WILKES-BARRE, PA (March 5, 2021) -- There are seasons that are hard to forget, and then there are seasons where the very thought of forgetting them is impossible. That's what the King's College men's lacrosse team is coming off, a 2020 season that saw it out to a 5-0 record while receiving Top 25 votes that was suddenly cut short out of nowhere due to forces very much out of its control. A team that featured eight players that either graduated or were part of the King's physicians' assistant program, the loss of the experience and leadership will be tough to get over. But those that know the program that head coach Andy Orlowski has crafted over the last 20 years understand that the culture is very much within the fabric of every season, team, drill, practice and game that is contested. Orlowski doesn't see that changing anytime soon. 

"Effort, unity and toughness. These men care about each other. They love this program and as a result play with uncommon toughness for each other," said Orlowski. "We have new units on both sides of the ball. We lost a great deal from last year. I know we've been putting in good work on developing skill.  We have a long way to go for sure, but we've started on the right path. We just need to stay on it for the remainder of the season."

Obviously this season has been different with everything that's been going on both around the college and world, but the team has found that focusing on the little things has been even more important in such a year of uncertainty. "The focus has been on competition and player development certainly but there is also a recognition and real push to give these men something more this year," said Orlowski. "It's been a tough 12 months for everyone. We are celebrating being together, building brotherhood and valuing and enjoying relationships more now than ever." Luckily King's will have a strong leadership for players that have been strong contributors all the way through the lineup in Gabe Vansuch, Trevor Douenias and Michael O'Brien.

"Our captains are strong servant leaders. They put the needs of the team first and have done a strong job building trust when we don't have full locker rooms, when meetings are done by units and many interactions are done remotely," said Orlowski. "It's no secret our success stems from the culture our team builds every year. This year has challenged that phase of us the most. We are excited to see where we are on Saturday and adjust course as needed based on the feedback from these first few games."

The Monarchs will look to test those phases and culture Saturday afternoon at home against Lebanon Valley College, oddly enough against the opponent that was up next for King's just before the shutdown in 2020. Almost like a year frozen in time, things are set to thaw out March 6 at 1 p.m. in McCarthy Stadium in the first of three non-MAC Freedom games this year. But before that, the team will go into that and all of the 11 games this year with this one thought from Orlowski, "Love what you do, where you do it and who you do it with. There are never certainties in life. Enjoy what you have while you have it."

A positional breakdown is below: 

ATTACK 
The Monarchs were great in 2020 in getting goals from lots of different people, but also at key moments from different people. King's will need that strategy to continue to play out, though some familiar faces like Jared Gambino are no longer around due to graduation. Vansuch is back though as the dominant finisher in front for the Monarchs, having tallied 39 goals over the last two seasons including 12 in five games as a junior. Vansuch has some of the nicest hands of any attack in the MAC Freedom, while his craftiness around the cage allows him to get shots through when no lane seemingly exists. Fellow senior Charlie Alessi has battled injuries while at King's, but when healthy plays from behind the net as well as anyone due to his vision and passing ability. The senior chalked up 20 points in 14 games as a senior, including dishing out 13 helpers. 

The Monarchs has a pair of junior attackmen that also got some run last year in Brendan Gambino and Alex Acosta, and each should have a role for King's. Gambino started all five games for the Monarchs, scoring twice, while Acosta took some time to get up to speed after playing ice hockey in 2020 for King's. Once he got on the field, he was able to showcase one of the better shots on the squad as he did with his first collegiate goal against Alfred State. With another year in the system, look for all four of these players to contribute for the Monarchs. 

MIDFIELD
King's was set to return its leading scorer this season in Alec Martin, but Martin is on the shelf for 2020 but that doesn't mean that the Monarchs won't have strong offensive weapons from up top. Senior captain Michael O'Brien has continually been a go-to player when King's needed a goal as he tallied seven goals last season. Fellow captain Trevor Douenias will face-off for King's, but also scored a pair of goals to go with two assists thanks to his ability to stay on as a midfielder and not just hold the FOGO spot. Junior Paul Trabucco is back after getting some runs in 2020, and will look for an expanded role offensively as will sophomore Hunter Landon after each scored once in 2020 before the shutdown. Junior Ryan Candelori will continue his transition up the field which started in goal as a freshman to defensive midfielder last year. Candelori will get some runs on offensive midfielder, while he will look to play in that role with some new faces like Joe Giannella and Ryan Barnes. All three should have chances to step up offensively for King's in 2021. 

The face-off dot will have a rejuvenation of talent this season to join the established Douenias, as sophomore Tyler Sindel along with newcomers Cody Benner and Geno Casciello will get some reps on draws. Douenias had a strong season last year, winning 56 percent of his face-offs while posting a 62-for-111 mark in his five games. He took all but one face-off in 2020, so look for him to continue to get the call when the whistle blows this year. 

The defensive short-stick unit is mostly unchanged from a season ago, as Tyler Sindel and Andrew Trainer are joined by first-year Alex Tristan as a solid core group to lean on defensively. Trainer played in all five games, while Sindel finished with five ground balls and three caused turnovers a year ago. 

DEFENSE
The Monarch defensive unit last year was a group as stout as any in the conference, boasting a shutout in its final game of the 2020 season. King's allowed just 31 goals in five games, thanks to the play from standouts Sam Moyer, Jacob Wrede, August Axtman, Chris Surina and others. The good thing is that while young, the coaching staff is excited about the newcomers that should form a strong group in front of cage. 

The long-stick midfielder group consists of a pair of players that have a ton of experience in Patrick Burnham and Brent Cassium. Burnham played in all five games last year, posting nine ground balls and eight caused turnovers while Cassium added a pair of loose balls and caused turnovers. Different styles in both, their ability to defend in space with strong sticks will be an asset. 

The close defender group will again be younger, but not without talent especially from the first-year group of Jon Wiedow, Richard Deary, Junior Ardilla and Nick Anderson. John Shaffer and Austin Leone will lead the new defenders, but each has had limited game action so the competition for playing time right away will be interesting to see. 

GOALKEEPER
Coming into the 2020 season, the coaching staff was unsure which of their first-year goalkeeper was going to take the reigns and pull forward. After five games and 280 minutes in net, it was apparent that Jackson Campbell had taken on the role of No. 1 goalkeeper after allowing only 31 goals on 153 shots faced including making 55 saves. His save percentage for a season at 64 percent was a program record, though in only five games. Campbell will likely get a chance to get right back between the pipes, but fellow sophomores Joe Plachcinski and Matt Wall are keepers that King's feel very confident in despite their limited action last season. Plachcinski played 10:25, making two stops, while Wall faced three shots without surrendering a goal. Look for this to be a strength once more for King's. 

SCHEDULE
King's will start its season with a home game March 6 against Lebanon Valley College, before welcoming in No. 11 York College to McCarthy Stadium March 13. The Monarchs will play seven home games during the 2021 schedule, highlighted by contests with Wilkes University (Mar. 20), FDU-Florham (Mar. 27), Arcadia University (Apr. 7), Messiah College (Apr. 14) and Lycoming College (Apr. 24). Full schedule is HERE.