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Men's Lacrosse

Men's Lacrosse: Denison picked first in NCAC preseason poll; opens season this Saturday

Senior Rick Mackessy returns to lead Denison into the 2008 season which kicks off this Saturday against Fontbonne.

Date: February 20, 2008
Location: GRANVILLE

In the annual preseason coaches poll conducted by the North Coast Athletic Conference the Denison Big Red was picked to finish first at season's end along with Ohio Wesleyan University.  The two rivals both received 33 total points and three first place votes.  Wooster followed in third place with 22 points while Kenyon trailed with 19 followed by Wittenberg (12) and Oberlin (7).  

With the 2008 campaign set to kick off on Saturday (Feb. 23), the Big Red return to action with plenty to prove.  Coming off an excellent 11-4 season a year ago, the Big Red return 11 seniors that averaged 10 wins a season over their first three years. However, their 2007 NCAA first round playoff loss to Widener along with a regular season defeat to rival Ohio Wesleyan resonates in the minds of the players and lets them know there is plenty of work to be done in '08.

The majority of experience for the Big Red lies within their defense. Returning starters at close defense all return with captain and senior Dave Harman (Hudson, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy) being the vocal leader of the group. Senior Chris Gaines (Upper Arlington, Ohio/St. Charles Prep) and junior preseason Honorable Mention All American Jim Minor (Washington, Pa./Trinity) are talented defenders that are able to use their athleticism and size to wreak havoc on attackmen. Adding depth to the close defense are juniors Peter Hunter (Lake Bluff, Ill./Westminster) and Matt Edenbaum (Potomac, Md./St. Andrews) along with senior Nick Silbergeld (Baltimore, Md./Friends). At the Long Stick Middie position Denison has one of the nation's best in senior captain Taylor Nissi (Groton, Mass./Holderness) who is a two time all conference selection and also a preseason Honorable Mention All American. Backing up Nissi is one of the hardest workers on the team, senior Andrew Doggett (Byfield, Mass./Governor Dummer Adacemy). Defensive midfielders Teddy Epstein (Glen Ridge, N.J./Glen Ridge) and LJ Hackett (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington-Kilbourne) are emotional leaders that inspire teammates with their attitude and work ethic. In the cage the Big Red’s last line of defense is four year starter Alex Baruch (Richmond, Va./St. Christopher's) whose 6.37 Goals Against Average ranked him eighth in the country last spring.

What Denison may lack in experience at the offensive end they make up for with a wealth of talent. Senior attackmen Topher Nazaruk (Stratford, Conn./Fairfield Prep) exploded onto the scene last year with a 50 point junior season, while preseason All-American and 2007 NCAC Newcomer of the Year, Brady Burton (Dublin, Ohio/Jerome) scored 47 goals in his freshman campaign. The attack is steadied by junior captain Nate Hall (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) whose quickness and decision making creates a cohesiveness between all three at the position. Some talented underclassmen in freshmen Emmett Jones (Colorado Springs, Colo./Air Academy) and Kyle Bliss (Basking Ridge, N.J./Seton Hall Prep) are pushing the attackmen in front of them for more time on the field.

The Big Red return their top two scoring threats at the midfield in junior Dan Maude (Wayne, Pa./Haverford School) and senior Rick Mackessy (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson). Maude, a three year starter, had 29 points a year ago and is able to use his large frame and athleticism to create plenty of offense. He also is a shooting threat from the outside which is an added bonus in man up situations for Denison. Mackessy is a quick, shifty dodger whose skill set makes him a very dangerous feeder and shooter whether it be on the run or with time and room. He will be looking to improve upon his 37 points from last year. Junior Nick Jacobs and sophomore Connor Detjen look to handle the face-off duties with the senior Epstein helping out. Freshman Tanner Smith (Boxford, Mass./Brooks School), junior Ted Gulyas (Medina, Ohio/Medina), and senior PJ Hendrick (Newton, Mass./Rivers School) will add athleticism to the unit.

Denison's season will start off this Saturday at 1 p.m. at Deeds Field-Piper Stadium in Granville against Fontbonne (Mo.) University.  The regular season will conclude on Saturday (May 3) with their annual clash with Ohio Wesleyan University.  That game will take place in Granville and it will mark the 86th meeting between the two schools since lacrosse became a varsity sport at Denison in 1956.  Since that season the all-time series is tied at a remarkable 42-42-1.