As the 2022 season quickly approaches, the Chestnut Hill College Men's Lacrosse team looks prepared to defend their Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) crown. The Griffins will return a total of 39 players from last year's roster, including six all-CACC performers from the 2021 season. Seniors Ben Revak (Aston, Pa.) and P.J. Spernal (Jackson, N.J.) are expected to play a big role for the Griffins, as both received pre-season All-American honors. Revak was an honorable mention selection on the InsideLacrosse.com Division II Pre-Season All-American team, and Spernal named as a third team selection to the both the USILA and InsideLacrosse.com teams. Revak, along with Connor O'Donnell  (Manchester, Md.) and Billy DiMaio (Holmdel, N.J.) will serve as team captains this season. The Griffins enter their fifth season with Head Coach Mike Terranova at the helm, where he has produced a 33-18 record, including a 10-2 mark in 2021.
 
Besides Revak and Spernal, the Griffins bring back a plethora of experienced players at each position. Senior J.R. Howell  (East Meadow, N.Y.)and sophomore Jackson Melnick (Matamoras, Pa.) return to the Griffin attack, bringing with them a total of 84 points from last season, 34 and 50 respectfully. DiMaio and senior Mickey Holland (Brick, N.J.) will also return as short stick defensive midfielders while O'Donnell and Kyle Gartenmayer (Holland, Pa.) are expected to be key contributors on the defensive end. Goaltending is another strong position for the team, with Jake Miller (Castle Rock, Colo.) and Austin Jones (Courtice, Ontario) returning. Miller was last year's starter, and a 2^nd team all-CACC member, while Jones received 2^nd team all-CACC honors during the 2019 campaign.
 
Although the squad only lost six seniors from last season, five were elected to the 1^st team all-CACC, including 2021 Player of the Year Carson Rees, and the team's most experienced face-off man, Zach Ornstein, who led the nation in face-off win percentage last year. While these are significant losses, the Griffins are hopeful that senior leadership and talented newcomers will help smooth the transition. Freshman such as Riley Harker (Swedesboro, N.J.) and Evan Farlow (Bernardsville, N.J.) will likely see time as long stick midfielders, while Zachary Whalen (Emmaus, Pa.) and sophomore transfer Liam McCann (Edmonton, Alberta) will be important additions in midfield. Finally, William Duddy (Seaside Park, N.J.) has shown strong potential this off-season and will be an impactful player in attack for the Griffins.
 
The team boasts strong goaltending, and Coach Terranova expects a squad that is tough on defense and athletic and aggressive in the middle third of the field. The group will also be battle tested heading into the conference season, as they take on multiple ranked opponents throughout the non-conference slate. There is a belief in the team that they have the strength to knock off some of the top programs on their schedule and make a strong case for inclusion in the 2022 NCAA tournament.
 
The Griffins open their season on Sunday, February 20^, 2022, at #13 Seton Hill University at 1 PM. The team's home opener follows just a week later, when they face off against another powerhouse, #9 St. Anselm College on Feb. 27^th, at noon.