Men's Lacrosse

Men's Lacrosse Picked 6th in Preseason Poll

ONEONTA, NY - The Hartwick College men's lacrosse team has been selected to finish sixth in the Empire 8 according to the preseason coaches' poll released on Tuesday. The Hawks garnered 29 points in the preseason poll, five in front of seventh-place Utica.

Twelfth-year head coach Bill Bjorness returns 21 players and seven starters from last season's squad which finished 6-8 overall and 3-5 in the Empire 8.

Senior defenseman Kevin Miller (Wantagh, NY/Wantagh) and junior midfielder Dave Aitchison (Farmingdale, NY/Farmingdale) are two of the Hawks' top returners this season. Miller was named to the all-conference second-team a year ago. In three seasons with HC, he has started 40 of 41 games, accumulated 91 ground balls, and 35 caused turnovers. Aitchison received honorable mention recognition in 2009. He was the team's top set-up man last year finishing with 15 assists. He also added eight goals to rank fourth on the squad in points with 24 and grabbed 28 ground balls.

Hartwick begins the season on the road on February 27th at Farmingdale State. The Hawks host their home opener against Cobleskill on March 2nd.

2010 Empire 8 Men's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Nazareth College (7 first-place votes) 63 points
2. Ithaca College (2) 56
3. Stevens Institute of Technology 48
4. St. John Fisher College 41
5. Rochester Institute of Technology 40
6. Hartwick College 29
7. Utica College 24
8. Alfred University 15
9. Elmira College 8