Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/20/11
The Villanova men’s lacrosse team was ranked No. 25 in the Inside Lacrosse pre-season poll.
The Wildcats went 10-5 last year behind head coach Michael Corrado and defeated national finalist Notre Dame as well as two other ranked teams. Villanova again will be led by senior long stick midfielder Brian Karalunas, the Big East’s co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2010.
The Wildcat defense should be strong with seniors Chris Ficke and Troy Higgins and junior Chris Creighton (Malvern Prep) at close defense as well as senior defensive midfielders Andrew Henrich (La Salle) and T.J. O’Donnell.
The attack is led by junior Kevin Cunningham (15G, 30A last year) and sophomore Jack Rice (26G). Sophomore Will Casertano could be a key and junior Matt Bell should be a weapon on attack and at midfield.
In the goal, Corrado has sophomore Billy Hurley and junior Dan Gutierrez, who was displaced by Hurley as the starter after five games. The Breakout Player was junior midfielder Mike Vigilante, who was slowed somewhat last year after suffering a knee injury.
A Rookie to watch is freshman defenseman John LoCascio, a 5-11, 200-pound high school All-American. Players on the mend from injuries include senior midfielder Chris Aitken (Haverford School), who is coming back from a hernia; and freshman defender Remington Pope, who is coming back from a knee injury.
The Wildcats open with Lehigh at home on Feb. 19.
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