When Eric Adamson’s coaches told him which hand to use in seventh grade, Adamson made sure to listen.

Though he was born right-handed, Adamson quickly became adept with both hands, keeping defenders honest and goaltenders guessing.

Now, Adamson, a sophomore attack, has emerged as one of No. 4 Denver’s (11-3, 6-1 Eastern College Athletic) most dangerous scoring threats, using both hands to score. Adamson’s meticulous nature drove him toward ambidexterity, and now teammate and suitemate Carson Cannon and head coach Bill Tierney praise his ability to shoot with both hands.

“It’s kind of unbelievable,” Cannon said. “Every time he gets a shot with his right or his left hand, it doesn’t matter, he always sticks it in the corner.”

Cannon and Adamson share a six-person suite in Nelson Hall at the University of Denver. They don’t share a room, but whenever Cannon walks into Adamson’s room, it’s always extremely neat, he said.

Cannon said Adamson likes to have everything in a set order, and things are rarely out of place.

“If you walk into his room it’s always neat and tidy,” Cannon said. “The bed’s always made. He’s got his homework kind of laid out and things he needs to do for the day.”

Adamson has what he called “mild OCD,” but said he has not actually been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Whenever he lifts weights, he makes sure to use both arms an equal amount. He said he always puts things away where they belong.

That meticulousness translated to lacrosse. Adamson grew up in a wooded, quiet area of Orange County, Calif. When he first started playing lacrosse, coaches always suggested players use both hands. Most players casually dismissed the idea, but Adamson took it to heart.

“I like everything to be kind of even,” Adamson said. “Whenever I was practicing my left, I would always do my right evenly.”

Seven years later, Adamson’s feasting on helpless goalies with his right and left hands. Adamson broke onto the scene against Duke in February in Denver’s season opener. The Blue Devils had won 10 straight at home and, for a while, it looked like they’d pick up another win. Duke led 8-5 entering halftime and outshot the Pioneers 27-17.

Then Adamson caught fire.

He exploded for five goals during an 18-minute stretch, igniting a 9-0 run for Denver and leading the Pioneers to a win. Using both his left and right hands, Adamson burned Duke’s defense.

Two weeks ago against Loyola (Md.), in another heavyweight matchup, Adamson struck again, scoring two goals and propelling Denver to an overtime win.

The first goal came with his left hand. He faked left and juked back toward the goal, firing a shot past Loyola goalie Jack Runkel. Just four minutes later, Adamson flaunted a nasty one-on-one move again. This time, he used his right hand and beat Runkel up top.

The shots came with different hands, but both found the top corner. Right or left hand, it doesn’t matter. The result is usually the same. Adamson is shooting 46.7 percent and is tied for the team lead with three game-winners.

Cannon said Adamson’s ability to shoot with pinpoint precision with both hands is a nightmare for defenders.

“It’s pretty frustrating when you’re playing against somebody and they beat you and nail one right in the corner,” Cannon said.

Adamson’s ambidexterity was the first thing coach Tierney mentioned that differentiates him from other players. It’s what’s helped him earn more playing time this season and score 21 goals.

Tierney has coached for 27 years. He’s seen many players dominate with both hands, but he said few have done it as well as Adamson, calling him “one of the truly rare ambidextrous kids I’ve ever had.”

“A lot of these kids try to force people to their weak hand and he can handle that very well,” Tierney said.

That’s because he doesn’t have a weak hand. There’s no drop-off. Adamson has won games for Denver with both his right and his left hand.

Said Cannon: “He’s put the team on his back a couple of games.”

Published on April 30, 2013 at 12:39 am

Contact Trevor: tbhass@syr.edu | @TrevorHass