Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (2/14/2024) – "We work daily at being the best team we can be," simply stated Gwynedd Mercy University Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Blase Cesarone. "We want to build off last year's success and we want to return to the Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Championship. We have strong leadership and a lot of valuable experience on the field. We have the talent as well, but it's our commitment, accountability, and mentality - recognize the bigger mission, uphold our standards on and off the field, and stay focused - that will give us an opportunity to reach our goals."
 
After enduring a series of close early-season decisions a battle-tested Gwynedd Mercy University won the first five games of their Atlantic East Conference (AEC) season. A 5-1 league record earned the Griffins the #2 seed in the 2023 AEC Men's Lacrosse Championship Tournament. There, a narrow 11-10 loss to #3 Marymount University ended the Red and Gold's season in the semifinals.
 
"We will certainly miss the scoring prowess of Jason Eide and experience of Chase McFeely '23, but guys like Ian Kish, Gunnar Seaman, Pat O'Neill, Justin Carney, Richie Hughes, and Ryan Wilkins are why we are so optimistic," said Coach Cesarone. "Josh and Jared Devine are important pieces for us too. Both will have an immediate impact in their roles. Nick Flamma's return is big for us as well; he's another experienced player who knows how to excel in our gameplan."
 
Up front, the Gwynedd Mercy University attack looks to make up for Eide's departure with Flamma, Devine, sophomore Gunnar Seaman (Worcester, Pa.), freshmen Jose Williams (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Jeremiah Destin (Philadelphia, Pa.), as well as offensive midfielders; sophomore Nick Citrigno (Southampton, Pa.) and junior Dominic Romania (Phoenixville, Pa.). Seaman offered a sensational rookie season with team-highs in goals (37) and shots (132) earning him an All-AEC Second Team selection. He finished his freshman season with 58 points (37 goals, 21 assists), 132 shots, 27 groundballs, and 12 caused turnovers. Meanwhile, Citirigno and Romania look to continue their upward trajectory; the former offered eight points (4 goals, 4 assists) in his freshman season, while the latter provided 16 points (13 goals, 3 assists) in his sophomore campaign.

The Griffins boast depth in the midfield with the return of seniors Justin Carney (Flemington, N.J.), Jack Freeland (Riverton, N.J.), and Shane Langefeld (Hainesport, N.J.), juniors Ian Kish (Easton, Pa.), Richie Hughes (Turnersville, N.J.), and Nathan Tindall (Douglassville, Pa.), sophomore Zac Womer (Gilbertsville, Pa.), as well as freshmen Kyle Burgess (Yardley, Pa.) and Bryce Gaffney (Washington Township, N.J.). Carney and Freeland take on captain duties following respective 32-point (24 goals, 8 assists) and 14-point (9 goals, 5 assists) seasons, while Kish eyes a second straight All-AEC season after 45 points (31 goals, 14 assists) earned him a First Team selection in 2023. Hughes is another established offensive asset who totaled 30 points (20 goals, 10 assists) last season. Faceoff responsibilities belong to sophomore Jake Tedeschi (Goshen, N.Y.), who grabbed four groundballs while winning half of his faceoff opportunities (11-of-22, .500) in 2023. 
 
The defensive midfield will include graduate long stick midfield/short stick defensive midfielder Jared Manbeck (Womelsdorf, Pa.), junior defenseman/long stick midfielder Ryan Wilkins (Galloway, N.J.), sophomore defenseman/long stick midfielder Sam Koehler (Collegeville, Pa.), and freshman defenseman/midfielder Jon Chapman (Philadelphia, Pa.). Wilkins was a terror with the long stick in 2023 with 19 groundballs and six caused turnovers. Meanwhile, as either the short-stick or long-pole, Manbeck in an experienced asset that totaled 10 ground balls and caused a pair turnovers during his senior season.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University's defense in another experienced unit with seniors Reece Salas (Hatboro, Pa.), Jim Bickel (Fairless Hills, Pa.), and captain Pat O'Neill (Pennsauken, N.J.) headlining a crew that also includes junior Joshua Kolasa (Cherry Hill, N.J.), sophomore Dylan Gazda (Pottstown, Pa.), and freshman Joe Oriold (Southampton, Pa.). O'Neill has been a mainstay over his collegiate career, making 39 starts in 40 career contests. He totaled 23 groundballs and caused eight turnovers just a year ago.
 
Between the pipes, the Red and Gold goalkeeping depth chart includes junior Jared Devine (Pottstown, Pa.), sophomore Grady Mumm (Forest Hill, Md.), and freshman Ryan Daley (Wilmington, Del.). Devine was 2-2 in 10 appearances last year; he totaled 63 saves with a 10.99 goals-against average (GAA) and a 54.8% save percentage. Meanwhile, Mumm saw 63 minutes (62:32) in the cage, making 11 saves on a 7.68 GAA and a 57.9% save percentage.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University opens the 2024 season on Wednesday, February 21, when they host Albright College for a 4:00 p.m. home opener.