Lehigh University Athletics
Patriot League announces men's lax poll
1/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh was selected fifth in the 2009 Patriot League Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll, it was announced on Wednesday. The Mountain Hawks received 31 votes, while defending league champion Colgate garnered 66 votes, including eight first place votes, as the Raiders were selected to repeat in the top spot. Navy was picked second, followed by Bucknell, Army, the Mountain Hawks, Lafayette and Holy Cross.
Lehigh head coach Kevin Cassese, now in his second season at the helm, gave his thoughts on the upcoming season on the Patriot League Coaches Teleconference on Wednesday. “We’re looking forward to this year. Now in our second year, things are starting to make more sense for not only the players but the coaches as well.” He continued, “Our main goal this season is to crack that top-four in our conference. We have a tremendous conference, the Patriot League is phenomenal. The continuity of the league is strong and I think it will lead to a lot of good things in the future. Looking at our team, we have a strong mix of upperclassmen as well as newcomers and we’re excited to start the season.”
Led by seniors Ricky Cornetta, Max Dahlem and Matt Diehl, Cassese hopes the Mountain Hawks attack will be a bit more potent this season. “Things are much different from a year ago; we have some experience on the offensive end, and we’re going to look to that trio of seniors to lead us.” He continued, “If you look at those guys’ numbers from a year ago, they were in the 20’s with their point totals, and if we’re going to take that next step we need those numbers to be in the 30’s and 40’s.”
Cassese with look to senior captain Dan Honeywell to lead the Lehigh defense after leading the Mountain Hawks in caused turnovers in 2008 and earning a spot on the All-Patriot League First-Team. “We’re going to expect a lot from him this season and he knows that. Dan is a great athlete with good size and a knack for making plays. I know I’m looking forward to watching him play this year and we’re all expecting a big season from him.”
Lehigh has been hard at work on the practice field, with this weekend serving as the team’s first game action as the Mountain Hawks will conduct a Brown and White scrimmage at the Ulrich Sports Complex at 1:00 on January 31.
Lehigh opens its season on Saturday, February 14 when the Mountain Hawks welcome the St. Joseph’s Hawks to the Ulrich Sports Complex. The opening face-off is set for 1:00 from Bethlehem.
2009 Patriot League Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll
|
Team (#first place votes) |
Points |
|
1.Colgate (8) |
66 |
|
2.Navy (3) |
63 |
|
3.Bucknell (2) |
53 |
|
4.Army (1) |
46 |
|
5.LEHIGH |
31 |
|
6.Lafayette |
19 |
|
7.Holy Cross |
16 |
