FEBRUARY 17, 2017

KING'S MEN'S LACROSSE TEAM TO OPEN 2017 SEASON SATURDAY AT KEYSTONE

WILKES-BARRE — The King's College men's lacrosse team will open the 2017 season Saturday with a 12:00 PM matchup at Keystone College in La Plume.

Fans unable to attend the game can follow the contest on LiveStats at the following link:
http://www.sidearmstats.com/keystone/mlax/

The Monarchs look to improve upon a frustrating 2016 season where the team finished 3-11 overall and 2-5 in the MAC Freedom Conference but lost five games by three goals or less. Monarch coach Andy Orlowski embarks on his 15th season at King's and looks to lead the Monarchs back to the post-season after four straight berths from 2012-15.

The Monarchs return 23 players, including their top four scores and four of their top five. King's also returns three All-Freedom Conference selections.

Leading the list of returnees is returning All-Freedom Conference attackman Brock Johnson, a junior who led the Monarchs with 50 points on 39 goals and 11 assists with 23 ground balls. Sophomore attack Brett O'Neill was second on the team a year ago with 27 points on 10 goals and 17 assists with 23 ground balls.

 

Junior midfielder Shawn Dickey, an honorable mention All-Freedom choice last season, was third in scoring with 25 points on 19 goals and six assists. Sophomore attack Brian Steiger followed with 17 points on 16 goals and one assist. Other returning offensive players include Mike DiCarlo and Ryan Gorman.

The Monarchs return top-face-off specialist Nick Foley who won 155-of-274 face-offs last year while posting a team-high 61 ground balls. Foley was also an homorable mention all-conference selection. Senior middie Kyle Will is also back after scoring 11 points on five goals and six assists with 15 ground balls. Other midfielders include seniors Ryan Boornazian and Michael Paniccia, along with sophomores Nick Maher, Ryan Matusiewicz, and Holden Schooley. Matusiewicz registered 14 ground balls.

The defense is led by senior captain Joseph Cupoli and fellow senior Craig Lowman, both who started all 14 games last season. Cupoli posted 19 ground balls and 15 caused turnovers while Lowman added 23 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers. Other returning veterans include senior Ryan Secor, junior Tom Bernicker, sophomores Mike McDougal, Jared Ludy, and Tanner Hale. Secor had 22 ground balls and 15 caused turnovers.

In goal, the Monarachs will introduce a new starter this year. Three returnees saw time last year and are battling to make their mark. They include junior George Pfeiffer and sophomores Codey Prindle and Matt Basile. Basile played 153 minutes and allowed 35 goals while making 34 saves. Pfeiffer played 133 minutes and allowed 21 goals while stooping 21 shots.

Newcomers looking to make an impact at attack include freshmen Jared Gambino and Jack Camp. First-year players in the midfield include sophomore Omar Nijmeh and freshmen Cory Metz and Sean Morrissey.  New players on defense include Jacob Wredeand Caleb Cooley. In goal, freshman Sam Prowell looks to make an impact.

After the Keystone game, King's will make its home debut Saturday, February 25 with a 1:00 p.m. matchup against Susquehanna at McCarthy Stadium.