Skip To Main Content

Scoreboard

Clarkson University Athletics

2023 CU Men's Lacrosse Preview

PenneyBryan2022action

Men's Lacrosse | 2/13/2023 8:00:00 AM

Playing in the toughest conference in the country, the Clarkson University Men's Lacrosse team is challenged in every Liberty League outing. With seven of the top eight scorers returning from last year's squad as well as talent all around the field, the Golden Knights will be vying for one of the conference's playoff spots once again this spring.

In the final regional rankings of 2022, six of the top eight squads in the New York Region came from the Liberty League, including the two teams that ended up vying for the NCAA Division III National Championship. With a few breaks falling their way, the Golden Knights could find themselves in the postseason again. Guided by long-time head coach Bill Bergan and first-year assistants Jake Riley and Billy Bergan, the Green and Gold bring back enviable depth at numerous positions and a desire to return to the conference tournament.

Two of the league's most prolific scorers from a year ago return to the team in 2023. Seniors Sebastian Geiger and Thomas Fiebich each led the conference in different categories, with Geiger averaging 2.94 goals per game and Fiebich recording 2.75 assists per contest. Geiger finished the campaign with 62 points on 47 goals and 15 assists, while Fiebich was a distributor, notching 58 points on 14 goals and 44 assists. Connor Matthews and Connor ranked seventh and eighth on the team in scoring with 17 points and 14 points, respectively, adding to the scoring punch that is back for 2023. Clarkson could see more offense added in the way of sophomores Joe Kelly and Vincent Lavarnway this spring, as the pair has stepped up their games and appear ready to add more depth to the squad's offensive weapons.

In the midfield, Matt Reilly was a conference all-star a year ago thanks to 33 goals and 12 assists for 45 points, including eight man-up goals. Grad student Bryan Penney posted his usual steady production with 30 points on 24 goals and six assists, and also ranked among the team leaders with 47 groundballs. The Knights could end up with even more production in the midfield with veteran Alex Seiler making strides in the off-season and freshman Maddox Gorney and CJ Krug looking to contribute right away.

Clarkson also returns two of the top face-off men in the conference in senior Matthew Hansen. Among players with more than 100 attempts, Hansen ranked second in the Liberty League in win percentage at .630, going 215-126 at the 'x' overall. For those with just 50 attempts or more, sophomore Logan Wilkinson had the top percentage in the league at .702, winning 40 of his 57 tries.

Defensively, there will be a handful of changes in the starting lineup, but conference all-star Matt Szwagulinski is back to headline the team's efforts. Szwagulinski ranked fourth in the conference in caused turnovers per game (1.50) and led the team in that category, though he was closely followed by first-year collegian Mason Volley, who had a total of 19, which placed him just outside the top 10 in the Liberty League. Adding to the depth on defense are returners Tyler Griffin, Steve Kay, and Andrew Schneid, as well as freshmen Noah Marino and Jack Garvey, who should see significant time in their first collegiate seasons.

Although the team has five goalkeepers, graduate student Jacob Mattice is likely to earn a significant portion of the starts. As a first-year transfer last year, Mattice posted solid numbers with a 9.10 goals against average and a .552 save percentage in 15 starts where he boasted a record of 10-5. He will be joined by several veterans looking for an opportunity in senior Henry O'Brien, junior Brett Bohlmann, and sophomore Eric Gellasch, as well as freshman Griffin Emerson.



 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Billy Bergan

#9 Billy Bergan

M
5' 7"
Senior
Brett Bohlmann

#49 Brett Bohlmann

GK
6' 6"
Sophomore
Thomas Fiebich

#34 Thomas Fiebich

A
5' 10"
Junior
Sebastian Geiger

#14 Sebastian Geiger

A
6' 1"
Junior
Matthew Hansen

#30 Matthew Hansen

M
5' 8"
Junior
Steve Kay

#42 Steve Kay

D
5' 9"
Sophomore
Connor Matthews

#40 Connor Matthews

A
5' 10"
Sophomore
Henry O

#20 Henry O'Brien

GK
5' 11"
Junior
Bryan Penney

#21 Bryan Penney

M
5' 11"
Senior
Matt Reilly

#4 Matt Reilly

M
6' 3"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Billy Bergan

#9 Billy Bergan

5' 7"
Senior
M
Brett Bohlmann

#49 Brett Bohlmann

6' 6"
Sophomore
GK
Thomas Fiebich

#34 Thomas Fiebich

5' 10"
Junior
A
Sebastian Geiger

#14 Sebastian Geiger

6' 1"
Junior
A
Matthew Hansen

#30 Matthew Hansen

5' 8"
Junior
M
Steve Kay

#42 Steve Kay

5' 9"
Sophomore
D
Connor Matthews

#40 Connor Matthews

5' 10"
Sophomore
A
Henry O

#20 Henry O'Brien

5' 11"
Junior
GK
Bryan Penney

#21 Bryan Penney

5' 11"
Senior
M
Matt Reilly

#4 Matt Reilly

6' 3"
Sophomore
M