2010 Men's Lacrosse Season Preview
The Mitchell men’s lacrosse team is looking forward to a
fresh start in 2010. With added depth at all positions and nine
letterwinners returning to the lineup, the Mariners are poised for
a breakout season.
The biggest concern for second-year head coach Steve Jewett will be
reloading on offense, where he lost his top two scorers from a year
ago to graduation. Zach Ledvina and Ian Gosselin combined for 47
goals and accounted for over 70 percent of the team’s scoring
last season. Fortunately, Jewett has a number of players capable of
stepping up their production to fill the void.
At the top of the list is sophomore Adam
Grillo, who will be the cornerstone of the offensive unit. An
impact player in his rookie season, Grillo played in every game and
ranked third on the team in scoring with 13 goals and eight assists
for 21 points. Along with junior Joseph
Rice, Grillo will need to bolster an inexperienced front line
that features a lot of young talent, including newcomers Chris
Saunderson and Bruce Wall.
The midfield will be anchored by John
Kearney, the only four-year senior on the squad. A three-year
starter who has played in 33 career games, Kearney is a leader both
on and off the field. Last season he finished with one goal and
three assists and led the Mariners in ground balls.
Junior Kyle Steiner and sophomore Christopher Santapaola also return to their spots in
the midfield, while several new faces will give Jewett some depth
at the position. Junior Patrick
Nielsen, a member of the Mitchell men’s soccer and
basketball teams, will add lacrosse to his resume this spring.
While the 6-4 Nielsen will give the Mariners a sizable presence in
the middle of the field, junior Steven
Barnett and sophomore Josh
Charles will bring athleticism and speed to the lineup. Sean
Kelly, a sophomore, will handle long-stick duties.
The defensive unit remains intact from last season, with junior Christopher Vandale and sophomores Quincy
Jones and Thomas Stengren returning to prominent roles. Seth
Naphen also returns for his senior season after sitting out
last year, and sophomore William
D’Urso rounds out the group as the lone newcomer on
defense.
Jewett will have two goalies on the roster in 2010—sophomores
Gregg Jameson and Joseph
Nott—and each should see playing time. Jameson returns
after playing every minute during his rookie campaign. He made 122
saves on the season, including a career-high 24 against Saint
Joseph’s. Nott, a newcomer, has good instincts and quick
hands.
The Mariners will play a 12-game slate in 2010, beginning with a
road trip to Anna Maria College on March 10. Mitchell opens the
home portion of its schedule on March 21 against Lyndon State
College, the first of seven home dates on the docket.