The 2009 men's lacrosse season is all about one word: “Redemption.” An experienced defense will look to lead the rebuilt team past an injury-plagued 2008 campaign.
The Cougars return all three starting defensemen from last season in Tim Bojanowski, Joe Lodato and Brian Ratajczak.
Bojanowski is a two-year captain and former all-conference performer charged with the task of covering opponents' best offensive weapons.
Lodato brings a relentless work ethic to the team as a second-year starter, head Coach Jim Ricardo said. He returns after a freshman season in which he started 12 games.
At 6-2 and 250 pounds, Ratajczak is an imposing force. He started every game as a sophomore and will be counted upon heavily in 2009.
Ryan Blevins will serve as starting LSM after missing all of last season due to injury. He was one of seven starters out in 2008, but Ricardo expects a big turnaround. “Ryan's worked hard to rehab through summer and fall, and he's having an outstanding preseason,” Ricardo said.
Bojanowski, Lodato and Blevins were named captains.
Sophomore defenseman Josh Hundley adds experience, and the team has four strong freshmen waiting in the wings: Don Squire, Antonio Gallina, Ed Lino and Casey Weisenbach.
Dom Lucenti returns to d-middie after starting all 12 games last year at the same position. Lucenti has taken on a tremendous leadership role with freshmen d-middies Jimmy Colgan and Zach Amendolia, Ricardo said.
In the cage, the Cougars will start a freshman. Ryan Kay and James Scott have battled neck and neck this preseason. Coming out of fall ball, Kay was slightly ahead, but with a solid defense in front of them, both feel comfortable in the cage.
On offense, the Cougars are extremely green. Leading the midfield is junior captain Dan Rafferty. Rafferty was injured in the second game last season and tried to play through injury—demonstrating immense toughness. Ricardo calls Rafferty a throwback player with the ability to play at both ends.
Junior John Peruso is back to take both offensive and defensive midfield runs and the majority of face-offs.
Junior Jameson Langraff-Kimball is the team's top returning scorer from last season. He'll be looked upon heavily to play both attack and midfield and help the young guns transition into the college game.
Leading a class of three freshman middies is Zach Buckley—a speedster who can “shoot the lights out with both hands.” The group also includes Pat McTague and Dean Tilton.
The attack will also be young as the Cougars start two freshmen and a junior. Freshmen Lee Blair and Sean McGuigan are poised to make immediate impact. Blair is the “total package,” Ricardo said, and McGuigan has the hardest shot on the team. Junior Seth Swiatkowski will use tremendous speed to keep defensemen on their toes.
Sophmore KJ Booth adds depth to the attack and will be called upon to run some midfield.
Freshmen make up more than half the team, but Ricardo is excited about the future. His upperclassmen are ready to take the young program to the next level.
“Last year was a difficult season for everyone involved and we are ready to move forward. The bricks are in place. The top six teams make the playoffs in the MAC. Our goal is to be one those six,” Ricardo said.
The Cougars open on March 3 against Marymount University in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
