Photo by: Greg Vasil
Men's Lacrosse Opens Season on Sunday
1/31/2024 10:30:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
SHU will play at home on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 12:30pm
FAIRFIELD, Conn.—The Sacred Heart University men's lacrosse team kicks off the 2024 season on Sunday, February 4, at 12:30 pm on Campus Field. Coach Jon Basti is entering his 11th season as head coach of the Pioneers as SHU enters its second season in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
The Pioneers look to build off the success from last season after reaching the postseason for the first time since the Northeast Conference tournament in 2019. During the first season in the MAAC, SHU finished fifth and fell to the fourth seed, Siena in the quarterfinal.
"We are very excited about the opportunities we have to compete against some very good programs this season," said Coach Basti. "Our non-conference schedule will be a very good way for us to prepare for our very challenging MAAC slate. We are looking forward to this year."
The Pioneers were picked sixth in the MAAC preseason coaches' poll, and senior Sal Miccio was named to the All-MAAC preseason team.
Miccio was named to the All-MAAC second team after finishing the year second for SHU in scoring with 22 goals, he was second in assists with 13 and led the team in overall points with 35. The senior was a key part of the Pioneers' offense as he scored three game-winning goals along with two-man up goals. He picked up 11 groundballs and caused two turnovers while making seven starts and appearing in all 15 games.
Sacred Heart returns all three of its All-MAAC selections from last season as Miccio and Carson Spooner were named to the second team, and sophomore Michael Moreschi earned a spot on the all-rookie team.
Spooner, a captain of the 2024 squad, was tied for second on the team in goals with 10 and was third on the team in points with 32 last season. Moreschi was in the top 10 on the team in points (14), goals (6), and assists (8) during his rookie campaign.
SHU has a core group of veteran leaders, as 33 members of the team are juniors or above. Earlier this year, coach Basti announced Zach Buffington, Jake Candelino, Ben Palanchi, and Spooner as the four captains of the team this year.
"Each of these men was chosen by their teammates because of their dedication to the betterment of the men's lacrosse program," said Basti. "They are all lead by example guys and because of that, they do a very good job of holding the team to a high standard. They also represent different aspects of leadership, perform their roles well, and balance each other. I look forward to where they can take us based on what they have learned from those who have had this role and the lessons they have learned from them."
Sacred Heart will play at home seven times and will have eight road games this season. MAAC action will open at home in the 2023 quarterfinal rematch against Siena on Saturday, March 9, at noon. The postseason begins with the opening round on April 27, followed by the semifinals on May 2 and the championship game on May 4.
The Pioneers look to build off the success from last season after reaching the postseason for the first time since the Northeast Conference tournament in 2019. During the first season in the MAAC, SHU finished fifth and fell to the fourth seed, Siena in the quarterfinal.
"We are very excited about the opportunities we have to compete against some very good programs this season," said Coach Basti. "Our non-conference schedule will be a very good way for us to prepare for our very challenging MAAC slate. We are looking forward to this year."
The Pioneers were picked sixth in the MAAC preseason coaches' poll, and senior Sal Miccio was named to the All-MAAC preseason team.
Miccio was named to the All-MAAC second team after finishing the year second for SHU in scoring with 22 goals, he was second in assists with 13 and led the team in overall points with 35. The senior was a key part of the Pioneers' offense as he scored three game-winning goals along with two-man up goals. He picked up 11 groundballs and caused two turnovers while making seven starts and appearing in all 15 games.
Sacred Heart returns all three of its All-MAAC selections from last season as Miccio and Carson Spooner were named to the second team, and sophomore Michael Moreschi earned a spot on the all-rookie team.
Spooner, a captain of the 2024 squad, was tied for second on the team in goals with 10 and was third on the team in points with 32 last season. Moreschi was in the top 10 on the team in points (14), goals (6), and assists (8) during his rookie campaign.
SHU has a core group of veteran leaders, as 33 members of the team are juniors or above. Earlier this year, coach Basti announced Zach Buffington, Jake Candelino, Ben Palanchi, and Spooner as the four captains of the team this year.
"Each of these men was chosen by their teammates because of their dedication to the betterment of the men's lacrosse program," said Basti. "They are all lead by example guys and because of that, they do a very good job of holding the team to a high standard. They also represent different aspects of leadership, perform their roles well, and balance each other. I look forward to where they can take us based on what they have learned from those who have had this role and the lessons they have learned from them."
Sacred Heart will play at home seven times and will have eight road games this season. MAAC action will open at home in the 2023 quarterfinal rematch against Siena on Saturday, March 9, at noon. The postseason begins with the opening round on April 27, followed by the semifinals on May 2 and the championship game on May 4.
Players Mentioned
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