Men's Lacrosse Teams Ready to Roll in 2014

Men's Lacrosse Teams Ready to Roll in 2014

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - The 2014 SCAC Men's Lacrosse season opens up this weekend as three schools begin their quest for a SCAC Championship and the possibility of a Pool B Bid. Let's take a look at each team and who they return in the 2014 season.

One of the favorites coming into 2014 is the Colorado College Tigers, winner of three of the last four SCAC Championships including last year's title. Sean Woods enters his third season as head coach and welcomes a deep team back this season. Depth will be a major key as the Tigers have 47 players listed on their roster.

An explosive offense looks to become more explosive as the Tiges welcome back First Team All-SCAC midfielder Henri Halle, who tied for the lead on the team with 29 goals to go with 18 assists for a team leading 47 points. Senior Michael Idell returns after scoring 13 goals a season ago while sophomore Evan Meister scored five goals a season ago to go with 13 assists.

Defensively, sophomore All-American goalkeeper Chase Murphy returns after compiling a 12-5 record including 157 saves and a 6.42 goals allowed average. Junior Andrew Visich and sophomore Tim Jenkins are two All-SCAC defenders that return to the field this season.

Colorado College will be deep as they look to return to the NCAA Tournament. It is also a unique year for the Tigers as they will play their 50th season of men's lacrosse and will celebrate this occasion throughout the season Watch Colorado College Men's Lacrosse Media Days

Southwestern University returns after making an appearance in the SCAC Championship a year ago. Bill Bowman enters his third season as head coach of the Pirates and feels that his team could be a force on the field this upcoming season.

The Pirates return Jeremy Tufnell, Carter Cowan, and Daniel Ayala have been a huge help for the Pirates since their freshman year and have helped mold this team into the competitive squad it has become in a very short time.

First Team All-SCAC selection Tufnell is a captain this season and serves as a two-way midi for the Pirates. A goal scorer and fierce defender, Tufnell.

Cowan, an attacker from Austin, Texas, was fourth on the team in goals last season and can manufacture a goal seemingly out of thin air.

Defensive powerhouse and First Team All-SCAC defender Daniel Ayala rounds out this very talented and dynamic senior class. Ayala's impact isn't always evident on the stat sheet, but just minutes at a game it is apparent why he is irreplaceable on defense. Ayala led the team in ground balls and turnovers last year. Watch Southwestern Men's Lacrosse Media Days

Centenary College returns for their second season of lacrosse as Monty Curtis enters his first season as head coach of the Gents. Centenary took some lumps in their first season, as most first year programs do, but return great talent as they seek their first win in programs history in 2014.

Sophomore Garrett Wick returns as one of the top offensive threats from a season ago, scoring two goals on the season while sophomore Matt Ferrell will also look to add some offensive firepower in his second season, scoring one goal a season ago.

Sophomore defender Max Beilke returns to the field after an excellent season a year ago which earned his All-SCAC honors. He was second on the team in ground balls and tied for the top spot on the squad in faceoff wins with 23 on the year.

 The Gents welcome many newcomers to the team as they will push forward and look to make an impact on the Gents team immediately. Watch Centenary Men's Lacrosse Media Days

The University of Dallas has cancelled its 2014 season due to not having enough student-athletes to field an adequately-sized roster. The Crusaders have all intentions to return to the field in 2015.

The 2014 season gets underway this weekend. Click here to view the composite 2014 schedule.

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