WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The senior class of 2020 had their season stolen from them.

For reasons outside of their control, they will never be able to pursue goals for which they worked so hard.

As part of a recurring segment for the remainder of this spring, coaches have the opportunity to thank their seniors one last time.

Continuing the series is Purdue coach Dan Sahm honoring his eight seniors.

#3 Joel Hardy, Midfield
Geneva, Ill. (Geneva High School)
Environmental Engineering
Joel stepped up to a major leadership role his senior year as he was voted one of the team captains for this season. He always made sure to hold everybody accountable throughout practices and games, and outside of practices as well.

He served as vice president of the team for the 2019 calendar year, where he helped delegate officer duties, and helped design the team gear. He was never a selfish player on the field, as he totaled 15 points (3g, 12a) throughout his career, while also finishing 57 percent at the faceoff X.

Joel plans to return to Purdue and will finish his undergraduate degree in the Fall Semester.

#5 Colin Cowie, Long-stick Midfielder
Bethesda, Md. (Bethesda Chevy Chase High School)
Computer Information Technology
One of the most vocal players on the team, Colin was always a leader when he stepped onto Purdue’s campus. He came in as a goalie out of high school, but converted to an LSM for his endurance. He was a two-time team captain for his leadership on and off the field, as he was the only player from his class elected his junior year.

He was always the first one up through every drill, he would push everybody and made sure that they gave over 100% on every rep, and that’s what made him a great leader for the team. He also served as the team’s safety officer for the 2019 calendar year.

Colin received a job offer upon graduation and will be working with a cybersecurity company called Sophos in Carmel, Ind.

#7 Spencer Kline, Goalie
Hudson, Ohio (Hudson High School)
Computer Science
Starting all four years of his college career, Spencer was a crucial part to the defense when he stepped onto campus. He was a two-time all-conference selection, a two-time Scholar Athlete, and he ranks second in Purdue history with 365 total saves. He was a brick wall during the 2019 season, as he was twice on the honor roll for Goalie of the Week, and finished averaging 61.8 saves percentage per game.

He also helped lead Purdue to its first win over Indiana since 2013, stopping 21 shots and finishing the game 75%. He was never afraid to speak his mind to his defensive teammates, and show them what they needed to improve on to help him out, and that’s what helped him get voted a captain his senior year by his teammates.

Spencer is currently looking for a position within the Computer Science industry.

#9 Brendan Donahue, Defense
Akron, Ohio (Walsh Jesuit High School)
Aeronautical Engineering
A two-time all-conference selection, and voted a captain his senior year by his teammates, Brendan started all four years on the defensive end of the field. He was one of the smartest players on the field through the countless hours of practice and film that he watched, and was wanting to learn more through every situation that occurred on the field to help improve.

He always helped the defense gain possession of the ball, as he ranked in the Top 5 for groundballs during his four-year career. He was a very vocal person, and made big leadership strides his senior year for all of the younger defensemen. He also served as the treasurer of the team for the 2019 calendar year.

Brendan is currently looking for a position within his major in Aeronautical Engineering.

#12 Chris Kosiba, Midfield
Crofton, Md. (Mt. St. Joseph High School)
Industrial Engineering
A two-time all-conference selection, a four-year starter, a two-time scholar athlete, and voted a captain his senior year by his teammates for his leadership, Chris played an instrumental role for the offense throughout his storied career.

He was always working hard inside and outside of practices, and pushing everybody to get better every single day. He had a total of 73 points (55g, 18a), which is the 2nd most amongst midfielders in Purdue history.

He plans to return to Purdue to receive his Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering, and hopes to help the team during his graduate years.

#15 Kyle Wiatrak, Goalie
North Caldwell, NJ (West Essex High School)
Aeronautical Engineering
Another one of the team’s goalies leaving the program, and one of the more vocal leaders, Kyle was never afraid to speak up and help out his teammates on and off the field. He would always be sure to help the defensemen with seeing the things he would see on the field.

Getting a strong amount of playing time his freshman year, he later suffered an injury that would sideline him for majority of his sophomore season. He came back strong his junior year and finished with the most saves and save percentage in his career. He finished his college lacrosse career with 121 saves, and averaged 55.5% save percentage per game.

Kyle is using his Aeronautical Engineering degree after graduation and has accepted an offer to work for NASA.

#35 Dylon Chase, Attack
Zionsville, Ind. (Zionsville High School)
Finance
One of our two first-year seniors for the 2020 season, Dylon stepped up and helped the team out on the offensive end of the field, filling in at attack. It was his first year playing competitive lacrosse since his times playing in high school, but he improved every single practice.

He came in bringing a more competitive nature that a lot of the younger players weren’t used to, which they adapted to and made everybody work harder in practices and games. He finished his short-lived career with one assist.

Dylon is currently looking for a position using his Finance degree.

#87 John Plimpton, Attack
Briarcliff Manor, NY (Briarcliff High School)
Construction Management
After many years of wanting to play for Purdue lacrosse, John was able to come out his senior year and play as a Boilermaker. The second of our first-year seniors this season, he also played an important role in our offense playing down at attack.

Joining late in the year back in January, he adapted to the culture and concepts of the team very quickly, and the team accepted him with open arms. He had six points (4g, 2a) in four games, and the last games of his lacrosse career.

He has a job lined up working for a construction management company, and will be moving to Chicago after graduation.

* * *

The 2020 senior class was challenged at the beginning of the year to step up and find out what their role was on the team, and they continued to find and express more leadership throughout this early-ended season.

They have helped change the culture of the Purdue lacrosse program immensely, and we look forward to seeing that same culture be demonstrated by future Boilermakers.

Their teammates and coaches can’t thank them enough for everything that they’ve done for this team. We will miss them very much, and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.

#BoilerUp #EarnIt