• Sun, 05/06 | Men's Lacrosse vs. Mount St. Mary's W, 12-6 (Final) BX | RC
  • Fri, 05/04 | Men's Lacrosse vs. Quinnipiac W, 11-6 (Final) BX | RC
  • Sat, 04/28 | Men's Lacrosse at Robert Morris L, 13-12 (Final) BX | RC
  • Sun, 04/22 | Men's Lacrosse vs. Wagner W, 21-3 (Final) BX | RC
  • Fri, 04/20 | Men's Lacrosse at Yale L, 11-10 (Final - 2OT) PR | BX | RC | LS | V | PH
  • Sat, 04/14 | Men's Lacrosse at Quinnipiac W, 9-5 (Final) BX | RC | PH
  • Tue, 04/10 | Men's Lacrosse at Holy Cross W, 17-3 (Final) BX | RC
  • Sat, 04/07 | Men's Lacrosse vs. Mount St. Mary's W, 17-9 (Final) BX | RC | PH
  • Tue, 04/03 | Men's Lacrosse at Brown W, 10-9 (Final) BX | RC
  • Sat, 03/31 | Men's Lacrosse vs. Sacred Heart W, 11-8 (Final) BX | RC
 
February 8, 2008

Men's Lacrosse Preview - Defense Returns Three Starters

February 8, 2008

BULLDOG MEN'S LACROSSE SEASON PREVIEW: DEFENSE

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.  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 to make that exciting mid-year run.."

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 displayed in leading this team is something that makes us very excited about this year.."

All but one player returns (graduated Bryan Molk '07, 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 Mike 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."

CLOSE DEFENSE:

While the attack line might look like the most veteran group, not to be out-shadowed is the experienced unit returning defensively.  One of the reasons for the team's success a year ago was its ability to transition quickly from the defensive to offensive end.

"We want to play as fast as possible.  Set the tempo with a pace not many Division II teams will see and that starts with the face-off and the defensive transition game."

The Bulldogs return their entire defensive unit from last season, led by fifth-year senior Corey MacDougall (Waltham, MA) (50GB), junior Sean Pasley (Rexford, NY) (15) and sophomore Matt Murnane (Rockville Centre, NY) (61), the team's groundball leader in '07.  Seniors Grady Moore (Canandaiguia, NY) (2GB) and Joe Cotilletta (Farmingville, NY) (1GB) should contribute depth to Bryant's backline.

"All three starters are back giving us great experience.  Along with capable veteran seniors Grady Moore and captain Joe Cottiletta, this group is very solid.  Matt Murnane just kept getting better and better as the season went along a year ago. He is a legitimate All-America candidate this seaosn."

GOALKEEPER:
In the cage, senior All-America candidate Michael Kennedy (Port Jefferson Station, NY) (7.65 GAA, 58.5%) is a good leader and is back to anchor the defense. He'll be backed up by junior Brad Burkhardt (Branford, CT) who saw time between the pipes in 2007 while freshman Robert Bleakley (Lexington, MA) should compete for a backup position in his first year.

"Mike Kennedy is the starter. The battle is for the backup position.  He ended the year on a positive note by playing exceptional down the stretch.  In the fall he picked up right where he left off and we're counting on an All-American year from Mike this year."

 

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