The High Point University men's lacrosse program begins its 2017 season on Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Duke University. HighPointPanthers.Com will be previewing the season with two installments the first released on Tuesday will feature an overview as well as give a rundown on the goalie and close defense while Wednesday's piece will focus on the midfield, face-off and attack position groups.

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University men's lacrosse program is about to experience another first in its sixth season of existence and fifth year of NCAA competition.
 
On Friday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Koskinen Stadium on the campus of Duke University the Panthers will take the field the same as they have in their previous four season openers.
 
However, this time – for the first time – it'll be without any of the young men that started the program along with head coach Jon Torpey and associate head coach Pat Tracy in 2012.
 
With the graduation of Richard Byrd, Nick Bittner and Adam Seal – 2016's redshirt-senior class – none of the program's original members remain. Likewise, HPU's leaders in goals scored, points scored, face-offs won, ground balls and games played have moved on as a part of the 2016 senior class.
 
It's a new day in High Point lacrosse and that newness, which is distinctive for this budding program, has brought a renewed sense of excitement for the 2017 season.
 
"Everybody is excited for the beginning of the year," Torpey said. "We didn't play any fall games, but we did have some competitive scrimmages against some really good teams, so it's going to be great to finally play one that counts. Cohesiveness, the family unit aspect and the overall bonding of the guys have been amazing. Now, I'm excited to see what happens with the development portion as we go about improving every day."
 
While the "Founding Fathers," so to speak, are no longer wandering the halls of the Witcher Athletic Center, the Purple & White return several talented and experienced student-athletes. None are more experienced than senior attackman Michael LeClair, the program's third-leading scorer.
 
LeClair, a captain on the 2016 squad, returns after back-to-back 50-point seasons to serve as the team's only two-time captain. Four other seniors; Tanner Landstra, Sean Harrison, Nick Basile and Mick Horrocks, join him as the Panthers' five captains. That quintet will lead a team that features 23 returning letterwinners.
 
"I think the seniors have done a great job bringing the younger guys along," Torpey added. "I've been unbelievably impressed with the leadership of the older guys in our program."
 
Those 23 returners have spent much of the offseason teaching the High Point way to the squad's 18 freshmen and three transfers and now it's time to see how those lessons pay off on the field.

"Now it's just up to the younger guys to understand that they are going to have to fill some pretty big voids," Torpey said of the newcomers. "This class is going to have to reach a maturity level quicker than they should have to because we are going to rely on them to play a lot of minutes and in pivotal roles."
 
Similar to last season, HPU will be a battle-tested squad by the time Southern Conference play rolls around in March. The Panthers once again play at Duke, Maryland and Virginia while sprinkling in a tough contest at Providence and home matches against Georgetown, Robert Morris and St. Johns.
 
"We have some games with formidable opponents that we respect and that really force you to play at a high level very quickly," Torpey continued. "We are excited about this weekend and we're not worried about looking too far ahead. We just want to see how we react going up against a really well-coached and disciplined team like Duke."
 
After a third-place finish in the SoCon last year, HPU was selected by the league's coaches to finish third behind Air Force and Richmond. However, unlike last season when the Panthers played road games against both, the Falcons and Spiders are set to visit Vert Stadium this spring.
 
Goalies
Defensively, the Purple & White return SoCon All-Freshman Team goalie in Tim Troutner Jr. Expectations are high for the 2017 Preseason All-SoCon selection who went 8-4 in goal after taking over in the Panthers' third game of the season.

The Baltimore, Md. product stopped 55.5 percent of the shots her faced last season while tallying a 10.34 goals-against average.
 
Meanwhile, junior Zach Tuell also returns to the High Point lineup having registered a 4-2 career record in six starts. In his two years at HPU, the Gainesville, Va. native has stopped 75 shots (.556 save percentage) and recorded a 9.28 goals-against average.
 
Rounding out the trio of goalies, freshman Griffin Basile joins his brother Nick on the roster. Basile received his first action making 12 saves in a scrimmage against nationally ranked Marquette earlier this offseason.

"At goal, Timmy has been great," Torpey said. "Zach has been a little banged up, but he'll be back soon and Griff played well in the Marquette scrimmage. But Timmy is our guy down there right now. He's done a really good job in the cage and running our clear. Likewise, he's taken control of the defense and has come along in learning the scouting reports and just being our leader on defense."
 
Close Defense and LSM
Landstra returns to anchor the HPU close defense after starting every game each of the past two seasons. In his career, the Cincinnati, Ohio native has logged 45 appearances while racking up 12 caused turnovers and 38 ground balls.
 
The other player with starting experience, junior Terrell Sands, is back after cracking the starting lineup eight times in 2016. Sands caused multiple turnovers in four games while finishing the season with 27 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers.
 
Other returners include senior Dan McKenna Jr., redshirt-junior Jimmy Wyrick (1 gb, 1 ct), junior Michael Lanahan (2 gb, 1 ct) and sophomore Griff Caligiuri (4gb, 6 ct).
 
This season, the Panthers have brought in six freshmen that bring size and athleticism to the roster. Luke Cappetto (6-2, 185), Chris Price (6-1, 190), Nick Walsh (6-5, 210), Brian Stamm (5-11, 187), Jack Marshall (6-6, 215) and Logan Danenza (6-2, 195) all figure to get their feet wet in 2017.
 
"We have some young guys that will play down there on close defense," Torpey added. "But Tanner has become an incredible leader and has improved his game on the ball while continuing to be one of the best off-ball defenders I have ever had the opportunity to coach. Terrell has done a really good job consistently winning his matchup while growing into a vocal leader. Dan has played really well as a senior along with Jimmy who is experienced and knows what we are looking to do down there."
 
Meanwhile, the Panthers will rely on a rotation of youngsters at the long-stick midfielder position until someone gains control of the position.
 
"We are still looking for someone to step up and take the reigns at pole," Torpey concluded. "Jack Marshall and Nick Walsh have done a good job there along with Griff Caligiuri and Michael Lanahan. Again it's a group that needs to prove itself a little more, but with some seasoning I think it has the potential to be a solid spot for us."
 
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