RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Manhattan Jaspers Men’s Lacrosse Coach Tim McIntee announced a group of four captains for the 2012 spring season on Tuesday.
“The veteran side of the ball will be the defensive side this year,” said McIntee. “There is some great seniority here and consistency over the past three years that has put these guys in this position.”
Short-stick defensive midfielder Chris Spillane will return as a two-year captain along with fellow seniors Mike Brooks, Tyler Sabens and Stephen Harvey to create a core group of leadership that is heavily reliant on the defensive side of the ball.
Spillane, who was named a captain last year in his junior season, missed the entire fall season due to an injury but is fully healed and on-par to begin the spring season. “Being chosen as a captain is an honor but a difficult task as a junior within a team structure with a decent sized senior class,” McIntee noted. “The one thing you can count on with Chris is his consistency on and off the field. He always responds to the call of duty and is an outstanding leader.”
Fellow midfielder Tyler Sabens was a coach’s pick for a captain spot in his final season in Riverdale. He made appearances in all 16 games last season for the Jaspers. “Tyler has done it in the weight room and in conditioning. He talks the talk and walks the walk for us,” commented 15 year head coach Tim McIntee. “Every time you turn around he’s working out, he’s running…we are going to ask a lot from him this year and I think our guys will benefit from his presence.”
Two-year starting defenseman Steve Harvey is a player who is able to really set the pace of the team on the field. “He brings a level of intensity and physicality to practice that is going to be a big part of this team,” said McIntee. “He wants to be a captain, he lives his life that way, and I’m very happy our kids picked him as a captain.”
The vocal leader of the squad also resides in the defense of the Jaspers in Mike Brooks. Expected to be a three year starter, he has been one of the top defenders in green and white since his arrival. “Mike has a dynamite presence on the field,” McIntee said. “He has a great lacrosse IQ and he can communicate and play the game at a high level.”
Manhattan has concluded their fall season and will be looking forward to a revamped 2012 season beginning in the spring.
