Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 11/29/09
From Press Releases
Eastern University’s men’s lacrosse coach Brandon Childs has named senior Mike Hofmeister and junior Matt Mandia (Souderton graduate) team captains for the 2010 season.
The two upperclassmen will have the task of providing veteran leadership to a squad that shows great promise for 2010. The Eastern squad will feature over 20 new players in the spring, and Hofmeister and Mandia have already played a prominent role in bringing the new and talented players into the program.
“There has never been a more obvious choice for leadership than these two guys.” said Childs. “These men have an unmatched level of commitment to their teammates and their school. They are the perfect choice to lead our team and represent the Eastern Lacrosse family.”
Hofmeister is one of four seniors returning to Childs’ 2010 line-up. Hofmeister, one of the toughest players in the conference, had 23 points for the Eagles in 2009 on 7 goals and 16 assists. “Hof is an unselfish player and his stats show that.” Childs said of his senior midfielder. “Mike doesn’t just score goals he scores big goals. He doesn’t just make plays he makes the big plays. Mike is everything a coach could ask for to demonstrate the qualities of a great lacrosse team.”
Mandia is the only returning all-conference performer from the 2009 campaign. Mandia was asked to defend the other team’s top scorer game in and game out and will be asked to do so again in 2010. Childs said, “Matt is one of those natural leaders. He works hard and plays with a high level of emotion.”
Starting every game since he arrived on campus Mandia has been the backbone of a defense that allowed just 9 goals per game in 2009. “Matt is going to be a great leader for the next two years,” Childs said. “He asserts himself everyday in practice as the guy who sets the tone for the team.”
With the team’s leadership in good hands Childs has revealed his 2010 schedule. The challenging slate includes two contests against Centennial Conference squads and a road game at FDU, the defending Middle Atlantic Conference champions. Home contests against Messiah College and Widener University will give the home crowd a chance to see the Eagles take on a pair of top league rivals at Olson Field.
“We’re excited about our 2010 schedule,” said Childs. “Adding Ursinus and Guilford to an already challenging non-conference schedule and with our conference getting better and better we have our work cut out for us. I am really excited to see how our young team will compete against high quality opponents.”
Eastern finished the 2009 season with an appearance in the MAC Playoffs will open the 2010 season on the road at Swarthmore College on Feb. 27.
The Eagles will be on the road for four out of the first five games of the season but then will return home for some big games against Conference foes.
“We worked really hard this fall and I was really pleased with our development,” Childs said. “With the leadership of the returners the hard work in the fall has carried over into the winter and I expect it to pay off this spring. I can’t wait!”
