Stringing Sticks: Siena graduate Seth Van Schepen having good rookie season with Calgary Roughnecks

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Siena College graduate Seth Van Schepen has landed in a very good spot to start his professional lacrosse career.

The 2022 graduate was drafted by the Calgary Roughnecks of the National Lacrosse League. The 6-foot-5, 197-pounder is a forward for the Roughnecks, who have a 10-4 record and are in second place by half a game in the West Division.

In 12 games this season, Van Schepen has one goal, four assists, four penalty minutes, seven turnovers, 10 caused turnovers, five blocks and eight shots on goal.

“It’s been just a great first year. I’ve been lucky to be with a bunch of good guys and good coaching staff,” Van Schepen said by phone.

Van Schepen said he got some help from his older brother, Luke (Siena ’18), who played for Halifax in the NLL.

“If I had questions, he gave me some tips and practice advice on how not to mess up at training camp the first weekend,” Seth said. “It benefitted me to have someone to lean on with that experience.”

Seth was a two-way midfielder for Siena, used to going out for 60- to 80-second shifts.

“They’re much shorter in box, probably 20 to 25 seconds. The game is just a lot quicker,” he said.

Seth said he came into the league as more of a defensive-oriented forward.

“At training camp, they wanted to see what my [on-field] IQ was, how well I knew the game, and based on who they had personnel-wise on offense, if I can’t fit in the offense, then I can play on defense. Fortunately, I fit in a defensive role, and I’m starting to get more offensive opportunities.”

The rookie salary in the NLL is “a little more” than $10,000, according to Seth, for a season that runs from late November to late April, playing approximately once a week with a few two-week spans in between games. The league offers players the option of free housing, which Seth took since he is from Brampton, Ontario. He’s glad he has gotten to learn more about Calgary.

“Calgary is the best place to play in the league. It’s a beautiful area, they always pack the arena for home games and there are hundreds of kids lined up for autographs after the games,” Seth said.

Because some players don’t live in Calgary and personal schedules and such, Seth said the team only practices once a week before playing on the weekends, so it’s important for players to hold themselves accountable and keep in game shape.

And having a reasonable shot for an NLL title is nice, too.

“It’s definitely something I’m grateful for, in my first year, to be on such a good team that is doing well,” Seth said. “It makes every weekend pretty special.”

Current Siena fifth-year senior Christian Watts also was selected in the fifth round of last year’s NLL draft by the Buffalo Bandits. He will join them next season.

PUT A SCARE INTO THEM

The Saint Rose men’s lacrosse team played Adelphi, ranked second in Division II, closer than any team so far in a 20-16 loss Tuesday. The 16 goals also were the most allowed by the Panthers this season.

Freshman midfielder Jack Rice had career highs in goals, assists and points with a five-goal, three-assist outing.

MORE DEVELOPMENT TIME

The Union men travel to Clarkson Saturday to face an improved Golden Knights team that recently got mentioned as a bubble team for the NCAA Tournament by Inside Lacrosse. It looks like the development of more players will continue taking place, as fifth-year senior attackman Peter Burnes and junior attackman Michael Shaw will miss their third and second complete games, respectively

AWARDS

Siena fifth-year senior Mary Soures was named the MAAC Women’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week. She scored a season-high six goals, including the go-ahead one in the fourth quarter, as the Saints topped Iona 13-9. Soures became just the second Siena player in history to register her 200th career point in the win.

UAlbany freshman Skylar Baur was named America East Women’s Rookie of the Week. A defender/midfielder, she registered three caused turnovers and two ground balls, both career highs, in the Great Danes’ win over Vermont.

Contact Will Springstead at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @WLSpringstead.