EASTON, Pa. – The Lafayette men's lacrosse team will embark on a new era in its history on Saturday afternoon as head coach Patrick Myers makes his debut in the Maroon and White as the Leopards travel to Rutgers for a 1 p.m. opening faceoff with the 12^th-ranked Scarlet Knights.

Hard work, toughness and brotherhood have been the monikers for Myers' program throughout the preseason as the Leopards try to bounce back from a three-win campaign a year ago. For the Leopards through the non-conference portion of their schedule, it's about finding an identity and a winning formula with Patriot League play just over a month away.

"The non-league slate is about finding guys we can depend on to be consistent, our glue guys and developing an identity in all phases of the game," Myers said. "We know that if we compete and play hard, we'll have a shot, but if we can combine that effort with a level of execution that fits in with our identity and brand, that will give ourselves a chance to be competitive."

That competition is what drives winners, Myers said, as he's looking for his team to love competing with relentless effort each week. The 2019 version of Lafayette lacrosse is set to redefine what it means to 'play like a leopard.'

"We'll strive to play at one speed and be a unit that plays for each other," Myers added. "Playing like a leopard means playing with a high energy level, picking up ground balls with two hands, diving for end lines, attacking the middle of the field, being physical on the ball and always being ready to make the next play. Our focus will be on learning from mistakes as we go and always playing with a tremendous amount of effort for a full 60 minutes."

Following its season opener on Saturday, Lafayette will open Fisher Stadium the following weekend, hosting NJIT on Feb. 9 at noon. Patriot League play begins at Army on March 2, with the league home opener set for March 9 against Navy.

Below is a full position-by-position breakdown of the 2019 edition of Lafayette men's lacrosse.

ATTACK

Everything up front for the Maroon and White starts with senior co-captain Conor Walters, who led the Leopards in scoring and assists in 2018 with 28 goals and 21 helpers, respectively. Walters has played in all 29 games over the past two seasons, finishing seventh in the Patriot League in assists per game (1.40) and points per game (3.27) in his junior season.

"Connor is the leader of our offense," Myers said. "He's a balanced, lefty attackman who can see the field as well as score. He has a good feel for our offense and has been a guy that's had a ton of valuable experience over the past two seasons."
Walters scored at least once in all but one game for the Maroon and White a season ago, including a season-high four tallies in the loss to Manhattan on Feb. 20. In addition to his scoring, he also finished fifth on the team in ground balls with 24 to go along with six caused turnovers.

Sophomore John Natoli joins Walters up front, coming off a rookie campaign where he scored 12 goals, good enough for third on the team. Natoli impressed against high-level competition, netting three in his first collegiate contest at North Carolina in the 2018 season opener.

"John has shown a ton of toughness and fits in with the style of play that we're trying to implement," said Myers. "He brings grit and fearlessness to our offensive unit."

Junior Robbie Garavente and sophomore Andrew Robbins will play more of a hybrid role between attack and midfield for the 2019 squad as each has shown versatility through the preseason. Robbins spent his rookie season learning the midfield position after playing attack throughout his time at Ramapo High School in Wyckoff, New Jersey, while Garavente scored five goals and added two assists in 10 games played for the Maroon and White a season ago.

Freshmen George Enman and Reid Kagan have been the standouts from the rookie class in this unit as they'll see more chances as they continue to develop.

"George and Reid have shown flashes and, as they get more comfortable and gain confidence, they are guys that we see being able to help us at attack or potentially coming out of the box to play more below the goal line as midfielders," Myers added.

MIDFIELD

Lafayette's midfield unit features versatility on both ends of the field, led by more offensive options like sophomores Bryan Hess and Adam Close, and defensive standouts junior Zane Crandall and senior Jeff Sikorsky.

Myers calls Hess the top athlete on the team, using his 5-11, 185-pound frame to inject physicality into the Leopard attack. Playing in all 15 games in 2018, Hess finished fourth on the team in scoring with nine goals to go along with four assists and posted a four-goal outing in the 11-10 win over Monmouth on April 3.

Close, whose season was cut short due to injury as a sophomore, returns for his junior year looking to pick up where he left off. In five games a year ago, Close recorded nine points on six goals and three assists, including a hat trick in the win over NJIT.

"Adam is probably our most dynamic dodger in the midfield," stated Myers. "He has a great first step and is ambidextrous giving us value in a guy that can distribute with both hands."

Other returners that will see significant time on the offensive side of the midfield group will be seniors Connar Dehnert and Luke Cummings. Dehnert, who will see time at both attack and midfield, is a member of the team's leadership council and, like Hess, brings a level of physicality and accountability to this group. Cummings will see the ball in his stick most often in man-up situations, asserting himself as the team's most threatening outside shooter.

Freshmen Cole Dutton and Ryan Kirkwood are others most likely to see time through the offensive end of the midfield as both have impressed in preseason.

"They're like sponges and keep getting better every day," Myers said of the rookie duo. "In the shot-clock era, we'll be asking a lot of freshman midfielders in terms of knowing the offense and defense, rides and clears. It can be overwhelming. Both of them come from good programs and have handled the adjustments really well. As they continue to develop, we'll lean on them to take advantage of their opportunities."

Myers calls the short-stick defensive midfielder position the most important on the team with the shot clock coming into effect for the 2019 campaign. Being put in this position charges these players with playing between the boxes, being able to defend, clearing and pushing the ball in transition.

"We need these guys to be warriors," Myers said. "They're going to get dodged 15-20 times per game and we'll need them to handle that with poise, while also being the most mentally-tough guys on the field."

Fortunately for the Leopards, Crandall has emerged as an asset Myers calls one of the best players on the team. Crandall broke out in his sophomore campaign, seeing time in all 15 games after not making an appearance in his freshman season. The Los Angeles, California native scored four goals with two in Patriot League play.

"Zane has really asserted himself as a top player for us," added Myers. "He's been practicing at a very high level, has terrific athleticism and has put in time in the weight room to improve his strength."

Senior co-captain Sam Friedman will also see time in this spot, playing in five games for the Leopards as a junior. Sikorsky and sophomore Evan Kieltyka have moved from pole down to short stick for the 2019 season and will likely see time as well.

Other options for Myers through the midfield both offensively and defensively include senior Jake Korus, sophomore Riley Larson and freshman Sam Kirby.

DEFENSE

At the LSM spot returning for his junior season is Chris Adamo, who leads a group of three poles with a compete level to match their athleticism and phsyciality. Adamo was fourth in the conference in ground balls per game a season ago (4.53) and caused 11 turnovers, good for second on the team.

"At faceoff wing or in transition in the middle of the field, Chris brings a ton of athleticism and motor to the table," Myers raved. "When we watch film, we put him on as a guy that consistently does the things we're looking for and gives 100 percent effort in everything that he does."

Freshman Stephen Sajer will get the nod right away in his collegiate career as the second pole for the Maroon and White, making the move from a close defense spot he played throughout his time at Summit High School in Summit, New Jersey. Finally, senior co-captain Zack Merle brings a level of leadership to the group in addition to his experience, playing in 11 games during his junior year.

At close defense, senior co-captain Jack Lydon and junior Shayne Sharp return for this unit, having played in 15 and 12 games, respectively, last season. Lydon led the team in caused turnovers as a junior with 14 on the year, including three each against Wagner and Army.

Sophomore Pat Tully and junior Jason Corcoran will be the third and fourth defenseman for the Maroon and White as each have worked their way up the depth chart this offseason.

"Pat has really come on, giving us a lefty who's very good off the ground and probably our best slider," Myers said. "I'm really happy for Jason as well. He's worked his tail off and earned his playing time. He's got a great motor, plays hard and is a natural leader for us."

Upperclassmen looking to compete for time defensively include seniors Josh Hubbard and Sean Andrews, and junior Andrew Westby. The freshmen in this unit include Alex Molto, Braedon Rupp and Jameson Waldron.

IN GOAL

The leader between the pipes for the Maroon and White in 2019 has yet to be decided as there has been an open competition through the fall and preseason for the starting spot. Senior Jonathan Anastos, junior Wes Moshier, sophomore Jake Floyd-Jones and freshman Ryan Ness have all been in the mix.

"Ryan and Jon have asserted themselves as the top guys," Myers stated. "Ryan's come in as a freshman and shown an ability to do all the things it takes to be a goalie at the Division I level, while Jon is a competitor and a little more athletic, giving us a 10-man ride option. He's a lefty and an energizer bunny, so it gives us a different look."

In 15 games for Lafayette last season, Anastos made the start in 12 of those contests, finishing second in the Patriot League in saves per game at 9.75 per contest. He recorded double-digit saves in eight of his 12 games, including a season-high 14 against Boston U. on March 24.

Ness won a state championship in 2016 at Chatham High School in Chatham, New Jersey and was named All-State First Team and All-NJAC during his senior year in 2018.

Moshier and Floyd-Jones have worked extremely hard to earn their chance as well and will continue to press Anastos and Moshier throughout the season.

"To Jake and Wes' credit, they've battled incredibly hard and are fighting their tails off to get better each and every day," Myers added. "I expect those guys to continue to put pressure on Ryan and Jon to perform at a high level."

AT THE X

Sophomore Gabe Smithline will take over the bulk of the faceoff duties in 2019 after winning 67-of-138 (48.6%) in his rookie season.

"Nobody on our team works harder than Gabe and he's really improved from the fall to where he is now," said Myers. "He knows he still has a long way to go, but he battles and grinds and has certainly asserted himself as our top guy."

Freshman Christian Park is also in the mix, while Adamo may get his chance as well if the Leopards look for their most athletic approach. Adamo has been working tirelessly on learning the faceoff art and will likely get his chance at some point this season.

"Chris is such a dynamic athlete and, while he may not win it clean, he can really cause some issues and maybe take the ball away from a guy that may not be as gifted physically," Myers said.

SCHEDULE

Lafayette's spring slate was announced on Dec. 10, featuring seven home contests at Fisher Stadium. Following the home opener against NJIT, the Leopards hit the road against Wagner and Manhattan before welcoming Binghamton as a final tune-up to conference play on Feb. 23.

A road tilt at Army and a home meeting with Navy on March 2 and March 9, respectively, open up Patriot League play. A non-conference battle with Cleveland State at home on March 12 precedes back-to-back road league clashes with Lehigh and Boston U. on March 16 and March 23.

The Maroon and White's final non-league affair closes out March at UMBC as the Leopards finish the regular season with three of their four April matches at home. Holy Cross, Bucknell and Loyola come to Fisher on April 6, 13 and 26, while the lone road trip will be to Hamilton, New York to battle Colgate on April 20.

"Having coached in the ACC and the Ivy League over the past 10 years, the Patriot League looks and feels every bit as daunting," Myers concluded. "At the top end of the league, there's teams that have received plenty of national recognition, but every team we play is capable of being a top-20 program. It's exciting for us as a program to know that we'll be challenged and forced to get better every single week."

The Patriot League Tournament is slated for April 30-March with the top-six teams earning a spot in postseason play.