NASSAU CC LACROSSE  (2008)
 

HISTORY: Lacrosse at Nassau CC was introduced by its first coach, Mike Candel, in 1966. Besides bringing lacrosse to Nassau, Mike was instrumental in establishing the NJCAA Lacrosse Tournament. Nassau won the first championship in 1970 and has recorded 20 titles in the 38 year history of the post season event. After serving as an assistant for two years, Rich Speckmann, took over the reigns in 1971 and has served as their coach to this day. In their 42 years of competition, the Lions have a record of 496-153-1. The Lions will look to gain the programs 500^th win early in the 2008 season.

The Lions have never had a losing record, and the winning tradition has been passed on each season. Twenty national titles and other special occasions have all been memorable, but the success of its graduates has always been the priority of the coaching staff. Along that line, special congratulations goes out to three Nassau alumni (Frank Tashman, Sandy Kapatos and Don Borges), who were all recently inducted into the Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Also a wish of good luck goes out to the more than 30 ex Lions now competing at various NCAA institutions..

2008 OUTLOOK: Last year’s squad returned to the NJCAA finals, a position the Lions have enjoyed more than any other institution since the conception of JUCO Tournament. Those returning look to build on what they accomplished last year and their goal, as it has been each year, is to return to the tournament on Mother’s Day Weekend.

The 2008 squad will be led by their captain and ’07 JUCO All American midfielder, Matt Cowley. Eleven others return, however, only two were starters. In addition, 14 transfers and 10 freshmen will make up the ’08 team. The coaches are optimistic as the squad has more depth and has demonstrated greater athleticism than last year’s team. The strength is at midfield and in the goal while the attack and defense are a concern as both are dominated with untested freshmen. An up tempo pace and more defensive pressure is what one can anticipate from the lions this upcoming season. The following is a roster breakdown by position.

ATTACK: Kevin Olson (21G,11A) is the only starter returning and is joined by Bryan Renneisen (11G,5A) and Wes Hubschmidt (4G,4A) who both played on our second attack group last year. Newcomers include Russ Bonanno (Seaford), Kyle Riegel (Island Trees) and Shannon Robinson (Freeport) along with transfers Peter Boucher (Oceanside-NYIT) and Bill Kingston (Huntington-Ohio State). The above Lions will have to make up for the 119 points recorded by the duo of All Americans, David Loftus (CW Post) and Pat Bonnano (Salisbury). No superstars exist but they all have the ability to contribute and to ignite a strong offensive effort in 2008.

MIDFIELD: Captain Matt Cowley (31G,9A) leads a group of 6 returning midfielders, including Brian Kirschner (19G,6A), Kevin Ehrhardt (2G,2A), Matt Sagistano (6G,3A), and defensive short stick midfielders John Anglin and Luke Prochilo. Freshmen middies include Terry Clancy (Floral Park), Ed Finnegan (West Islip), Ron Irving (North Shore), Frank Limanni (Massapequa), and John Rutledge (Calhoun). Experience and additional depth will be supplied by transfers; Rich Born (Holy Trinity-Adelphi), William Fama (Division-Delhi), and Matt Ryan (Massapequa-Manhatten). The Lions already suffered their first casualty in the loss of last years face off and groundball leader, Justin Battino, who under went knee surgery in the fall. Nevertheless, their strength will be at midfield which should allow the Lions to play a much more up tempo style of play.

DEFENSE: Two nonstarters, Gavin McCormack (Long Beach) and Randy Williams (Copiague) return along with red shirted Jon Miracolo (Hicksville). Freshmen, Sean Baum (JFK Bellmore), Mike Hinchy (East Meadow), Phil Kalargiros (Manhasset) and Joe Biggs (St. Anthony’s) will compete with transfers, John Buckley (Massapequa-Alvernia), Joe Ciaravino (Island Trees-Buffalo), Scott Dolce (Locust Valley-Bryant), and Rich Schmidt (Hicksville-Sacred Heart). Game experience is lacking, but not desire, as they will have to mature in a hurry if the Lions are going to compete with some of their early opponents.

GOAL: No goalies return, however, two transfers will fill the void. Charlie Paar (Huntington-Towson) was outstanding in the fall and his experience will be key with a young defense. Travis Tschubajan (Northport-Suffolk CC) was also impressive in the fall and will compete for the starting job.

SCHEDULE: The computer has indicated that the Lions have had the toughest schedule among the JUCO teams for the past two years and “08 appears to be no different. The Lions play the three teams from last years tournament (Onondaga-home, Herkimer-away and Howard-home) along with long time rivals Essex (away), Anne Arundel (home), Catonsville (away) and Howard (away). In addition, Nassau will meet upstate power, Monroe CC, at a neutral site (Hartwick), and will meet Suffolk CC at Stony Brook. The remaining contests are non-league games at Army B and Princeton B plus home contests with Navy Prep, Army Prep and Bridgton Academy. The demanding schedule is designed to prepare the Lions for the NJCAA Tournament which Nassau will host on Mother’s Day weekend.

COACHING STAFF:

RICH SPECKMANN - begins his 38^th year at the helm. Nineteen NJCAA Titles and a 437-147-1 overall record have transpired during his 37 year tenure. He has been honored by his induction into Hall of Fames at Oceanside HS, Cortland State and The Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Association. Rich is a professor In Nassau’s Physical Education Department.

SCOTT GRAHAM - begins his 4^th season as coordinator of the Lion offense. Scott was the head coach at Division Ave HS for 8 years and was also the head coach of Long Island’s Empire State Team during 2004 and again in 2005 when they won the gold medal. Scott teaches math at Division Ave HS and obtained his degree from Dowling College.

JOE MASCARETTI - joins the staff in ’08 and will work with the goalies, face off personnel and will assist with the team defense. After graduating from Hicksville HS, Joe attended CW Post and then transferred and finished his degree at Hofstra University. At both institutions Joe distinguished himself as an outstanding face off performer and has continued executing that skill while playing with the LI Lizards.

PAT NOLAN - will again coordinate Nassau’s defense as he enters his 14^th season. Pat teaches physical education in the Levittown School District and also is the head football coach at Massapequa HS. Pat played lacrosse at Nassau before transferring and receiving his degree from Adelphi.

NJCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS (20)