RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? The Manhattan College men's lacrosse team has chosen its captains for the 2009 season. Three players--senior goaltender John Geagan (Plainedge, N.Y.), junior defenseman Steve Sternberg (Easton, Conn.) and junior midfielder Salvatore Spatarella (Rocky Point, N.Y.) were all unanimously selected as captains by their teammates.
Geagan has been the team's starting goaltender since his freshman season. He backstopped the Jaspers to their first appearance in the MAAC Tournament since 2004 last season, posting a 7.23 goals against average and a .583 save percentage in 13 games.
“John is a great selection,” Head Coach Tim McIntee said. “As a senior and a starter since his freshman year, he's leader both on and off the field. I look for him to have an outstanding year.”
Sternberg was named to the All-MAAC Second Team in 2008 and was a Preseason First Team All-MAAC choice this season. He started all 15 games and recorded 34 ground balls last season, the most among returners.
“Steve is our premier defender,” McIntee said. “His work ethic is second to none, and he performs in the classroom, as well. The team will respond to him.”
Spatarella led the Jaspers with 17 goals and finished second on the squad with 18 points last season. He also recorded 34 shots on goal and had four man-up tallies. Spatarella gathered 15 ground balls in 2008.
“Salvatore has some big shoes to fill as our offensive captain,” McIntee said. “I look for him to put his name on the map as one of the top offensive players in the MAAC this season.”
The Jaspers begin the 2009 campaign on Wednesday afternoon when Rutgers (0-1) visits Gaelic Park at 3 p.m. The Feb. 18 start date is the earliest in Manhattan history, and the Jaspers will be hosting the Scarlet Knights for the first time in program history.
Rutgers got two goals each from Michael Diehl and Justin Pennington in an 8-4 loss to Villanova on Saturday. Kory Kelly led the team with 24 goals last season, while Pennington had 22 goals and a team-high 32 points. Pennington also collected a team-best 67 ground balls and won 92 faceoffs in 2008. Billy Olin started every game in goal for Rutgers last season, posting a .569 save percentage and a goals against average of 8.77.
