri-captain Jonathan Bodansky also return in back and will be joined by sophomore Chafic George, who didn't play with the team last year. The defense will play in front of senior tri-captain Jeff Miller, who played nearly every minute in goal a year ago. Miller will be backed up in goal by first-year keeper Alex Farmer.

Program Overview
Colby's lacrosse program has a tradition of success dating back to 1964. During the 2002 campaign the program reached new heights with a first-ever NESCAC championship game appearance (Colby lost to Middlebury 14-9) and a ranking of 17 in the final national poll. The Mules experienced much success in the '90s, compiling a 95-43 record. During that span Colby had seven ECAC appearances and one NESCAC championship game berth. Regionally, Colby has been consistently ranked in the top 10 of the New England Coaches poll and is one of the area's more dominant teams. The Mules also have been ranked nationally by the STX/USILA eight out of the last 13 years.

Colby's lacrosse program has produced four All-Americans: midfielder Kevin Plummer ’89 (Denver, Colo.), attacker Matt Williams ’99 (Cape Elizabeth, Maine), defender Gabe Duncan-Roitman ’02 (Denver, Colo.), and goalie John Shea ’02 (Mountain Lakes, N.J.).

About Bill Alfond Field