Men's Lacrosse

Hartwick Men's Lacrosse Announces Captains, 2010 Schedule

ONEONTA, NY - The Hartwick College men's lacrosse program recently revealed its captains as well as its schedule for the 2010 campaign.

Twelfth-year head coach Bill Bjorness announced that five members of the 2010 Hawks that will serve as co-captains for the season. The captains include senior defenders Kevin Miller (Wantagh, NY/Wantagh) and Eric Willadsen (South Windsor, CT/South Windsor), senior midfielder Steve Kuron (Wantagh, NY/Wantagh), junior defender Alex Skvarch (Syracuse, NY/Marcellus), and junior attackman Dave Aitchison (Farmingdale, NY/Farmingdale).

"These players have exhibited leadership skills on and off the field in their time at Hartwick," said Bjorness. "The coaching staff expects these five student-athletes to lead the team and set an example for the rest of the players."

Miller was a key component last season for the Hawks. An Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-Empire 8 selection last season, Miller started in 'Wick's first 13 games before missing the final match with an injury. He ended the 2009 campaign leading the Hawks in caused turnovers with 17 and his 39 ground balls ranked third on the team for the second consecutive season. In three seasons with HC, Miller has started 40 of 41 games, accumulated 91 ground balls, and 35 caused turnovers.

Willadsen played in 13 games for 'Wick last season, making 10 starting appearances on the touted Hawk defense. Willadsen was an important cog in a 'Wick defensive unit that surrendered just 8.32 goals per game which is the program's best average in the 11-year Bill Bjorness era. He recorded 15 ground balls and caused four turnovers on the year.

Kuron enters his fourth and final season with the Hawks and had his strongest season to date in 2009. On the year, he tallied five goals and three assists for eight points. He finished the season impressively registering all five goals of his goals and an assist in 'Wick's final four games, including a two-goal effort in a 13-9 win over Oneonta State. Kuron also added 31 ground balls, which was tied for 4th on the team and won 34 face-offs for the Blue and White.

Skvarch was a mainstay on the Hartwick defense in 2009. The 6-2 long-pole played in 13 matches making 11 starting appearances. He caused 16 turnovers which ranked second on the squad and he added 31 ground balls tying Kuron's season total.

Aitchison 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. He scored in five straight conference games over the course of the season and dished out a career-high three assists versus Stevens. In his two seasons with Hartwick, Aitchison has 10 goals, 20 assists, 39 ground balls, and 12 caused turnovers.

"We expect these five individuals to guide this team," added Bjorness. "But we have an expectation at Hartwick that all our players will be leaders. You don't need a title to lead."

The Hawks will play a 14-game schedule this season as they search for their first conference playoff berth since the 2005 campaign. Seven of 'Wick's games will be played at the friendly confines of Wright Stadium, including a trio of big Empire 8 showdowns against St. John Fisher, Stevens, and Ithaca. The E8 conference promises to be one of the strongest conferences in the country this year with Ithaca (14th), Nazareth (17th), and Fisher (20th) all ranked in the Lacrosse Magazine preseason rankings.

"We're excited to compete at the highest level possible," said Bjorness. "With seven starters back, a host of young players with a year of experience under their belt, and an excellent group of newcomers, we're going to compete for a spot in the playoffs."

Hartwick opens up the season at home Cobleskill on March 2nd and travels to Saratoga four days later to take on the Liberty League's Skidmore (9-6 in 2009) on Mar. 6th.

Following a home match with Scranton (9-7) on March 13th and road games with Farmingdale (March 15th) and Potsdam (March 20th), 'Wick kicks off the E8 season in Rochester against RIT (10-6) on March 27th.

The Hawks face a difficult stretch entering the month of April as they host both Fisher (15-3) and Stevens (12-6) on April 3rd and 7th, respectively. Last season, the Cardinals fell in the E8 title game while the Ducks captured the ECAC Metro/South Championship.

On April 10th, 'Wick takes on the defending conference champion Nazareth Golden Flyers (11-7) and hosts Elmira on April 17th. Following a battle with Utica on April 21st, the Hawks entertain defending regular season champ Ithaca (14-2) three days later.

The team wraps up the regular season hosting local rival Oneonta State on April 27th and travels to Alfred for its final conference contest on May 1st. The Empire 8 playoffs will be held on May 7th and 9th. 2010

Hartwick College Men's Lacrosse Schedule
Tue., Mar. 2 COBLESKILL - 4 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 6 @ Skidmore - 1 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 13 SCRANTON - 1 p.m.
Mon., Mar. 15 @ Farmingdale - 3 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 20 @ Potsdam - 1 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 27 *@ R.I.T - 1 p.m.
Sat., Apr. 3 *ST. JOHN FISHER - 4 p.m.
Wed., Apr. 7 *STEVENS - 4 p.m.
Sat., Apr. 10 *@ Nazareth - 1 p.m.
Sat., Apr. 17 *ELMIRA - 1 p.m.
Wed., Apr. 21 *@ Utica - 4 p.m.
Sat., Apr. 24 *ITHACA - 1 p.m.
Tue., Apr. 27 ONEONTA STATE - 7 p.m.
Sat., May 1 *@ Alfred - 1 p.m.
Fri., May 7 Empire 8 Semifinals
Sun., May 9 Empire 8 Championship

*Empire 8 match