Katie Quinlan, Staff Writer
In the Northeast-10 Coaches Preseason Poll, Merrimack’s Men’s Lacrosse has been picked to finish third (83 points) in the Northeast-10, behind rivals Le Moyne (91 points) and Adelphi (99 points). Last season the men finished with an 11 win, 6 loss overall record, while posting a 6-4 conference record. In the conference semifinals the Warriors downed the Le Moyne Dolphins and advanced to play Adelphi in the Northeast 10 finals.
Head coach Mike Morgan enters his fifth season at the helm of Merrimack Lacrosse. Also Matt Karwick will be joining the staff as the head assistant coach for his first season with the Warriors. “I am extremely excited to coach at Merrimack College,” said Karweck.
“Coach Morgan has done an amazing job building the program, and I am honored to have the opportunity to work alongside him to bring a National Championship to North Andover,” Karweck said.
“With a powerful team returning, expanding athletic facilities, and unmatched support from the athletic department, Merrimack will continue to rise to the forefront of Division II lacrosse. I’m very proud to be a Warrior,” Karweck added.
Merrimack Alum Bryan Brazil will be with the team for his second season.
“I’m excited to get back to my alma mater and getting to work with such a highly skilled offensive unit,” said Brazill, who graduated from Merrimack in 2005.
“The program has done great things over the past few years, and I look forward to being a part of it moving forward.”
On the field comes the experienced and seasoned seniors; Peter Schielke (Cpt.), Greg Fallon John Smyth, Bryan Pollack (Cpt.), Devin Gordan, Jordan Tiger, Steven Lee Frey(Cpt.), Nick Maggio and Greg Manning.
Four Warriors have earned preseason All-American honors. Senior defender Peter Schielke, in the 2011 season alone caused a team high 27 turnover, received 37 ground balls on defense earning him first team all conference honors. Schielke was the only defender from the Northeast-10 on the first-team. Corey Lunney, was named NEILA All-New England Player of the Year last season after compiling a team-high 39 goals and 53 points. Lunney scored at least one goal in all 17 games last season, including nine in the playoffs. He also earned first-team all-conference honors in 2011. As an honorable mention selection, Michael Perdie was third on the team in scoring in 2011 racking up 13 goals and 31 points in 13 games, while gaining 15 groundballs. Also a first team selection Nick Maggio won 69% of his draws last season, but is currently rehabbing from surgery and is expected to be back in six weeks.
The Warriors open their 2012 season at Dominican (NY) Tuesday March 6th.
