On Tuesday last week, roughly 20 prospective lacrosse players attended the first day of an open tryout at Dumke Field.

In his second year at the school, Goodhand is attempting to create depth on a team that attended the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association Division B (MCLA-B) National Tournament and finished in the final four.

"Right now my recruiting effort does not involve digging up kids," Goodhand said. "We take kids who are interested and turn them into decent lacrosse players."

At the tryout, the interested players were led through a series of passing, defensive and conditioning drills by Goodhand and last year's team captain, James Brand.

A Skyline High School graduate, Brand said he likes seeing the enthusiasm of the new players.

"They push the older guys," Brand said. "The young guys will set the attitude of the team so hopefully they don't poison what we had going on last year."

Most of the incoming players are right out of high school, with the exception of a few who are transferring in from other schools or players who have taken a few years off from the game and are attempting to pick the game back up.

Beau Stine graduated from Copper Hills High School last year and is one of the players trying to earn a jersey number for the spring season.

"I am really looking forward to joining the team," Stine said. "I think that Westminster has a great team and I am out here to learn."

Stine is not only learning from Goodhand and Brand, but also from Ben Wright, who is a Westminster letterman.

Wright was in Stine's shoes only a year ago. Last year, as a freshman, Wright played midfield for the Griffins.

"It is all new for them," Wright said. "Practice has a faster pace; their team has doubled in size from high school so I am sure they are a little intimidated."

Intimidated or not, Goodhand was happy with the turnout which he hopes will keep his program on track to compete with BYU, which is in the Division A group of the MCLA.

"BYU has a 55-man roster. They are in the weight room four days a week and they just physically handle the demands of the season," Goodhand said. "It is important for these guys to play BYU because in many of their minds BYU is the team to beat."

The season starts for the Griffins this fall and carries over into the spring.