Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/10/22
From Press Release
The Cabrini men’s lacrosse team has added a pair of coaches to its 2022 coaching staff, head coach Steve Colfer recently announced, as Tommy DeLuca (’20) and Kyle Tucker are the newest member of the staff.
DeLuca and Tucker mark two of the nation’s top defenders over the last several years, accounting for six United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) All-America honors and three of last four USILA William C. Stiles Most Outstanding Defenseman awards.
A four-time All-Atlantic East Conference performer and two time Defensive Player of the Year, DeLuca moved into the coaching ranks after a career that included 12 All-America honors.
The Apex, NC native capped his playing career at the nation’s top defensive player according to the nation’s coaches, as DeLuca was named 2021 USILA William C. Stiles Most Outstanding Defenseman after a season that saw him pair 37 caused turnovers and 58 ground balls.
In 2021, DeLuca, a two-time captain for the Cavaliers, broke the program’s record for caused turnovers, closing his career with 173, while his 255 ground balls and 83 games played rank second.
During the Cavaliers championship season in 2019, DeLuca also set the program’s single season caused turnover mark with 61 and owns the three of the top seven single season performances in that category.
Tucker joined the Blue and White coaching staff after a standout career at Salisbury University. A two-time NCAA champions, Tucker was a three-time USILA First Team All-American.
During his career, the Sea Gulls went a combined 82-11, with three trips to NCAA Championship Weekend. In his 93 career games, Tucker tallied 140 caused turnovers and 249 ground balls to go with five points.
Tucker was named USILA William C. Stiles Memorial Outstanding Defensive Player as Div. III’s best defensive player in 2017 after collecting 67 ground balls and causing turnovers. The Downingtown East alum caused 49 turnovers and scooped 98 ground balls during a senior campaign that again culminated in being named the nation’s top defender.
After his collegiate career, Tucker played two seasons for the MLL’s Chesapeake Bayhawks, appearing in five contests for the 2019 Major League Lacrosse champions.
DeLuca and Tucker will make their debuts on the Blue and White sideline on Saturday, Feb. 19, when the Cavaliers open the 2022 season against Haverford. The opening faceoff is scheduled for 12pm.
