(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia men's lacrosse is about to begin their 2021 season with a road trip to Mount Vernon Nazarene Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals will look to play a much more normal season after the 2020 campaign was cut short due to COVID-19. With a veteran group of returners and a talented mix of newcomers, CUAA will look to climb to new heights as head coach Ty McGuire enters his third season at the helm.
"Our group of young men are incredibly excited to play the game they love and do it surrounded by people they love," said Coach McGuire. "We have very high internal goals and expectations but we also understand the importance of taking it one day at a time and being grateful for whatever this season brings. As a coach, I couldn't be happier with how we've handle the past 12 months and I anticipate a group that is extremely hungry and eager to get after it."
2020 Season Review
Concordia finished 2-3 in the shortened 2020 campaign. After a narrow 16-14 loss to Kalamazoo College in last year's season opener, the Cardinals picked up two wins over Clarke (13-2) and Montreat (13-10). The team dropped their last two games and then the remainder of the year was canceled due to the pandemic.
2021 Schedule Outlook
The Cardinals will begin the 2021 season on the road at Mount Vernon Nazarene on Saturday, February 27 at 3:00pm. The team will hold their home opener on Monday, March 8 against William Penn. Concordia will travel to Tennessee Wesleyan later that week on March 11.
The team begins WHAC conference play on the road at Lourdes on March 19. After hosting Mount Vernon Nazarene on March 24, the team concludes the month with home contests against UM-Dearborn on March 28 and #8 Aquinas on March 31.
The Cardinals travel to Taylor on April 3 to start the new month. The team hosts rival Siena Heights on April 7 and remains at home against #2 Lawrence Tech on April 11. After a road game at Madonna on April 14, the regular season concludes at #4 Indiana Tech on April 17.
If Concordia qualifies for postseason play, the WHAC Tournament will begin on April 20.
Concordia Personnel
Head coach Ty McGuire returns 14 players from last year's squad including 8 seniors. Senior Devin Wolever returns after a team-high 12 goals in a shortened 2020 season. Senior Blake Blaisdell had 10 goals last year. Senior Collin Webb led the team with 24 ground balls and 9 caused turnovers last season.
Senior Nick Stedtefeld had 3 goals last year. Senior Reggie Thompson notched 12 ground balls last year. Senior Brendan Pfeiffer collected 10 ground balls last season while senior Austin Ventimiglio chipped in with 8. Senior Miles Riddell chipped in 2 assists.
Junior Ryan Iles had 8 goals and 5 assists last season. Sophomore goalkeeper Joseph Loria picked up 2 wins last season while making 68 saves. Sophomore Noah Sorenson had 3 goals and 7 assists last year. Sophomore Jake Brigmon notched 3 goals and 2 assists. Sophomore Luke Hovarter recorded 10 ground balls while sophomore Keshawn Simmons added 3.
9 newcomers will be joining the team this year: junior transfers Luke Holden and Jacob Greenway, and freshmen Ben Jones, DeAndre Reed, Evan Stuart, Hunter McCarty, Jeff Harrison, Sam Bowling, Sam Saje, and Shane Derwa.
Captains for this year's team include Ryan Illes, Devin Wolever, and Collin Webb.
Preseason Polls
The Cardinals were picked to finish 7th in this year's WHAC Preseason Coaches Poll, earning 27 points overall. Indiana Tech was picked first with 77 points (5 first-place votes) while Lawrence Tech finished second with 71 points (3 first-place votes).
In the most recent NAIA Men's Lacrosse Coaches Poll, Lawrence Tech finished highest among WHAC teams with the #2 rank. Indiana Tech checked in at #4 and Aquinas is ranked #8. Madonna, Lourdes, and Siena Heights are all currently receiving votes.
Connect with the Cardinals
For the most updated information and news throughout the season, you can follow Concordia Men's Lacrosse on Twitter (@ConcordiaMlax).
