Athletics News

Life is never easy in Centennial Conference lacrosse, but the Swarthmore College men's lacrosse team is hoping that the return of an elite defense, as well as several experienced and battle-hardened midfielders and attack men can help it improve upon last season's 6-8 record and make some noise in the Centennial standings.

If  Swat has any thoughts of moving up from its best Conference finish in five seasons, they will rest on the performance of the longpoles.  The 2009 Swarthmore defensive unit led the Centennial in goals-against average (7.05) in 2009 - and even more may be expected this season. Luckily for the Garnet, senior goalkeeper senior Kevin Friedenberg (Needham, Mass. / Needham) and senior Max Wilson (Great Falls, Va. / Langley) - a pair of All-Centennial selections - return to anchor the defense that must contend with Centennial offenses that consistently rank among the most productive in Division III.

An Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-American Honorable Mention selection, Friedenberg (left) finished the 2009 season - his first as a starter - ranked second in the conference in goals-against average (7.12) and save percentage (.625). Friedenberg posted double-digit save totals 11 times last season.

Wilson, one of the most physical players in the entire conference, led the Garnet in ground balls (39) and caused turnovers (11) last season while winning 45.8 percent of his face-offs.

"Max and Kevin are both vocal leaders of the defense and have the entire team's respect," said head coach Pat Gress, who returns to the Swat sidelines for his 15^th season. "Max plays both midfield after facing off and close defense depending on match-ups had a breakout year as a junior last season and holds our entire defense together."

On the attack, the senior duo of Gavin Musynske (Floral Park, N.Y. / Floral Park Memorial) and Tyler Bradshaw (Marietta, Ga. / Lassiter) form a lethal combo that combined for 40 goals in 2009. Musynske led the team in points (29) while Bradshaw led the team with 21 goals. The loss of captain attacker Stelios Wilson '09 (17 goals, 22 points) will certainly be felt, but Gress is confident that the senior duo has what it takes to fill the void.

"Both Gavin and Tyler are four year starters and team captains. Gavin has developed as an excellent feeder while Tyler is becoming one of our best dodgers," said Gress.

In the midfield, the departure of four seniors that shared a majority of the playing time leaves the area as the Garnet's biggest question mark

heading into 2010. Swat's top returning middie is senior marksman Anthony Phalen (Needham, Mass. / Needham).  Phalen (right) scored six goals on just 23 shots in 2009 to boast an impressive .652 shooting percentage. Also returning to the midfield with experience are junior Mark Czernyk (Montville, N.J. - Delbarton School)  and sophomore Max Hubbard (Washington, D.C. - St. Alban's). Czernyk started in 13 of the Garnet's 14 games in 2009 and is the team's face-off specialist, winning a team-high 82 face-offs (.423) and picking up 19 ground balls in 2009. Hubbard scored 10 goals in 12 games for the Garnet in 2009.

Eleven freshmen will make their debut for Swat in 2010, with many expected to see significant playing time. Among those expected to make an immediate impact include defender Mike Girardi (Franklin Lakes, N.J. - Bergen Catholic) and midfielder Wes Marcik (Madison, Conn. - Choate Rosemary Hall).

Once again in 2010, the Garnet will face a difficult slate of games. The non-conference schedule possesses challenges capable of preparing Swarthmore for the grueling Centennial affairs (three Centennial teams are ranked in the pre-season top-20 by Lacrosse Magazine). The Garnet open up the 2010 season with a home game against Eastern on February 27 and then travel to Widener the following weekend in a "320 Challenge" game. The Centennial Conference schedule begins on March 17 with a trip to Ursinus, while Swat opens home Centennial play with Dickinson on March 20. The Garnet close out the season with No. 10 Haverford (April 24) coming to Clothier Field Stadium, which is sure to be a game with plenty of build-up.

2010 Centennial Conference Preseason Ranking

1. Gettysburg

2. Haverford

3. Washington

4. McDaniel

5. Dickinson

6. Franklin & Marshall

7. Muhlenberg

8. Swarthmore

9. Ursinus

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at 8:42 am and is filed under Home, Men's Lacrosse. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.