Manhattan Retools For Deep Run In 2011

Making their presence known on a national stage, the Kelly green and white gained acclaim on the defensive side of the field, leading the country in man-down defense while recording a percentage of (10-59) .831. An impressive feat, it was the first time the Jaspers finished the season leading the NCAA in any statistical category.

This season, the Jaspers look to return to the conference finals and make the fourth time the charm as they usher in a new era of talent in Riverdale. "We have a lot of new faces after losing some top players to graduation," 14^th-year Coach Tim McIntee said. "2011 will be about relying on our youth, enthusiasm and excitement to play the game. If our players can form a unified front, we will have success this season."

Attack

For the first time in two seasons, Manhattan will hit the turf without primary offensive threats, James Synowiez and Joe Variano. An All-MAAC First Team member, Synowiez recorded 81 goals and 105 points in just two seasons with the team to break several all-time record lists. Also vacant, Variano departs along with his 19 scores from last year's squad.

However, all is not lost in Riverdale. Senior captain Justin Jensen returns to lead the Jaspers on the scoring attack. A MAAC All-Academic Team selection, Jensen finished second on the team in goals (19) and total points (34). "Justin is our all-around best player and does a little bit of everything. We need him to continue to grow as a goal scorer this season," McIntee said.

Pairing with Jensen, quick-footed senior Kelly Mahon looks to build off last season in which he tallied 11 goals, including a hat trick against Saint Joseph's on April 24^th. "Kelly has the size and ability to be a big threat. We look for him to increase his scoring prowess this year," McIntee said. Adding to the mix, junior Brendan Rogers, who appeared in eight games, and sophomores Jason Davis (2 goals) and Brian McGrath, will be counted on to find the net in bunches in 2011.

Midfield

While find a rhythm up top might be a work in progress, a slew of veterans return to provide consistency in the middle of the field for the Kelly green and white. After serving as one of the top lines in 2010, the trio of senior captain Mike Llewellyn, fellow classmate Brett Miranda and junior Tyler Sabens are primed for breakout seasons as the go-to midfielders for the Jaspers. "This trio has played a great deal before and we look for them to lead on and off the field," McIntee said.

Llewellyn, known for his high lacrosse IQ and team-first mentality, registered four points (2 goals) in 16 games last season. Fourth-year member Brett Miranda provides scoring punch, coming of a campaign in which he recorded a career- high four goals. The x-factor could be versatile junior Tyler Sabens, who recorded 16 points (5 goals) while playing in every contest as a sophomore. Waiting in the wings, skilled second-year middle men, Tyler Jarvis (3 goals) and Jon Crean, and newcomers Marcel Godino and Brett Madarasz could develop into key members with increased time.

In the face-off department, a pair of seniors (Chris LoGiudice and Sean Firth) and sophomores (Jason Davis and Jon Crean) will look to improve on the team's .434 percentage last season.

Defense

Despite the losses of two key members in All-MAAC First Team selection Steve Sternberg and Second Team All-MAAC member Kyle Moeller, Manhattan brings back an impressive list of defenders. "Our defensive side returns tremendous experience across the board and we're counting on them for a big year," McIntee said. "We were the top man-down defense in the country in 2010 and we want to keep improving on that end."

The quartet of senior captain Chris Spillane and veteran teammate Erich Smith, junior Jordan Sherman, and sophomore Alex Grandal, should make scoring difficult for opposing offenses in Riverdale and beyond. The foursome combined for 54 groundballs and 12 caused turnovers as one of the MAAC's top units in 2010. Spillane and Smith (2 goals) appeared in every contest last season while Sherman and Grandal received quality minutes in 11 games.

At long stick defensive midfield, a band of unsung heroes look to make an impact in the grit and toughness department. Senior captain John Llewellyn, fourth-year talents Mike Pisciotta (17 ground balls) and Sean Firth, juniors Steve Harvey and Mike Brooks, and sophomore Evan Potter, are expected to build off solid campaigns and take the next step forward for Manhattan. Joining the ranks, newcomers Mike Kenney, Dan Sweeney, Mike Strebel and Sean McMahon could see the field throughout the season as key depth comes into play.

Goalkeeper

A three-way battle ensues in net as Manhattan looks to replace Team MVP and stalwart Jon Fiorillo. Senior incumbent Matt Solomito will battle two new faces to Riverdale in Rich Akapnitis and William Murphy for the chance to stand between the pipes. Solomito, appeared in five games last season, making three starts and 34 saves. Akapnitis, comes to Manhattan as Hauppauge high school's all-time saves leader and has the ability to be a four-year starter for the Jaspers. Murphy, was last season's Team MVP at Sachem North high school and shows great quickness in goal.

Schedule

A 16-game regular season laden with perennial powerhouse opponents, including three nationally televised contests against the University of Denver, Air Force and Johns Hopkins University and five home games at Gaelic Park highlight the 2011 Manhattan men's lacrosse schedule.

The Jaspers open the season on Feb. 20^th, against Big East Conference foe Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. The following week, Manhattan travels to Moon Township, Pa. looking to avenge last year's home opening 13-12 loss to Robert Morris University on Feb. 26^th.

Manhattan returns to Riverdale for their home opener on Mar. 1^st against Presbyterian College at Gaelic Park. Four days later, the Green and White head west to Colorado to participate in the annual Pioneer Classic. In two games broadcast on the CBS College Sports Network, Manhattan will face a pair of impressive rosters, starting with Air Force on March 5^th and ending with Denver on March 6^th.  

Possible their toughest opponent on the agenda, the Jaspers continue their tour of the perpetual top 25 with a trip to Baltimore, Md. on March 9^th, as they face one of the country's best in Johns Hopkins for the second consecutive year. The game will air on ESPNU.

Battle tested and back to familiar turf, Sacred Heart University comes to town on March 12^th for a one-game homestand, before Manhattan heads to Staten Island, N.Y. the following Wednesday to meet Wagner College on March 16^th.

Taking a break from MAAC play, McIntee's squad will swing south on I-95 towards Philadelphia for a March 19^th matchup with their second Big East opponent, Villanova University. Staying on away soil, the team will continue to don their visiting uniforms as they kickoff Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play at the Virginia Military Institute on March. 26^th.

Flipping the calendar to April, Manhattan College welcomes first-year MAAC lacrosse member Jacksonville University for an April 2^nd home meeting before a grueling three-game away stretch against Hofstra University, the University of Detroit and Siena College.

Beginning in Hempstead, N.Y., the lacrosse program will be pushed to their limits as they wage war with the powerful Pride on April 5^th, a game televised on FIOS 1 digital cable television. The duel will be followed by back-to-back crucial conference games against the Titans in Detroit, Mich. and the Saints in Loudonville, N.Y. on April 9^th and 16^th respectively.

With their travel days behind them, the team returns to the Bronx for a two-game conference slate against New York state adversaries to end the regular season. Marist College comes in for an April 23^rd date with Canisius College following suit the following Saturday, April 30^th. The game against the Griffins has been designated as "Senior Day" and will be set for a 7 p.m. faceoff.

Riding a three-year appearance streak, Manhattan will look to continue postseason play at the 2011 MAAC Lacrosse Championships, held at Canisius College from May 6^th-8^th. The top four teams in the conference will participate in the tournament, with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the 2011 NCAA Lacrosse Championships.

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