Photo by: Rob Rasmussen / P8Photos.com
Season Preview: Quinnipiac Men's Lacrosse
2/18/2021 1:00:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
Bobcats Excited for 2021 Opportunity
HAMDEN, Conn. — The last time the Quinnipiac men's lacrosse team played on its home turf was almost two full years ago – April 20, 2019.
And in just a few more weeks, the Bobcats will officially begin their new season in Hamden.
Quinnipiac is set to start its 2021 spring slate at the QU Lacrosse Stadium in Hamden on Saturday, March 6 against St. Bonaventure.
"There's going to be tons of energy, that's for sure," Quinnipiac Head Coach Mason Poli said. "We're going to have to try to keep our guys composed and not let them overheat. "It's counting down now, so the anticipation is there and we're definitely excited to get the uniforms back on and compete against somebody else."
The Bobcats finished the 2019 campaign with a 5-2 conference record, advancing all the way to the MAAC championship game during Poli's first season at the helm. During that season, Poli led all first-year Division I head coaches in total wins (9) and winning percentage (.562) as the Bobcats fell just one game short of an NCAA Tournament bid.
Quinnipiac then played just six games – all on the road – during a pandemic-shortened 2020 year. The Bobcats' final contest was on March 7 on the road at LIU.
Poli and the Bobcats aim to carry some of their 2019 success into the upcoming campaign. Quinnipiac's defense, in particular, is looking to bounce back from this pandemic re-energized and hungrier than ever.
Nick DiMuccio anchors the QU defense as a third-year starter in the net. DiMuccio has 303 saves since 2019. He earned a MAAC All-Rookie Team selection after leading the league in saves per game (13.88) in 2019. In 2020, he tallied 21 saves vs. Brown (2/15) – tied for the third highest single-game total in the country in 2020 season
Devin Naidoo, Matt Di Lella, Andrew Garfield, Nick Mascetti and Jarrod Davis all return in front of DiMuccio to make up the Bobcats' defensive core.
"We have that continuity [on the defensive side]," Poli said. "The relationships they have, the communication that those guys bring… they're just really comfortable with each other and they trust each other. We're excited for that group on the defensive end to be able to grow and build off of what they were able to accomplish last season under Assistant Coach Casey Eidenshink."
"Being able to play again just brings normalcy back to our lives," said Matt Di Lella. "The energy has been really high. Every time you're out there you're thankful, because you don't know what can happen tomorrow. We had a lot of teaching moments on the defensive side last year, so we can't wait to show how much we've gotten better since the last time we played."
On the attacking side, the Bobcats turn to 2020 MAAC Co-Preseason player of the Year Jake Tomsik. The senior has 121 total points over three years with Quinnipiac – including a team-high 60 points in 2019.
In just six games as a junior in 2020, Tomsik ranked tied for the team lead in goals (11), while leading the Bobcats in points (17) and assists (6).
"I think it's pretty apparent that we're all psyched to be out on the field together again," Tomsik said. "With the energy we've got this year – it's something special and it's really fun to be a part of. We're all excited about what can piece together on the offensive end, we just can't wait to get out there against a real opponent to see where we measure."
And in Poli's mind, Tomsik is the unquestioned leader on the offensive end.
"When things get tough and we're in tight situations, everyone is going to look at Jake," Poli said. "He fully accepts that role, and he knows he's got to set the tone every single day. When he comes to practice, everyone is looking at him… Watching him grow over these last four years, we're expecting big things out of him this season."
The Bobcats also return junior Will Abbott – who ranked second on the team in points (16) in 2020. The 2019 All-MAAC First Team selection recorded an impressive 20 goals and 14 assists during his first season at Quinnipiac in 2019.
Led by Assistant Coach Alex Zommereld – the Bobcats' offensive attack returns Jake Tellers (12 points in 2020), Matt Miller (9 points in 2020) and John DeLucia (8 points in 2020) in addition to Tomsik and Abbott. Junior Demitri George is also back after winning 91-of-145 chances in the face-off x last year, finishing second in the MAAC in FO% (61.1).
As the Bobcats look toward the new season, they can't help but feel grateful for another chance to compete together.
"It's ironic – with the pandemic and everything that happened – we're just a lot more grateful," Naidoo said. "The energy is really higher than it's every been before, and we're just taking things day by day. Everyone is thankful to be out on the field, to be around our teammates as much as we can. The season gives us something to look forward to."
To view the Bobcats' complete 2021 schedule, CLICK HERE.
For more information/updates on the Quinnipiac men's lacrosse program, follow the Bobcats on Twitter/Instagram @QU_MLAX or visit www.gobobcats.com
Written by Matthew Legere | Quinnipiac Athletics
And in just a few more weeks, the Bobcats will officially begin their new season in Hamden.
Quinnipiac is set to start its 2021 spring slate at the QU Lacrosse Stadium in Hamden on Saturday, March 6 against St. Bonaventure.
"There's going to be tons of energy, that's for sure," Quinnipiac Head Coach Mason Poli said. "We're going to have to try to keep our guys composed and not let them overheat. "It's counting down now, so the anticipation is there and we're definitely excited to get the uniforms back on and compete against somebody else."
The Bobcats finished the 2019 campaign with a 5-2 conference record, advancing all the way to the MAAC championship game during Poli's first season at the helm. During that season, Poli led all first-year Division I head coaches in total wins (9) and winning percentage (.562) as the Bobcats fell just one game short of an NCAA Tournament bid.
Quinnipiac then played just six games – all on the road – during a pandemic-shortened 2020 year. The Bobcats' final contest was on March 7 on the road at LIU.
Poli and the Bobcats aim to carry some of their 2019 success into the upcoming campaign. Quinnipiac's defense, in particular, is looking to bounce back from this pandemic re-energized and hungrier than ever.
Nick DiMuccio anchors the QU defense as a third-year starter in the net. DiMuccio has 303 saves since 2019. He earned a MAAC All-Rookie Team selection after leading the league in saves per game (13.88) in 2019. In 2020, he tallied 21 saves vs. Brown (2/15) – tied for the third highest single-game total in the country in 2020 season
Devin Naidoo, Matt Di Lella, Andrew Garfield, Nick Mascetti and Jarrod Davis all return in front of DiMuccio to make up the Bobcats' defensive core.
"We have that continuity [on the defensive side]," Poli said. "The relationships they have, the communication that those guys bring… they're just really comfortable with each other and they trust each other. We're excited for that group on the defensive end to be able to grow and build off of what they were able to accomplish last season under Assistant Coach Casey Eidenshink."
"Being able to play again just brings normalcy back to our lives," said Matt Di Lella. "The energy has been really high. Every time you're out there you're thankful, because you don't know what can happen tomorrow. We had a lot of teaching moments on the defensive side last year, so we can't wait to show how much we've gotten better since the last time we played."
On the attacking side, the Bobcats turn to 2020 MAAC Co-Preseason player of the Year Jake Tomsik. The senior has 121 total points over three years with Quinnipiac – including a team-high 60 points in 2019.
In just six games as a junior in 2020, Tomsik ranked tied for the team lead in goals (11), while leading the Bobcats in points (17) and assists (6).
"I think it's pretty apparent that we're all psyched to be out on the field together again," Tomsik said. "With the energy we've got this year – it's something special and it's really fun to be a part of. We're all excited about what can piece together on the offensive end, we just can't wait to get out there against a real opponent to see where we measure."
And in Poli's mind, Tomsik is the unquestioned leader on the offensive end.
"When things get tough and we're in tight situations, everyone is going to look at Jake," Poli said. "He fully accepts that role, and he knows he's got to set the tone every single day. When he comes to practice, everyone is looking at him… Watching him grow over these last four years, we're expecting big things out of him this season."
The Bobcats also return junior Will Abbott – who ranked second on the team in points (16) in 2020. The 2019 All-MAAC First Team selection recorded an impressive 20 goals and 14 assists during his first season at Quinnipiac in 2019.
Led by Assistant Coach Alex Zommereld – the Bobcats' offensive attack returns Jake Tellers (12 points in 2020), Matt Miller (9 points in 2020) and John DeLucia (8 points in 2020) in addition to Tomsik and Abbott. Junior Demitri George is also back after winning 91-of-145 chances in the face-off x last year, finishing second in the MAAC in FO% (61.1).
As the Bobcats look toward the new season, they can't help but feel grateful for another chance to compete together.
"It's ironic – with the pandemic and everything that happened – we're just a lot more grateful," Naidoo said. "The energy is really higher than it's every been before, and we're just taking things day by day. Everyone is thankful to be out on the field, to be around our teammates as much as we can. The season gives us something to look forward to."
To view the Bobcats' complete 2021 schedule, CLICK HERE.
For more information/updates on the Quinnipiac men's lacrosse program, follow the Bobcats on Twitter/Instagram @QU_MLAX or visit www.gobobcats.com
Written by Matthew Legere | Quinnipiac Athletics
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