2007 Men's Lacrosse Preseason Newsletter 2007 SEASON OUTLOOK

CLARK LACROSSE DONATES TO A WORTHY CAUSE

2007 CAPTAINS

FOGLIETTA JOINS COUGAR LACROSSE COACHING STAFF

2007 SCHEDULE

2007 SEASON OUTLOOK

The Clark University men’s lacrosse team (7-8, 1-7 Pilgrim) returns to the turf fresh off the success of its record-setting spring, where they set a new school mark for wins (7) in a season and sketched a pair of players in the Cougar record-books. Although 2006 was the best season in program history, fifth-year head coach Evan Davis anticipates another breakout year.

“It’s all about momentum,” said Davis. “That’s something this program hasn’t had in the past. The talent level is better – we have two high school All-Americans, and that shows how much this program has taken off. I’m expecting to have our best year ever.”

Facing off in the highly competitive Pilgrim League, which boasts two of the top teams in the nation, Coach Davis believes mental toughness will determine the Cougars’ success this spring. “The key is to go into games knowing that we can win,” Davis said. “There’s not a game on the schedule that we can’t compete in if we played our best game.”

“This team has all of the potential in the world,” he added. “The ball is in their court.”

While the Cougars will miss Scott Foglietta, who joins the coaching staff, Devon Kinnard (30-3-33) and Mike Myers, the school record-holder in career groundballs (263), they return 16 letter-winners and seven starters, not to mention a strong recruiting class, which will combine for a deep bench and a potent line-up.

According to Coach Davis, the strength of this year’s team will be in the backfield, where first-year starter Tyler Campbell will be the Cougars last line of defense. The sophomore net minder, who split goaltending duties last season, returns to take over the top job this year. Senior Chris Sataline will back him up. Tri-captains Dan Rosenak, who owns the mark for most groundballs in a season (106), and Dave Breglio are back to anchor Clark’s defensive unit. First-year Tim Cole, a second-team All-State player at Pennridge High (PA) last season, is also expected to make an immediate contribution, while senior Grant Tremelling will provide veteran presence. “We have the ability to have a high scoring offense,” Davis said. “But if we can’t stop teams, we aren’t going to win. It starts with our defense.”

Sophomore Matt Fram (19-15-34) is projected to build on a fine freshman campaign and lead the Cougar midfielders this spring. Sophomore Drew Silverman, graduate student Sam Musen, and rookie Scott Wheeler, an All-State midfielder from Totino-Grace High (Minn.) will battle for the face-off position, and freshman Ben Collins will be in contention for the remaining slot. Senior tri-captain Matt Arnold will be looked upon to contribute offensively, while top midfield recruits Alex Craven, JC Tsagarakis, Nick Olear and Chris Adams will also be in the midfield mix. Led by two-year starter Mike Fuchs, the Cougars’ long stick midfielders include junior Andrew Sheen and freshman Taylor Morono, a dual-sport athlete at Clark.

The return of Shawn Roche (30-26-56) and Andrew Webber gives the Cougars a formidable scoring threat up front. The team’s top scorer last season, Roche also tied the school mark for points (13) in a game, while Webber, who topped the squad in points (43-12-55) two years ago, is hoping to return to form after sitting out last spring. One of Coach Davis’ top recruits, high school All-America Garrett McAdam should also give Clark an offensive boost. The Cougars will also tap the talents of Jon Ponte (19-10-29) and first-year Jeremy Urquhart.

Coach Davis knows it would take the team’s best lacrosse to beat the Pilgrim League’s top squads, but the Cougars are in a position to scoop up a few more conference victories this season. The increased talent, coupled with experience and a consistent game plan, will elevate Clark’s play in 2007. “Our goal every year is to make the conference playoffs,” said Davis. “I feel like our team is one step closer to obtaining that goal.”

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CLARK LACROSSE DONATES TO A WORTHY CAUSE

The Clark University men’s lacrosse team has linked up with Americans Supporting Americans (ASA) to provide aid to United States troops in Iraq. The Cougars, who foster a unit in Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas, collected goods such as food, clothes, magazines and health care items, and mailed to Fort Anaconda over the holidays.

Evan Davis, Clark’s fifth-year head coach, learned about the program from a lacrosse convention in Baltimore, Md. “I’m excited about having the opportunity to give back to our troops,” said Davis. “A lot of the men and women in Iraq are the same age as some of the players on our team. They didn’t make it home for the holidays, and we just wanted to do something to make their days a little bit easier.”

According to Davis, the response from his players has been overwhelming. He hopes that his team’s efforts will make for a better day in the life of a soldier, but also that the two groups can form a bond unlike any other. That relationship has already begun to take form with the Cougars assuming the 135-soldier, 1st Cavalry Division motto, “Cav’s got your back.” The 2007 team’s slogan, “Cougars got your back,” is in support of each other and their adopted battalion.

The Cougars plan to continue supporting their fostered company until the troops come home. In the spring, the team will sell t-shirts to help off-set the cost of this initiative.

The first shipment went out on Wednesday, Dec. 20. If you would like to donate to this cause, please contact Coach Evan Davis at x7729.

Please visit http://www.asa-usa.org/site/PageServer for more information.

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MEN’S LAX ANNOUNCES 2007 CAPTAINS

Dave Breglio, Matt Arnold, and Daniel Rosenak have been named captains for the Cougar lacrosse 2007 campaign, it was announced on Monday. A three-year starting defender for Clark, Breglio, from West Springfield, Mass., finished second in groundballs (64) last season and enters this year’s campaign with 153. Originally from Brookline, Mass., Arnold will begin his fourth straight season as a starting midfielder. He scored a pair of goals and chipped in with an assist last season, and will be expected to contribute more offensively this year. Rosenak, a native of Montclair, N.J., will serve as the team’s junior tri-captain this spring. The defender set a new mark for groundballs (106) in a season last year.

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FOGLIETTA JOINS COUGAR LACROSSE COACHING STAFF

Scott Foglietta ’06 will begin his first season on the sidelines for the Cougars. A four-year lacrosse player and former senior captain, Foglietta ranks fifth on the all-time scoring list with 43 goals, 63 assists and 106 points in 49 career games. He helped lead the team to the most wins (7) in school history last season and set a new assist mark with 10 during the 2005 campaign. A three-time member of the Pilgrim League All-Academic team, the Oceanside, N.Y., native was also an active member of the Clark community with his involvement in the Pre-Law Society, Student Council Republicans of Clark and Mock Trial Moot Court. A management major, Foglietta graduated in 2006 and is currently pursing his MBA degree through the fifth-year program at Clark. Foglietta will be working with the attack and goalies this season.

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2007 SCHEDULE

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Men's Lacrosse Office
Evan Davis, Head Coach, 508-793-7729
Email: rdavis@clarku.edu