ALBION MEN'S LACROSSE 2024 Season Preview

Coming off their fifth MIAA Regular Season title in program history, the Albion College men's lacrosse team is ready to defend their title. Graduating two of the top scorers in the record books, the Britons have plenty of weapons -- both on offense and defense -- ready to make another run in the NCAA Tournament.

Ever since the league implemented the MIAA Tournament, the Brits have competed in every championship game since it began in 2014.

Jake DeCola enters his 15th season at the helm -- the only coach in Albion history. With 139 wins to his name, DeCola leads a staff that features returning assistants TJ Thomas, Spencer Gill and Bo Taylor.

Last season, the Britons swept all three MVP awards from the league as nine players earned All-MIAA recognition. Co-captains Timmy Salinas and Cal Stearns will lead Albion on and off the field as well.

The offense will run through senior attacker Ethan Rottell. A Second Team All-MIAA pick in 2023, Rottell is just four assists away from becoming the all-time leader for Albion. As a junior, Rottell scored 36 goals and dished out 33 assists.

Robbie Dameron is another attacker that has seen time and will make a huge impact offensively this season. As a sophomore in 2023, Dameron scored seven goals, added nine assists and picked up 20 ground balls. Brendan Mercier, Vaughn Shewell and Matt Montgomery are three veterans DeCola can lean on this season as well.

In the midfield, reining MIAA Rookie of the Year Cal Stearns is back for the Brits. As a freshman, Stearns scored 44 goals and tacked on 16 assists while landing on the MIAA First Team.

Another player that is extremely versatile is Timmy Salinas. Seeing time all over the field -- including as an All-MIAA long pole in 2023 -- Salinas can get the job done anywhere. Last year he caused 10 turnovers and scored 11 goals.

Brock Yabs and Marcus Haynie are a pair of midfielders that will continue to contribute heavily this season. As a junior, Yabs tallied 25 goals while finishing with 18 assists and caused 12 turnovers. Haynie, a freshman a season ago, made an immediate impact with 23 goals and 15 assists.

The Britons also return Fabrizio Raciti and Andrew Miller as two more veterans to see time in the lineup this season. Junior Jackson Taylor is another key piece on the wing with plenty of experience.

Defensively, Albion has a whole slew of returners that can impact a game. Last season as freshmen, Logan Bride and Ben Schollett saw prominent minutes. Bride caused 13 turnovers and scooped up 24 ground balls.

Will Tessin, the 2022 MIAA Rookie of the Year, returns for his junior season. Last year, Tessin finished with 20 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers. Senior Nathan Vesper is another versatile athlete on DeCola's roster that will likely see time on defense this season.

Logan Bonner is another versatile player, one of many, who was primarily a long pole last season. He caused 13 turnovers as a junior. Parker McFarlane has a wealth of experience heading into his senior season, as a promising young Will Richardson showed promised before an injury in 2023.

Bradley Luketic looks to take the reigns in goal this season. Luketic has seen action throughout his three years at Albion and is primed for his senior year. Junior Jack Erickson also has experience, most notably a win at Kenyon two years ago, that DeCola can also turn to.

Albion begins the season on Feb. 17 at home when they host Otterbein. The Britons have a trio of NCAC powerhouses on the tantalizing non-conference docket, including Ohio Wesleyan, Denison and Kenyon.

Over spring break, the Brits head down south for a neutral site game against St. John Fisher before wrapping up the break at Centre.

Conference action commences with a tough test. The Britons host Hope College on Apr. 6. Albion looks to avenge last season's upset in the MIAA Championship game. The regular season wraps up with an Apr. 27 game at Adrian.