MEN'S LACROSSE

Men's Lacrosse: Norwich Preparing For 2010 Campaign

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Building on last year's late season success, the Norwich University men's lacrosse team returns 12 players and adds 22 new faces for the upcoming campaign. Six seniors will lead the Cadets into a season filled with high expectations.

"This will be our last year in the Pilgrim League, and it is clear that we want to be competitive in the conference this season," says second-year head coach Neal Anderson. "Our seniors would like to leave their mark on this program by earning a place in the 2010 postseason. We have identified key areas that the team will need to improve on in order to reach this goal. Much of our preseason will focus on point production and reducing turnovers."

Nineteen talented freshmen were selected to the 2010 squad list. This class, which boasts several very talented players, is the first recruited by Anderson. NU fans will want to keep an eye on attackmen Michael White (Walpole, Mass.) and Joe Galante (Framingham, Mass.); midfielders Arron Canarelli (New Hartford, N.Y.) and Judd Baggett (Newtown, Conn.); and defenders Chris Yodonis (Beachwood, N.J.) and Anthony Pritchard (Wilmington, N.C.).

"We are infusing our freshmen into starting positions immediately," adds Anderson. "This is a talented class, whose skill makes up for their college inexperience. It is exciting to work with student-athletes at the beginning of their Norwich career. I have no doubt that the playing experience they gain this year will dramatically improve their contributions to the team in the seasons to come."

Much of the work load will be placed on the shoulders of returners such as Pilgrim League all-star midfielder Kyle Marzeoti and returning team captain Nick Talcott. Both Tyler Woods and Tyler Nicoll return to the attack for a third season while returning midfielders Pat Sikora, Kevin Young and Corey Cicio will help bolster the transition game. Junior net minder Ryan Leroux will once again be joined by sophomore Nate Proctor to anchor a solid group of defenders highlighted by junior Jason Moore and senior Thomas Hajosch.

"The returning players have a serious investment in this program" says Anderson. "They received some good exposure to a high level of lacrosse last year, and I see a level of expectation that is pushing the whole team. Our program's success will really come down to focusing on goals and the steps we need to take in order to achieve them."

The Cadets open their 2010 season on at Anna Maria College on Saturday, March 6, at 1 p.m.