Men's Lacrosse | 4/8/2016 11:11:00 AM

ITHACA, N.Y. — With Ithaca College's rich history of producing highly skilled student-athletes, it is rare to come across a student-athlete who many people think of as one of the college's all-time greats in his sport. However, teammates, coaches and observers all agree that Ithaca College senior Eli Gobrecht is special.

Gobrecht, Ithaca's (9-1, 2-0 Empire 8) All-American Defender, leads the way on a stout defense that ranks third nationally in fewest goals allowed (5.40 per game). During his sensational senior season, Gobrecht leads the Bombers in groundballs (53) and caused turnovers (38), ranking fourth nationally with 3.8 caused turnovers per game.

"Eli is by far one of the best players and team leaders we have ever had here in my 29 years of coaching at IC.  He leads physically, mentally, and emotionally by example each and every day," said Ithaca head coach Jeff Long, who has guided the Bombers since 1988. "It's been an honor to coach him and I feel he has made me a better coach and a better person."

And he has the Bombers ranked among the top Division III squads in the country, ranking 16th in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) poll, and 17th in the Nike/Lacrosse Magazine top 20 poll after securing an 18-12 win over Cortland and a 17-7 win over No. 16 Stevens on Saturday.

Gobrecht and three other senior leaders — Andrew Dietz, Scott Sidnam, and Michael Walker — will be honored for their hard work and dedication to the program prior to Saturday's Senior Day showdown against No. 11 Nazareth College (8-2, 3-0).

While many talented student-athletes as talented as Gobrecht turn to college to pursue their athletic dreams, Gobrecht instead opted to pursue a hockey career after graduating from Ithaca High School in 2012.

Gobrecht played football, hockey and lacrosse growing up and in high school, but stopped playing lacrosse after graduating while searching for ways to continue his career in professional hockey.

"I played one year of junior hockey and then I ended up coming back to Ithaca because my mom works in the library," Gobrecht recalled. "My grandfather (Ed Gobrecht) actually taught here for 20 years in the music school after he went to school here. My uncle also went to this school, and both my mom and my aunt work here, so I have some serious family connections."

Gobrecht thinks that his playing multiple sports contributed to his performing at a higher level on the lacrosse field, and that his hockey skills give him an advantage as a lacrosse player.

"What really probably helped me is having stick skills. For hockey, it's a lot of stick handling and I think that helps when the ball is on the ground," said Gobrecht, one of Ithaca's co-captains. "I think I'm pretty good at getting the ball off the turf and pushing in transition. Even though I play defense, I like to go down to the offensive end a little bit, which is something I did in hockey."

With his decision to attend Ithaca College, Gobrecht also turned his attention to a past love: playing lacrosse.

"I didn't really get to know him until he attended IC," Long said of Gobrecht, who twice has earned first-team All-Empire 8 honors.

"His coaches, teammates, and the locals spoke very highly of him, not only as an athlete but as a quality young man.  And after four years with him, they were spot on."

Gobrecht, a business administration major, was recently named the USILA Division III North Defensive Player of the week after causing 11 turnovers with 21 groundballs in back-to-back home wins against Cortland (18-12) and No. 16 Stevens (17-7). In the win over Cortland, Gobrecht showcased his versatility, winning 66.7 percent of his faceoffs (4 of 6) while also scoring a goal following one of his faceoff wins in the win.

Gobrecht played in every game as a freshman and was named a USILA All-America Honorable Mention selection during his sophomore campaign. He was named to the Empire 8 All-Tournament team two years in a row, and ranked in the top-15 nationally in caused turnovers last season with 52.

This season, his hustle, heart, and inspired play has helped Ithaca reel off seven straight wins, the program's longest winning streak since starting 2009 9-0.

Gobrecht wants to win every time he steps onto the field, but he also finds a way to inspire his teammates and lead them along the journey.

"What makes him special is his ability to be a leader and to hold his teammates accountable," said assistant coach Mike Silipo, a 2011 IC graduate.

"Eli's got a little crazy in him in terms of how competitive he is and wanting to make sure he wins every drill, every chance he's on the field. That's what makes him the best kid we'll ever have because he won't take a second off."

While Gobrecht came to IC as a student-athlete with a positive mentality, the Ithaca College Leadership Academy helped him reach the next level. The program was introduced in the spring of 2014 by Susan Bassett, Ithaca's Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, in collaboration with Dr. Greg Shelley to help student-athletes like Gobrecht enhance their abilities as a leader. Gobrecht knows how big of an impact Dr. Shelley's presentations have had on him and how he conducts himself, on and off the field.

"I think it has really helped me from a self-assessment standpoint. As a student, I've definitely improved, as an athlete I've improved, but you don't think about the leadership piece until you really look at yourself in the mirror and […] realize that everything you are doing is actually affecting your teammates," Gobrecht said. "It was a big lesson for me and I think I've definitely matured over the past few years into a great player and a pretty good student, but a good leader as well."

Gobrecht, who prides himself on challenging his teammates each and every day, has made a lasting impression on his teammates, who say his inspired play serves as a positive example.  

"Eli brings a contagious energy to the field that forces people to bring their 'A' game. Every day is a competition to see who can win the day," said Michael Walker, one of Ithaca's co-captains.

"Off the field, we are great friends, but as soon as we step on the field it is like we are on separate teams, which creates a very competitive atmosphere at practice. As leaders, we want to make sure that as a team, we are getting better every day."

Combining his leadership role and his talents with his local background, Gobrecht gives back to the community in numerous ways. During the lacrosse team's annual Alzheimer's Walk or community service activities at the Ithaca Theater, Gobrecht is always leading the way for his teammates.

"Eli's always the first guy to want to make sure people are on time and are there working hard," Silipo said.

As a youth lacrosse coach in the summer, Gobrecht also acts as a mentor for aspiring college lacrosse student-athletes, who reach out to him for advice or a chance to square off on the field. "I've started to see these kids come to games and around the community. I guess you don't really realize your impact until you take a look in the mirror and take a look around," Gobrecht said.

With his last season on South Hill in full swing, Gobrecht will try to help his team reach its high goals. But regardless of the wins and losses, he will have positively impacted many lives when he leaves Ithaca College, and his legacy will be remembered around Higgins Stadium for a long time.

Gobrecht and his fellow seniors have combined to post a 49-17 overall record, including 24-5 against Empire 8 foes, while advancing into the Empire 8 championship game all three years.

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