UD, Wilm U, DSU DE Ath Lax Reports

[dawrestling]

From: "Scott W. Selheimer"
Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 5:20:12 PM
Subject: SUBJECT: University of Delaware Men¹s Lacrosse Squad Facing Another Challenging Schedule in 2014












SUBJECT: University of Delaware Men's Lacrosse Squad Facing Another Challenging Schedule in 2014










DATE:  December 11, 2013




sws:










NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware men's lacrosse squad annually plays one of the most demanding schedules in NCAA Division I men's lacrosse and the 2014 campaign will be no different.










Blue Hen head coach Bob Shillinglaw announced his team's upcoming 2014 schedule today and the slate includes five teams that are earning notice in several pre-season Top 20 polls.










"Our coaching staff and our team are looking forward to the challenges of the 2014 season as we prepare for a schedule with five top 20 teams and the always competitive CAA schedule," said Shillinglaw, the dean of NCAA Division I men's lacrosse coaches as he enters his 36th season at the helm this spring. "The team has worked hard this fall and everyone is excited about the upcoming season."









The Blue Hens, members of the grueling Colonial Athletic Association, will play a 15-game slate that includes nine home games at Delaware Stadium, the home of the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals on May 18. The Blue Hens will continue their tradition of playing the first NCAA Division I men's lacrosse game of the regular season when they host High Point on Feb. 1 at 1 p.m.










Other homes games will include non-league clashes with Fairfield (Feb. 15), Mt. St. Mary's (Feb. 22), Villanova (Mar. 1), Lafayette (Mar. 4), and Ohio State (Apr. 6). Non-league road games will include games at Bucknell (Feb. 8), Binghamton (Mar. 8), and Manhattan (Apr. 1).










In CAA action, Delaware will play host to Drexel on Mar. 29, Saint Joseph's on Apr. 12, and Massachusetts on Apr. 25. CAA road games include matchups at Hofstra (Mar. 15), defending CAA Tournament champion Towson (Mar. 22), and Apr. 19 at defending league regular season champion Penn State.










Five of Delaware's 2014 opponents - Towson, Villanova, Bucknell, Penn State, and Ohio State - have been mentioned in various pre-season polls. Penn State (12-5), Ohio State (13-4), and Towson (10-8) all advanced to the NCAA Tournament a year ago with the Buckeyes advancing to the quarterfinals.










In addition to the regular season games, Delaware will host two scrimmages in January when the Blue Hens host Mercyhurst on Jan. 18 and Colgate on Jan. 25.










Delaware will return eight starters from last year's squad that is looking to bounce back from a 2013 season that saw the team post an overall record of 5-10. Of those 10 losses, five came by one-goal with one in overtime.










Tickets for the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals at Delaware Stadium are now on sale and are available online at www.bluehens.com.










AGATE: 










2014 University of Delaware Men's Lacrosse Schedule:




Jan. 18, vs. Mercyhurst (Scrimmage), 1 p.m.; 25, vs. Colgate (Scrimmage), 1 p.m.; Feb. 1, vs. High Point, 1 p.m.; 8, at Bucknell, 5 p.m.; 15, vs. Fairfield, 1 p.m.; 22, vs. Mt. St. Mary's, 1 p.m.; Mar. 1, vs. Villanova, 1 p.m.; 4, vs. Lafayette, 4 p.m.; 8, at Binghamton, 1 p.m.; 15, at *Hofstra,, 3 p.m.; 22, at Towson, 7 p.m.; 29, vs. *Drexel, 1 p.m.; Apr. 1, at Manhattan, 3 p.m.; 6, vs. Ohio State, 12 noon; 12, vs. *Saint Joseph's, 1 p.m.; ;19, at Penn State, 3 p.m.; 25, vs. *Massachusetts, 7 p.m.; May 2, Colonial Athletic Association Semifinals; 4, Colonial Athletic Association Championship; May 10-11, NCAA Tournament 1st Round; 17, NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals at Hofstra; 18, NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals at Delaware.









- DDD -



This post was edited on 1/10 12:43 AM by dawrestling


This post was edited on 1/10 8:26 PM by dawrestling

This post was edited on 3/26 12:25 AM by dawrestling

 

[freddiefokker]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse


Like to see Coach Shillinglaw recruit some in-state kids!

 

[Tarzan79]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse


Ashley and Matsko are the only two instate. He has been there for a long time, has it always been like this?

 

[WoodenStick]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse

You must be new to the area, Tarzan! This is a very sore subject and has bee for 30+ years. Time for a change.

 

[OnehandedCzech]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse


Time for a change? Why, because he didn't recruit DE HS kids? Which exactly did he miss on? You think a longpole is going to turn down going to Cornell so he can attend Delaware?

There are two sides to recruiting, the players and the coaches. Not always as cut and dry as it seems.

 

[WoodenStick]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse

No, much simpler than that. Tired coaching leads to lackluster results - especially when the talent is there - both on the team currently and available to the team via recruiting. After thirty + years it's time for a change. The sport is far more dynamic today and needs more dynamic coaching.

 

[freddiefokker]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse


Maybe he figures why waste a scholarship on a DE kid when said kid can walk on and pay in-state tuition. If a kid wants to stay close to home (family, girlfriend, etc.), he's probably going to do it regardless and let's face it, most upstate kids have parents that can foot in-state tuition at UD.

 

[WoodenStick]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse

That doesn't make sense - particularly when you look at the level and quality of talent over the past 3-5 years. Your comment assumes that DE players are less than what he's recruited from elsewhere. That is simply not the case - obviously many other UD opponents see the value in recruiting in DE.

This post was edited on 12/13 5:48 PM by WoodenStick

 

[freddiefokker]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse


Obviously, he feels the talent level is greater outside of the state of DE. If he didn't he'd recruit more in-state kids.

 

[WoodenStick]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse

Look at where the kids are now playing and contributing. And, look at where the next round of current HS players are committing. He's missing the boat, foolishly.

 

[Tarzan79]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse


I see points of both sides.

 

[freddiefokker]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse


Just to be clear, I agree 100% with WoodenStick. I'm just trying to get in Coach Shillinglaw's head.

Let's face it, you don't see a lot of DE kids on ANY of UD's sports teams. Lots of football talent has left the state under Tubby and KC Keeler. Lax is no different and it's a shame.

 

[NorthJoe]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse

100% agree freddie. Even Paul Worrilow was not offered by UD coming out of high school. Pretty cool to see Ashley do so well after making the team as a walk on (I think).
Fair to say UD's baseball team has one of the better representations of in-state talent?

 

[WoodenStick]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse

Trip Ashley is a very good player and a great kid! Big, strong, very aggressive and fast - always fun to watch! I've seen him grow since his early years playing youth with the Wilmington Wings. Trip was probably a year or two ahead of his time. If he were in HS today, many D1 programs would be all over him. He's also had a few unfortunate injuries that have impacted his play.

 

[freddiefokker]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse


Did Ashley walk on?

 

[dawrestling]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse

From: "Scott W. Selheimer"
Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2013 3:19:03 PM
Subject: SUBJECT: University of Delaware Men¹s Lacrosse Names Alec Jernstedt Volunteer Assistant Coach






SUBJECT: University of Delaware Men's Lacrosse Names Alec Jernstedt Volunteer Assistant Coach




DATE:  December 18, 2013

sws:




NEWARK, Del. -- Alec Jernstedt, a former standout player at Towson University who worked the last five years as a coach in Oregon and Maryland, has joined the University of Delaware men's lacrosse coaching staff as a volunteer assistant.




Jernstedt, who will begin working with the UD team in January, joins a staff that includes veteran head coach Bob Shillinglaw, associate head coach Greg Carroll, and first-year assistant coach Noah Fossner. The Blue Hens resume practice Jan. 6 in preparation for the 2014 season opener Feb. 1 vs. High Point.




Delaware captured consecutive Colonial Athletic Association Tournament titles and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2010 and 2011 and will be looking to return to the top of the league standings this spring with the return of eight starters. The Blue Hens will host the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals May 18 at Delaware Stadium (tickets available now at www.bluehens.com).




"Our staff is excited to add Alec to our program," said Shillinglaw, the dean of NCAA Division I head coaches now in his 36th season at the helm of the Blue Hens. "He brings expertise in several positions and being a former CAA player he understands the competitiveness of the conference. His energy and enthusiasm will be a great addition to our program."




A native of Wilsonville, Ore., Jernstedt was a three-year letterwinner at Towson and earned his degree in economics and geography with a minor in business in 2012. He was a Dean's List student at Towson where he also was involved with P.A.W.S (Proud Athletes Who Serve) and with Athletes in Action. He graduated from Wilsonville (Ore.) High School where he was an All-State midfielder while also competing for the football, basketball, and track & field teams.




Originally recruited as an offensive midfielder, he switched to defensive midfielder as a sophomore, played longstick midfield as a junior, and played both positions his final campaign in 2012. Jernstedt played in 32 career games at Towson and helped lead the Tigers to CAA championship game appearances in 2009 and 2010. He recorded 29 groundballs and 11 caused turnovers for his career from his defensive position and also added three goals and an assist.




For the past five years, Jernstedt has served as a youth and club lacrosse coach on both sides of the country. He served as the head coach of the Rhino Lacrosse Club in Portland, Ore. in 2009-12 and has worked as a youth coach and marketing director for the Next Level Lacrosse Club in Bethesda, Md. since December, 2012. He has also volunteered as a coach for FCA Lacrosse at the US Lacrosse Under-15 World Championships at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla.




He and his wife, Kelly Cianciotta, a former softball player at Georgetown University, were married in July, 2013.



TRANSACTIONS: Delaware - Named Alec Jernstedt Men's Lacrosse Volunteer Assistant Coach

 

[Tarzan79]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse


Looks like currently Rhett Schweizer of St. Marks and Thomas Aloe of CR are heading to UD according to Laxpower as early signees.

 

[WoodenStick]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse

Rhett's a nice player - strong ties to UD. Not as familiar with Aloe but have seen him play several times.

 

[MGpie]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse


Glad to see wooden stick is still thinking. Name one kid off Sallies lacrosse team in 2010, 2011,2012 that Delaware went after with any intent to have them play for them. I guess none of them were good enough.

 

[MGpie]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse

Forgot 2013

 

[WoodenStick]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse

Magpie is spot on. Sad to see the wealth of talent that has left for greener pastures.

 

[dawrestling]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse/Wilm U Women's Lax




SUBJECT: Eleven Home Contests Highlight the 2014 Wilmington Women's Lacrosse Schedule

DATE: January 9, 2014
djl

NEWARK, Del. - - There will be a multiple of chances to catch the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team this upcoming season, as third year head coach Jackie Trainer has announced the 2014 schedule, highlighted by 11 home contests.

Of the 17 regular season contests, 10 will be played the WU Athletics Complex while the Wildcats will host one night game at the Red Lion Christian Academy in early April.

"We have the great opportunity and privilege to play at our beautiful new complex a lot this year," Trainer said. "After last year, we are just excited to get back out there and play. It's great to have the familiarity of home fans, parents, and surroundings that will hopefully help us fulfill our expectations going into this season."

The season kicks off with three of the first games at home, starting with the season opener against Dowling on Saturday, March 1. Dowling was ranked 11th in the final Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Division II National Poll for the 2013 season.

The team then will open its Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference season on the road at Nyack on March 4 before playing five of the next seven games at home to round out the month of March.

First year program District of Columbia comes to the WU Athletics Complex, as does second year program and in-state foe Delaware State in march. The Wildcats will also host Molloy College as a nonconference home game in the first month of the season.

Inside the CACC, the Wildcats will host CACC South Division foe Chestnut Hill, while also welcoming North Division foe Caldwell to Newark. In March, the Wildcats will take to the road against Holy Family and Georgian Court.

The month of April features five more games at the WU Athletics Complex, with only road games at Philadelphia and Chestnut Hill.

The month's first game will be a special featured event, as the Wildcats will host Dominican for a night contest at Red Lion Christian Academy in Bear, Delaware, on April 2.

Wilmington will also host Post, Holy Family, West Virginia Wesleyan, and Philadelphia at the WU Athletics Complex throughout the month of April. Saturday, April 19 against West Virginia Wesleyan is scheduled for Senior Day, the last chance to catch the Wildcats at home on a weekend.

"We have a lot of local talent on the team and that many home games is great because it allows their parents and fans come out and help support the whole team," Trainer added.

The regular season all leads to the CACC Tournament, again hosted by Georgian Court University at the end of April. Two teams from the North Division and two teams from the South Division will meet in Lakewood, N.J., the weekend of January 26-27 for the CACC Tournament Championship.

AGATE:

2014 Women's Lacrosse Schedule:

March: 1. Dowling; 4. at *Nyack; 6. District of Columbia; 8. Delaware State; 12. at St. Thomas Aquinas; 14. Molloy; 18. at *Holy Family; 22. Chestnut Hill; 27. at *Georgian Court; 29. *Caldwell.

April: 2. *Dominican (at Red Lion Christian Academy); 5. *Post; 8. at *Philadelphia; 10. *Holy Family; 16. at *Chestnut Hill; 19. West Virginia Wesleyan; 22. *Philadelphia

 

[dawrestling]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse/Wilm U/DSU Women's Lax




From: "Scott W. Selheimer"
Sent: Saturday, January 11, 2014 7:50:14 PM
Subject: SUBJECT: University of Delaware Senior Co-Captain James Connelly Selected in 2014 Major League Lacrosse Draft




SUBJECT: University of Delaware Senior Co-Captain James Connelly Selected in 2014 Major League Lacrosse Draft



DATE:  January 11, 2014

sws:



PHILADELPHIA -- University of Delaware senior co-captain James Connelly was selected in the sixth round of the Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft Friday night at the U.S. Lacrosse Convention.



Connelly, a defender from Royersford, Pa. (Malvern Prep), was the 43rd overall pick and one of 64 college seniors selected over the eight rounds. All players may sign contracts with Major League Lacrosse after their 2014 college season is over.



Delaware has now had at least one player selected in the MLL Draft every year since 2009. Last season, former Blue Hen midfielder Dom Sebastiani was picked by Chesapeake in the fourth round.



A fifth-year defenseman, Connelly was one of the team's top defensemen a year ago. He started each of the final 11 games of the season and recorded two assists, 18 groundballs, and 11 caused turnovers. For his career, he has appeared in 27 career games and registered 34 groundballs and 20 caused turnovers. He is a marketing major at Delaware.



"Our staff is excited about the opportunity for James to play in the MLL for Denver," said Delaware head coach Bob Shillinglaw. "James is a tough, physical, one-on-one defender and is perfect for the type of defense required to play in Major League Lacrosse. As one of our two captains (joining Garrett Johnson), he has done a great job leading the team this past fall and the beginning of our 2014 pre-season. I know Denver will appreciate his physical skills along with his maturity and leadership qualities."



Connelly was one of five student-athletes from Colonial Athletic Association schools selected in the draft and was joined by attackman/midfielder Thomas DeNapoli of Towson (1st round pick by Charlotte); goalkeeper Austin Kaut of Penn State (2nd round by Boston); midfielder Tom Lacrosse of Penn State (7th round by Rochester); and defender Ben McIntosh of Drexel (7th round by Denver).



In addition to Connelly, Denver also selected midfielder Jeremy Noble of Denver (No. 6/1st Round); faceoff specialist Brent Hiken of Stevenson (16th/2nd); defender Ty Souders of Lehigh (22nd/3rd); midfielder Colin Dunster of Bryant (30th/3rd); goalkeeper Jamie Faus of Denver (38th/4th); midfielder Nick Fernandez of Princeton (46th/5th); midfielder Terry Ellis of Denver (54th/6th); and McIntosh.



Duke, the 2013 national champions, had higg of six athletes selected in the draft. The Ohio Machine selected Princeton midfielder Tom Schreiber with the first overall pick.



The Blue Hens will begin the regular season Feb. 1 vs. High Point at Delaware Stadium. The game will mark the opening of the 2014 season for all collegiate teams and will mark the earliest start in UD history. Delaware will be looking to bounce back from a 5-10 record in 2013 in a hard-luck season that saw the Blue Hens lose five games by a single goal.



In addition to hosting nine regular season games in 2014, Delaware will serve as the host of the NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Quarterfinals May 17-18 at the Delaware Stadium.



- DDD -

 

[dawrestling]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse/Wilm U/DSU Women's Lax




From: "Scott W. Selheimer"
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 4:05:36 PM
Subject: SUBJECT: University of Delaware Women¹s Lacrosse Unveils Challenging 2014 Slate








SUBJECT: University of Delaware Women's Lacrosse Unveils Challenging 2014 Slate





DATE: December 10, 2013


mlh





NEWARK, Del. -? University of Delaware women's lacrosse head coach Kateri Linville announced today the team's 2014 schedule, which features five NCAA Tournament squads, three ranked opponents, and nine home dates.





"Our goal, as a program, is to return Delaware women's lacrosse to national prominence," remarked Linville, who is in her fourth season at the helm of the Blue Hens. "We want to create a winning tradition that attracts talent and brings a sense of pride to our players, alumni and the University as a whole. We believe that to be the best, you have to play and beat the best and with that we are excited to take on five NCAA Tournament teams and three nationally ranked opponents. We know that there are two roads to the tournament ? one through our conference championship and one through our non-conference wins. We cannot wait to kick off our 2014 season this coming February."





The Blue Hens face their first competition the weekend of February first as the team travels to south for exhibition matches against nationally-ranked Duke and defending national champion North Carolina.





Delaware then opens regular season play on Saturday, Feb. 15 against Georgetown in Washington, D.C. The Hoyas finished the 2013 campaign with a No. 8 ranking and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.





The 2014 home opener will be Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Delaware Stadium as the Blue Hens host Lafayette, a team that went 9-9 overall and 3-3 in league play to advance to the Patriot League Tournament.





UD hits the road for the next two weekends as the Hens take on Ivy League champion, NCAA Tournament participant, and No. 17 Penn in Philadelphia on Feb. 22 before playing at Rutgers on March 1.





The Blue Hens then return home for a three-game stand over the next week against La Salle (March 5), Villanova (March 8), and Virginia Tech (March 12).





Next up for Delaware will be a quick trip to Temple on March 15 before facing another NCAA Tournament team in Monmouth at Delaware Stadium on March 19. The Hawks won the NEC en route to post-season play last year.





On March 22, the Blue Hens travel to first-time opponent George Washington.





Colonial Athletic Association play begins on March 30 for UD as the Blue Hens take on defending CAA-champion and NCAA Tournament participant Towson at the Tigers' Johnny Unitas Stadium.





The Hens then bring CAA action to Delaware Stadium as they host Drexel on April 4 before traveling to Hofstra on April 6.





Delaware closes out the final three regular season contests at home with matchups against James Madison (April 11), William & Mary (April 13), and No. 11 Stony Brook (April 22). The Seawolves, a first-time opponent for the Blue Hens, are coming off of a historic season after capturing the most wins in program history (17) en route to its first America East championship and first-ever NCAA Tournament win.





The 2014 CAA Championships will be held May 2-4, with the College of William & Mary serving as host.





AGATE:






2014 UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE WOMEN'S LACROSSE SCHEDULE






Saturday, February 15 ? at Georgetown


Wednesday, February 19 ? vs. Lafayette


Saturday, February 22 ? at Penn


Saturday, March 1 ? at Rutgers


Wednesday, March 5 ? vs. La Salle


Saturday, March 8 ? vs. Villanova


Wednesday, March 12 ? vs. Virginia Tech


Saturday, March 15 ? at Temple


Wednesday, March 19 ? vs. Monmouth


Saturday, March 22 ? at George Washington


Sunday, March 30 ? at Towson*


Friday, April 4 ? vs. Drexel*


Sunday, April 6 ? at Hofstra*


Friday, April 11 ? vs. James Madison*


Sunday, April 13 ? vs. William & Mary*


Tuesday, April 22 ? vs. Stony Brook


Friday, May 2 ? CAA Semifinals (at William & Mary)


Sunday, May 4 ? CAA Finals (at William & Mary)





- DDD -

 

[dawrestling]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse/Wilm U/DSU Women's Lax


Hempstead, NY ? The Hofstra Men's Lacrosse Team has been voted to finish fifth in the 2014 Colonial Athletic Association standings in a polling of conference head coaches, the CAA announced Wednesday.

Penn State, which captured its first Colonial Athletic Association men's lacrosse regular season title a year ago, has been picked to finish atop the conference standings with 23 points and three first-place votes. Towson, which captured the CAA Men's Lacrosse Championship in 2013 for the first time since 2005, earned two first-place nods and was second with 21 points. Drexel followed in third place with one first-place vote and a total of 18 points, while Massachusetts earned fourth place with 12 points. Hofstra and Delaware rounded out the voting with 11 and five points, respectively.



Hofstra, which was 7-7 overall and 2-4 in the CAA in 2013, received 11 points in the balloting. The Pride return 23 players including six starters from last year's squad. Included in the Hofstra returnees are seven of their top eight scorers from last year led by the top two scorers in senior attackman Torin Varn (Ithaca, NY) and sophomore Sam Llinares (Hauppauge, NY). Varn tallied 30 goals and two assists in 2013 while Llinares tallied 19 goals and a team-high 13 assists. Hofstra also returns junior goalie and All-CAA second team selection Chris Selva (Parkland, FL). Selva ranked fourth in the country in save percentage (.602) and fifth in goals against average (7.61) while starting all 14 contests and playing all but 21 minutes on the season.


The Nittany Lions of Penn State won the 2013 regular season title but fell to Towson in the tournament championship game, 11-10. Penn State, which is leaving the CAA for the Big 10 after the 2014 season, is eligible for the CAA regular season championship but is not eligible for the four-team, CAA Championship Tournament.

The CAA Championship begins on Wednesday, April 30 with semifinal action with the title contest slated for Saturday, May 3. The semifinals will be played at the two highest seeds and the championship game will be played at the highest remaining seed.



The 2014 men's lacrosse season will begin Feb. 1, as the Blue Hens of Delaware welcome High Point to Newark for a 1:00 p.m. contest. Penn State and Towson will open their seasons on Feb. 8, while the Minutemen of UMass will follow on Feb. 9. Drexel and Hofstra will kick-off its 2014 schedule on Feb. 15 against Marquette.

 

[dawrestling]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse/Wilm U/DSU Women's Lax




SUBJECT: University of Delaware Men's Lacrosse Squad Picked No. 6 in Colonial Athletic Association Pre-Season Poll



DATE:  January 23, 2014

sws:



RICHMOND, Va. -- The University of Delaware men's lacrosse squad, which will open the national collegiate men's lacrosse season when it hosts High Point on Saturday, Feb. 1 at Delaware Stadium, has been selected sixth in the Colonial Athletic Association Pre-Season Coaches Poll announced by the league office.



The Blue Hens, looking to bounce back from a 5-10 campaign a year ago, will take on second-year program High Point at 1 p.m. at Delaware Stadium. The Hens posted a season-opening 12-10 win over the Panthers last season in North Carolina. Half of Delaware's 10 setbacks a year ago came by a single goal.



Head coach Bob Shillinglaw, the dean of NCAA Division I coaches now in his 39th season overall and his 36th campaign at Delaware, welcomes back 30 letterwinners and seven starters to the squad. Among the top returnining players are All-CAA defenseman James Connelly, faceoff specialist Tyler Barbarich, CAA All-Rookie selection Conor Peaks in goal, and top returnining scorers Dan Keane (16 goals), Connor McRoy (12), and Brian Kormondy (12). Delaware has advanced to the NCAA Tournament three times in the last seven years.



Defending CAA regular season champions and NCAA Tournament participates were voted the pre-season favorites from a poll of the six league head coaches. The Nittany Lions received three first place votes and 23 total points. Defending CAA champion Towson earned two first place votes and 21 points and was picked No. 2 while Drexel had one first place vote and 18 points to finish third in the poll. Massachusetts was fourth followed by Hofstra and Delaware.



"We are focusing less on rankings and more on just getting better every day and we are off to a great start," said Shillinglaw, whose young squad features 19 freshmen, the third highest total of any non-first year NCAA program this spring. "I'm fine with being the underdog because our program has always assumed that role. Even when we went to the NCAA Final Four (in 2007), I made the comment that UD stands for underdog. We are going to prove that all the (CAA) coaches were wrong in their predictions."



The CAA Men's Lacrosse Championship is slated to get underway Wednesday, April 30 with semifinal action and the title contest is slated for Saturday, May 3. This year the Wednesday semifinals will be played at the two highest seeds and the Saturday championship game will be played at the highest remaining seed.



Delaware will host an NCAA Quarterfinal doubleheadher on Sunday, May 18 at Delaware Stadium. Tickets are on sale now online at www.bluehens.com or by phone at 302-831-2257.



AGATE: 



Colonial Athletic Association Men's Lacrosse Pre-Season Coaches Poll: 1. Penn State (3 first place votes), 23 points; 2. Towson (2), 21; 3. Drexel (1), 18; 4. Massachusetts, 12; 5. Hofstra, 11; 6. Delaware, 5.



- DDD -

 

[dawrestling]

Re: UD Men's and Women's Lacrosse/Wilm U/DSU Women's Lax






SUBJECT: University of Delaware's James Connelly Selected to Pre-Season All-Colonial Athletic Association Men's Lacrosse Team



DATE:  January 24, 2014

sws:



RICHMOND, Va. -- University of Delaware senior defender James Connelly has been selected to the All-Colonial Athletic Association pre-season team as selected by the league coaches, the CAA announced Friday.



Connelly, a defender from Royersford, Pa. (Malvern Prep), was among 14 student-athletes recognized on the all-star team.



He was joined on the team by attackmen Thomas DeNapoli (Towson), Sam Llinares (Hofstra), and TJ Sanders (Penn State); midfielders Andrew Hodgson (Towson), Tom LaCrosse (Penn State), and Ben McIntosh (Drexel); longstick midfielder Steven Bogert (Penn State); faceoff specialists Joe Cavello (UMass) and Nick Saputo (Drexel); defensemen John Fennessy (Towson), JoJo Ostrander (Towson), and Tyler Travis (Penn State); and goalkeeper Austin Kaut (Penn State). Kaut was named the CAA Pre-Season Player of the Year.



Connelly, who will serve as co-captain for the Blue Hens this season along with defensive midfielder Garrett Johnson, was selected in the sixth round of the Major League Lacrosse Draft by Denver earlier this month.



A fifth-year defenseman, Connelly was one of the CAA's top defensemen a year ago when he earned second team All-CAA honors. He started each of the final 11 games of the season and recorded two assists, 18 groundballs, and 11 caused turnovers. For his career, he has appeared in 27 career games and registered 34 groundballs and 20 caused turnovers. He is a marketing major at Delaware.



"James is a tough, physical, one-one-one defender," said Delaware head coach Bob Shillinglaw. "As one of our two captains, he has done a great job leading the team this past fall and the beginning of our 2014 pre-season."



The Blue Hens will begin the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 1 vs. High Point at Delaware Stadium. The game will mark the opening of the 2014 season for all collegiate teams and will mark the earliest start in UD history. Delaware will be looking to bounce back from a 5-10 record in 2013 in a hard-luck season that saw the Blue Hens lose five games by a single goal.



In addition to hosting nine regular season games in 2014, Delaware will serve as the host of the NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Quarterfinals May 18 at the Delaware Stadium. Tickets are on sale now online at www.bluehens.com or by phone at 302-831-2257.







- DDD -