Lacrosse
While the men’s lacrosse team spent the last eight months or so basking in their CAA title-holding glory, when the season kicks off on Saturday against the University of Massachusetts, its back to business. The team, which returns 29 players, heads into the match up ranked 13 in the USILA poll.
Of the 29 returning players, 10 are juniors and 13 seniors and that is not to discredit the sophomore talent as demonstrated by attack, Jay Card. After winning the CAA Rookie of the Year award, Card is one of the three returning starters at attack. Alongside teammates Dan Stein and Tom Dooley, the Pride looks to lead a scoring campaign also aided by last season’s scoring leader Anthony Muscarella. From Muscarella and fellow midfielder Michael Colleluori, the team can expect leadership and poise as the players are hoped to lead by example.
Equally important is the return of junior Danny Orlando in the net. Now into his third season as started, hopes are that his goals against average will drop to closer to what they were his freshman year and that he can continue to provide solid play.
Their season won’t be a breeze, either. Despite the returning talent, the first four games are all against top-ranked teams and later games against UNC and Army. While the Pride no doubt has a talent roster, the first four games speak as to how they size up on a bigger stage. And while a lot can happen over the course of a season, the games against the perennial powerhouses could be a glimpse as to how they will match up if the team makes it back to the NCAA tournament.
Rounding out the classes are freshman, Kevin Ford and Cole Koesterer who will be looking for playing time as well.
After facing UMass on Saturday the Pride will travel to Providence, RI to face No. 14 Brown on February 28.
Reportng by the Chronicle Sports Desk
Baseball
The start of the new season also brings the start of a new head coach for the baseball team. As the Pride gears up for their season debut with a four-game series in Florida against the Florida State Seminoles, the team looks to head coach Patrick Anderson to turn things around. After a dismal 19-36 showing last year, the focus shifts this year toward a new mentality.
A hurdle in that new mentality may be such a competitive schedule so early on.
Not only do they face Florida State, but they will also go up against NC State before returning home to take on Dartmouth College on March 7. They then have their first CAA match up against UNC Wilmington on March 13 and they will be on he road for that one as well. The Pride can find solace in the return of three seasoned arms on the mound. Rob Kumbatovic, Brody Fontaine and Bobby Neelon will all be starters while the rest of the pitching staff looks to battle it out for a chance in the rotation.
Another area adding experience and depth is the infield, which welcomes back starters Adam Perlo at first, Matt Prokopowicz at third and seniors Tom Legregni and Chris Mentrasti swapping between short and second. Stepping into the utility roles are junior Dion Pouncil and newcomer Chris Greco. Filling in the outfield are Nick Panzarella, Marc Stuckless and John Kenny.
Reporting by the Chronicle Sports Desk