Men's Lacrosse 2/7/2017 4:47:00 PM Chris Myers

MLAX SEASON PREVIEW – Cardinals Men’s Lacrosse Set for the 2017 Challenge

2017 Schedule
2017 Roster

WHEELING, W. Va. – With a solid core of returners, the Wheeling Jesuit men's lacrosse team is set for the 2017 challenge. The Cardinals and second-year head coach Landon DelPrince aim to build upon last season's strong ending.

WJU posted a 7-5 record a year ago and ran off five victories in its last six 2016 games. The Cardinals battled back from a rough 0-3 start where they saw a two-goal opener and back-to-back overtime losses.

Heading into his second year at the helm, DelPrince's team returns a six of its top eight scorers and good defensive leadership.

"I think a lot of people would say our biggest strength is our offense, but I think this year we have some of the best leadership this program has ever seen," noted DelPrince. "Luke Gilman, Joe Wright, McLean Fitzmartin and Scotty Gwyn were voted team captains for us this past fall, and they've done a phenomenal job so far. Those four guys care so much about this team and have done everything the coaching staff has asked of them. Leadership is everything in sports."

Following an encouraging weekend of scrimmages a weekend ago, the WJU leadership has its first 2017 regular season challenge Saturday, Feb. 11^th, against No. 18 Molloy College in the opener. Face-off is set for 1 p.m. at Bishop Schmitt Field.

The Cardinals look to turn the transition from a younger team to a more veteran squad this into their benefit. Along with two senior and two junior team captains, WJU has three other seniors and 17 other juniors dotting the roster. The now experience-laiden Cardinals look to turn the field experience to even more success on the field.

"Keeping our composure and communication (are keys to our upcoming success," pointed out the Cardinals coach. "We were a very young team last year, and it showed. We lost the first three games of the season by a combined four goals, which included two overtime losses. With the leadership and veterans, we have now, I am confident we'll be able to handle whatever kind of adversity comes our way. These men are battle tested, and I'm excited to see how we do against our first opponent, Molloy College."

In fact, WJU will need to be just that very thing, battle tested, with its rugged season schedule. The Cardinals have eight of its 14 regular season opponents within the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association/NIKE Division II Men's Lacrosse Coaches Preseason Poll – Mercyhurst (6^th), Seton Hill (9^th), Lake Erie (12^th), Lenoir Rhyne (14^th), Indianapolis (15^th), Lindenwood (17^th), Molloy (18^th) and Rollins (20^th). The Cardinals, though, are expected to more than hold their own as they are one of the other team Receiving Votes in the same rankings.

"I am very happy with our schedule. We really want to prove ourselves this season, and now we have the chance to do so. Plus, I'm pretty excited to go to Florida for spring break this year (where the team faces both Rollins and Florida Tech)," said DelPrince.

The WJU offense needs to continue its 2016 efficiency for its desired more wins result. The Cardinals attack averaged 14.5 goals per match, but it has to replace its leading scorer and USILA All-American Bryce Brochu, who netted a team-high 30 assists and 58 points to go with 28 goals.

Junior attackmen Dereck Downs and Matt Lee are slated to lead the offense. All-ECAC Second Team member Downs led the Cardinals with 40 goals and added 10 assists for 50 points, after a 49-point first year. Lee looks to return to his ECAC Freshman of the Year production of 36 goals and 51 points following a second year line of 22 goals and four assists for 26 points.

In the midfield, junior Fitzmartin and graduate student Gilman will roam the field. Fitzmartin doubled his production a year ago from 12 to 23 points, including 12 goals. Gilman returned for his final season of eligibility and will play a significant offensive role. He contributed nine assists and five goals last spring.

At Long-stickman, two-year returning starter Gwyn will be joined by Miami, Florida freshman Oscar Ortega.

Senior Brandenburg and junior Nick Csenar anchor the defensive unit, which aims to improve upon its respectable 11.3 goals allowed per match number. Behind the defense, junior Jake Lilly returns in net. In 12 matches, Lilly gave up 11.24 goals per match and saved 106 shots at a .477 rate.

"Coach (Jared) Gillespie (Graduate Assistant Coach) has done an amazing job of improving our defense from last year," pointed out DelPrince. "We've been bouncing ideas off of each other for awhile now, and I just think he's done a great job of bringing those ideas to life. He's been vocal in-and-out of practice, and his efforts have not gone unnoticed. I'm really proud of how much he's stepped up so far this season."

With the deep returning talented roster and daunting schedule of opponents, where does DelPrince see his team's biggest season challenge?

"Our biggest challenge this year will not be looking too far ahead. This season we really want to take it one week at a time as thinking about playing Memorial Day weekend in February and March serves no purpose. Given our strength of schedule, we know that if we take care of business each-and-every week, we'll be right where we want to be at the end of the season," explained the WJU coach.

With the strong end of the 2016 season, DelPrince and his Cardinals are ready to carry over that momentum into the program's first double-digit victory season in three years and an opportunity to play in the mid-May playoffs.

-GoCards-

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Players Mentioned

#22 Bryce Brochu: M; 6' 2"; Senior

#33 Nick Csenar: M; 6' 4"; Junior

#24 Dereck Downs: A; 6' 2"; Junior

#7 McLean Fitzmartin: M; 5' 8"; Junior

#6 Luke Gilman: M; 6' 0"; Graduate Student

#21 Scotty Gwyn: LSM; 5' 9"; Junior

#14 Matt Lee: A; 5' 7"; Junior

#12 Jake Lilly: G; 5' 11"; Junior

#23 Joe Wright: A; 5' 10"; Senior

#11 Oscar Ortega: LSM; 5' 11"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#22 Bryce Brochu
: 6' 2"; Senior
: M

#33 Nick Csenar
: 6' 4"; Junior
: M

#24 Dereck Downs
: 6' 2"; Junior
: A

#7 McLean Fitzmartin
: 5' 8"; Junior
: M

#6 Luke Gilman
: 6' 0"; Graduate Student
: M

#21 Scotty Gwyn
: 5' 9"; Junior
: LSM

#14 Matt Lee
: 5' 7"; Junior
: A

#12 Jake Lilly
: 5' 11"; Junior
: G

#23 Joe Wright
: 5' 10"; Senior
: A

#11 Oscar Ortega
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: LSM