PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – The Pace University Men's Lacrosse program wrapped up fall ball with extreme confidence and optimism for the 2015 season. Second year Head Coach Tom Mariano enters this season having recruited 27 newcomers to the team to pair with his impact returners.

"I'm excited about this year and our potential," said Mariano. "As a team we have been working hard to get better every day.  At our scrimmages we were able to see positives and negatives. As we get into the next phase of our development, our goal is to improve as individuals and as a team. We brought in a big class that we are excited about and will provide us with depth which will help us play our style of lacrosse. We are counting on our returners to provide the leadership and guidance to mesh everyone together so we can be the best program possible. As a program we have to hold ourselves accountable and strive to be the best we can be every day."

The team recently wrapped up its fall as they participated in the "Faceoff for the Cure" event hosted by Siena College this past Sunday. The event included scrimmages between the six teams in attendance, a free youth clinic and fundraiser that benefited the Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP).

New for the 2015 season, the men's lacrosse team will introduce the Pace Men's Lacrosse Kickoff Dinner with all alumni, family and friends invited to enjoy an evening on campus with the current program. The dinner will take place on Saturday January 31 in Willcox gym. More details regarding this event will be published on www.PaceUAthletics.com shortly.
Men's Lacrosse Alumni Day will take place this spring on Saturday April 18 on the new multi-purpose field on the Pleasantville campus. The Setters will face-off against Northeast-10 Conference opponent St. Michael's College at 12:00pm. Prior to the game the 2014 men's lacrosse seniors will be recognized with their parents and families in a special senior day presentation. At halftime of the game all Pace Lacrosse Alumni will be invited onto the new turf field for the first time for a group photo. Following the game all alumni will be invited to scrimmage on the new field.

The cost of the event is $35.00 and includes a commemorative Pace Lacrosse t-shirt recognizing the first season on the new field, access to a hospitality tent during the game and appetizers at Michael's Tavern in Pleasantville after the alumni game. For all inquiries regarding the Pace Men's Lacrosse Alumni Day, please contact Jhanay Harris, Athletics Development Associate, Pace Athletics at (914) 773-3481 or jharris4@pace.edu. Online registration for this event will be available shortly.
 
The Setters open up their 2015 season against Post University on Saturday, February 14th before hitting the road for three straight contests against Mercy College on February 21st, Dowling College on February 28th, and Dominican College on March 4th. Following the non-conference slate, Pace begins Northeast-10 Conference action on the road against Merrimack College on Saturday, March 14th. For the complete 2015 schedule, click here.
 
Key Returners:
Conor Brophy (Jr., GK, 5-9, 170, Pompton Lakes, NJ/DePaul Catholic) 2014: Two appearances and five saves.

Steven Callahan (Sr., Def, 6-1, 185, Wantagh, NY/Wantagh) 2014: 18 groundballs and one caused turnover.

Mike Comparetto (Sr., Att, 5-9, 190, Bethpage, NY/Bethpage) 2014: Was unable to play due to injury.

Matthew Cossidente (Jr., Mid, 5-11, 180, Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue) 2014: 18 goals, two assists, and 12 groundballs.

Brandon Donnellan (So., Mid, 6-1, 180, Chester, NY/Warwick Valley) 2014: four goals, an assist, 53 groundballs, and 17 caused turnovers. Northeast-10 All-Rookie Team selection.

Robert Maddia (So., Att, 5-9, 165, East Northport, NY/John H. Glenn) 2014: five goals, two groundballs, and a caused turnover.

Matt Ruquet (Jr., Mid, 5-10, 215, Rocky Point, NY/Rocky Point) 2014: .546 faceoff percentage, 20 groundballs.

Joey Whelan (Jr., Def, 5-10, 196, Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) 2014: 14 groundballs and seven caused turnovers.
 
Newcomers:
Matt Axmann (Fr., Mid, 6-0, 175, Somerville, NJ/Somerville) - First Team All-State, First Team All-Bianchi Conference, Second Team All-Skyland Conference, Selected for 2014 Gil Gibbs Senior All-Star Game, 65.93% in Faceoffs, 161 groundballs, two goals, and one assist as a senior.

Wyatt Barfoot (Fr., Mid, 5-11, 175, Georgian Bluffs, Ontario/St. Mary's) Received the MVP Award for the varsity lacrosse, Captain of the varsity Lacrosse, Received the Mustang Athletic Award and the Ontario Scholar Award.

Mitchell Bermudez (So., Mid., 6-0, 205, Melville, NY/Walt Whitman) Member of Varsity Lacrosse team.

Jack Biedryzcki (Fr., Def., 5-10, 170, Hawthorne, NJ/DePaul Catholic) All-Passaic County honorable mention, second team All-Conference junior year, second team All-County, honorable mention All-State, won Defensive Player of the Year award, member of 2014 MSG Varsity "Players to Watch" list.

Zach Bradley (Fr., Def., 6-1, 175, Shrewsbury, NJ/Red Bank Regional) First team All-Division, Honorable Mention All-Shore, Honorable Mention All-State, played in Senior All-Star game, won senior class Outstanding Athlete Award.

Liam Brennan (Fr., Att, 5-10, 165, Huntington Station, NY/Walt Whitman) Three year Varsity player, Fran Mcall Unsung Hero Award 11th grade, All County, All-League 12th grade, Regular season Suffolk scoring champ 

Christopher Brown (Fr., Att, 6-0, 220, Farmingdale, NY/Farmingdale) Three years on varsity lacrosse, Honorable Mention All-County.

Trevor Chernoff (Fr., Mid, 5-10, 215, Coquitlam, BC/Gleneagle Secondary) Coquitlam Inter A Adanacs, Burnaby Mountain Selects, All Canada, BC, 2013 BCILL Intermediate B - League MVP, 2013 BCILL Intermediate B - League 1st Team All Star, 2013 BCILL Intermediate B - 2nd in League for Scoring.

Anthony Gadaleta (Fr., Att, 5-9, Kings Park, NY/Kings Park High School) Four year varsity lacrosse player, two year starter, senior captain, selected All League, All Division and the Coaches Award. 

Billy Gantert (Fr., Def., 6-2, 150, New Fairfield, CT/New Fairfield) Honorable Mention All-Conference.

Rob Dean (Fr., Def., 6-0, 205, Garrison, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes) Two year captain of Varsity Lacrosse team.

Erik Kenison (Fr., GK, 5-9, 180, Londonderry, NH/Londonderry) Member of Varsity Lacrosse team.

Joshua Kreitler (Fr., Att, 6-5, 195, Shelton, CT/Shelton High School) Academic All American, Second Team SCC Attackman

Dan Lewis (Fr., LSM, 5-10, 165, Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse – Minoa) First team All-League, First team All-Central New York – Defensive MVP Team, Section 3 Exceptional Senior Game.

Tyler Meigel (Jr., Att, 6-1, 175, Centereach, NY/Centereach) Suffolk Community College: Received All-Region 1^st team twice as the captain of the team. Stats: Scored 105 points during 2-year career.

Tyler Mittleman (Fr., Mid., 5-11, 160, East Islip, NY/East Islip) Played three seasons of Varsity Lacrosse.

Sean Murphy (Fr., Att, 5-11, 195, Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas) Section 1 All Section, Honorable Mention Journal News, MSG Varsity Second Team, All Hudson Valley, Section 1 Class A Champions 2014

Ryan O'Hagan (Fr., Mid, 6-0, 180, Watervliet, NY/Christian Brothers Academy) Three-year varsity player, captain senior year, two-time All-Conference midfielder, All-Area midfielder as a senior, won conference title every year.

John Oteri (Fr., Mid, 6-3, 210, Andover, MA/Andover) Three-year starter, League All-Star as a sophomore, First team All-Conference as a junior, First team All-Conference as a senior, nominated league MVP, Senior captain.

Michael Pappalardo (Fr., Att, 5-11, 175, Ossining, NY/Ossining) Two-time All-League and two-time Honorable Mention All-League.

Kieran Preston (Fr., Def., 5-10, 175, Manasquan, NJ/Manasquan) Four year member of Varsity Lacrosse team, won Defensive Player of the Year award, second team All-Division, third team All-Shore Conference, honorable mention All-State.

Chris Saar (Fr., GK, 5-10, 170, Victor, NY/Millbrook School) Five year member of Varsity Lacrosse, two-time Defensive Player of the Year award winner.

Peter Sharp (So., Mid., 6-0, 185, Airmont, NY/Suffern) Earned All-League and All-Section honors.

Nick Sturick (Fr., Def., 5-11, 175, East Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse) Named captain of high school team during senior season, three year member of Varsity Lacrosse.

Joe Tages (Fr., Att., 6-3, 205, Holmdel, NJ/Holmdel) Three year starter on Varsity Lacrosse, fourth on all-time scoring list for high school lacrosse.

Brendan Wall (Fr., Mid., 6-1, 165, Midfield, NH/Londonderry) Won Rookie of the Year Award, named captain of lacrosse team during sophomore year, led team in points during junior season.

Jeremey Wiley (Jr., Def., 5-6, 150, Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue) Two time member of State Championship team, two time All-County team member, named 2010 Rookie of the Year, Honorable Mention All-American.

For all Pace Men's Lacrosse updates throughout the year, please log on to www.PaceUAthletics.com and follow @PaceUAthletics and @PaceLacrosse on Twitter for up-to-the minute information.