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The College of Saint Rose men's lacrosse program looks to build upon last season's COVID-shortened campaign in 2021. The Golden Knights, which went 3-1 and were receiving votes in the national polls at the time the season was curtailed, have 24 players back in Black and Gold.
 
After the difficulties his team faced across the past year, Head Coach Jim Morrissey plans to ensure that his team enjoys the season, no matter the final score.
 
"I feel the most important thing to focus on this season is having the players actually have an opportunity to compete and enjoy the game they love," said Morrissey. "I am more focused on the day-to-day commitment it takes to be a college lacrosse player compared to the outcomes of our contests."
 
Attack Jordyn Marchiano and face-off specialist Cameron Knox return for a fifth year. With 95 career points entering the season, Marchiano can become the sixth Saint Rose player to eclipse the 100-point mark this spring.
 
 "I am glad to see Jordyn and Cam come back for a fifth year and give it another go around," said Morrissey. "Jordyn's been a leader in every sense of the word and won't be coming off the field much this year."
 
Morrissey, entering his seventh season, has plenty of options on attack. In addition to Marchiano, sophomores Eddie Baker, Cam Smith, and Greg Walsh, who ranked second on the Golden Knights with 14 points last season, are back. Newcomers senior Brendan Sheedy and freshmen Luke Pemrick and Paul Wright impressed Morrissey during the fall and are in the mix as well.
 
The midfield has plenty of familiar faces. Seniors John Loughlin, Kyle Meoli, Jack Pemrick, and John Van der Veer headline the list of returnees. Meoli and Marchiano tied for the team-lead with seven goals last spring, while Pemrick totaled 11 points.
 
 "Kyle has improved year-by-year through hard work and focus and he still has the motivation to take his game to an even higher level this season," said Morrissey. "Jack has been a clutch player since he stepped foot on campus. It will be great to see him play with his younger brother Luke this season."
 
Senior Zachary Deakin and junior Dominic Meola return on defense, while sophomore goalie Ryan Fleming is the leader in the clubhouse for the opening starting assignment.  He started all four games and registered a .575 save percentage last season.               
 
"Ryan Fleming had a great spring for us last year but has plenty of competition (sophomores Griffin Weir and Christian Hunt and freshmen Ryan Gainor and Patrick Hickey II behind him," said Morrissey. "I have seen a ton of improvement from our goalies this past fall thanks to the mentorship of former All-American goalie and assistant coach Liam Guiton."
 
Knox and sophomore midfielder Logan Souza should take most of the face-offs this spring.
 
The program has 12 newcomers joining the ranks in 2021: the aforementioned Gainer, Hickey II, Hunt, Sheedy, Pemrick and Wright, sophomore midfielder Gabriel Nish, freshmen midfielders, Chris Nowicki, Shane Stropp and Paxton Travis, and freshman defenseman Andrew Lowe.
 
"The newcomers possess a good combination of skill, athleticism, and IQ," said Morrissey. "They all have good attitudes and want to learn."
 
The Golden Knights, receiving votes in the USILA preseason coaches poll, have the always-challenging Northeast-10 Conference slate ahead of them.  Saint Rose, one of six NE10 schools to earn votes in the poll, was picked to finish seventh in the league by the coaches.  
 
"Playing in the NE10 is brutal year in and year out and this season should be no different.  Each and every game we have to bring our 'A game' or else we can't expect to compete and win," said Morrissey.

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