Oct. 14, 2014 The Siena Lacrosse Class of 2018 arrived on campus recently for the start of the fall semester. The 12-member incoming freshman class includes five 2014 US Lacrosse High School All-Americans and two younger brothers of current Saints.
"I am excited to welcome the Class of 2018 to Loudonville," said head coach John Svec, who enters his fourth season. "My staff and I are eager to work with the newest members of our Siena Lacrosse Family. The expectations that our current and former student athletes have set are high. These young men are certainly talented, but more importantly they are high character individuals who will positively impact our entire community here at Siena."
A native of Yorktown Heights, N.Y., Tim Cousin becomes the third sibling in his family to play Division I lacrosse. His older brother, Kevin, is a junior on the Saints and Chris plays for Holy Cross. Cousin was named a US Lacrosse All-American this spring after tallying 60 points on 35 goals and 25 assists at Somers High. Cousin led the Tuskers to the Section I Class B Semifinals and was also named a First Team All-Hudson Valley/Westchester Boys Lacrosse Team selection.
"Tim is an explosive athlete whose skills allow him to play both attack and midfield," explained Svec.
JT Jennings was named a US Lacrosse All-American each of the past two seasons at Rumson Fair Haven Regional. The Fair Haven, N.J. product appeared in 53 games over his three-year varsity career, picking up 64 groundballs and causing 53 turnovers on close defense. He led RFH to the Shore Conference Tournament Title each year and helped guide the program to its first-ever NJSIAA South Group I Title as a junior. Jennings also excelled in football where he was named a First Team All-Division selection each of the past two years and led RFH to a State Championship last fall.
"JT is a hard working young man, an excellent student and a tenacious defender," commented Svec.
A goalie out of Bay Shore, N.Y., Aaron Lewis made 153 saves last spring for Bay Shore. He was named an All-County honoree and selected to play in the Suffolk County Rising Junior and Senior Games at the Long Island Lacrosse Showcase.
"At Siena we play fast and that means playing fast from the goalie position out and that describes Aaron," said Svec. "His command of the defensive end of the field is something that stands out about him as well."
Nick Matzelevich hails from the nation's capital where he was a 2012 All-MAC selection at Bullis. Selected to the WAVELAX All-Star Team, Matzelevich was a four-year starter on defense and also earned three varsity letters in football.
"Nick is a strong defender, capable of playing out top or close defense," noted Svec. "He brings a great work ethic and great deal of character to Loudonville."
Dan McAvoy joins the Saints from lacrosse power Fairport (N.Y.) High where he helped guide his squad to a peak No. 4 ranking in Lacrosse Magazine's Nike/US Lacrosse Northeast Regional Rankings this spring. McAvoy was named to the Section V Class A All-Tournament Team and scored a team-high three goals in the state semifinals. He was named a 2014 Second Team All-Section and All-Greater Rochester Honorable Mention selection.
"Dan comes from a great high school program and brings that winning experience with him," noted Svec. "He is a threat on the offensive end and is an excellent athlete."
Colin McLaughlin played at national power Calvert Hall. The Forest Hill, Md. native helped guide Calvert Hall to the playoffs in both his junior and senior seasons. McLaughlin was named MVP of his Baltimore Keys/Trilogy club team which he led twice in scoring and was a member of the FCA U-17 National Team.
"Coming from one of the best high school programs in the country, Colin brings a great deal of talent and lacrosse IQ to our program," explained Svec.
Brian Prunty is the younger brother of senior midfielder Conor Prunty. A Yorktown Heights, N.Y. native, the younger Prunty was named a 2014 US Lacrosse High School All-American. Prunty was a three-time All-Section selection and was also named a two-time All-League and All-Section honoree in football at Lakeland High.
"Brian is a big, athletic player with the ability to score," commented Svec. "His lacrosse IQ and work ethic make him a very tough matchup for opponents."
Pennsylvania native Matt Quagliariello was named a Second Team All-Central League and Honorable Mention All-County selection at Springfield High. The long stick midfielder was named a 2012 Philly Showcase Fab-40 All-Star while playing for his club NXT Lacrosse squad.
"Matt is a smart, aggressive defender," said Svec. "We are looking for him to be dangerous in transition."
Chris Robertson joins the Saints from Dundas, Ontario where he was an attackman for The Hill Academy. He also played for the Buffalo Lacrosse Academy.
"Chris is a tough, skilled goal scorer," noted Svec. "His box and field experience in Canada has developed his exceptional play making ability."
Hunter Sanna hails from Alpharetta, Ga. where he led Milton High to the Class 6A Semifinals this spring. A US Lacrosse High School All-American and First Team All-State selection, Sanna won 80% of his faceoffs and also scored 11 goals for the Eagles. Sanna was named the Nike/US Lacrosse South Regional Player of the Week on Apr. 1 after winning 19 of 22 faceoffs in Milton's win over defending Class 6A Champion Centennial. He also was named to the Philly Showcase Fab-40, SE Showcase, Philly Invitational and Blue Chip 225 (two times) All-Star squads.
"Hunter's work ethic and toughness have developed him into a dangerous faceoff midfielder," explained Svec. "His ability will continue to improve and excellent faceoff unit."
Luke Van Schepen starred at The Hill Academy. The Brampton, Ontario native was the recipient of the 2012 Ontario Lacrosse Association's Chuck Rowan Award and captained his Brampton Excelsior's Midget 1 Box team to a provincial title during the 2012 Ontario Summer Games. Van Schepen helped Team Ontario win the national box lacrosse midget title while also captaining the U16 Team Ontario field squad to the 2012 National Field Lacrosse Championship Silver Medal.
"Luke's ability to communicate along with his stick skills made him a standout at The Hill Academy," commented Svec. "Continued development of those skills will enable us to get better on defense and play fast in transition."
Mike Vitale joins the Saints from Chagrin Falls, Ohio where he was named both a US Lacrosse and Brine Lacrosse All-American following his senior season at St. Ignatius. A First Team All-Ohio and All-Region selection, he posted school records with 14 points and nine goals in St. Ignatius' win in the First Round of the OHSLA Playoffs. "Mike's athletic ability and hustle will add a great deal to our team," said Svec. "His intelligence and unselfishness will make our program stronger."
The dozen new Saints join a Siena Lacrosse team coming off the program's third MAAC Championship and NCAA Appearance this spring.
