ANNVILLE, Pa. – This week's warm temperatures notwithstanding, late February signals the beginning of lacrosse season. Though Saturday's season-opener against Delaware Valley is likely to be played in some rain, those conditions should not pose an issue for an experienced Lebanon Valley squad that will take the field for the first time in 2018. The Flying Dutchmen return 21 players and look to improve on a 2017 campaign that ended with a one-goal loss in the MAC Commonwealth Tournament Play-In Game against Widener. That playoff experience should pay dividends later the spring.  

Team Captains
Seniors Coleman Wagner, Mason Hoff, and Blake Weaver will be joined by juniors Matt Torrence, and Cam Epple as captains for the 2018 season. For Wagner, it is his second captainship, while the other four returners will serve in the role for the first time this spring.

Attack
The Dutchmen will return several key offensive players from last year's squad, led by the team's second leading-scorer from a year ago in Kevin Beaver. Other goal-scoring threats Max Warmingham, Alex Bushong, and Adam Filbert look to contribute even more than they did last season. Joe Olives and Justin Marderness will look to add depth to the frontline, while potential freshmen goal-scoring contributors include Owen Morgan, Dustin Fisher, Evan Federowicz, and Josh Croyle.

Midfield
Lebanon Valley's midfield will be led by junior captain Matt Torrence and former conference rookie of the year Koty Keefer. Keefer, who missed all of the 2017 season due to injury, looks to come back strong and return to his 2016 all-conference first-team self. The pair will be joined by seniors Mason Hoff, Eli Hudson, and Mike Butcher and a sophomore class that includes Trevor Holak, Courtland Hackel, and Tyler Beard. Michael Fisher and Evan Crawford are first-year midfielders that join the squad this season.

Defense
LVC's back end should prove to be the team's strength this spring, led by two-time MAC Commonwealth All-Conference Second-Team selection Coleman Wagner and MAC Commonwealth All-Conference Honorable Mention Barrett Campbell. Another key returning piece for the defense will be senior captain Blake Weaver, who has the potential to disrupt a number of offenses this season. Expect fellow defensemen Nick Mowry, Ryan Maraldo, and Nate Owsinski to team up with freshman Luke Tamberino and Mason Klaus to provide depth.
 
Goalkeeper
Two-time Second-Team All-MAC Commonwealth pick Cam Epple looks to continue his already impressive LVC career. Last season, the junior made 200 stops while recording a .613 save percentage. Returning senior Dillon Dunn will add some depth to the goalie position, as will incoming freshmen Mason Jerden and Brandon Vance.

Dutchmen Tabbed Fourth 
LVC was picked to finish fourth in the annual MAC Commonwealth Preseason Coaches' Poll, with the Dutchmen earning 42 points in the 2018 edition. Defending conference champion Stevenson received 64 points and all eight first-place votes. Messiah finished second with 53 points, Widener's 50 points were good enough to rank the Pride third, and Albright earned 39 points to finish fifth in this year's poll.

Circle the Date
April 7 – Alvernia (Crosse Out Cancer)

This early April matchup with Alvernia is a must-watch. The contest serves as LVC's annual Crosse Out Cancer Game, during which the Dutchmen sport unique jerseys for one game only in an ongoing effort to raise cancer awareness. If the added emotion of the Crosse Out Cancer contest isn't enough, last year's matchup with the Golden Wolves was an entertaining matchup that had a combined 23 goals; 18 of which came from the Dutchmen. LVC hopes a similar result this spring could lead a playoff push in a tough MAC Commonwealth.

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