Philadelphia, Pa. - (2/12/2019) – Chestnut Hill College is hungry. Still just months removed from falling by a 9-7 measure to Georgian Court University in the inaugural Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Men's Lacrosse Championship, the Scarlet and Gold is eager to have another chance at the Lions and the league crown. "We want to maintain a 1-0 mentality every time we play and embrace the cost of lofty goals," issued Head Coach Mike Terranova. "We expect to be in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Tournament conversation come May."
 
The Scarlet and Gold will miss a significant class as they enter 2019 without CACC Co-Player of the Year Dylan Klusaritz '18 (All-CACC 1^st Team), captain midfielder Joshua Pope '18 (1^st Team), defenseman Kyle Newman '18 (1^st Team), starting goalkeeper Matthew Pedrick '19, midfielder Gerard Lyle '18, midfielder Devan Martinez '18, and faceoff specialist Joseph Pozniak '18. But in their place stands another deep senior class that has already proven their worth to Coach Terranova. "Our strength this season lies in our senior class. They are a large group and have they have been instrumental in driving our culture. We will rely on them to lead us to our goals."
 
Seniors, defenseman Matthew Anderson (Yardley, Pa.) and midfielder John Bennett (Plymouth Meeting, Pa.) have been tabbed as the team captains and front a class that also includes attack Casey Brown (Havre de Grace, Md.), defenseman Connor Crawford (Limerick, Pa.), defenseman Christopher Dachowski (Sellersville, Pa.), attack Michael DelGiorno (Floral Park, N.Y.), midfielder Troy Ellers (Wantagh, N.Y.), midfielder Tyler Howe (Bowie, Md.), midfielder Daniel Vilardi (Little Silver, N.J.), and midfielder Nick Webber (Westwood, Mass.). Anderson is a steady defender who totaled career-highs in ground balls (35) and caused turnovers (23) last season. Meanwhile, Bennett – the 2018 Coach's Award winner – produced seven points (4 goals, 3 assists), 59 ground balls, and six caused turnovers as the Griffins' primary short stick defensive midfielder.

Coach Terranova is confident Bennett will increase his offense contribution this year as he sees more time in the Scarlet and Gold's offensive sets. Other notables joining him in the attacking half with be Brown, junior Scott Wilden (Wexford, Pa.) (1^st Team), reigning CACC Rookie of the Year sophomore J.R. Howell (East Meadow, N.Y.) (2^nd Team), and sophomore Carson Rees (Port Coquitlam, British Columbia); all four have the potential for great seasons. Brown caught fire at the end of 2018, totaling 21 points in the final four contests to finish the year with 36 points (19 goals, 13 assists). Wilden, who has shown more physicality and confidence in the preseason, totaled 32 points (19 goals, 13 assists) last season. Howell emerged as a major factor over the course of his rookie season, ranking fourth overall in the CACC for points (42) with 22 goals (T7^th) and 20 assists (T2^nd). Rees returns to the fold after a red-shirt season; he offered 24 goals and five assists (29 points) in 2017 and has the talent to become one of the program's top goal scorers.
 
The midfield unit offers Ellers, Howe, Vilardi, Webber, sophomores Billy DiMaio (Holmdel, N.J.), Mickey Holland (Brick, N.J.), Stephen Lopuzzo (Ringoes, N.J.), and Austin Philistine (Rising Sun, Md.), as well as a trio of newcomers in sophomore transfer Ben Revak (University of Maryland Baltimore County/Aston, Pa.), freshman Jack Clyne (Islip Terrace, N.Y.), and freshman Steele Mylroie (Clyde Hill, Wash.). Among the returnees, Holland (11 points; 6 goals, 5 assists) and Webber (10 points; 9 goals, 1 assist) standout as double digit producers. Revak is a welcomed addition that will attract the attention of the opposition with his athleticism and playmaking ability. Clyne and Mylroie are versatile players who could also see time at other positions; the quickness of the latter will prove a difficult defense for any opponent.        
 
Anderson, Crawford, and Dachowski anchor a Chestnut Hill College defensive unit that also includes sophomores; Connor O'Donnell (Manchester, Md.), Jordan Jeznach (Reading, Pa.), Steven Venango (Philadelphia, Pa.), as well as freshmen Billy Garavente (Fair Haven, N.J.) and P.J. Spernal (Jackson, N.J.). Crawford will be charged with the burden of covering the opposition's top attack. He and Dachowski combined to recover 47 ground balls and cause 13 turnovers last season. Garavente and Spernal possess many desirable attributes as both demonstrated high-end speed and strength during the preseason.
 
Behind the defense, the Griffins possess a deep band of goalkeepers. The incumbent, junior Stephen Hogan Jr. (Doylestown, Pa.) went 1-0 in five appearances last season, when he totaled 25 saves on a 4.71 goals against average (GAA) and a .750 save percentage. He will compete with junior transfer Mike Trezza (Ocean County Community College/Forked River, N.J.) and a pair of freshmen; Jason Good (Walworth, N.Y.) and Austin Jones (Courtice, Ontario, Canada), for the starting job in 2019. Trezza is a diligent worker and vocal leader on the field, Good offers a formidable presence between the pipes, and Jones' fast hands are sure to keep him in the conversation.
 
"The implementation of the 80-second shot clock will certainly have an impact on this season," recognized Coach Terranova. "We have to be well-conditioned and we will have to rely on the entire roster to contribute." Chestnut Hill College will get their first chance to show their mettle this Saturday, February 16, when they open the 2019 season with a 1:00 p.m. contest at the University of the District of Columbia.