Posted: 04/12/2012
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh men’s lacrosse senior class features a variety of positions, skill sets and personalities. Together, these eight Mountain Hawks have helped transform the program to where it is today, tied for first in the Patriot League and ranked 11th in the nation heading into Saturday’s Senior Night Game vs. #18 Bucknell. Lehighsports.com caught up with the eight seniors to get some thoughts on their careers in the Brown & White.
Kevin Donovan Jr. – Attackman – Bethany, Conn. – Psychology
Despite limited minutes over his career, Kevin Donovan Jr. has certainly made his mark on the Lehigh men’s lacrosse program. After playing in eight games as a freshman (with one start), he missed his sophomore year due to injury, but has come back with a vengeance the last two seasons. Donovan owns three career goals, scoring against Villanova in 2009, at Detroit in 2011 and again against Villanova this year. Donovan has shown his versatility and importance in practice, always serving as a positive influence in the team’s rise to national prowess. He has also been strong in the classroom in earning a spot on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
What’s your favorite Lehigh Men’s Lacrosse memory up until this point?
KD: I can’t just choose one memory. There are too many good ones, but all the memories of working hard and having fun with my teammates will forever be in my heart.
How would you like to be remembered? What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh?
KD: Just a kid who would do anything for his team and a part of a class that helped change the culture of Lehigh Lacrosse into what it’s become today.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
KD: This is the only group of guys I would want by my side, on or off the field, because every one of them is willing to fight for the next one.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you’re nearing the end of your collegiate career?
KD: Pure excitement to play one last home game with my best friends in front of all the people that have supported us along our journey. I think tonight, we can truly say we are invincible after all the things we’ve been through.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Men’s Lacrosse?
KD: The camaraderie that men of Lehigh Lacrosse share. We work hard and play hard; I have never been a part of a closer group of guys. I will also miss my “little” number two, Brian Hess.
What are your postgraduate plans?
KD: Travel and Film
Gaige Flint – Defenseman – Atlantic Beach, Fla. – History
Gaige Flint’s impact on the Lehigh program has gone much further than any on-field stats. A consummate hard worker and team player, Flint has played in a career-high five games this season, posting his first-career groundball and caused turnover against Villanova and Holy Cross, respectively. Flint looks to help lead the Mountain Hawks to new heights, both on the field and with his intangibles through a strong veteran presence. He is also strong in the classroom, earning a spot on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll last spring.
What’s your favorite Lehigh Men’s Lacrosse memory up until this point?
GF: Having the opportunity to play in the Patriot League Tournament last spring. It was an awesome feeling earning the right to extend our play past the regular season.
How would you like to be remembered? What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh?
GF: As a class, I think we would like to be remembered as a group that helped take Lehigh men's lacrosse to new heights. Personally, it would mean a lot to be thought of as someone who led by example through hard work, sacrifice and determination.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
GF: I could not have asked for a better group of guys to have spent four years with than my seven classmates. They are all like brothers to me and I know I can turn to any of them at any time for anything.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you’re nearing the end of your collegiate career?
GF: As unbelievable as it seems to be playing our last home game of our final regular season, it’s more exciting. All of us have had this one circled on the schedule and been waiting a long time for this game against Bucknell. Nearing the end of our collegiate career, I certainly have tried to absorb as many emotions, thoughts and memories as possible, with the realization that having the opportunity to compete for Lehigh has been a special privilege.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Men’s Lacrosse?
GF: Getting to spend so much time with such a great group of friends.
What are your postgraduate plans?
GF: Law school
Dana Frye – Midfielder – Annapolis, Md. – Mechanical Engineering
Dana Frye has made his mark on the program from day one, playing in six games right off the bat as a freshman. The Annapolis native has served as a strong teammate through thick and thin, helping guide the program to where it is today among the nation’s elite. With his continued positive veteran presence, he’s helped the team blossom.
What’s your favorite Lehigh Men’s Lacrosse memory up until this point?
DF: My favorite memory thus far is definitely the current season and the success we’ve experienced. The fact that our team’s had average seasons for the past three years contributes to my appreciation of the current success. Beating UNC, Yale, Penn State and Penn for the first time [in our tenure] has been unbelievable; they’re experiences I will never forget.
How would you like to be remembered? What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh?
DF: I would like to be remembered as a small part of a group that changed the Lehigh Lacrosse culture from mediocrity to excellence. I love every member of our team and I would like to be remembered as a good teammate and good friend to all 47 members of our squad.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
DF: I love each one of my classmates like a brother. We bonded from the day we stepped on campus in 2008 and now, we are all such a tight-knit group both on and off the field. Every one of my classmates would give the shirt off their back and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of guys. We’ve created memories together that none of us will ever forget.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you’re nearing the end of your collegiate career?
DF: Senior Night is definitely an emotional experience for me. It is bittersweet feeling knowing that this amazing experience is coming to an end in the near future. I couldn’t have dreamed up a better way for this to end and I know our team will take care of its unfinished business left ahead.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Men’s Lacrosse?
DF: I will miss the time spent with my teammates on the field, in the locker room and on road trips the most. I consider all my teammates as brothers. I have so many great memories of time spent with my team. Having such a close group of friends is a rare situation, and I have cherished every moment spent with my boys.
What are your postgraduate plans?
DF: I will be working in Connecticut for General Dynamics, which is a defense industry contractor for shipbuilding and defense systems. General Dynamics has been the primary builder of submarines for the United States Navy for over 100 years. I am excited to start this new phase of my life.
Blaise Fullen – Defenseman – Oreland, Pa. – Finance
One of three co-captains, Blaise Fullen has emerged as the team’s most vocal leader. Fullen immediately played in 13 games his freshman year, starting 11 times and posting 15 groundballs and 11 caused turnovers. He continued to make his mark sophomore and junior year, playing in all 31 games in that span both at close defense and long-stick midfield. Fullen has been a big reason for the defense’s emergence as one of the nation’s top units, a group which has allowed fewer than six goals per game on average. He is also a member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll for his strong work in the classroom.
What’s your favorite Lehigh Men’s Lacrosse memory up until this point?
BF: As a senior, I can honestly say the best part of my Lehigh experience was the relationships built throughout the years with my fellow teammates. It’s a great feeling knowing that day in and day out, on and off the field, there are 45 guys always there for you.
How would you like to be remembered? What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh?
BF: I would like to be remembered for my outstanding work ethic and trying to do whatever I can to not only make myself, but also the team, better day in and day out.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
BF: The relationship I have built with my fellow seniors is second to none. They are a great group of guys and I could not have asked for better individuals to spend my college career with.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you’re nearing the end of your collegiate career?
BF: As emotional as senior night is, I know this isn’t the end of the road for our team. We still have major goals to accomplish this year and will not be satisfied until we do so. That being said, this is the biggest game of our season so far and naturally, our intensity and sense of urgency has increased among the seniors and has echoed throughout the team.
What will you miss most about Lehigh men’s lacrosse?
BF: I will miss the camaraderie between the team doing everything possible day in and day out to achieve a common goal. There is nothing better than knowing when you’re having a tough day, that your teammate to the left and right of you is there to lend a helping hand. It’s a great feeling to know that the bond between the team truly is a "family" type atmosphere in every sense of the word.
What are your postgraduate plans?
BF: I plan to work in the finance industry, specifically asset management.
Adam Johnston – Attackman – Street, Md. – Finance
Adam Johnston has found his niche within the Lehigh Lacrosse program, owning 83 career goals with 34 coming on the extra man. Those 83 goals stand 17th in the nation among active players. He scored 27 goals in each of his sophomore and junior seasons, owning 14 through 12 games this year as a key veteran presence. A consummate team player, Johnston did not hang his head when moving from the starting lineup earlier this season, promptly following with a natural hat trick in a big win over nationally-ranked Yale. He has continued to make his mark as one of the best finishers on the team, the Patriot League and the nation.
What’s your favorite Lehigh Men’s Lacrosse memory up until this point?
AJ: I’d have to say my favorite memory up to this point has to be either beating UNC this year or when we beat Army my freshman year. Against Army, we were down eight goals and came back to win in overtime; it was a great team win.
How would you like to be remembered? What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh?
AJ: It’d be great if our class was remembered as the class that turned the program around. We’re off to a great start this season, but we really want to finish strong as well. Starting great doesn’t mean much if we come up short in the end. Our goal is to win the Patriot League Championship and we’ll be disappointed if we don’t succeed.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AJ: I love our senior class. We started with 12 members and are now down to eight, but I couldn’t be happier with the group of guys that we have. They are some of my best friends and will continue to be for the rest of my life.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you’re nearing the end of your collegiate career?
AJ: There really aren’t too many thoughts going through my mind other than beating Bucknell. From here on out, it’s one game at a time and as long as we take care of that one game each week, we should be fine.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Men’s Lacrosse?
AJ: The thing I’ll miss most is the camaraderie. Our team is loaded with characters and I thoroughly enjoy coming to practice every day and getting to spend time with them. I’ll truly miss getting to see them every day.
What are your postgraduate plans?
AJ: As of now, I’m looking to pursue a job in the Washington D.C. area in the financial real estate business.
Cameron Lao-Gosney – Midfielder – Raymond Maine – Philosophy
Cameron Lao-Gosney has been among the team’s scoring leaders from the moment he stepped foot on campus. Lao-Gosney promptly posted 24 points (18 goals) as a freshman before increasing each of his next two seasons - 30 (22 goals) and 35 (24 goals). He’s teamed with his twin brother Roman to form dynamic duo at midfield, owning 104 career points behind 73 goals and 31 assists. He’s scored five goals twice in his career, highlighted by a five-goal, career-high six-point effort against Detroit in 2010. Also strong in the classroom, Lao-Gosney has been a consistent member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
What’s your favorite Lehigh Men’s Lacrosse memory up until this point?
CLG: It’s hard to pick just one. Beating Villanova in overtime my sophomore year is one of my favorites, as well as making the Patriot League Tournament last year. Taking the experience as a whole, and understanding how far this program has come in the past four years, is my preferred thought.
How would you like to be remembered? What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh?
CLG: I’d like to be remembered for my approachability, my diligent pursuit for improvement and my passion.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
CLG: I love every single one of them to death. Words don’t do justice to the complexity and depth of such a relationship.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you’re nearing the end of your collegiate career?
CLG: My name being directly associated with ‘Senior Night’ is pretty wild. Even considering the many experiences I have endured, it still seems like it went by so quickly. The feeling doesn’t truly sink in until the end is near, but the distress of graduating is overwhelmed by the contentedness I feel for the memories and relationships I’ve made. If I had to go back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Uncertainty may lie ahead, but I welcome it.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Men’s Lacrosse?
CLG: So much - the competition, the camaraderie, the deep bond I shared with all my teammates, the pushing and being pushed, but mostly the feeling of knowing that no matter what, I have a group of guys willing to be there for me.
What are your postgraduate plans?
CLG: The subsequent step is unknown. Maybe some travelling, but my dream is to write and direct films, and I intend to do just that.
Roman Lao-Gosney – Midfielder – Raymond Maine – Philosophy
An injury delayed Roman Lao-Gosney’s start as a Mountain Hawk, but he’s certainly bounced back with a vengeance. Running as a key first-line midfielder with his twin brother Cameron, Roman had only five points as a freshman, but posted 23 as a sophomore and 15 as a junior. Perhaps his best season has come this year, scoring a career-high 14 goals, which is tied for third on the team. One highlight came last time out at Colgate when he posted his second-career hat trick, with all three goals coming in the second half. Lao-Gosney has impressed in the classroom, earning a spot on the inaugural Academic All-Patriot League Team last season.
What’s your favorite Lehigh Men’s Lacrosse memory up until this point?
RLG: My favorite Lehigh lacrosse memory so far is beating North Carolina. UNC had embarrassed us for the past three years and this year, we edged them out in a hard-fought game. Every team member, including our coaches, were overwhelmed with the win and the locker room celebration after has been unrivaled.
How would you like to be remembered? What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh?
RLG: I would like to be remembered as one of the seniors and one of the captains that changed the Lehigh Lacrosse program and helped turn the corner to be a consistent top 20 team. I want to be remembered as a determined leader and a devoted teammate. I want to leave a legacy of a blue-collar work ethic. Lehigh may never be the most talented lacrosse team in the nation, but I want every Lehigh Lacrosse player who plays behind me to know and find comfort in the fact that talent isn't what makes teams great.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
RLG: The relationship we seniors have with each other is a very close one. We have seen senior classes come and go before us. The ones that remained close were able to keep the team just as close.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you’re nearing the end of your collegiate career?
RLG: Heading into Senior Night and nearing the end of my college career, I am looking forward to moving on from Lehigh. There are some nerves in leaving, but that is to be expected with big changes like graduating. What I will miss most is seeing my friends every day, but my class is close enough that we will find ways to get together.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Men’s Lacrosse?
RLG: What I will miss most about Lehigh Lacrosse are the times spent with the boys. Whether it’s in the locker room after practice or in the hotel at an away game, there has never been a dull moment playing lacrosse here at Lehigh. There is no greater feeling than winning a big game and celebrating with your teammates.
What are your postgraduate plans?
RLG: My postgraduate plans are not set in stone, but I will be pursuing a career in film. Right now, I am looking to travel and experience someplace new.
Conor Murphy – Goalie – Wellesley, Mass. – Supply Chain Management
Conor Murphy has made an impact in a number of facets for the program. He immediately played in nine games (starting six) as a freshman, earning a pair of victories against Dartmouth and St. John’s. He made 11 saves in the win against the Big Green while stopping five in relief in a big victory against #20 St. John’s. Murphy went on to start three times as a sophomore and earning a win with a 53 save percentage. Murphy has continued to be a strong veteran presence for a goaltending unit which has continually improved to where it is today as one of the best in the nation.
What’s your favorite Lehigh Men’s Lacrosse memory up until this point?CM: One of my many great Lehigh Lacrosse memories will always be my first collegiate win at Dartmouth my freshman year. It’s great to see how far we have come in just a few short years.
How would you like to be remembered? What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh?
CM: I want to be remembered as the class, and more so, the team, that really helped make a change in the Lehigh Lacrosse program. The season thus far is something not only we as seniors have committed to, but the entire team and all the amazing senior classes that came before us.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
CM: My class is amazing. These are my best friends and are like brothers. We have been so close since the first day we met here at Lehigh. It has truly been an amazing ride with these boys.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you’re nearing the end of your collegiate career?
CM: Right now, all I can think about is how I don't want it to end. As we reach our last regular season home game, I realize how fast it has gone by. All I want is to keep on playing for as long as we can.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Men’s Lacrosse?
CM: I will miss the camaraderie the most. Being a part of this team has been such a privilege for me. Everyone is so close; I’m going to miss being able to see them every day and having each and every player pushing me to be a better person.
What are your postgraduate plans?
CM: I plan to work in Sourcing for General Electric: Aviation.