HIGH EXPECTATIONS ON THE HORIZON FOR NEW MEN'S TEAM

Weston, Mass.—High expectations are being placed on a team that has yet to play a game at the varsity level. Men’s lacrosse will for the first time in program history take the field in 2010 as a varsity sport.

“Our expectations are to establish a team culture of hard work and dedication,” said Jacob Kravitz, head coach of the men’s lacrosse program.

“Last year the guys really impressed me with their work ethic,” Kravitz continued.

The team competed during the fall, its non-traditional season, against other New England club programs.

With a new program come new players to make that team successful. “Many of our club players were trying the sport for the first time,” said Kravitz.

With Regis naming three captains during the fall, the Pride’s rookies will follow in the footsteps of experienced leadership.

Schallum D’Orleans, a two-sport athlete for Regis, and captain of his high school team was one of the three named. “He will start for us and anchor that unit [defense] with steady play,” Kravitz said of the junior captain.

Tim Wells was also named a team captain. A Weston High School standout, Wells played football for a The Commonwealth Coast Conference foe before coming to Regis. Scoring is the name of any game, and Kravitz feels that Wells will be one of Regis’ leading scorers next year.

If finding a diamond in the rough is every coach’s dream then Kravitz found his in Stephan Bottex. Bottex was the third captain named, and is a freshman walk-on to the lacrosse program.

“He [Stephan] impressed us with his hustle and intensity,” Kravitz said of Bottex. “Stephan is one of the strongest and fastest guys on the squad.”

Bottex fits perfectly into the teams philosophy, which is to be aggressive and work hard. “We play a style of defense that takes some risks,” said Kravitz.

Regis defines itself by its athletes, and its team motto fits what every athlete steps on the field believing in, “Heart. Hustle. Pride.”

Dedication to the team is one of the most important aspects of sports, and Kravitz is preaching it to his team in preparation for the season.

“We think working hard and taking pride in knowing you left your best effort on the field are the keys to our success,” Kravitz remarked.

With an estimated 20 players on the team for 2010, Kravitz plans to make up for the lack of depth by teaching his player’s to hustle for every ground ball, similar to rebounds in basketball, and working hard on both ends of the field.

The Pride’s first game is set for March 20 at 3 PM versus Curry College, a TCCC opponent. For more information about men’s lacrosse visit www.GoRegisPride.com.