Feb. 16, 2002

Stony Brook, N.Y. - 2002 Stony Brook Men's Lacrosse Preseason Notebook

Overview: The Seawolves begin a new chapter in the program's history this spring as a member of the America East Conference. After competing for the last two seasons in the ECAC Lacrosse League, Stony Brook jumped to the America East on the heels of the university's acceptance into the conference last January. Stony Brook is coming off a 7-7 season and looks to build upon its strong finish last year which saw the team win four of its last five games. The Seawolves will feature a veteran squad eager to make a run at the conference title and earn Stony Brook's first ever invitation to the NCAA tournament.

The Best Of What's Around: Senior attackman Kevin Pall is out to prove he is just that. Last year in the rugged ECAC Lacrosse League, he finished with a school and career best 50 goals. His 3.57 goals per game average ranked first in the nation as he became the first Stony Brook lacrosse player in Division I history to capture the national scoring title. He set the mark against some of the best competition in the nation scoring four goals against No. 8 Georgetown and five versus No. 19 Rutgers. He finished with 17 goals in conference play and was selected to the All ECAC Lacrosse League first team. Pall was the only Stony Brook player to earn All ECAC honors in the two seasons that SB was in the league. Along the way, Pall shattered the Stony Brook single season goal record, eclipsing John Warrack's mark of 48 that was set back in 1985. Pall has now scored in 30 straight games.

Note - Worthy: The Seawolves should be solid in the goal in 2002 as well. Senior Steve Armsworthy made a big splash last year after transferring from Catonsville Community College. He posted a .643 save percentage which ranked third in the nation and a 8.62 goals against average which placed him 13th in the country. His save percentage mark also ranked first in the ECAC Lacrosse League.

The Menace: Senior middie Denis Scannell looks to make his final year at Stony Brook his best ever. One of the team's primary face-off men and dependable midfielders, Scannell notched 11 goals and five assists last year. He has 30 goals and 21 assists in three years as a Seawolf.

Hat Attack: Long-stick middie Eric Hatkewitz emerged as a force last year. The former Stony Brook linebacker made lacrosse his full time gig in 2002 and the results paid off for head coach John Espey. Hatkewitz recorded 52 groundballs which ranked third best on the team and chipped in with a goal and four assists. His play was recognized by Face-Off Magazine as he earned 2002 preseason Honorable Mention All-America honors this December.

Jonny Be Good: Classmate Jon Tompkins also had a career year in 2001 with 20 points (15g, 5a). His best game of the year came against Albany when he notched the hat trick in Stony Brook's convincing 18-8 win.

Michael, Michael Motorcycle: Senior Mike Dworczyk will again play a crucial role for the Seawolves. The versatile midfielder has great speed and a knack for clearing the ball for the Seawolves. Last season, Dworczyk tallied seven goals and an assist, including the game-winner on television against No. 16 UMBC.

Tris And That: Senior Tris Gillen is coming off his best season after last year's 11 goal and 15 assist effort. His 26 points ranked third on the team in 2001.

Staging An Upset: Stony Brook had one of the most uplifting wins in the program's history last spring, knocking off the 16th ranked UMBC Retrievers on April 28 - the highest ranked opponent SB has ever defeated. Mike Dworczyk's goal with 2:55 remaining gave the Seawolves a thrilling 10-9 come-from-behind win. It was only the second time in the program's history that SB has defeated a ranked team. The other was a 10-9 win over No. 17 Hartford in 1997.

Crazy Eights: Some of Pall's best work last year was done against new America East foe Quinnipiac. With the Braves sporting a 12-0 record heading into the Stony Brook contest, Pall erupted for a career-high eight goals as the Seawolves handed Quinnipiac its first loss of the season, 14-7.

By George: Sophomore George LaFlare looks to build upon his five-goal, 12-assist debut as a freshman last season. He made 12 starts at attack last season and turned in a season-best four-point performance against Quinnipiac.

Preseason Poll: Stony Brook is the favorite to capture the America East title according to one preseason poll. Face-Off Yearbook picked Stony Brook ahead of Quinnipiac in its 2002 preseason issue and highlighted Kevin Pall, Denis Scannell, Eric Hatkewitz and Steve Armsworthy as players to watch this season.

All American Boys: Three Stony Brook laxers earned preseason honorable mention All-America honors by Face-Off Yearbook. Kevin Pall, Steve Armsworthy and Eric Hatkewitz became the first SB players in Division I history to earn preseason All-America honors.

Nifty Nafte: Face-off specialist Dennis Nafte enjoyed his best season as a Seawolf last spring, winning 97 of 200 face-offs against some of the best face-off men in the nation. His unique style on the draw allowed him to scoop up a team-high 62 ground balls.

A New Home: After playing as an independent for the first 11 seasons of Division I play, the Seawolves now enter their second conference and first season as a member of the America East. The Seawolves played the last two years in the ECAC Lacrosse League, one of the toughest leagues in the country.

Veteran 'D": Seniors Dan DaPonte, Mike Sakowich and James Smith will help anchor the Stony Brook defense in 2002. DaPonte has started in 42 of 43 games in his first three seasons. Smith finished third on the team in groundballs in 2001.

Bookends: The 2002 edition of the Seawolves is a mixture of the old and the new. Of the 31 players on the team, 23 are either seniors or freshmen. There are only four juniors and four sophomores this season.

A Dynamic Dozen: Stony Brook welcomes 12 new faces to the roster this spring - 10 freshmen and two juniors. Joining the Seawolves for their first seasons will be: Stephen Conlon (Fr.) , Sean Farrell (Jr.), Hunter Greene (Fr.), Erich Hohlman (Fr.), Greg Karanzalis (Fr.), Mike Kirschner (Fr.), Jamey Lacey (Fr.), Kyle Pearl (Fr.), Mike Poch (Fr.), Phil Reed (Fr.), Greg Rossi (Fr.), and Kevin Shea (Jr.)

Remembering Number 28: This season, the Seawolves will wear a number 28 sticker on their helmets in remembrance of former Stony Brook laxer Jon Ryan. Ryan played from 1987-90 as a close defensman. The former team captain died in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center on September 11.

My Captain, My Captain: Seniors Denis Scannell, Dan DaPonte and Mike Sakowich will captain the 2002 Seawolves.