Men's Lacrosse Selected First in 2023 CCC Preseason Coaches' Poll

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 15, 2023) - In less than a week, the Western New England's men's lacrosse team will be making their season debut at Keene State College on Tuesday, February 21st at 4 pm. In the recently released 2023 CCC Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll, the Golden Bears finished first, tallying 79 points (with seven first place votes), beating out Endicott College, who finished with 72 points (two first place votes). Western New England will look to pick up where they left off, after their strong 2022 season, making it to the third round of the NCAA tournament. John Klepacki, the 2022 CCC Coach of the Year, will be back coaching the Golden Bears for his 22nd season, looking to improve on his .705 winning percentage at WNE.

This season, the Golden Bears will be led by graduate student captain Noah Rust (Windham, N.H.), returning for another year, after earning Second Team All-CCC honors last season. Graduate student Mike Bannon (Edmond, Okla.), will look to pick up where he left off, earning First Team All-CCC last season, and coming within reach of breaking school records. Bannon only needs 62 more points to set the all time program record for points for the Golden Bears (Adam Cherry, 2004-2007, 267 points) and 14 more assists to break the record for all time assists (Matt Greer, 2017-2022, 122 assists). Seniors Brian Madden (Brookfield, Conn.) and Dylan Hanley (New Fairfield, Conn.) will round out the attack for WNE, as the team looks to continue on their success from last season, after averaging 15.43 goals a game.

Senior Anthony Gamba (Oyster Bay, N.Y.), will look to anchor the defense, after earning a First Team All-CCC nod in 2022 and starting 18 games in the season. Alongside Gamba will be juniors Alex Henry (Wilbraham, Mass) and John Oliver (East Longmeadow, Mass.), as they look to fill the roles of a dominant Golden Bears defense from 2022. Senior Carter Randall (Sammamish, Wash.), will return in goal for WNE, after a First Team All-CCC selection last season and 13 wins.