2012 area men's lacrosse outlook
CW Post's Keith Rodriguez keeps a step ahead of Patrick Maloney in the NCAA Division II National men's lacrosse semifinals where CW Post College lost against Mercyhurst 14-4. (May 21, 2011) Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
A team-by-team capsule look at Long Island's Division II and Division III men's lacrosse programs, plus St. John's in Division I and Nassau CC in junior college heading into the 2012 season.
DIVISION I
ST. JOHN'S
Last season: 4-10
Coach: Jayson Miller, sixth season (21-47).
Players to watch
Attack: Kevin Cernuto (24 goals, 17 assists), Kieran McArdle (2, 18) Joe Leonard, Harry Kutner.
Midfielders: Terrence Leach, Ryan Fitzgerald, Keith Switzer, Brandon Ayers, Matt Hurst, Dillon Ayers.
Faceoff: Jordan Rothman.
Goalkeeper: Jeff Lowman.
Outlook: A huge game against Notre Dame in Big City Classic at Metlife Stadium in April may show how far the team has progressed. The Red Storm are hoping to finish in the top four in the Big East.
DIVISION II
LIU POST
Last year: 16-2
Coach John Jez, sixth year (87-19).
Players to watch
Attack: Eddie Plompen (54, 18), Justin Patterson (10,23).
Midfielder: Keith Rodriguez (18, 14).
Outlook: Always in the hunt for a title, the Pioneers face top-ranked Mercyhurst, No. 5 Dowling, No. 7 Mercy and No. 9 NYIT this season.
DOWLING
Last year: 11-3
Coach: Tim Boyle, 12th year (101-46).
Players to watch
Attack: Vito Demola (46, 9).
Midfielders: Lou Riley, Brendan Hayes (13, 17).
Defenseman: Matt Lauria.
Goalkeeper: Ryan Dougherty.
Outlook: Plenty of offense, but their defense is young. "We have our challenges on defense with some key players lost and some new faces thrown in with less game experience," Boyle said. "This unit will need to grow up and jel quickly for our overall success. We are excited about our team, looking forward to the road ahead and trust that we will be up for the task."
NYIT
Last season: 10-4
Coach: Bill Dunn, third season (18-8).
Players to watch
Attack: Cory Triola (29).
Midfielder: Jason Smith.
Defensemen: Justin Annunziato, Danny McDermott.
Goalkeeper: Billy McGee.
Outook: The Bears hope to make it back to the NCAA tournament after a three-year absence.
MOLLOY
Last year: 5-10
Coach: Eric Petrullo, third season (10-19).
Players to watch
Attack: Ryan Kudlek (15,10), Kenny Lutz (36, 4).
Midfielders: Jimmy Davis (23,10), Kevin Catalano (10,13).
Defensemen: Patrick Foley, Kyle Frenger.
Goalkeeper: Glenn Greubel.
Outlook: It's a tough conference to succeed in, but Molloy looks to make strides with a veteran group of scorers.
ADELPHI
2011 record: 16-3
Coach: Gordon Purdie, fifth year (37-21).
Players to watch
Attack: Joe Vitale (40, 30), Danny Blau (26, 22), Bryan Hall (8,9).
Midfielders: Shane Wynn (28, 28), Kieran Riegel (32, 8).
Defenseman: Jeff Melsopp.
Goalkeeper: Eric Janssen.
Outlook: Last year's national runner-up is ranked second to No. 1 Mercyhurst to open the 2012 season. Is the national title in sight for the Panthers?
DIVISION III
FARMINGDALE STATE
Last year: 10-5
Coach: Tim Tuttle, fifth year (30-32).
Players to watch
Attack: Ryan Oswald (35).
Midfielders: Jimmy Owsinski (28, 10), Bobby Thomas (17, 19), Tim Caden (15, 5).
Defensemen: Scott Bonaguro, Ricky Morales.
Outlook: With all the top players back, the Rams are going after the Skyline Conference title.
Last year: 4-12
Coach: Tom Gill, 12th season (197, 177).
Players to watch
Attack: Sean Zakow (30, 36), Mike Ackerman (14,15), Tyler Spaulding (5,5), Andrew Kratch (14,7).
Midfielder: Kevin Dwyer.
Defenseman: Vinnie Acquavita.
Goalkeepers: Matt Kantor, Ryan Moorman.
Outlook: After playing 16 road games last year while its field was renovated, , USMMA could have a turnaround season with its talented recruiting class.
NJCAA REGION 15
NASSAU CC
2011 record: 13-4
Coach: George Powers, second year (13-4).
Players to watch
Attack: Zak Goldbach (28, 13), Tim Daly (27, 12), Fred Mase, Glen Tompkins.
Midfielders: Michael Iacono, Brian Gill, Bill Deignan.
Defensemen: Brian Reilly, Calvin Bollar, Nick Capparelli.
Goalkeeper: Eddie Collins
Outlook: Nassau has made 42 straight appearances in the Final Four. It hosts the event this season. Expect the Lions to be there.
SUFFOLK CC
Last year: 10-7
Coach: Brendan Chamberlain, fifth season (41-22).
Players to watch
Attack: Shamus Turner, Tyler Migel.
Midfielders: DJ Morahan, Kenny Meinsen, Danny Cruz. Dylan Feeley.
Faceoff: Santino Scalzo.
Defenseman: Nico Governara.
Goalkeeper: Adam Lucas.
Outlook: A strong recruiting class could translate into a big season for the Sharks.
PIONEER LEAGUE
BRIARCLIFFE
2011 record: 14-1
Coach: Sean Pagano, fourth year (32-13).
Players to watch
Attack: Jon Bonacore (23, 20), Matthew Karp (35, 15), Jon Trama (30, 20).
Midfielders: John James Larkin (13, 12), Tim Dillon (9, 5).
Outlook: Briarcliffe made the national tournament for the second straight season after back-to-back conference championships. They seek a return trip to nationals.
