Preseason Video I 2015 Schedule I NEC Preseason Poll

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Staten Island, NY – As the Wagner men's lacrosse team puts the finishing touches on its preparations for Friday's 3:00 p.m. season opener vs. Lafayette at Hameline Field, fourth-year head coach Matt Poskay took a moment from his busy schedule to share his thoughts on the 2015 Seahawks.
 
Poskay on Season Outlook
"Our motto is 'there's no big games, because they're all big games' and that's how we feel starting on February 13. Every game is big to us, we don't get that many in our sport ,so they mean a lot when the whistle blows. I think every game we feel we should be doing some great things out there. We're excited about everything, obviously the NEC games mean a little more but, at the same time, every game is important to us."
 
 Poskay on the NEC
"In conference is big. We were in some games last year and we just kind of ran out of gas, but we feel that we have that depth now and we have to use that depth to not just be in them [the games] anymore. I said that the other day, 'close games are great, but we need to start turning those close ones into wins'. I think our guys are ready and they're starting to show that they're ready." 
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Poskay on the Seahawk Attack Unit:
"We've had some low numbers in the past but this year we have a great bolster of them, a lot of competition going on amongst them for spots. Right now, there are a couple young guys fighting for spots, and a senior who's been there for a while. All in all, it's great competition for those guys. I like to think of the team as a train, and the attack are driving that train. We're looking for leadership and guidance from them to put the ball in the back of the net. That's the main concern at that end."
 No. 2 Ryan Zurawski (Sophomore, 5-10, 195, Medford, NJ / St. Augustine Prep)
"Ryan constantly brings his energy and enthusiasm to practice, continues to get better each day. We're excited to see what he can continue to bring for us and for him to keep showing his skills and helping us out."
 
No. 3 Andrew Streilein (Freshman, 5-11, 170, Mt. Laurel, NJ / Lenape)
"Andrew's been a pleasant surprise. We're excited for him. He should get some valuable time as he is projected to be a starter for us as a freshman in a very important role and is a young guy who's been getting better at every practice and we hope that continues to carry on. He has a great sense of the game, great shot, and we hope those shots are in the back of the net come game time."
 
No. 7 David DeCirce (Senior, 6-0, 160, Clarence, NY / Clarence)
"David's been on attack for a couple years now and is just one of those guys who constantly does all the little things right. He picks up ground balls for us, keeps possession, and really kind of settles things down out there. He is one of the two seniors on attack, so his leadership is very valuable to us there, especially with a young team and young attack."
 
No. 14 Billy Battaglia (Junior, 5-9, 170, Madison, NJ / Madison)
"Billy saw some time midway through last year. He was in there multiple times and found his way into the starting lineup by the end of the year and someone we are really going to count on along the left side. We're hoping he continues to get stronger and continues to work, and if he does, I really think he will be a staple for us down there."
 
No. 27 Spencer Macquarrie (Senior, 5-9, 140, Doylestown, PA / Central Bucks West)
"Spencer's our other senior. I love his energy. He's going 100% all the time and really puts guys on their heels. If he continues to do that, and shows that fire all the time, then he can really help us out."
 
No. 32 Billy Martin (Freshman, 5-4, 150, Huntington, NY / Huntington)
"Billy's another freshman, he's a smaller guy but has the quickness, and a great sense of lacrosse I.Q. He continues to work and get better every practice. We are going to need him."
 
No. 41 Connor Nolan (Freshman, 5-9, 175, Olney, MD / Good Counsel)
"Connor's another freshman who is fighting for some time on the playing field and he's on the verge of getting in there. I'm looking for him to be out there and keep maturing and getting better. He is a guy that we are going to count on and I'm hoping he's up for the task and can produce for us."
 
No. 44  Graham Lorber (Freshman, 6-1, 220, Lutherville, MD / Loyola Blakefield)
"Graham has good size and great hands on the inside. We hope he continues to get better and really uses those hands, gets open well, and finds the net well. He really is a great inside presence at that end of the field."
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Poskay on the Seahawk Midfield Unit:
"This is where we need guys to step up. We didn't have the depth last year but we feel we do now. We are young in the midfield but we are an experienced youth, meaning we have sophomores and juniors but they have been on the field the past couple of years. We need them to bring these freshmen along and help them when they are on the field."
 
No.1 Spencer Beyer (Freshman, 6-0, 200, Carlsbad, CA / Carlsbad)
"Spencer had a short fall with an injury, he is now back and in great shape. He's a great athlete, and might be thrown in the mix right away."
 
No. 5 Kyle McGinley (Freshman, 5-11, 170, Merrick, NY / Calhoun)
"Kyle's an unbelievable athlete right out of high school, flies up and down the field, and is really starting to understand what we are trying to do. You should see #5 flying around the field come next week."
 
No. 10 Aaron Denesevich (Freshman, 5-7, 160, Egg Harbor, NJ / St. Augustine Prep)
"Aaron's a great athlete, one of the fastest guys on the team, who's really starting to get an understanding of what we are trying to do on the field, both offensively and defensively, in the midfield. We expect big things from him."
 
No. 11 Geoff Bradley (Senior, 5-7, 155, Brookfield, CT / Canterbury School)
"Geoff's been in the mix a bit the past few years and this year we really need him to step up and be a big part for our midfield. He has always been one of the hardest workers. We are really excited to see what he can bring us this year."
 
No. 16 Paul DeVita (Junior, 5-10, 165, Westfield, NJ / Westfield)
"Paul had a really good year last year. We almost used him too much last year and he got a little tired out there but with our depth this year, we expect him to be fresh, ready to go, and really exploit his athleticism in the midfield area."
 
No. 18 Jacob Orvidas (Sophomore, 6-2, 190, Rochester, MN / Mayo Senior)
"Jacob's a faceoff guy who took some great draws for us last year. He is definitely a guy we are going to use. We expect him to get us the ball and win some face-offs."
 
No. 20 JP Pawela (Freshman, 6-1, 175, Montgomery Village, MD / St. John's College)
"JP is one of the guys you are going to see a lot of out there. He's a really smart kid, understands the game, has a great shot. He is able to get his hands free to shoot the ball and we are expecting really big things from him. He's been able to step up to the plate every time we've asked him so far."
 
No. 22 Billy Orme (Freshman, 6-2, 190, Great Falls, VA / Langley)
"We moved Billy from attack to midfield and he's been a big presence and a great spark for us to be honest. We are really excited about him and what he can do for us, and hopefully he continues to keep getting better."

No. 23 Cory Santor (Senior, 6-1, 190, Glastonbury, CT / Glastonbury)
"Cory's a veteran who has started for us for a couple of years. He's our most experienced guy out there in the midfield for us and we're excited that he is going to be a big part of what we are trying to do in that area of the field."
 
No. 24 Andrew Tirelli (Sophomore, 5-11, 185, East Setauket, NY / Ward Melville)
"Andrew saw some good time last year in the defensive midfield area. He will probably continue to be in that area this year, helping the defense out. At the same time, he is a great guy who can pick the ball up, get it off the ground, and get it to the offense."
 
No. 25 William McMenamin (Redshirt-Sophomore, 5-5, 155, Longport, NJ / St. Augustine Prep)
"Last season was cut short with an injury but he's someone who, when he's out there, we just have a different feel. Obviously being a captain as a sophomore, that just shows it right there. He just brings a spark to us no matter where he is or what we ask him to do - defensive midfield, offensive midfield,  man-down or man-up - he's a guy you can count on and we're excited to have him back and healthy."
 
No. 26  Patrick McMenamin (Redshirt-Sophomore, 5-6, 160, Longport, NJ / St. Augustine Prep)
"Patrick is similar to his brother. He brings a spark, fast and quick, they're not the biggest two guys, but they are two of the toughest guys on our team. Having these two out there together, we are pretty confident in our offensive midfield."
 
No. 28 Michael McMenamin (Senior, 5-8, 160, Longport, NJ / St. Augustine Prep)
"Michael is more of a defensive-minded midfielder, the first D-Middie on the field at all times for us actually. He brings energy and enthusiasm, and hopefully can create some great things for us in transition."
 
No. 30 Rob Heffron (Freshman, 6-1, 175, Bowie, MD / St. John's College)
"Rob's a talented player who's trying to get his feet wet and understand things. He's getting better day by day and we're hoping that continues to happen."
 
No. 35 Christian McCormick (Sophomore, 5-10, 185, Royersford, PA / Spring-Ford)
"Christian's another sophomore in the mix of midfielders who got some quality playing time last year. He has great quickness and we hope he gets out there and starts producing for us."
 
No. 36 August Colonna (Sophomore, 6-0, 185, Northfield, MA / Northfield Mount Hermon)
"August saw some action for us last year and we're expecting big things from him this year as a sophomore. He was one of those guys that saw time as a freshman so we're expecting him to really do something for us in the midfield and are excited about his future."
 
No. 42 Brian Hadley (Freshman, 5-11, 215, Summit, NJ / Summit)
"Brian was a very well-respected faceoff guy in high school lacrosse. We're expecting to use him as a faceoff player. One of the biggest things for us is getting the ball and maintaining the ball, and he's one of the guys we are counting on to get it for us."
 
No. 45 Anthony Labetti (Sophomore, 5-9, 175, Moorestown, NJ / Moorestown) 
Poskay on the Seahawk Defensive Unit: 
"This is where we return the most players, experience-wise. We've got guys down there who I put a little more pressure on, and try to use more, because of their experience in the games." 
 
No. 4 Matt Bunting (Senior, 6-3, 190, Wyckoff, NJ / Ramapo)
"Matt's a captain, has been starting for three years and this will be his fourth year starting. He's a guy that we count on heavily down there to get guys in the right place and really take control. Being that he is such a big guy, he's a presence down there and we continue to hope he is one for us."
 
No. 9 Austin Wilson (Freshman, 6-1, 165, Havre de Grace, MD / Archbishop Curley)
"Austin's been a pleasant surprise for us and has been doing some great things the past couple weeks in practice after getting his feet wet a little bit in the fall. I think he is really starting to understand things now, and don't be surprised if you see him out there come game time. He is great in-between the lines and in the middle of the field and is doing a great job for us."
 
No. 12 Jacob Berger (Freshman, 6-1, 175, Woodbine, MD / St. Mary's)
"Jacob's coming off an injury in high school, he continues to get better each day. We're excited for his future as he continues to get better."
 
No. 15 Tyler Cropley (Sophomore, Defense, 6-1, 195, Hillsborough, NJ / Hillsborough)
"Tyler's one of our smarter defensemen, always in the right place at the right time, really intellectual on the defensive end. He helps our younger crew out down there and gets them in the right places. He understands the game and that's a huge asset that he brings." 
 
No. 17 Mark Beyer (Senior, 6-0, 170, Carlsbad, CA / Carlsbad)
"Mark's a senior and a guy who has seen significant time over the past few years. He is a hard worker and someone we anticipate being a big part of the defense this year." 
 
No. 19 Daniel Valencia (Junior, 6-2, 200, Gaithersburg, MD / Gaithersburg)
"He's been playing for two years for us, a big guy that we count on in the starting rotation down there. He's one of the real staples for us on that end of the field and someone we continue to count on to lead us down there."
 
No. 29 Tanner Dixon (Freshman, 6-1, 210, Milford, NJ / Delaware Valley)
"Tanner's a freshman who I hope gets in there right away and follows the seniors (Bunting and Valenica) and really understands the game from them, and continues to be one of those guys on that side of the field."
 
No. 31 Sean Gray (Junior, 5-11, 210, Shamong, NJ / Seneca)
"Sean's been in the mix a little bit, he really understands what to do and is a great athlete. We're hoping to incorporate him a little more."
 
No. 33 Evan Clark  (Sophomore, 6-0, 180, Vaughan, Ontario / The Hill Academy)
"Evan's season was cut short last year with an injury but he is coming back 100% this season. He's in the mix and we are expecting really big things from him. We need to fill up those third and fourth roles and I think he has a great opportunity to be that guy."
 
No. 34 Patrick Perret (Freshman, 6-0, 210, Adamstown, MD / Tuscarora)
"Patrick continues to get better each day. He understands the game and has a great stick. We're hoping to find ways for him to be pushing guys to get some time on the field."
 
No. 37 Andrew Park (Freshman, 5-11, 175, Kinnelon, NJ / Kinnelon)
"Andrew's a stealth sniper. He is quiet, we are trying to get him to communicate a little bit more, but he's always making the right plays, great between the lines. A quiet sniper, yet he always does the right thing. We're making sure we find a way to keep him on the field."
 
No. 39 Luke Matanin (Freshman, 6-1, 180, Ellicott City, MD / St. Paul's)
"Luke's all over the field, is a great athlete, works his butt off in practice and in the weight room. We're hoping he finds himself out there helping us."
 
No. 40 Noah Wolthausen (Sophomore, 5-9, 175, Las Vegas, NV / Palo Verde)
"Noah's another extremely hard worker, on the field and in the weight room. We are expecting him to turn the corner and help us greatly this season."
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Poskay on the Seahawk Goalies:
"Goalie is probably the biggest question mark for us just because we graduated four-year starter, Nick Gibaldi. But with that being said, we do have some great goalies who are ready to step up."
 
No. 6  Anthony Peruso (Junior, 5-9, 170, Warwick, NY / John S. Burke Catholic)
"Anthony had the opportunity, and some time, to learn behind a four-year starter in Nick (Gibadi) the past couple of years. He's been a great leader for us and we're expecting big things from him. I am confident having him in the goal and we're excited for this year with him."
 
No. 13 David Hwang (Sophomore, 5-8, 155, Hauppauge, NY / Hauppauge)
"David's been a great surprise transfer (from Hofstra) for us. He's working extremely hard, really pushing Anthony to get better. There is great companionship down there, they are pushing each other to be better, as well as communicating with each other. It's making the overall defense better having these two together."
 
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