University of Massachusets Athletics
Men's Lacrosse Opens The Season On Saturday
February 22, 2002 | Men's Lacrosse
Feb. 22, 2002
AMHERST, Mass. - The 12th-ranked University of Massachusetts men's lacrosse team is set to open up the 2002 campaign Saturday, Feb. 23, when it hosts No. 10 Hofstra in a 1:00 p.m. game at Richard F. Garber Field.
The Minutemen return six of 10 starters from last year's co-ECAC championship squad that posted a 12-2 overall record. UMass spent all but one week ranked in the top 10 of the USILA/STX coaches poll and were ranked in the top 10 of every statistical category kept by the NCAA. It led the nation in man-down defense and was second in scoring offense.
Four Minutemen have received preseason ECAC honors. Seniors Matt McFarland (Garden City, N.Y.), Don Little (Clifton Park, N.Y.) and Marc Morley (Canton, N.Y.) and junior Kevin Leveille (Delmar, N.Y.) have been named to the All-ECAC team. Leveille was also named a first team Face-Off magazine All-American. McFarland was a second team selection, while Little earned honorable mention accolades.
Leveille, Morley and Little were three of last season's top four points leaders. Leveille led the way with 43 points on 25 goals and 18 assists. Morley recorded 37 points (29 goals, eight assists) and Little tallied 27 points (22 goals, five assists).
Defensively, the Minutemen return All-American McFarland along with junior Tom Fallon (Shaker Heights, Ohio). Last season, the defense was sixth in the nation allowing just 7.71 goals a game.
Head coach Greg Cannella begins his eighth season at the helm of the Minutemen. He has compiled a 52-40 record (.565) in his seven seasons while leading the Maroon and White to two NCAA Tournaments and two New England Championships. He will once again be assisted by Andy Shay and Terry Mangan. Shay is in his third season at UMass, while Mangan begins his second.
Tickets to Saturday's game as well as every UMass home lacrosse game can be purchased by calling the UMass ticket office at (413) 545-0810.
