(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) caption: ATTACKING MENTALITY: Hun School senior attacker Colin Rosenblum races up the field in a game last season. Hun is depending on Rosenblum to be its top gun on attack this season. The Raiders get their 2007 season underway when they play at Blair on April 4.

Freewheeling Hun School Boys' Lax Aims to Have Fun, Produce Surprises

Bill Alden

The regular season hasn't even started and the Hun School boys' lacrosse team is already facing some stiff challenges.

Over the preseason, three of Hun's key performers, seniors A.J. Blackburn and Jon Gray together with post-graduate Chris Trombino, suffered injuries.

Hun head coach Greg Provenzano acknowledges the injuries are a setback as the team looks forward to its season opener at Blair on April 4.

"We don't have a big team, we don't have a lot of numbers," said Provenzano, who is back for a second season after guiding Hun to a 12-5 mark and appearance in the state Prep A title game last year in his debut campaign. " Blackburn, Trombino, and Gray are out right now and they may not be back."

The absence of those three will decrease the team's margin for error. "We have to play smart and stay away from making stupid plays," said Provenzano. "We need to pace ourselves; we'll be working on conditioning the whole season. The kids have a good work ethic."

Hun is expecting good work on attack from senior Colin Rosenblum. "Colin will be the leader up front," asserted Provenzano. "He's a steady player."

The potential return of Trombino, a Johns Hopkins lax recruit who is the younger brother of Princeton University star Peter Trombino, would make a big difference for Hun.

"If he gets healthy, he'll be a big factor," said Provenzano, noting that Trombino has a hamstring injury that could clear up as the spring unfolds.

The midfield should be a big factor for Hun, led by seniors Nick Thypin-Bermeo and Sam Thypin-Bermeo together with post-grad Taylor Tripucka and junior Brendan Gallagher.

"The Thypin-Bermeos are solid," added Provenzano. "Tripucka is a nice addition. Brendan Gallagher is a tough kid and he's doing a good job."

Along the back line, Provenzano is expecting big things from sophomore Chris Loy and post-grad Christian Nebergall. "Chris is a good sophomore," said Provenzano. "Nebergall is a great kid; he's headed to Union College."

Senior goalie Trey Geier will again be a key figure for Hun as he looks to build on the improvement he made last year in his first season as a starter. "Trey made a lot of progress last season and we need him to make a lot more this season," said Provenzano.

Provenzano believes his squad will gain steam as it gets deeper into the spring. "I think we'll be competitive; we'll get tougher as the season goes on," maintained Provenzano. "We need to beat the teams we should and stay close to the other teams. If we can stay close, anything can happen. I think we will do OK, there could be some surprises."

In any event, Hun should be a team that will keep things interesting with its freewheeling style. "We play a free-form type of offense," said Provenzano. "I let them get creative. It's a lot of fun coaching them and I want to keep it fun."

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