Winter Watch: Burgdorf, Friars set to build on solid foundation

Senior goalie Toby Burgdorf ranked second in Division 1 with a .628 save percentage last spring. (Providence College Athletics)

For two years Toby Burgdorf was a sponge.

Though set in a backup role, the Providence College goalie was gaining invaluable on-the-job training playing behind the most decorated player in program history, Tate Boyce, and when Burgdorf’s opportunity came to take over the starting role his junior season, his patience began to pay big dividends.

“It was definitely a unique experience that I hadn’t had before,” noted Burgdorf, a Westfield, N.J., native. “I was just trying to absorb as much as I could from Tate both as a leader on the field and as a lacrosse player. He was one of those guys that was always leading the pack, whether we were doing a workout in the gym or running around the track or just being competitive on the field.

"He was an incredible role model to have as a freshman and sophomore.”