NEAC Men's Lacrosse Preview
LATHAM, N.Y. – The North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) men's lacrosse season gets underway this weekend with Cazenovia meeting Marywood on Saturday, while the Express will travel to Tompkins-Cortland this Sunday, Feb. 16 for an exhibition contest.
Morrisville State won its fifth NEAC Tournament title in a row in 2019 and eighth-consecutive regular-season title, but look for the Express to make some waves this season. Here is a look at how the NEAC teams look heading into the season:
Wells College
Head Coach: Andrew Daly, Fifth Season
2019 Record: 1-13, 0-7 NEAC
2019 Postseason: None
Key Returners/Players to Watch: Nate Ramsey, Padraic Iannello, Quinten Battle, Trevor Stein, Miles Mungal, and Ryan Ferrini
Key Losses: Cash Lawson, Charlie Iwuoha
Coach's Outlook: We are pretty young overall, but have upperclassmen in leadership positions. Having added some young raw athletes, our success will be largely predicated on their development and adjustment to the college game. I am optimistic that with our athleticism and leadership this team can make great strides from last season.
The Wells College men's lacrosse schedule can be found at: https://www.wells-express.com/sports/mlax/2019-20/schedule
Alfred State
Head Coach: Gabe Kuhn, First Season
2019 Record: 5-8, First season in NEAC
2019 Postseason: None
Key Returners/Players to Watch: AJ Soto, Midfield/Attack; Matt Cobb, Goalkeeper; Soto 24 goals and 6 assists, and Cobb 161 saves.
Key Losses: Joe Johnson - 29 goals and 17 assists
Coach's Outlook: Alfred State will enter their first season in the NEAC with a new coaching staff and a young roster. The team has an experienced goalie returning and several scoring options from last year.
Cazenovia College
Head Coach: Zak VanValenberg, Second Season
2019 Record: 6-6, 4-3 NEAC
2019 Postseason: NEAC Semifinals
Key Returners/Players to Watch: Noah Gessini - second-team all-conference, Pat Lagrow - third-team all-conference. Connor Smith, Giovanni Kelso, and Goalie Matt Deyette
Key Losses: Joe Timm, Brock Post, Shea Ames, Jeff Bain, and Jesse Rose-Grove
Coach's Outlook: The Wildcats will look to a talented group of upperclassmen to help them get back to the NEAC Playoffs.
Hilbert College
Head Coach: Mike Carberry, Third Season
2019 Record: 6-7, 3-4 NEAC
2019 Postseason: None
Key Returners/Players to Watch: Ed Mathais, Travis Kalanowski, Mike Thompson, Joshua Maloney
Key Losses: Elihah Ryan, James Duffy, Anthony Cappola, Marc O'Neill
Coach's Outlook: Make the postseason tournament once more.
Keuka College
Head Coach: Jason Paige, 22nd Season
2019 Record: 9-5, 6-1 NEAC
2019 Postseason: NEAC Semifinals
Key Returners/Players to Watch: Kasey Gallina Jr. Midfield, Connor Cupp So. Attack, Harold Pallone Sr. Defense, Nikoli Biljanoski Sr. Goalie
Key Losses: Cody Nitzke Defense, Marco Carney Midfield
Coach's Outlook: We hope to improve so we can earn a spot in the NEAC playoffs.
Medaille College
Head Coach: Dan Patrone, Third Season
2019 Record: 3-14, 2-5 NEAC
2019 Postseason: None
Key Returners/Players to Watch: Senior Mack Baker (G), junior David Cloy (LSM)
Key Losses: Jake Rush, Tyler Fales, Matt Gabalski
Coach's Outlook: Young talent at nearly every position, the staff is excited to see how the team grows throughout the season.
Morrisville State
Head Coach: Jason Longo, 11th Season
2019 Record: 10-7, 7-0 NEAC
2019 Postseason: NEAC Champions, NCAA First Round
Key Returners/Players to Watch: Joe Rosaschi, Peter Pina, Chad Warren, AJ Davis, Paul Tocci, Zach Mabry
Key Losses: Nate McCormick, Joe Piedigrossi, Nick Geswaldo
Coach's Outlook: We are a young team that has a lot of potential/room for growth on both ends of the field. We are excited to see who will win starting positions on both ends of the field as we are that new. We have all new dynamics allowing us for a new style of offense that we are excited to implement. On our defensive side we are looking to utilize our depth and athleticism strategically allowing us to throw different slide packages at our opponents. We have a lot of new and young talent that will be interesting to see how the chemistry builds throughout the season.
SUNY Cobleskill
Head Coach: Chris Mango, First Season
2019 Record: 3-10, 1-6 NEAC
2019 Postseason: None
Key Returners/Players to Watch: Senior Kieran Tierney, Midfielder, 20 goals, 5 assists, 25 points, 30 groundballs … Senior Devin Corey, Attack, 3 goals, 2 assists, 5 points, 16 groundballs … Junior Nick Dominic, Defender, 1 goal, 3 assists, 4 points, 90 groundballs … Senior James Glass, Midfielder, 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, 48 groundballs, 115-of-255 faceoff wins … Freshman Christopher Roman, Goalkeeper
Key Losses: Senior Ed White, Attack/Midfield, 17 goals, 22 assists, 39 points, 34 groundballs … Senior Sean Degnan, Attack, 21 goals, 8 assists, 29 points, 22 groundballs … Senior Willie Wilson, Goalkeeper, 10.92 GAA, 149 saves, 51.4 save percentage
Coach's Outlook: The Fighting Tigers will be looking to make the transition from long-time coach Ryan Gunzinger to first-year head coach Chris Mango. Cobleskill will return four lettermen to the roster this season along with 12 new recruits to begin the rebuilding process.
SUNY Poly
Head Coach: Brandon Misiaszek, Fourth Season
2019 Record: 10-6, 5-2 NEAC
2019 Postseason: NEAC Championship Game
Key Returners/Players to Watch: Edward Roasaschi - senior Attackman … Ryan Mead - junior Faceoff Midfielder … Tyler Schmitz - junior Close Defenseman
Key Losses: Daniel Rivie - Midfielder (2nd team) … Chase LaCava - Midfielder (1st Team) … Charles Rosaschi - Goalie (1st Team) … Ryan Daucher - Defense (2nd Team)
Coach's Outlook: In 2019 we graduated eight Seniors, four of which were all conference players. The 2020 season is going to be an opportunity for some of the younger guys to prove themselves. We are hopeful that the 13 new guys on the roster can help us build on last year. Our out of season schedule should be a good test for us.
*Article courtesy of Interim Assistant Commissioner for Sports Information Phil Paquette (with additions edited into the opening paragarphs).
