PROJECTED NCAA SEEDS
1. Duke
Atlantic Coast Conference
Last season: 14-6, NCAA semifinalist
Coach: John Danowski (sixth season, 80-19; 30th season overall, 299-158)
Top returning scorer
Jordan Wolf, sophomore A (31 goals, 20 assists)
Division I men's college lacrosse team previews
Johns Hopkins junior attackman Zach Palmer had 22 goals and… (Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore…)
Other key returnees
Christian Walsh, sophomore A (21, 13)
David Lawson, junior M (23, 9)
C.J. Costabile, senior LSM (4, 5; 95 ground balls, 23 caused turnovers)
Dan Wigrizer, junior G (9.20 goals-against average, .550 save percentage)
Key newcomers
Kyle Keenan, freshman A
Will Haus, freshman A
Kyle Turri, freshman G
Outlook: Although the Blue Devils will miss attackman Zach Howell (43, 16), Wolf and Walsh should be able to carry the load. A defense that returns two starting close defensemen and one long-stick midfielder gets even stronger with the addition of senior defenseman Michael Manley, who sat out 2011 with a knee injury. Wigrizer must lower his goals-against average for the team to succeed.
2. Virginia
Atlantic Coast Conference
Last season: 13-5, NCAA tournament champion
Coach: Dom Starsia (20th season, 228-72; 30th season overall, 329-118)
Top returning scorer
Steele Stanwick, senior A (32, 38)
Other key returnees
Chris Bocklet, senior A (44, 5)
Colin Briggs, senior M (29, 12)
Chris Clements, senior LSM (46 ground balls, 13 caused turnovers)
Chris LaPierre, junior SSDM (6, 7; 92 ground balls, 14 caused turnovers)
Key newcomers
Owen Van Arsdale, freshman A
Ryan Tucker, freshman M
Mick Parks, freshman F-O
Outlook: Scoring doesn't figure to be a concern this season; the offense returns the entire starting attack and two of three midfielders. The graduation of Bray Malphrus should be offset by the return of senior defenseman Matt Lovejoy from a season-ending shoulder injury. Senior Rob Fortunato will get the start in the net, but freshman Austin Geisler is waiting in the wings.
3. Denver
Eastern College Athletic Conference
Last season: 15-3, NCAA semifinalist
Coach: Bill Tierney (second season, 27-8; 28th season, 299-101)
Top returning scorer
Mark Matthews, senior A (46, 24)
Other key returnees
Alex Demopoulos, senior A (30, 28)
Cameron Flint, junior M (27, 11)
Eric Law, junior M (17, 15)
Jamie Faus, sophomore G (8.55 GAA, .557 save percentage)
Key newcomers
Carson Cannon, freshman D
Nick Gorman, freshman LSM
Wes Berg, freshman M
Outlook: The Pioneers won't be able to sneak up on anyone after upsetting Johns Hopkins en route to reaching the final four last spring. Offense will continue to be a potent cog as both attack and midfield units are stacked. Faus looks even better in his second year, but the key will be whether a young defense can complement the goalkeeper.
4. Johns Hopkins
Independent
Last season: 13-3, NCAA quarterfinalist
Coach: Dave Pietramala (12th season, 126-41; 15th season overall, 149-58)
Top returning scorer
Chris Boland, senior A (34 goals, 20 assists)
Other key returnees
Zach Palmer, junior A (22, 25)
John Ranagan, junior M (18, 14)
Tucker Durkin, junior D (35 ground balls, 11 caused turnovers)
Pierce Bassett, junior G (7.07 GAA, .570 save percentage)
Key newcomers
Wells Stanwick, freshman A
Mike Pellegrino, freshman LSM
Drew Kennedy, freshman F-O
Outlook: There's a lot of promise in a roster that bade farewell to just four seniors who contributed significantly to last year's mark. Stanwick or sophomore Brandon Benn will join Boland and Palmer on attack. There's a little uncertainty whether sophomore Jack Reilly will stay at close defense or shift to long-stick midfielder, but Bassett provides a lot of comfort as the last line of defense.
OTHER STATE SCHOOLS
Loyola
Eastern College Athletic Conference
Last season: 8-5, no NCAA tournament)
Coach: Charley Toomey (seventh season, 46-35)
Top returning scorer
Mike Sawyer, junior A (31, 5)
Other key returnees
Davis Butts, junior M (10, 5)
Dylan Grimm, senior D (22 ground balls, 11 caused turnovers)
Reid Acton, junior D (19 ground balls, 15 caused turnovers)
Josh Hawkins, junior SSDM (3, 3; 53 ground balls, 7 caused turnovers)
Key newcomers
Chris Layne, junior M
Sean O'Sullivan, junior M
Nikko Pontrello, freshman A
Outlook: The Greyhounds know they face an uphill battle to get past Denver in the conference. The offense will find out whether Layne and O'Sullivan can help relieve some of the defensive heat Butts felt in the latter half of last year, and a rejuvenated Eric Lusby would be huge for Sawyer. Will junior Michael Bonitatibus or sophomore Jack Runkel get the call to open the season in the net?
Maryland
Atlantic Coast Conference
Last season: 13-4, national finalist)
Coach: John Tillman (second season, 13-4; fourth season, 33-23)
Top returning scorer
Owen Blye, junior A (19, 14)
Other key returnees
Joe Cummings, senior A (27, 5)
John Haus, junior M (14, 14)
Niko Amato, sophomore G (6.78 GAA, .583 save percentage)
Curtis Holmes, junior F-O (.629 faceoff percentage, 78 ground balls)
Key newcomers
Mike Chanenchuk, junior M
Billy Gribbin, junior A
Taylor Morgan, sophomore LSM
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