Men's Lacrosse to Battle Alumni Squad Friday Night

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA- Head coach Dom Starsia’s 2010 Cavaliers will be on display for the first time Friday night in a scrimmage against a talented squad of former Cavalier lacrosse standouts. The scrimmage is scheduled to face off at 9 p.m. and will be played at the UHall Turf Field. Admission is free.

“We all look forward to the alumni game every year,” said Starsia. “It is truly an exercise in finding the balance between having some fun and getting some work done.”

Starsia enters his 18th season at the helm of the program with 30 returning lettermen, including six starters, from a year ago.

Sophomore Steele Stanwick and junior Shamel Bratton return to spearhead the offense. Stanwick was named the ACC Freshman of the Year and is the leading returning scorer after tallying 36 goals and 58 points during his rookie campaign. Bratton earned All-American accolades after scoring 31 goals and 42 points, ranking second highest amongst returners.

Newly-named senior captain Brian Carroll returns in the middle after finishing 2009 ranked No. 5 on UVa’s potent scoring attack, notching 29 goals at a .322 shooting success rate. Carroll added 10 assists for a total of 39 points on his way to earning third team All-American honors, as well as All-ACC accolades.

Junior Adam Ghitelman returns in the goal for the Cavaliers after posting a 14-3 record as a starter in 2009. He saved 157 shots, good for a .538 save rate.

On defense the Cavaliers return three-time All-American and senior captain Ken Clausen and Ryan Nizolek. Clausen was second on the team with 29 caused turnovers, while picking up 49 ground balls, good for fourth on the squad. Nizolek fielded 33 ground balls and caused 16 turnovers for the Cavaliers in 2009.

Various former alumni are scheduled to return for Friday’s event. Highlights from last year’s event included the participation of two Tewaaraton Award winners, Chris Rotelli and Matt Ward, as well as having all three Gill brothers (Brendan, Conor and Gavin) on the field at the same time.

“It is great to have the alums back in town,” said Starsia. “It makes a strong statement to the present players about the history and commitment within the program. They begin to develop a sense of responsibility and discovery of being a part of a bigger picture.”

Following the alumni game, UVa will continue its fall scrimmage schedule at Navy on Oct. 18. The Cavaliers will face Navy at 1 p.m., followed by a scrimmage against Team USA.