Feb 1, 2008

Men's Lacrosse Ready for Spotlight

Owings Mills, MD - In their debut season in the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC), Villa Julie's Men's Lacrosse Team finished second in the CAC with a record of 11-5. The lacrosse team has garnered national attention and further raised the expectations for their 2008 season.

Making program history, the pre-season standings in Lacrosse Magazine showed the Mustangs ranked 20th in Division III category and the men expect to climb to the top of this honorable list with this year's roster. With better overall depth on the field and more speed and experience at each position, the team anticipates achieving its goal of being National Champions.

As they compete against some of the toughest squads in the country, the road to being number one will not be easy for the Mustangs, and the team "will be tested week-in, week-out," claims Coach Cantabene. This season, the men will face four teams, who join Villa Julie in the top 20 pre-season rankings, including Salisbury University, who sits at the top of the list, as well as other teams looking to take the CAC championship crown.

Their schedule begins in a home competition against conference contestant St. Mary's College on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 1 p.m. Last year, the number-three seed, Seahawks upset the number-two seed Mustangs by one point in the CAC semifinals. The Seahawks went on to surrender to Salisbury in the championship game.

On March 5th, the ‘Stangs make their way to Pennsylvania to challenge Gettysburg College, Lacrosse Magazine's second ranked Division III team in the country. The Bullets claimed their fourth consecutive title as the Centennial Conference champs in 2007. Villa Julie will travel once again to battle Lynchburg College, the eighth ranked Division III team, on March 22nd. Last year, Lynchburg's Hornets were defeated by number six Roanoke in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship.

On April 5th, Villa Julie's CAC rival, number-one ranked Salisbury University, will try the Mustangs athleticism. The Sea Gulls' Men's Team took home the national championship trophy and recorded a perfect season at 18-0 in their 19th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance.

The Villa Julie Men's Lacrosse Team will complete its regular season at home against Lacrosse Magazine's number-seventeen pre-season pick, Stevens Institute of Technology. When these teams last met, the Ducks defeated the Mustangs by eight points. This Skyline Conference team went 14-4 last year, finishing second in their conference behind then defending national champion SUNY Cortland.

Amidst playing against a host of nationally ranked challengers, the Mustangs will be put to the test in conference match-ups against University of Mary Washington, Wesley, York, Marymount and Hood College. The CAC conference tournament will be held on April 14th, 17th and 20th where the teams will ultimately decide who goes to the NCAA tournament.

The Attack

Described by Cantabene as being a "well-rounded" group, the Mustangs potent attack averaged over 13 goals per game last season.

Jimmy Dailey (Westminster, MD), the team's leading scorer, has been chosen as a pre-season All-American, and Dailey 's influence on the Mustangs cannot be denied. During his first season, Dailey scored a total of 32 goals, seven of which were game-winning. Dailey's performances were recognized by the other coaches in the conference, earning the 2007 CAC Co-Rookie of the Year and first team All-CAC honors.

Others are expected to boost the Mustang's line of attack, including the 6' 7 " returning senior, Kevin Donnelly (Laurel, MD), who scored 25 goals with an incredible shot on goal percentage of .774. Cantabene describes Donnelly as a strong player with great agility who is a powerful left hand finisher. The addition of talented transfer, Steve Kazimer (Syracuse, NY), who scored 100 points for Onondaga Community College, in 2005, will bring a different look to the offense.

Expect Richard Ford (Baltimore, MD), a high school All-American at Towson High School, and sophomore Shane Clift (Westminster, Md.), who tallied 7 goals and 7 assists last season, to challenge for the starting positions. Incoming freshmen, Drew Brady (Newton Square, PA) and Kenny Whitaker (Baltimore, MD), who were both rewarded as high school All-Americans, will provide depth to the Mustang attack.

The Midfield

These guys are abounding with talent, according to Cantabene. "Our speed and size is very good," he adds, and he has high hopes for the group.

Part of this hope comes from one other important element the team encompasses: experience. All six of his top midfielders will return this season. With 6 goals and 1 assist last season, Dustin Harlowe (Golden Beach, MD) will make life difficult for his opponents. Second Team All-Conference player, Nick Bevacqua (Boonton Township, NJ), who missed half the 2007 season due to a broken foot, has a great shot and will be the main weapon on the extra man offense for the Mustangs. Bevacqua led the CAC in extra man offense goals per game last season. Another CAC Second Team All-Conference player, Greg Furshman (Miami, FL), led the Mustangs with 61 ground balls, and can shoot the ball well with either hand. Hard working Junior, Chris Baldwin (Baltimore, MD), scored 21 goals, 9 assists and was second on the team in groundballs with 54. Sophomore, Zach Walsh (Reisterstown, MD), a great all-around midfielder, also tallied 35 groundballs last season.

The battle for minutes at this position will be the most competitive of any position on the team. With a set of promising transfers in Jimmy Kleb (Lewes, DE), Tyler Maguire (Montauk, NY) and hopeful Freshmen, Jake Stocksdale, Ryan Bragg (Downington, PA), Shane Dewind (Severna Park, MD), Ray Witte (Easton, MD/St. Paul's), Billy Rebman (Baldwin, MD) and Kyle Moffitt (Harrisburg, PA), Cantabene will have his pick.

Defense

Three starting players will rejoin the defensive roster in 2008, helping sustain the 2007 Mustangs ' strong defense, which allowed on average only 8 goals a game last season. Captain and team leader Zach Clark (Pasadena, MD ), Junior Mike Simon (Fallston, MD) and 2007 second team All-CAC player Cole Mueller (Cockeysville, MD), who were all essential to the team's success last year, will strive for a repeat performance in 2008. Simon is the best athlete on the field and can play with any type of attackman, according to Cantabene. Cole is an intense and driven player, who is strong in one-on-one situations , and has been rewarded for his contributions to the team by being named as a captain for this season. Zach Clark has started for 4 years and gives the Mustangs a mental edge in close contests. Adding to the defense's experience is Junior Austin Hale (Baltimore, MD), a physical player that will pressure opponents into mistakes.

Mike Gustowarow (Riva, MD) and Brian Rupert (Bel Air, MD) are also expected to be big contributors to the crew while Freshman Ian Hart (Swarthmore, PA) shows great potential. Transferring in from Towson, Sophomore Ryan Taguding is also sure to aid Villa Julie's defense.

Junior Danny Byrd (Lothian, MD) specializes in close defense and Hale, High School All-American Evan Douglas (Exeter, NH) and Drew Daise (Enola, PA) will show off their skills in the long-pole defensive position.

Goal Keepers

"This position revolves around four guys," states Cantabene, and this list is made up of Sophomore Geoff Hebert (Lutherville, MD), Junior Chris Carroll (Deale, MD), Eric Fleegle (Easton, MD), a transfer from Salisbury, and Andrew Harrington (Cambridge, MD), a transfer from Essex.

Hebert completed a significant amount of stops for the team last season.

Cantabene says, "One just needs to step up and be the man for the job."

Face-off

After excelling last year at an average of 60 percent, this position will again depend on the efforts of returning players Greg Furshman and Brandon Hastings (Baltimore, MD). Both players excelled last year with Furshman having a .573 winning percentage out of 185 face-offs and Hastings won 126 out of 203 face-offs giving him an impressive .621 winning percentage. The Mustangs will also rely on Freshmen, Ray Witte, Douglas Reidt (Freeland, MD) and Joe Valderas, who all show great potential.

The Villa Julie Men's Lacrosse Team will have the eyes of the lacrosse nation on them when they take to the field for the first time in 2008 against conference rival St. Mary's College. This game will be the first step on a difficult path to the national championship. However, Cantabene has assembled a squad with a blend of experience and youth that he and the rest of his staff believe can compete with the best teams in the CAC and in the country.


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With better overall depth on the field and more speed and experience at each position, the team anticipates achieving its goal of being National Champions. As they compete against some of the toughest squads in the country, the road to being number one will not be easy for the Mustangs, and the team "will be tested week-in, week-out," claims Coach Cantabene. This season, the men will face four teams, who join Villa Julie in the top 20 pre-season rankings, including Salisbury University, who sits at the top of the list, as well as other teams looking to take the CAC championship crown. Their schedule begins in a home competition against conference contestant St. Mary's College on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 1 p.m. Last year, the number-three seed, Seahawks upset the number-two seed Mustangs by one point in the CAC semifinals. The Seahawks went on to surrender to Salisbury in the championship game. On March 5th, the ‘Stangs make their way to Pennsylvania to challenge Gettysburg College, Lacrosse Magazine's second ranked Division III team in the country. The Bullets claimed their fourth consecutive title as the Centennial Conference champs in 2007. Villa Julie will travel once again to battle Lynchburg College, the eighth ranked Division III team, on March 22nd. Last year, Lynchburg's Hornets were defeated by number six Roanoke in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship. On April 5th, Villa Julie's CAC rival, number-one ranked Salisbury University, will try the Mustangs athleticism. The Sea Gulls' Men's Team took home the national championship trophy and recorded a perfect season at 18-0 in their 19th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance. The Villa Julie Men's Lacrosse Team will complete its regular season at home against Lacrosse Magazine's number-seventeen pre-season pick, Stevens Institute of Technology. When these teams last met, the Ducks defeated the Mustangs by eight points. This Skyline Conference team went 14-4 last year, finishing second in their conference behind then defending national champion SUNY Cortland. Amidst playing against a host of nationally ranked challengers, the Mustangs will be put to the test in conference match-ups against University of Mary Washington, Wesley, York, Marymount and Hood College. The CAC conference tournament will be held on April 14th, 17th and 20th where the teams will ultimately decide who goes to the NCAA tournament. The Attack Described by Cantabene as being a "well-rounded" group, the Mustangs potent attack averaged over 13 goals per game last season. Jimmy Dailey (Westminster, MD), the team's leading scorer, has been chosen as a pre-season All-American, and Dailey 's influence on the Mustangs cannot be denied. During his first season, Dailey scored a total of 32 goals, seven of which were game-winning. Dailey's performances were recognized by the other coaches in the conference, earning the 2007 CAC Co-Rookie of the Year and first team All-CAC honors. Others are expected to boost the Mustang's line of attack, including the 6' 7 " returning senior, Kevin Donnelly (Laurel, MD), who scored 25 goals with an incredible shot on goal percentage of .774. Cantabene describes Donnelly as a strong player with great agility who is a powerful left hand finisher. The addition of talented transfer, Steve Kazimer (Syracuse, NY), who scored 100 points for Onondaga Community College, in 2005, will bring a different look to the offense. Expect Richard Ford (Baltimore, MD), a high school All-American at Towson High School, and sophomore Shane Clift (Westminster, Md.), who tallied 7 goals and 7 assists last season, to challenge for the starting positions. Incoming freshmen, Drew Brady (Newton Square, PA) and Kenny Whitaker (Baltimore, MD), who were both rewarded as high school All-Americans, will provide depth to the Mustang attack. The Midfield These guys are abounding with talent, according to Cantabene. "Our speed and size is very good," he adds, and he has high hopes for the group. Part of this hope comes from one other important element the team encompasses: experience. All six of his top midfielders will return this season. With 6 goals and 1 assist last season, Dustin Harlowe (Golden Beach, MD) will make life difficult for his opponents. Second Team All-Conference player, Nick Bevacqua (Boonton Township, NJ), who missed half the 2007 season due to a broken foot, has a great shot and will be the main weapon on the extra man offense for the Mustangs. Bevacqua led the CAC in extra man offense goals per game last season. Another CAC Second Team All-Conference player, Greg Furshman (Miami, FL), led the Mustangs with 61 ground balls, and can shoot the ball well with either hand. Hard working Junior, Chris Baldwin (Baltimore, MD), scored 21 goals, 9 assists and was second on the team in groundballs with 54. Sophomore, Zach Walsh (Reisterstown, MD), a great all-around midfielder, also tallied 35 groundballs last season. The battle for minutes at this position will be the most competitive of any position on the team. With a set of promising transfers in Jimmy Kleb (Lewes, DE), Tyler Maguire (Montauk, NY) and hopeful Freshmen, Jake Stocksdale, Ryan Bragg (Downington, PA), Shane Dewind (Severna Park, MD), Ray Witte (Easton, MD/St. Paul's), Billy Rebman (Baldwin, MD) and Kyle Moffitt (Harrisburg, PA), Cantabene will have his pick. Defense Three starting players will rejoin the defensive roster in 2008, helping sustain the 2007 Mustangs ' strong defense, which allowed on average only 8 goals a game last season. Captain and team leader Zach Clark (Pasadena, MD ), Junior Mike Simon (Fallston, MD) and 2007 second team All-CAC player Cole Mueller (Cockeysville, MD), who were all essential to the team's success last year, will strive for a repeat performance in 2008. Simon is the best athlete on the field and can play with any type of attackman, according to Cantabene. Cole is an intense and driven player, who is strong in one-on-one situations , and has been rewarded for his contributions to the team by being named as a captain for this season. Zach Clark has started for 4 years and gives the Mustangs a mental edge in close contests. Adding to the defense's experience is Junior Austin Hale (Baltimore, MD), a physical player that will pressure opponents into mistakes. Mike Gustowarow (Riva, MD) and Brian Rupert (Bel Air, MD) are also expected to be big contributors to the crew while Freshman Ian Hart (Swarthmore, PA) shows great potential. Transferring in from Towson, Sophomore Ryan Taguding is also sure to aid Villa Julie's defense. Junior Danny Byrd (Lothian, MD) specializes in close defense and Hale, High School All-American Evan Douglas (Exeter, NH) and Drew Daise (Enola, PA) will show off their skills in the long-pole defensive position. Goal Keepers "This position revolves around four guys," states Cantabene, and this list is made up of Sophomore Geoff Hebert (Lutherville, MD), Junior Chris Carroll (Deale, MD), Eric Fleegle (Easton, MD), a transfer from Salisbury, and Andrew Harrington (Cambridge, MD), a transfer from Essex. Hebert completed a significant amount of stops for the team last season. Cantabene says, "One just needs to step up and be the man for the job." Face-off After excelling last year at an average of 60 percent, this position will again depend on the efforts of returning players Greg Furshman and Brandon Hastings (Baltimore, MD). Both players excelled last year with Furshman having a .573 winning percentage out of 185 face-offs and Hastings won 126 out of 203 face-offs giving him an impressive .621 winning percentage. The Mustangs will also rely on Freshmen, Ray Witte, Douglas Reidt (Freeland, MD) and Joe Valderas, who all show great potential. The Villa Julie Men's Lacrosse Team will have the eyes of the lacrosse nation on them when they take to the field for the first time in 2008 against conference rival St. Mary's College. This game will be the first step on a difficult path to the national championship. However, Cantabene has assembled a squad with a blend of experience and youth that he and the rest of his staff believe can compete with the best teams in the CAC and in the country.