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February 27, 2009

DEPTH AND VETERAN EXPERIENCE LOOK TO LEAD LAX IN '09

The 2009 Mount Ida College men's lacrosse team will look to capture their sixth consecutive North Atlantic Conference (NAC) title this coming season and hope to gain their third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance in as many years.  The Mustangs and Head Coach Andrew Fink, who have remained unbeaten in conference play for the past five seasons at 37-0, are looking forward to another stellar year. 

Last season, Mount Ida faced some very difficult teams in very competitive conferences around the country and stood up to the test.   The Mustangs knocked off Colorado College during their annual spring trip to Colorado winning 9-8. Although Mount Ida lost to Amherst College (3-14), Western Connecticut State University (9-8), Kean (9-11), Babson College (11-13), Eastern Connecticut State University (9-19) who are top echelon teams in the northeast, almost all the losses were close in margin proving their tough on talented opponents. 

This season, the test only gets harder for the Mustangs, who will face five top tier teams (Amherst College, Kean, Eastern Connecticut State University, Tufts University, and Babson College) in New England including two New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) teams.  

"Attack is where the strength and experience is for this season which is different from past years where defense usually is our strength," says Head Coach Andrew Fink.  "There is a lot of competition at the attack position that will have players fighting for playing time," he said. 

ATTACK

With many attackers seeing significant playing time last season as freshman, the Mustangs front line will be full of young returning second year veterans.  They will look to win games by outscoring their opponents through all the talent that is surrounding the attack position.   

The loss of midfielder John Lightbown '09 will give the opportunity for senior captains Brett Conley (Fairfield, CT/Fairfield Warde) and Leo Shidler (Peabody, MA/Peabody) to lead the offensive charge for the Mustangs in 2009.  Conley, who led Mount Ida in points last year with 42 goals, 36 assists, for 78 points will look to build upon those numbers in his final season.  His is a true team leader in the highest sense and will be a key element to the success of the Mustangs.  Shidler also enjoyed a stellar year in 2008 with 26 goals and 28 assists landing second on the team.

Sophomore Matthew Savage (Peabody, MA/Peabody) will also be a very important part to the Mustangs offensive attack in ‘09.  As a freshman starter last season, Savage notched 33 goals and seven assists to boost Mount Ida's scoring threat.  He will return as an experienced veteran and look to make a name for himself in the conference. 

Newcomer Zach Jacobson (Shoreview, MN/Moundsview) brings a ton of talent from Minnesota as well as a big frame standing 6-1 weighing in at 220 pounds.  Jacobson is a powerful player who will help the Mustangs fire on all cylinders offensively.  He will have the opportunity to contend for a starting spot. 

Junior's Michael Simone (Dover, NH/St. Thomas Aquinas) and John Perez (Dorcester, MA/Wayland) and sophomore Nate Prince (West Gardiner, ME/Gardiner Area) will also be integral parts to the attack this season.  Freshman Ian Saunders (Glens Falls, NY/Glens Falls) will also contribute to the Mustangs offensive attack. 

MIDFIELD

The midfield is packed with high powered energy and a plethora of scoring machines.  This is by far the deepest group on the team with 11 players contenting for starting positions.  The depth of the midfield will give the opportunity for Head Coach Fink to spread things around.

"There are a lot of scorers in this group and I'm looking to spread things around hoping for more consistency," said Fink.  "This is by far the deepest group on the team and I'm hoping the depth will help throughout the season," he said.

The number one returner from last season is sophomore Dan Harrington (Westford, MA/Westford Academy) who made an immediate impact as a first year player with 18 goals, 11 assists, for 29 points.  As a freshman starter last year, he will look to continue his solid offensive play as a young veteran in the 2009 season. 

Senior Anthony DiMarsico (Fairport, NY/Fairport) spent most of his off season in the weight room and has become bigger and stronger which will only help him produce more this season.  He registered seven goals and five assists in 2008 and look to build upon that in the approach year. 

Also returning from outstanding freshman seasons is sophomore's Paul Battapaglia (Clinton, CT/Morgan), Frank Rozio (Clinton, CT/Morgan), and Breandan Draper (Lexington, KY/Lexington Catholic) who will be thrown into the mix throughout the year. 

After a short hiatus in 2008, senior's Christopher Prophete (Waltham, MA/Waltham) and Alex Champagne (East Greenwich, RI/East Greenwich) will look to aid the midfield after surviving tough injuries that plagued them last season.  Senior Anthony DiMaio (Agawam, MA/Agawam) left Mount Ida two years ago but has decided to jump back into the mix for his final season of eligibility.  In 2006, DiMaio registered seven goals and six assists good for 13 points in 13 games.

Junior John Hall (Scotsdale, AZ/Hodgekiss) also returns to the Mustangs after leaving for one season to attend Hamilton College.  He is a very hard working player who motivates his teammates through his voice, toughness, and tireless work ethic. 

Newcomers Billy Gerke (Essex, VT/Rice Memorial) and Derek O'Reilly (East Setauket, NY/Ward Melville), two talented freshman coming from very successful high school programs, will create an immediate impact for the Mustangs. 

The defensive midfield will be full of talent returning two players, sophomore Derek Broughton (Peabody, MA/Peabody) and senior Andrew Morton (Hampton, NH/Winnacunnet).  These two athletes will be a very big part of the defensive scheme of the midfield this season as veterans.  Freshmen Shawn Slattery (South Burlington, VT/South Burlington) and Brendan Hylan (Clinton, CT/Morgan) will be in the mix for playing time as newcomers to the program. 

DEFENSE

The Mustangs have been a team of defense in the past seeing Head Coach Fink was a part of the University of Hartford's defensive system in his college playing days.  This season will be a bit different after the loss of graduates Tom Watts '08, Luke Philip Wilson '08, and Will Cullen '08.  It will be a very young line that will be directed by the goaltenders this season. 

"We're very young on defense this season and we're hoping that the entire unit will come together.  This is a very versatile group of players that will be led by first year assistant coach Jason Shemenski from Skidmore College who will get these players prepared," said Fink.  "Everyone needs to contribute in the entire unit for a successful season," he said. 

Two key losses over the winter will sideline junior starter Kevin Mulvey (Peabody, MA/Peabody) with a broken foot who was a key contributor last season on defense.  Sophomore standout Michael Haseotes (Duxbury, MA/the HYDE school) also was bitten by the injury bug and will red shirt this season with a foot injury as well. 

Junior Dan Kelley (Bethany, CT/Amity Regional) will command the group as the oldest player in the unit.  He was key element to the success of the defense last season.  Sophomore Billy Eagan (North Andover, MA/North Andover) and junior Bryan Seaman (Peabody, MA/Peabody) will be integral parts to the defensive system as returning veterans. 

Freshman transfer Carl Grimo (Bristol, RI/LaSalle Academy) from Springfield College will bring a lot of talent as a highly touted high school All-American from Rhode Island.  Other newcomers Lee Testor (New Fairfield, CT/New Fairfield) and Riley O'Brien (North Kingstown, RI/North Kingstown) will be very important to the success of the defense. 

Returner Pat McGovern (Bristol, RI/Mount Ida) and newcomers Sean Maher (Ashland, MA/Ashland), Stephen Tomasco (Milford, CT/Trumbull), and Mike Conway (Grafton, MA/Blackstone Valley Tech) will look to contribute as much as possible to help the Mustangs win this season.

GOALTENDERS

The goaltender position is packed with talent this year with four solid shot blockers.  The team is anchored by not only the attack but the goalie position as well due to all the experience and talent that surrounds each group.  Although junior Matt Vernik (Bethany, CT/Amity Regional) has commanded the position for the past three seasons, he will have a ton of competition behind him. 

"The goaltending position is our deepest and strongest position on the field this season with Vernik at the core of our defense as a three year starter," said Fink.  "There is a ton of talent behind him and there will be a lot competition which makes things interesting."

Vernik was huge for the Mustangs last season with a 12-6 record stopping 202 shots in 19 games and a save percentage of .591 on the year.  He will continue his role as the starting goaltender and command the defense due to his veteran experience and leadership.

Freshman transfer James McAllister (Smithfield, RI/LaSalle Academy), when healthy, is starting material.  Suffering a ruptured spleen in a snowboarding accident over the winter set him back a bit but can be a deadly backstop for Mount Ida when he becomes 100 percent.

Freshman Justin Famiglietti (Peabody, MA/Peabody) is also an outstanding addition to the program and will be competing for playing time throughout the season.  He is another prodigy that has a ton of talent and could step in as the starter at any time.

Freshman Craig Naftal (Bellmore, NY/JFK) was the Mustangs number one recruit in the offseason who bring a very high caliber of play to the table.  According to Head Coach Fink any one of these goaltenders could contend for the starting role. 

FACE-OFFS

The face-off position will be commanded by senior and 2008's NAC All-Tournament team Most Valuable Player Craig Heintzelman (Windham, NH/Salem).  Heintzelman will be a very important part to the Mustangs offensive possessions throughout the season.  Rozio, Conway, and Slattery will all see time in the middle circle for Mount Ida and look to contribute as much as possible. 

"This team is different than any other that I've coached here in the past with eight senior and depth at all positions.  We'll be looking to put it all together for another successful season of Mustang lacrosse," said Head Coach Fink.  "It's rare we have eight seniors plus all these young veterans will tons of experience from last season." 

"This team has a chance to lead us to compete for another conference championship and victories in our top non-conference games," said Fink.  "We have something we haven't had in a very long time."