http://www.stonybrookathletics.com/sports/m-lacros/spec-rel/020615aaa.htmlThe expectations for the 2015 Stony Brook men's lacrosse team are at an all-time high under fourth-year head coach Jim Nagle.
Over the past two seasons, the team's talent has never been a question mark. What Stony Brook lacked was game experience and a veteran group. Well, the Seawolves again are talented and the program features juniors and seniors who are ready to lead.
"We've been young, but now we've got a lot of game experience under our belts. Come game time, our guys should be ready to handle any situation," Nagle said.
"I think our guys are coming into this season in great shape and prepared to get Stony Brook men's lacrosse back to where it needs to be."
Attack
Stony Brook's three starters on attack last year -- senior Mike Rooney (East Islip, N.Y.) and juniors Matt Schultz (Smithtown, N.Y.) and Brody Eastwood (Victoria, British Columbia) -- all put up at least 40 points apiece last season. The trio is dynamic with an added wrinkle.
In an effort to add athleticism to a seasoned group, Nagle has moved junior Challen Rogers (Coquitlam, British Columbia) to attack. Rogers scored 22 goals and added 30 assists from the midfield and is four points away 100.
"We're going to try Challen down on attack. He's a natural feeder. We've been playing with a lot of finishers on attack. We're hoping Challen's ability to be a feeder will accentuate a guy like [Matt] Schultz," Nagle said.
The aforementioned Schultz nearly tripled his point output from his freshman to sophomore year, totaling 17 in 2013 to finishing second on the squad with 50 (26g, 24a) last season. "We're expecting another big season from Matt. He was great last season. We think he's improved physically in the offseason," Nagle said.
With 84 goals already under his belt, Eastwood will be the seventh player in school history with 100 goals. "Brody has been a consistent scorer for us. We need another big season for him," Nagle said.
Freshman Jake Sheets (Bay Shore, N.Y.), a three-time All-Suffolk County selection, accounted for more than 200 points during his high school career. He could see time as the fourth attackman. Sophomore Chris Stemke (Selden, N.Y.), a transfer from Dowling, had 50 points for the Lions last season. Nagle also sees him as a midfielder.
"I'm very optimistic with this unit. We've been productive; we just haven't always seized the opportunity to play better with the ball," Nagle said.
Midfield
With the move of Rogers to attack, Nagle will have the luxury of running two lines of midfielders.
"With Challen at attack, we'll be able to get some more guys on the field," Nagle said. "We want to keep one of our more dynamic players on the field."
Taking Rogers place as a starting midfielder will be Rooney -- one of three seniors on the team.
"Mike is just a scorer," Nagle said. "When he's in the midfield, he's a tough matchup. He's more successful going to the cage from the midfield."
Rooney led Stony Brook with 53 points (31g, 22a) and his 142 points rank in the top 10 in school history.
Junior Chris Hughes (Oceanside, N.Y.) had an outstanding sophomore season and Nagle hopes for more from one of his captains. "Chris had a great sophomore year. He's a great team guy who'll probably draw more attention this season." Hughes totaled 23 goals and 17 assists in 2014, more than tripling his total freshman output.
Nagle is high on two sophomores -- Ryan Bitzer (Riverhead, N.Y.) and Alex Corpolongo (Purdys, N.Y.). "We need them to step into vital roles," Nagle said. "I'm very optimistic they're going to have great years based on their talent and work ethic." Bitzer played in all 16 games, scoring two goals and tallying five assists to lead all Stony Brook freshmen in points. Corpolongo scored three goals.
Junior Jake Sichenzia (Sayville, N.Y.) can play either attack or midfield. "I'm excited about what Jake can do in the midfield. He's the ultimate team guy. I like his ability to go behind the cage and invert," Nagle said. Sichenzia finished last season with eight goals and five assists.
Freshmen McLean Chicquen (Victoria, British Columbia) and Derek Lloyd (Calgary, Alberta) are adjusting to the college game, but according to Nagle, their talent is high. "McLean's a dynamic feeder and dodger. I love his ability in the 6-on-6 game. His adjustment will be the speed of the college game," Nagle said. Chicquen led all British Columbia Jr. A rookies with 36 goals and 41 assists.
Lloyd was a member of Team Alberta and coached by former Stony Brook lacrosse player Rhys Duch. Lloyd helped the Calgary Mountaineers to the BCJALL Western Canadian finals. "Derek is very athletic and dangerous as a lefty shooter. He's continuing to adjust to the field game," Nagle said.
In the defensive midfield, sophomore Mark Ellis (Garden City, N.Y.) showed a lot of potential as a short stick defensive midfielder last season. Nagle has moved sophomore Jeff Reh (Sound Beach, N.Y.) to defense to take advantage of his athleticism and ability to push the ball in transition.
Freshmen Matt Robison (Franklin Square, N.Y.) and Dan Czelatka (Riverhead, N.Y.) could be in the mix.
Junior co-captain Dylan Curry (East Meadow, N.Y.) was given a long stick after his freshman season and shined in 2014. As the starting long-stick midfielder, Curry accounted for 47 ground balls and four caused turnovers.
Backing up Curry will be freshman Kyle Abdellatif (Ballston Spa, N.Y.), senior Bryan Judge (Melville, N.Y.) and junior Andrew Buron (Duxbury, Mass.)
Abdellatif was a US Lacrosse All-American at Ballston Spa High School after tallying 97 ground balls.
Judge has been a three-year starter with more than 45 games under his belt.
Buron will begin his second season with a long pole.
Defense
Nagle has moved junior Lucas Rock (Bay Shore, N.Y.) to close defense. Rock has been a starting short stick defensive midfielder who knows the system. Nagle likes his team-first mentality and understand of defensive concepts.
Senior Andrew Dorsey (Clifton Park, N.Y.) understands the team's defensive concepts and could be in the mix for a starting spot.
Sophomores Joe Fraietta (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) and Bradley Garcia (Doylestown, Pa.) have a year under their belts.
Nagle likes the potential of freshmen Ben Randall (Mason, Ohio) and Tyler Anderson (Wading River, N.Y.), who move well and are athletic for their size. Redshirt freshman Brandon Bailey (Bowie, Md.) is continuing to get better after missing last year with an injury.
Goalkeepers
Sophomore Hayden Johnstone (Toronto, Ontario) started the final 10 games last season and earned America East All-Rookie honors. Johnstone gained a ton of experience as Team Finland's starting goalie during last summer's World Championships.
Pushing Johnstone is freshman Brandon Maciejewski (Penn Yan, N.Y.), a US Lacrosse All-American who was a highly coveted recruit from upstate New York.
Junior Patrick Fleming (Sayville, N.Y.) is a high-character kid who will compete for time.
Face-Off
With the new face-off rules in place, Nagle feels his athleticism at the 'X' will go Stony Brook's way.
Junior Frank Lucatuorto (Stony Brook, N.Y.) took the majority of the face-offs as a freshman before moving to a defensive role last season. Nagle loves Lucatuorto's athleticism and scrappiness and believes the new rules will benefit Lucatuorto moving forward.
Freshman Matt Philbin (Danbury, Conn.) and sophomore Jay Lindsay (Burlington, Ontario) also will benefit from the rules changes and will see time this season.
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