Those 50 goals combined with 17 assists put Goldstock in third in total points for the Tar Heels. No. 1 and No. 2, Jimmy Bitter and Joey Sankey, led the team in points with 78 and 72, respectively. Bitter was drafted in the third round of the Major League Lacrosse draft by the Ohio Machine, and the Charlotte Hounds picked Sankey with the first pick of the second round.
And with their departure, all eyes now turn to Goldstock to carry the load — both as an offensive threat and as a seasoned leader.
Steve Pontrello, a senior attackman, will now shoulder more of the offensive burden alongside Goldstock. He says this year’s team will be a little different offensively.
“Last year, we had Jimmy and Joey,” Pontrello said. “We were really fortunate to have those guys who were good at scoring and assisting, but I think we’ll have a more balanced offense this year.”
That balanced offense will have an improved player in Goldstock. Everyone knows he can shoot, but as an upperclassman, he knows more is expected of him as a leader.
“Just his IQ overall has improved from year to year,” Pontrello said. “From his freshman year til now, he knows little stuff to do that he’s teaching the other guys. I think it’s great to have a leader like that.”
Coach Joe Breschi couldn’t agree more, especially when he talks about Goldstock’s improvement as a player.
This growth has been even more noticeable this week, especially in Thursday night’s scrimmage against Limestone. Goldstock had two assists to go with his three back-to-back-to-back goals as the Tar Heels won the scrimmage 18-12.
