Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/6/21
From Press Release
Entering his second season at the helm of the Immaculata men’s lacrosse program, head coach Matt Justice and the Mighty Macs will look to make continued strides in the upcoming 2021 season. The Mighty Macs season will get underway today inside Draper Walsh Stadium against Shenandoah at 4 p.m
After a stint as the Interim Head Coach during the 2020 season, Justice is optimistic. “I think we will be more fine-tuned with the little things and some of the X’s and O’s type stuff,” said Justice.
“Our team culture has also become very well established, and I feel like we have 100 % buy-in from our guys. I think the guys are very excited and very happy to be out on the field. They have shown that they want to be out on the field and ready to roll after having our season cut short last year,” continued Justice.
Immaculata will next be hosting Wesley in what will be considered a non-conference game on Saturday the 13th in a preview of the Atlantic East battle between the two squads later in the season. Following this contest, Immaculata will travel to Rosemont on Wednesday the 17th to conclude its non-conference slate in advance of conference play beginning on Saturday, March 27, against No. 4 Cabrini.
After their Atlantic East opener at home against the Cavaliers, the Mighty Macs will travel to Atlantic East Rival Neumann on Wednesday the 31st to conclude the month of March. Immaculata will begin its April schedule with a road trip to Marywood on Wednesday, April 7, before hosting Gwynedd Mercy on Saturday, April 10. Immaculata will then take to the road again on the 17th to face Wesley in an Atlantic East matchup before concluding its regular season on Wednesday, April 21, opposite Marymount.
“We wanted a super competitive non-league schedule to help us really get ready for who and what we will see in Atlantic East play,” said Justice. “We open Atlantic East play against the two-time Atlantic East Champions and Reigning National Champions in Cabrini, which I think is a great way to start.
“Following this contest, we will have a lot of time to look at what we did in that game and learn from it for the remainder of the season. Following that matchup, we go right into more tough games against the rest of the Conference schedule in Neumann, Marywood, Gwynedd Mercy, and Wesley before ending with Marymount.”
ROSTER CHECK
During Coach Justice’s first season a year ago, Immaculata started the year with a record of 1-3 before seeing its season halted midway through the month of March, with the Macs lone victory coming in convincing fashion over Albright by a final of 13-10.
Current senior Steve Long (Downingtown West) ended the year leading the team in goals and points with 14 goals and 19 points on the year thanks in large part to a historic seven-goal performance in the Macs win over Albright, which led to the junior earning Atlantic East Player of the Week honors. In addition to Long, Immaculata is also returning three of its other top scorers from a year ago as Sean Evans (Father Judge, 7 G, 8 A, 15 P), David Azzarano (Radnor, 6 G, 4 A, 10 P), Anthony Inserra (Ocean City-NJ, 6 G, 3 A, 9 P) all return for the 2021 season.
“Offensively, we bring back almost everyone,” said Justice. “Steve will continue to do what he does and what he has done so well for us throughout his career while also adding some flair along the way. Anthony, who is a sophomore captain for us, is very consistent and is someone who can help us stay on track and right the ship if necessary.”
Defensively, Bobby Bausman (Lansdale Catholic) returns for his senior season after causing eight turnovers and recording 30 ground balls to lead the Macs in both categories a season ago. In goal, Immaculata will look to Cole Metzger (Boyertown) to take over the goaltending duties following four-year standout Denton States’ graduation.
“Bobby is an absolute defensive leader for us,” said Justice. “In addition to his skills defensively, I am continually impressed by his leadership as he is one of the best captains I have had the chance to work with so far in my career.
“In goal, Cole was initially recruited and entered as a goalkeeper, he briefly transitioned to being a lefty attack, but he will return to the goal this season while also serving as one of our captains this upcoming season. It is great to have him back in his element and playing his natural position, so I don’t foresee any major lapse between Denton and Cole taking over this year.”
In addition to the talented group of returners from a year ago, Immaculata welcomes a trio of talented newcomers into the program as Jackson Fonseca (Roman Catholic), Branden Smith (Lower Cape May-NJ), and Dylan Konczyk (Middle Twp-NJ) all embark upon their first seasons as Mighty Macs in 2021. Coach Justice spoke highly of his newcomers, particularly regarding the impact that Fonseca and Smith will have the chance to make in their first seasons as Mighty Macs.
“Jackson and Branden bring great skill and physicality for us, potentially into our starting lineup,” said Justice. “With these additions, I do not expect us to see any major changes in our personnel on the offensive end of the field.”
