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Falcons Announce Roster, Schedule; Provide Preview Of Newcomers
Posted: 12/21/2009
More Men's Lacrosse news
Freshman Zac Smith was impressive during Messiah's non-traditional season this fall, one of 17 newcomers for 2010.

Grantham, PA — The Messiah men’s lacrosse program released its 2010 roster and schedule Monday, providing an initial glimpse of what the spring season will look like.

Messiah will open its 2010 slate Feb. 24 at perennial power Gettysburg College, the start of a four-game non-conference stretch to open the season. The Falcons will then host Ursinus College (Mar. 6), York College (Mar. 13) and Neumann College (Mar. 20) before diving into the MAC Conference slate — which comprises the team’s final 11 regular-season games.

Fifth-year head coach Geof Weisenborn returns 25 players from last year’s squad, including seven of its top eight scorers and three of its four starters on defense. With a strong group of experienced players returning, Weisenborn said he was looking to add much-needed depth to the 2010 team.

With 17 players in the freshmen class, it appears that mission was accomplished.

“I think we were not only able to add depth, but also added a few players that will compete for time right away,” Weisenborn said. “We’re anxious to get started to see how these younger players mesh with our returners.”

Messiah’s 2010 schedule is available at both the men’s lacrosse schedule page and the GoMessiah.com schedule page. A printable, pdf-version of the slate is available at the latter.

The Falcons’ 2010 roster is now also available. Below is a brief look at each of the 17 incoming freshmen:

Mike Brandt (Parker, CO/Chaparral HS) Mike is a two time All-Conference attackman, who has a great stick, understands the game well and is very quick. Captain of his team senior year. He will push for time at attack and will add depth as a freshman. –GW

Brandt on why he chose Messiah College: “I chose Messiah because I really liked how the guys on the team are a family and not just teammates. I also made the decision because Messiah has a strong pre-physical therapy program.”

Eric Denlinger (Strasburg, PA/Lampeter-Strasburg HS) Eric is an All-League and All-District defenseman. He is exceptionally fast and has excellent stick skills. Can play both LSM and Close defense. Named Captain of his team in his senior year. Eric will compete for time at Close defense and add depth. –GW

Denlinger on why he chose Messiah College: “I chose to attend Messiah because of its reputation for outstanding education and the friendly atmosphere.”

Matt Emerson (Brookeville, MD/Sherwood HS) Matt is an All-Division midfielder and was the starting center on his football team that won the state title. Strong, athletic dodger who has a strong shot. Two-year captain on his high school team. Physical face-off middie who has quick hands. –GW

Emerson on why he chose Messiah College: “I chose to attend Messiah because I felt it was the best place for a good, fun college experience while still being able to grow in my faith. During my visits to Messiah, I felt a very strong connection between the players, students and myself.”

Clayton Emory (Landenberg, PA/West Nottingham Academy) Clayton is a tall, athletic midfielder who has excellent speed. Two-year captain of his high school team. Led his team in points during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Will compete for playing time this year as he adjusts to the college game. –GW

Emory on why he chose Messiah College: “I chose to attend Messiah College because I wanted to be around an atmosphere with nice people and good friends. I would also love to go forward with my Christian faith and I know that Messiah will support me in the right direction with making that faith stronger. When I visited and spent the night with the lacrosse team, I knew that this place would be a good fit because the guys were a lot of fun and most of all I knew that I could become friends with all of them. It was a feeling of comfort that made my decision.”

Hayden Geating (Lincoln Univ., PA/Avon Grove HS) Hayden is a two-time All-Conference player. Captain of his high school team. He is extremely quick and has great vision. Has a strong knowledge of the game and good shot. Will compete for time at midfield this year as a freshman. –GW

Geating on why he chose Messiah College: “When I finally came for my visit I thought the campus was great, so I decided to come for an overnight visit. As the days went on, I looked back at the visit and every moment I was there seemed like an awesome time ... then when it came down to deciding where I would go, something just stood out in my head that Messiah was the right place for me, as if God was telling me that is where he wanted me to go. I then chose to attend Messiah, making my parents ecstatic, and have never looked back.”

Jake Harkins (Street, MD/Homeschooled) Jake is an athletic midfielder who is strong and has good footspeed. Very hard worker and good at the Face-off X. Will compete for time as a defensive midfielder. –GW

Harkins on why he chose Messiah College: “I chose to come to Messiah because it was clear to me that this was a place where faith is integrated into every aspect of life on campus, whether it's in the classroom or on the lacrosse field, you're constantly learning how to use your faith in everything you do. Messiah appeared to be a school that really cared about students as individuals, and it has lived up to that, the professors really care about your education and the coaches care about you not only as an athlete, but also as a student and Christian. The environment at Messiah was one of the biggest things that influenced my decision to come here, I love being near the mountains and farms, and still only being 15-20 minutes from Harrisburg and the strong on-campus community really attracted me to Messiah.”

Andrew Johnson (Westampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley HS) Andrew is a midfielder who has tremendous speed in the open field. He will add depth to our defensive midfield as he adjusts to the college game. –GW

Johnson on why he chose Messiah College: “When the time came to decide where I wanted to attend college I knew Messiah College was the perfect fit for me. Messiah College was my first choice because I wanted a school where I could share and strengthen my Christian faith with others. Faith was a huge factor but I also liked the campus and the atmosphere here at Messiah.”

Sean Keiper (Allentown, PA/Parkland HS) Sean is a very athletic defenseman who is strong and has good footspeed. Played quarterback for his high school football team and is very aggressive on defense. Will compete for time as a close defenseman. –GW

Keiper on why he chose Messiah College: “I chose Messiah College for its academic and athletic excellence but most importantly for its Christian influence.”

Josh Krosskove (Harleysville, PA/North Penn HS) Josh is a two-time All-Conference defenseman who has very good speed and excellent stick skills. Named captain of his team his senior year. Josh will add depth at LSM as he adjusts to the college game. –GW

Krosskove on why he chose Messiah College: “Coming from a public school atmosphere, I had a strong desire to be at an academic Christian school and play on a Christian team. I do not believe that any other college but Messiah will be able to meet my spiritual, academic, and athletic needs. Spiritually, I was looking for a program that had God-honoring intentions and expectations for all of its athletes. Academically, I was looking for a college that is respected in both the religious and secular community and would provide me with a solid education in an open-minded and Christian mindset. Athletically, I was looking for a lacrosse program that strives to be competitive on the collegiate level and shares my passion for the sport.”

Heath Kupecky (King of Prussia, PA/Upper Merion HS) Heath is a two-time All-Conference attackman. Heath has great size and athleticism. Two-year captain and MVP of his high school team. Heath will compete for time and add depth to our attack. –GW

Kupecky on why he chose Messiah College: “I chose to attend Messiah College for their outstanding athletic reputation, excellence in academics, and to be part of their passion for Jesus Christ.”

Nate Masterson (S. Hamilton, MA/Hamilton Wenham HS) Nate is a very athletic defenseman. All-State linebacker in football and Conference Player of the Year at running back. Nate is a very good one on one defender. Nate will compete for time and add depth to our defense. –GW

Masterson on why he chose Messiah College: “I chose Messiah College for its Christian community, to continue my education in the Nursing Program and to continue playing athletics through Messiah’s lacrosse program.”

Paul Parsons (Bear, DE/Red Lion Christian) Paul is an All-Conference midfielder who has a very good shot. He also was selected to play for the FCA National Team. Paul is very quick and athletic and will compete for time at the midfield. –GW

Parsons on why he chose Messiah College: “I chose to play at Messiah because I feel like it was the best fit personally and I wanted to further my relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Jess Rogers (Hampstead, MD/North Carroll HS) Jess is a big, strong, midfielder who has an excellent shot on the run. Selected for the Carroll County Senior All-Star team. Played quarterback and tight end on his football team. Will compete for time at the midfield. –GW

Rogers on why he chose Messiah College: “I chose to attend Messiah College because when I first started looking for my college, I was looking for a Christian school that offered a great biology program (my major) and had an awesome lacrosse team. When I visited here, the environment was perfect, everybody was great (especially the guys on the team) and I definitely got the feeling that this is where I could most grow in my faith and serve God the best. I knew that this is where I could live for the next four years of my life!”

Zac Smith (Oakland, NJ/Indian Hills HS) Zac is a two-time All-State attackman in New Jersey. Very quick and shifty attackman with great vision. Can finish the ball well on the inside and from outside. Will compete right away for time at attack. –GW

Smith on why he chose Messiah College: “I chose to attend Messiah is because of its great atmosphere where I can learn and grow as a Christian.  Also, I chose Messiah because the lacrosse team is like brothers, they all look out for each other, and the better players try and make the younger players better. It just seemed like the right fit for me.” 

Kyle Sproles (Lititz, PA/Warwick HS) Kyle is an athletic all-around midfielder. He is a two-time All-League midfielder. He was a captain his senior year. Kyle is a threat to score on the offensive end, plays strong defense and can create transition between the lines. He will compete right away for time at the midfield. –GW

Sproles on why he chose Messiah College: “I chose to attend Messiah College because of the atmosphere and Christian background. Trying to stay Godly on a lacrosse team at other colleges would have been very hard. Also, I want to make sure I am adequately prepared in regards to my Christian faith when I hit the 'real world.' I want to know what I believe first.”

Jon Weimer (Huntington, NY/Long Island Lutheran) Jon is an All-Conference and All-League attackman. Selected as a captain both junior and senior years. He is strong with good size. Jon is a good inside finisher but can also carry the ball on the perimeter. Jon will add depth to the attack as he acclimates to the college game. –GW

Weimer on why he chose Messiah College: “I chose Messiah because I wanted to go to a college where I could grow in my faith. I also wanted to play lacrosse and grow academically.”

Greg Woodward (Medford Lakes, NJ/Archbishop Wood HS) Greg is a fast and skilled midfielder. He has very good vision and excellent stickwork. Greg will add depth to the midfield as he adjust his game to the college level. –GW

Woodward on why he chose Messiah College: “I chose to attend Messiah College because I wanted to be surrounded by a Christian atmosphere. The size of the school and the major I chose also fitted what I wanted in a college. I wanted a small school so I can be in easy contact with my professors in case I needed any help. I wanted to be a part of Messiah lacrosse team that worked hard to get better every day. The Accounting program at Messiah is also ranked very high in terms of passing the CPA in Pennsylvania.”