Marquette University Athletics
Where does Marquette lacrosse turn in net in 2019?
2/3/2019 10:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
With the loss of All-BIG EAST goalie Cole Blazer, four goalies vie for time in the MU cage
"Goalies are different people; you know? So we like to stay with each other a lot during practice."
Arguably the most important position on the lacrosse field is of course the guy in charge of stopping your opponent from scoring. The good news for Marquette is it has four guys who can fill that position. The bad news for Marquette is that it can only pick one.
Coming out of the 2018 season, head coach Joe Amplo already knew he'd have to replace All-Big East goalie Cole Blazer. Blazer was recently selected in the Major Lacrosse League supplemental draft after logging over 2,200 minutes in goal for the Golden Eagles in his career.
"We'll miss Cole and his leadership," Amplo said. "But I'm confident we have some ability between the pipes that hopefully it won't be such a drop off
The ability he is referring to are his four potential starters. Each one bringing something unique to the table.
Starting off with the most tenured goalie, Chris Rolfing has been waiting for his opportunity to take the reins from Blazer since he committed to Marquette in 2016. The junior made one appearance last year against Detroit after the Golden Eagles took a commanding lead and won 13-6.
The only other goalie who has any Marquette experience is sophomore Gabe Stein, who played in two games last year including the game against Detroit as well, and against the Duke Blue Devils.
Probably the biggest thing going for Stein is the fact that, well, he's big. At 6'3" 255 lbs., there's not a lot of room in goal for opponents to shoot into.
Freshman Carver Skarnulis might have to wait for his chance to start in goal, but the Austin, Tex. native brings a lot of passion to the position as well as the team.
"When I was looking at schools, (Marquette) was the only place that felt like home to me and the only place I wanted to go," Skarnulis said grinning through his facemask.
But Amplo's top choice may also be the goalie who prevented Marquette from beating Bellarmine last season in John Hulsman.
Hulsman was the first team All-Southern Conference goalkeeper at Bellarmine and made 13 saves against the Golden Eagles in a 7-6 upset to start last season.
Hulsman now joins this already competitive position race eager to face off against his former team early on this season.
"I'm really, really excited," Hulsman said. "Especially since we got Marquette last year so hopefully this year we'll give it back to them."
And Amplo has taken notice.
"He brings this energy that I didn't think a goalie could bring. He's probably the most intense, energetic goalie I've ever coached or been around on game day," Amplo said. "That's allowed him to differentiate himself from the other goalies a little bit, not separate but differentiate."
The best thing going for Amplo to try and make a decision is the bond that these players have with each other. They all are close and want each other to get better and of course contribute to wins.
"We hang out a bunch outside of practice. Me and Johnny are really close and we all just push each other to get better," Stein said.
The first opportunity to see who Amplo chooses will be Feb. 9 at Valley Fields against Bellarmine.
By Phil Pinarski (@philpinarski) for JOUR 4932 (Advanced Topics in Journalism) and professor Gerry Ahern (@USATGerryAhern). Click here for more information on the journalism program in MU's J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication.
Arguably the most important position on the lacrosse field is of course the guy in charge of stopping your opponent from scoring. The good news for Marquette is it has four guys who can fill that position. The bad news for Marquette is that it can only pick one.
Coming out of the 2018 season, head coach Joe Amplo already knew he'd have to replace All-Big East goalie Cole Blazer. Blazer was recently selected in the Major Lacrosse League supplemental draft after logging over 2,200 minutes in goal for the Golden Eagles in his career.
"We'll miss Cole and his leadership," Amplo said. "But I'm confident we have some ability between the pipes that hopefully it won't be such a drop off
The ability he is referring to are his four potential starters. Each one bringing something unique to the table.
Starting off with the most tenured goalie, Chris Rolfing has been waiting for his opportunity to take the reins from Blazer since he committed to Marquette in 2016. The junior made one appearance last year against Detroit after the Golden Eagles took a commanding lead and won 13-6.
The only other goalie who has any Marquette experience is sophomore Gabe Stein, who played in two games last year including the game against Detroit as well, and against the Duke Blue Devils.
Probably the biggest thing going for Stein is the fact that, well, he's big. At 6'3" 255 lbs., there's not a lot of room in goal for opponents to shoot into.
Freshman Carver Skarnulis might have to wait for his chance to start in goal, but the Austin, Tex. native brings a lot of passion to the position as well as the team.
"When I was looking at schools, (Marquette) was the only place that felt like home to me and the only place I wanted to go," Skarnulis said grinning through his facemask.
But Amplo's top choice may also be the goalie who prevented Marquette from beating Bellarmine last season in John Hulsman.
Hulsman was the first team All-Southern Conference goalkeeper at Bellarmine and made 13 saves against the Golden Eagles in a 7-6 upset to start last season.
Hulsman now joins this already competitive position race eager to face off against his former team early on this season.
"I'm really, really excited," Hulsman said. "Especially since we got Marquette last year so hopefully this year we'll give it back to them."
And Amplo has taken notice.
"He brings this energy that I didn't think a goalie could bring. He's probably the most intense, energetic goalie I've ever coached or been around on game day," Amplo said. "That's allowed him to differentiate himself from the other goalies a little bit, not separate but differentiate."
The best thing going for Amplo to try and make a decision is the bond that these players have with each other. They all are close and want each other to get better and of course contribute to wins.
"We hang out a bunch outside of practice. Me and Johnny are really close and we all just push each other to get better," Stein said.
The first opportunity to see who Amplo chooses will be Feb. 9 at Valley Fields against Bellarmine.
By Phil Pinarski (@philpinarski) for JOUR 4932 (Advanced Topics in Journalism) and professor Gerry Ahern (@USATGerryAhern). Click here for more information on the journalism program in MU's J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Lacrosse
G
/ Men's Lacrosse
G
/ Men's Lacrosse
G
/ Men's Lacrosse
G
/ Men's LacrosseHIGHLIGHTS: MLAX vs. Notre Dame (2.14.26)
Saturday, February 14
HIGHLIGHTS: MLAX vs. Michigan
Saturday, February 07
2026 Marquette M Club Hall of Fame Speech: Noah Richard
Monday, January 12
2026 M Club Hall of Fame Halftime Ceremony
Sunday, January 11