February 1, 2008

MEN'S LACROSSE ENTERS 2008 WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONS 
2008 Bryant Lacrosse Preview   

This is the first of five positional previews for the 2008 Bulldog Season:  Next Week - The Midfielders 

SMITHFIELD, RI - Coming off its most successful seasons to date, the Bryant men's lacrosse team tasted success in 2007, winning the school's first conference regular season title with a perfect 9-0 league record and achieving a No. 1 regional ranking for the first time in the program's history.

"We went into 2007 with no expectations with limited goals," said second year coach Mike Pressler.  "It was a new staff for the players to learn and improve. The Le Moyne win jump-started our season. That game gave a young team the confidence they needed at the time and helped us go on our run at the end."

But despite the top ranking, the Bulldogs were denied a spot in the NCAA playoffs in May.  A feeling that is still in the minds of this year's squad as they prepare to open the 2008 season, Bryant's final in the Northeast-10 before moving up to Division I later this spring.

"We are not going to be able to sneak up on anyone.  There's going to be a bullseye on our backs as the roles are going to be reversed. That's going to require maturity, confidence, but I am pleased with this veteran group we have.  The character they have in leading this team is something I am pleased with and excited about this year."

All but one player returns (graduated Bryan Molk, now coaching at Wagner) this spring as this year's Bulldogs are armed and focused with only one goal in mind: taking it to the next level.  There's a feel of unfinished business in the minds of this year's squad that is hungry to defend its conference regular season title and get to that highly sought after NCAA playoff spot.

This year's squad certainly has the experience (10 starters back), but they'll also welcome the addition of perhaps one of the strongest freshman classes in the country.  This will be Pressler's first recruiting class since coming to Bryant and he is excited about seeing his team take shape as they gear up for what could be a breakout season for the Bulldogs in 2008. 

"We lose just one graduated senior and have 22 newcomers.  The bar has been raised with very high expectations in 2008.  This is our last year in Division II and we want to leave on a high, exciting note.  This teams has postseason goals in mind, from the NE-10 and on the national level.  It's in the back of their minds."

ATTACK:
They may have only been sophomores, but the front line of Kevin Hoagland (Glastonbury, CT), Bryan Kaufmann (Putnam Valley, NY) and Matt McKeefrey (Melville, NY) formed one of the league's most potent offensive attacks.  Kaufmann thrived under Pressler's offensive system with a team-best 44 goals and 20 assists to earn Co-Player of the Year honors in the Northeast-10.  Hoagland, a powerful finisher, added 40 goals and 10 assists in giving the Bulldogs a talented one-two punch. 

McKeefrey, a sparkplug and tenacious attacker in front of the cage, added 16 goals on the season and looks to play a key role once again in '08, as will senior Brent Stoothoff (West Islip, NY), another crafty veteran with experience in the offensive zone.

Six freshmen will help provide excellent depth and should see plenty of time this year, including Chase Hayes (Greensboro, NC), Dylan Schmitz (Newport, RI), Nicholas Madden (Yapank, NY), John Truscello (Holbrook, NY) and Connor Hayes (Mansfield, MA).

"All of our top scorers are back.  The three starters we have back in Kaufmann, Hoagland, and McKeefrey all have different styles but compliment each other so well. Freshmen Connor Hayes and Chase Hayes and Dylan Schmitz will give us great depth in a young attack group."