April 17, 2000

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Sophomore midfielder Kevin Pall has been the surprise of the 2000 Stony Brook lacrosse team. At first glance, it seems apparent why Pall is gaining such recoginition. He leads the team in goals with 23 and is the top point-getter with 25. He also ranks among the top scorers in the ECAC Lacrosse League, one of the toughest conferences in the nation.

So what makes his performance so surprising? Although appearing in 12 games in 1999, Pall did not register a single point for the entire 13-game season - not a single goal or a single assist. Why, you ask? Well, it just took some time for Pall to make the adjustment to the college game, adjustment from crease attack to midfield and the jump in level of play from high school to college. Bottom line, Pall never found his rhythm last season. A crease attackman at Calhoun High School in Merrick, N.Y., Pall rarely had the responsibility of playing defense. When he arrived last season, head coach John Espey noticed his potential to excel at the midfield position and decided to move him there. "Last year was a learning year for me," Pall explained. "I played crease attack in high school and when I was moved to the midfield position, it took some time to learn how to play defense."

Througout his freshman year and during the offseason, Pall worked tirelessly to improve. As a result, the 2000 season began and he found himself to be a fixture on the field. He wasted no time in making an impact and putting the lessons learned a year ago to good use. In the opener against Bucknell, Pall unveiled his new skills, scoring twice in a 9-7 loss to the Bison. Early in the season, it became apparent that he was to make a huge impact on this year's team, a dramatic departure from only one year ago. "I couldn't get on the field last year because I was a defensive liability but now I am real confident in my defense and that has allowed me to be more aggressive on the offensive end." Pall said.

Ironically, what was once his weakness has become his strength at the midfield spot. Last year, his limited expereince as a crease attackman hindered his play in the defensive end. This year, his defensive play has been outstanding and it has been his expertise as a crease attackman that has allowed him to excel against other middies. "I know how to get open," Pall said. "A lot of middies haven't played crease attack and don't expect me to do certain things as I look to score - that gives me an edge when I look to find an open shot."

Since the Bucknell game, Pall has never looked back and has emerged as the team leader on offense. Heading into this week's action, he has scored in every game that the Seawolves have played this season. The goal-scoring barrage has included nine multiple-goal games and three hat tricks, the latest trifecta coming in Sunday's thrilling 7-6 win over Ohio State. At one point in the season, he recorded seven-straight multiple-goal efforts.

Coach Espey acknowleges Pall's development as a player. "It took him a while last season to make the adjustment to midfield and learn what it takes to be successful," Espey stated. "He has done a great job of preparing himself to be successful at this level and his performance is indicative of just how hard he has worked to improve."

What makes Pall's exploits even more impressive is his performance against some of the best teams in the country. The Seawolves have faced four Top 20 teams this year, three in the top 10. Two of Pall's three hat tricks have come against the best teams on Stony Brook's schedule --- one coming against the defending national champions in No. 2 Virginia and the other versus No. 6 Georgetown.

The 5-11 junior credits his teammates for a great deal of his success, especially junior attackman Jesse Foss. Foss has assisted on eight of Pall's 23 goals this year. "Jesse always knows where I am and he sets me up well. We play real well together and he gets me the ball at the right time." Pall is not the only Seawolf that Foss has set up this season. The first-year Seawolf has recorded a team-best 15 assists to this point in the season.

Although Pall is enjoying his individual success and is eager to continue his outstanding play, he looks forward to Stony Brook improving as a team. "Individual statistics are fine, but winning is much better," Pall went on. "We know that it will take a team effort to achieve our goals and we hope we can do so in the near future."

With a young team and a brand new facility on the way, it is only a matter of time before Stony Brook lacrosse is considered among the elite. And when that happens, Pall will surely be in the middle of it.