The Wagner College men's lacrosse team continues to become more competitive each year under third-year head coach Jason Rife and will have a major test right off the bat when the Seahawks host Rutgers on Sunday, Feb. 21 at 1:00 pm.
 
The headline of the 2009 season was the 12-7 victory over Presbyterian on March 3, a victory that snapped a 48-game losing streak. 

The Seahawks closed the gap on its competition considerably last season and nearly came away with two more victories, dropping a pair of nip-and-tuck affairs. On April 11, Wagner was edged in a hard-fought 7-4 decision to Canisius and followed up that effort with a 9-7 loss at home to Manhattan. 

“There's no question we played better lacrosse in 2009 than we did in 2008,” said Rife. “Overall, the scores were much closer last year and I'm confident that we have the program moving in the right direction. We have a group of guys that have been put into a different system, a different set of expectations and a different level of commitment. It takes time to set that culture and establish those good habits. But I think we're improving.” 

Rife has announced that James Okun, Will Macumber and Chris Ridente will serve as tri-captains for the 2010 season. Okun is a 5-9, 185-poind defenseman from Long Valley, NJ and will be serving as a captain for the second straight season. In 2009, the former standout at West Morris Central HS started all 16 games and recorded 24 ground balls, while causing five turnovers. Macumber is a 5-11, 205-pound junior attackman who was tied for second on the team in scoring with 20 points on the strength of 14 goals and six assists. Ridente is a 5-7, 165-pound senior midfielder from Cranford, NJ who, like Okun, is in his second season as a team captain. He saw action in all 16 games a year ago and collected 29 ground balls and forced eight turnovers. 

“All three of these young men are high character, tough-minded and selfless athletes who always put the best interests of the team above all else,” said Rife. “They are true leaders and talented lacrosse players and have earned the right to lead our team as captains for the upcoming season.”

On attack, Wagner returns its leading scorer in Mike Hurley (16 goals, 7 assists) and its third-leading scorer in Macumber (14 goals, 6 assists). Rife is also counting on big things from a pair of highly-regarded freshmen in Brian Faughnan and Cody Isdaner who have done a nice job in the preseason.

“The freshmen have blended in well with the veterans on the attack and I'm excited about this unit,” said Rife.

In the midfield, the Seahawks return Ridente (3 points, 29 ground balls), Sean Travis (4 points) and Peter Blackmer (9 points, 16 ground balls).

“We expect a lot out of those three guys and they are doing a good job leading our midfield,” Rife said.

On defense, there is a mix of young and new. Okun (24 ground balls) and John Fiorini (20 ground balls) have looked sharp during the preseason as has promising sophomore Chris Riccio (34 ground balls). Freshmen R.J. DeRosa and David Szilezy may also have a big impact on the Seahawk defense.

In goal, Wagner returns sophomore Peter Rubin, who as a freshman started all 16 games last season and came up with 169 saves with a goals against average of 13.82. Senior Michael Gutkin has had a tremendous offseason according to Rife and is expected to provide competition in goal for the Seahawks.

As for the schedule, Wagner will be tested right off the bat by hosting Rutgers on Sunday, Feb. 21 in a 1:00 pm faceoff. The Seahawks will be playing in their final season in the MAAC and will be a member of the brand new Northeast Conference lacrosse league in 2011.

“We have some tough teams on the schedule, no question about it,” said Rife. “You want to stretch and improve and games against those type of teams show you where you are and what you need to do to get there and improve as well. There are other teams on the schedule who are of a similar ilk to us in terms of athleticism and competitiveness and those are the game we're looking to go in and try to get a win. We were involved in a lot of four and five goal games last season and I think we're four or five goals better this season.”