Club Lax | Nothing lax about it

It was just supposed to be a friendly game of football on Thanksgiving with family and friends. Not an event in which you would expect to seriously injure yourself.

But to Wharton senior Daniel Doddo, tri-captain of the Penn Men's Lacrosse Club, there is no such thing as a friendly game. He lives and dies with every play, regardless of the circumstances.

So when Doddo's knee gave out on the gridiron last year, his initial reaction was one of disgust that he could no longer quarterback his team. But when he learned of his fate - a torn anterior cruciate ligament - a harsher reality set in: His lacrosse career was over.

As it turned out, though, the injury did not keep him away from the team. Instead, his misfortune allowed him to fill a void on a team that had always been self-coached by the players. Now, with Doddo channeling all of his competitive energy into coaching in his final season, the Lacrosse Club (9-1) is in prime position to reach the Elite Eight of the National Club Lacrosse League for the first time in over a decade.

The only team that stands in the Club's way is Penn's perennial athletic rival at any - and all - levels: Princeton.

In fact, Penn traveled with an 8-0 record to Princeton two weekends ago, hoping to complete an undefeated regular season. The task didn't seem to be a tough one, as the Tigers greeted the Quakers with a streak of their own: they hadn't won a game yet this season.

But the scheduling of the game over the Easter and Passover holidays left Penn without half of its starters, paving the way for a full Princeton squad to come away with 6-2 the victory.

Doddo insists that the tables will be turned when Princeton drives down Interstate 95 for a rematch at Franklin Field Sunday at 4:30 p.m. for the first round of the 16-team NCLL playoffs - which Penn hasn't reached in five years.

"Princeton doesn't stand a chance against us with a full squad at home and on turf," Doddo said. "I guarantee we will win by four goals at least."

His confidence stems from the ever-improving play of the team's younger players, most notably sophomore attack Martin Wiegand, who has emerged as one of the team's primary offensive threats.

"The team, especially the younger guys, have worked harder this year than any other year I've been at Penn," Doddo said.

By having an actual coach, the players do not have to worry about as many organizational or structural details during practice and games. Doddo's intensity has translated into "more serious practices and the ability to call more plays during games from the sidelines," according to senior defense and fellow tri-captain Brad Cohen.

Yet in the tradition of club sports, this team takes on members from a variety of different ages, backgrounds and levels of experience. The Club even boasts two graduate students.

For example, defense Chris Ehlgen is a student at Penn Law by way of Germany, where lacrosse has only recently started to gain popularity.

Though the squad is relatively young, a core group of three seniors provide stability and guidance on the field. President and the last tri-captain attack Seamus Scanlan, midfield Mike Brous and Cohen all joined the team with Doddo as freshmen.

Should Doddo's guarantee of a victory over Princeton hold up, Penn will face either Penn State or Lehigh in the Elite Eight, held at Virginia, in which the top eight teams from a pool of nearly 100 compete for the national championship. The strongest club teams nationally tend to have the strongest varsity programs, as well.

And true to form, Doddo is contemplating going against doctor's orders and suiting up for the Princeton game. He hasn't played competitively since last November.

"I've waited for this moment for my entire time at Penn," Doddo said. "I want to give the team everything I can. If I can help them on the field, then I'll try to do it."

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