Power Players in Division 3 for the upcoming season
Stevens Tech: Can't count out the reigning champions. Especially with what they have returning in NCAA Tournament MOP Tim Ferriter preparing for his senior campaign and former first team Chris Vaughn returning to his position at OH. Former second team AA Gabe Shankweiler to back those two up. Plenty of talent returns down the middle as well. Despite having to replace Ryan Seifert on the RS, their biggest question is how John Eddins fills in to replace criminally underrated setter Kevin Ackerle.
Springfield: Lots of firepower returning starting with NCAA Tournament standout RS Greg Woods as well as OH Ricardo Padilla Ayala and MB Joseth Irizarry Feliciano. With the rumored return of for MOP Luis Vega and a few potentially impactful transfers, the Pride will be loaded with terminators. The only question that remains is replacing 3 time National Champion setter Keaton Pieper. Never count a Charlie Sullivan coached team out. A former women's lax student-athlete student from Springfield told me she firmly believed they would have won a national championship if Charlie was their head coach and he doesn't know dick about women's lacrosse.
SUNY New Paltz: Possible addition by subtraction with the graduation of S/RS Jon Lujten. Without Lujten senior All American S/RS Christian Smith will most likely have the chance to run a 5-1 with 4 of 5 hitters returning (only having to find a replacement on the RS). No squad is better down the middle with the combo of senior Christopher Hussmann and junior Steve Woessner. If Radu can keep the ship out of choppy waters I'm not sure there is a more talented squad in the nation.
Nazareth: Talk about firepower baby. Three time All American OH Tim Zyburt leads a strong group of returning hitters including OH Grant Levermore, MB Chris Mahan, and RS Josh Heib. Sophomore setter Jake Kemp will benefit from being the sole conductor of the train and running a 5-1 for the full year. Although MB Luke Lawastch will be a huge loss defensively, Kemp always struggled to connect with him down the middle so his replacement may be an upgrade offensively. Finally, with Juniata transfer Tommy Kesling enrolling Cal Wickens may have the solution to his libero situation.
Contenders:
Juniata: Have some strong returners lead by 3 year starting setter Matt Elias and 2 time All American Chad Albert, but also too much unrest with the program and whatever direction they may be headed
Rutgers Newark: Showed they are more than capable of throwing some haymakers, but not sure they are able to actually knockout any of the real power players. Return 6 of 7 starters only needing to replace senior OH2 Alex Barnard.
UC Santa Cruz: An excellent 2015 campaign was ruined by a poor performance against Nazareth in the NCAA Quarterfinals. Still the only D3 team to defeat Stevens last year returns a lot of talent led by last year's freshman sensations S Evan Kittle and OH Lake Merchen. The big questions will be replacing senior leaders Brandon Torado and Jake Landel, as well as the recent departure of Coach of the Year Todd Hollenback.
Questions:
Will Carthage be able to defend their inaugural MWVC against other mid-western darlings Dominican, Mount St. Joseph, and Lakeland? And will a MWVC be enough to get one of these schools an NCAA Tournament bid from Pool B.
Will there be the fourth UVC team who can contend with the conferences "Big Three"?
Does Baruch continue their CUNYAC dominance and if so, will they be able to make an impact on the national level?
With Kean graduating 5 of 7 starters, is this the year that a school like Ramapo can finally snatch the Skyline crown?
Who of the GNAC's three best will emerge as the conference's big dog: Lasell, Rivier, or Wentworth?
Will there be a first year team such as North Central or Wittenburg who can make a name for themselves with a big upset?
Which incoming freshman are going to make the biggest impact this upcoming season?
Who are some underrated or under the radar players that are going to make a big leap for 2016?