Although the Centenary men’s lacrosse team finished a disappointing 6-8 in 2010, including a 1-5 mark in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) action, the Cyclones’ conference mark includes two two-goal losses and one one-goal defeat, losses that kept head coach Matt Klank and the team from reaching the conference tournament. But the team returns most of its members and the experience from this season will help guide the young squad in 2011.

In his rookie campaign, Conor Nolan made his mark, leading the team in points (70) and assists (40) and finishing second in goals (30) and groundballs (75). His assists total is the third-highest single-season mark in program history and he led the nation in assists per game. For his efforts, Nolan was named First Team All-CSAC Midfield. Fellow classmate Sean Lowe earned All-Conference Honorable Mention Defense after leading the conference with 30 caused turnovers and finishing third on the team with 62 groundballs. Another rookie, Robert Nuzzolese, posted 32 points on 25 goals and seven assists.

A pair of senior co-captains finished their Cyclone career in style. Jason Rieg was named First Team All-CSAC Attack after leading the team in goals (32) and finished second in points (62) and assists (30). He scored his 100th career goal in CC’s final game of the season and ended his career ranked third all-time in program history in scoring. Eddie Montalvo earned Second Team All-CSAC Defense after leading the team with 86 groundballs and finishing second in the CSAC with 28 caused turnovers.

Centenary’s season began with three straight wins, including a 16-0 shutout of Penn State Abington. After two losses to two tough foes, Whittier and Kean, CC opened its CSAC slate with a 13-10 victory over Shenandoah. But the Cyclones dropped their next four, including three conference matches, before rebounding with a convincing 19-4 win over Mt. St. Mary’s. A 9-7 loss to Marywood and a 9-8 overtime defeat at the hands of Gwynedd-Mercy ended CC’s tournament hopes, but the team finished the year on a high note with a 19-5 win over Wells.

Academically, the team received four CSAC All-Academic Team accolades and Rieg and Montalvo were named Centenary’s Spring FAR-FAB Scholar-Athlete Recognition Award Winners. Additionally, Rieg took home United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Scholar All-America honors.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (July 13, 2010) – Centenary men’s lacrosse rising sophomore Conor Nolan (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata) finished the season as the nation’s leader with 2.9 assists per game. Nolan’s 40 assists on the year tied the program’s third-best single-season mark.

Nolan was named First Team All-CSAC Midfield and Centenary’s Male Rookie of the Year for his efforts. He led the team in assists and points (70) and finished second in goals (30) and groundballs (75). He ranked fifth nationally in points and 66th in groundballs per game. In the final CSAC statistics, he was first in assists per game, second in points per game, tied for third in goals per game, fourth in groundballs per game and seventh in shots per game.

Nolan recorded double-digits in two separate games last season, finishing with 10 against PSU-Abington on March 6 and 11 against Wells on May 1. He was named to the CSAC Weekly Honor Roll twice.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (June 1, 2010) – The Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) named 74 Centenary student-athletes to its Winter/Spring All-Academic Teams, the league announced. All eight Winter and Spring sports received academic awards, as men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, baseball, softball and golf are listed in the CSAC awards and wrestling was named a Scholar-Academic Team after posting the 17th-best GPA in the nation.

“It is my pleasure to announce that 483 Colonial States Athletic Conference student-athletes have achieved the level of academic success necessary to be named to the Spring 2010 CSAC All-Academic Team,” said CSAC Commissioner Amy Friedman. “These student-athletes have assumed leadership roles on their campuses by demonstrating that a complete education includes both academics and athletics.”

The CSAC All Academic Award is earned by each student-athlete that meets the NCAA Division III eligibility requirements, earns varsity status in their respective sport, and earns a minimum semester grade point average (GPA) of 3.2. The team consists of student-athletes from men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s golf, men's lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, men's tennis, baseball and softball.

Men's Lacrosse 2010 Winter/Spring All-Academic Team
Kyle McVay, Business Administration Sports Management, So., North Brunswick, N.J.
Edward Montalvo, History, Sr., West Islip, N.Y.
Jeffrey Prudente, Mathematics/Teacher of Math, So., Somerville, N.J.
James Reed, Accounting, Fr., Egg Harbor Township, N.J.

2010 CSAC Winter/Spring All-Academic Team

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (May 26, 2010) – Centenary men’s lacrosse senior Jason Rieg (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris Central) was named a United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) 2010 Scholar All-American, the organization announced Wednesday. Rieg is one of 70 Division I, II and III lacrosse players and the only Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) student-athlete to earn the honor.

The award is Rieg’s second academic honor, as he was named to the CSAC All-Academic team in 2009. The senior graduated in May with a degree in Management. He led the team with 32 goals and finished second with 62 points. He was named First Team All-CSAC and ranks 15th in the nation in assists per game, 16th in points per game and 81st in goals per game. In CSAC stats, Rieg is second in goals and assists per game, third in points and shots per game and tied for third with three game-winning goals.

2010 USILA Scholar All-Americans

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (May 25, 2010) – The Centenary men’s lacrosse program was named a Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Team Sportsmanship Recipient, the organization announced Tuesday.

This award is given to the team that most embodies and demonstrates the spirit of sportsmanship, and is voted on by the student-athletes on each of the respective teams.

Centenary finished the season 6-8, including 1-5 in the conference, with three CSAC losses by two goals or fewer. Senior Jason Rieg (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris Central) and freshman Conor Nolan (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata) were each named All-CSAC First Team, while senior Eddie Montalvo (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) earned a spot on the Second Team and freshman Sean Lowe (Westminster, Md./Westminster) received Honorable Mention accolades. Montalvo also took home Sportsmanship Team honors.

Spring 2010 CSAC Team Sportsmanship Awards

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (May 4, 2010) – The Centenary men’s lacrosse team received four Colonial States Athletic Communications (CSAC) postseason awards, the league announced Monday. Senior Jason Rieg (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris Central) and freshman Conor Nolan (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata) were each named to the First Team, while senior Eddie Montalvo (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) earned Second Team honors and freshman Sean Lowe (Westminster, Md./Westminster) received Honorable Mention accolades.

Rieg picks up his third All-Conference award, including his second consecutive First Team honor. He led the team in goals (32) and finished second in assists (30) and points (62). He also grabbed 22 groundballs. In the latest NCAA statistical standings, the senior ranks 13th in assists per game, 17th in points per game and 84th in goals per game. In CSAC stats, Rieg is second in goals and assists per game, third in points and shots per game and tied for third with three game-winning goals. He was named to the CSAC Weekly Honor Roll on May 3 after scoring five goals, including the 100th of his career, in a 19-5 win over non-conference foe Wells on May 1.

Nolan is the first freshman in Centenary men’s lacrosse history to be named First Team All-Conference. He led the team in assists (40) and points (70) and finished second on the squad in goals (30) and groundballs (75). He currently ranks first in the nation in assists per game, sixth in points per game and 66th in groundballs. In CSAC rankings, the freshman is first in assists per game, second in points per game, fourth in groundballs per game, tied for fourth in goals per game and seventh in shots per game.

Montalvo was also named to the CSAC Sportsmanship Team. He was Centenary’s best defender, often guarding the opposing team’s top offensive player. He grabbed a team-high 86 groundballs and is second on the squad and the conference with 28 caused turnovers, both career-highs. He ranks 44th in the nation and second in the CSAC in groundballs. The Second-Team award marks the third consecutive season he was received the honor.

Lowe made an immediate impact as a freshman, playing in all 14 games with 12 starts. He led the conference with 30 caused turnovers and finished third on the team with 62 groundballs. He also scored one goal from his defensive position.

2010 CSAC Men's Lacrosse Postseason Awards

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (May 1, 2010) – On the day the Centenary men’s lacrosse team honored its two seniors, Jason Rieg (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris Central) and Eddie Montalvo (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip), Rieg scored his 100th career goal to lead the Cyclones to a 19-5 win over non-conference foe Wells, Saturday in Hackettstown, N.J. Rieg finished the game with five goals and two assists and Montalvo grabbed a season-high 10 groundballs. CC ends the 2010 season 6-8 overall while Wells dropped to 2-12.

Freshman Conor Nolan (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata) led the team with a career-high 11 points, including a personal-best eight assists. Junior Joe Swantkoski (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) added four goals and one assist and freshmen Robert Nuzzolese (Woodbury, N.Y./Syosset) (two goals, one assist) and Chris White (Middle Twp., N.J./Middle Twp.) (one goal, two assists) each contributed three points apiece.

Sophomores Jeff Prudente (Somerville, N.J./Somerville) and Matt Trengrove (Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan) and freshmen Dan Webster (Laurel, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt) and Anthony Ciaston (Florham Park, N.J./Hanover Park) each found the back of the net once; Ciaston’s goal was the first of his career. Freshman goalie Kyle Burgess (Glen Gardner, N.J./Voorhees) evened his record to 3-3, stopping nine shots in the win.

Centenary stormed out to a 9-0 lead before Wells scored its first goal, and the Cyclones went into the half holding a 10-2 advantage. Rieg’s 100th career score came with 1:24 remaining in the third quarter and gave the home team a 17-4 edge. Although CC took its foot off the pedal in the final two quarters, the team outscored the Express 9-3 en route to the 14-goal victory.

Boxscore

GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. (April 29, 2010) – Freshman Robert Nuzzolese (Woodbury, N.Y./Syosset) scored three goals and senior Jason Rieg (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris Central) tallied four assists, but it wasn’t enough as the Centenary men’s lacrosse team (5-8, 1-5 CSAC) fell to Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) foe Gwynedd-Mercy (9-4, 4-2 CSAC), 9-8 in overtime, Thursday in Gwynedd Valley, Pa.

Sophomore Jeffrey Prudente (Somerville, N.J./Somerville) scored twice for the Cyclones and freshman Conor Nolan (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata), junior Joe Swantkoski (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) and freshman Chris White (Middle Twp., N.J./Middle Twp.) each found the back of the net once. Senior Eddie Montalvo (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) grabbed seven groundballs to lead the team and freshman goalie Kyle Burgess (Glen Gardner, N.J./Voorhees) stopped 13 shots in the loss. Seven players scored for GMC, led by Nicholas Hummel’s three goals.

Hummel gave the home team an 8-7 lead with 1:24 remaining in the fourth quarter. But Rieg and Nuzzolese collaborated with just nine seconds to go to send the contest into overtime. Mason Risner scored with 1:16 left in the extra session to win the game for the Griffins.

Centenary returns to action on Saturday with a home game against Wells on Senior Day at 3:00 p.m. Prior to the game, the team will honor its two seniors, Montalvo and Rieg.

Boxscore

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (April 28, 2010) – The Centenary men’s lacrosse team will finish its Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) slate  with a road game at Gwynedd-Mercy on Thursday, April 29, before closing out its 2010 season on Senior Day with a home non-conference game against Wells on Saturday, May 1, at 3:00 p.m.

Saturday’s contest will be the last game for Cyclone seniors Jason Rieg (Long Valley, N.J./ West Morris Central) and Eddie Montalvo (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip). The 2010 co-captains have each made their mark on the program, as Rieg is tied for second all-time in program history with 174 points, tied for third all-time with 95 goals and alone in third-place with 79 assists while Montalvo is the program’s all-time leader in groundballs, with 202.

Centenary will be giving away prizes on Saturday, including Cyclone apparel. There will be halftime entertainment and the team will host a dinner after the contest to recognize and thank those who donated to the program.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (April 24, 2010) – Freshman goalie Kyle Burgess (Glen Gardner, N.J./Voorhees) recorded a career-high 20 saves but it was not enough as the Centenary men’s lacrosse team (5-6, 1-4 CSAC) fell to Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) foe Marywood (11-3, 5-0 CSAC), 9-7, Saturday at Cyclone Field in Hackettstown, N.J.

Burgess’ previous personal-best in saves was 19, set against Immaculata on April 10. The freshman also grabbed a career-high eight groundballs in the loss to the Pacers. Senior Jason Rieg (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris Central) posted three goals and three assists while freshman Conor Nolan (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata) finished with two goals and two assists to lead the Cyclones. Gregory Nestor and George Downey each scored twice for Marywood.

Marywood outshot Centenary 43-25 and grabbed 32 groundballs to the Cyclones’ 26. But faceoffs proved to be CC’s undoing, as the Pacers won 14-of-20. After a 2-2 first half, MU won three consecutive faceoffs to start the third quarter and scored off each to take a 5-2 advantage, eventually increasing the lead to 6-2.

But Centenary was not done, as Rieg and Nolan combined to score three goals and freshman Chris White (Middle Twp., N.J./Middle Twp.) and junior Joe Swantkoski (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) tallied one apiece in a 5-0 run for the Cyclones to put the home team up, 7-6. However, Marywood scored the last three and left with the two-goal victory.

Centenary returns to action on Thursday, April 29, with a road CSAC contest at Gwynedd-Mercy at 7:00 p.m.

Boxscore

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (April 17, 2010) – Three freshmen set or matched career-highs as the Centenary men’s lacrosse team (5-6) defeated Mount Saint Mary’s (2-8), Saturday at Cyclone Field in Hackettstown, N.J. Conor Nolan (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata) and Chris White (Middle Twp., N.J./Middle Twp.) set career-highs with seven assists and four goals, respectively, and Robert Nuzzolese (Woodbury, N.Y./Syosset) matched a personal-best with five goals.

Nolan also scored two goals and grabbed a career-best 12 groundballs as the Cyclones recorded 56 groundballs to MSMC’s 31. Centenary outshot the Knights, 66-17, including 35-10 in shots on goal. The Knights had 31 turnovers compared to just 14 for CC.

Sophomore Jeff Prudente (Somerville, N.J./Somerville) finished with three goals and one assist, junior Joe Swantkoski (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) tallied two goals and one assist and senior Jason Rieg (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris Central) recorded one goal and three assists. Swantkoski and senior Eddie Montalvo (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) each grabbed seven groundballs and freshman Sean Lowe (Westminster, Md./Westminster) picked up six. Freshman goalie Kyle Burgess (Glen Gardner, N.J./Voorhees) finished with six saves in the win. MSMC’s Nick Findlay contributed two goals and one assist to lead the Knights.

After giving up three goals in the first quarter, the Cyclones clamped down defensively, allowing MSMC just one score in the final three periods while finding the back of the net 14 times themselves. Prudente scored three goals and Nuzzolese tallied four in the second quarter as CC outscored its opponent 8-0 to take a 13-3 halftime lead, before going on to win by 15.

The Cyclones return to action on Saturday, April 24, with a key Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) match against Marywood at Cyclone field at 1:00 p.m.

Boxscore

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (April 13, 2010) – The Centenary College men’s lacrosse team is ranked among the NCAA leaders and conference leaders in the latest statistical reports.

Freshman Conor Nolan (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata) ranks 12th in assists (2.3) and 16th in points per game (4.5). Senior Jason Rieg (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris) ranks 34th in both assists (1.8) and points (4.1) per game, while ranking 82nd in goals per game (2.3). Fellow senior Eddie Montalvo (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) is in the top 100 for groundballs per game (5.8), ranking 52nd.

Nolan, Rieg and Montalvo all find themselves ranked among the leaders of the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) as well. Nolan leads the conference in assists per game, while also ranking second in points and fourth in both goals and groundballs per game. Rieg is second in assists and third in goals and points per game. Montalvo ranks second in groundballs per game.

As a team, Centenary is 58th in saves per game with 12.0 and 67th in assists per game with 5.5. The Cyclones are 4-6 overall and 1-3 in the CSAC. They are stuck in the middle of a four-game losing streak, but are looking to break that on Saturday, April 17 against Mount Saint Mary’s. The Cyclones will be home and the game is scheduled for 1:00pm.

IMMACULATA, Pa. (April 10, 2010) – The Centenary men’s lacrosse team was unable to come back from an early deficit, eventually falling at Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) foe Immaculata, 16-7, Saturday in Immaculata, Pa. The Cyclones dropped to 4-6 overall, 1-3 in conference play, while the Mighty Macs improved to 7-4 and 2-2 in CSAC action.

Four players recorded two points apiece for CC. Sophomore Jeff Prudente (Somerville, N.J./Somerville) and freshman Conor Nolan (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata) each tallied a goal and an assist and senior Jason Rieg (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris Central) and freshman Dan Webster (Laurel, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt) both scored two goals. Freshmen Robert Nuzzolese (Woodbury, N.Y./Syosset) and Chris White (Middle Twp., N.J./Middle Twp.) contributed a goal and an assist, respectively.

Defensively, senior Eddie Montalvo (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) finished with nine groundballs and two caused turnovers and freshman Kyle Burgess (Glen Gardner, N.J./Voorhees) came off the bench to record a career-high 19 saves in goal for Centenary. Dante Tuscai (four goals, one assist) and Ben Tuscai (two goals, three assists) each finished with five points to lead IU.

With 8:12 remaining in the second quarter, Centenary found itself trailing, 6-1. Rieg and Nolan each scored a goal to cut the lead in half, but IU tallied with 1:34 remaining to go into halftime with a 7-3 advantage. The Mighty Macs outscored CC 6-1 in the third quarter to take a 13-4 lead and held on for the nine-goal win.

Centenary looks to end its four-game losing streak on Saturday, April 17, against non-conference opponent Mount Saint Mary’s at home at 1:00 p.m.

Boxscore

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (April 7, 2010) The Centenary men’s lacrosse team suffered its second conference loss of the season, dropping a 12-10 affair to the Neumann University Knights. Despite trailing for most of the first half, the Knights used a big third quarter to power them for the victory. Centenary falls to 4-5 and 1-2 in the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) with the loss while Neumann improves to 2-7, 1-2 CSAC.

The teams traded goals in the first quarter, but in the second the Cyclones scored the only goals of the period. First an unassisted goal by freshman Conor Nolan (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata) before Nolan was able to hit Jason Rieg (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris) for the other goal, giving Centenary the slight 5-3 lead at half.

Neumann controlled the third period, scoring seven of the eight goals to hold a 10-6 lead into the fourth. In the fourth, Neumann pushed the lead to 12-6 before Centenary went on a run of four straight goals to bring the score to within two, but just ran out of time.

Centenary was led by Rieg, who scored five goals, assisted on two others and picked up one groundball. Freshman Conor Nolan scored two goals, had two assists and picked up eight groundballs. Defensemen Sean Lowe (Westminster, Md./Westminster) had five caused turnover’s and picked up nine groundballs. For Neumann, Justin Mailkoux scored three goals and had one assist.

The Cyclones will be back in action on Saturday, April 10 as they will travel to face CSAC foe Immaculata University at 1:00pm.

Boxscore

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (April 3, 2010) The men’s lacrosse team dropped their second straight contest, this time it was an 11-7 defeat at the hands of Stockton College. Centenary evened its record with the loss, falling to 4-4 while Stockton went up to 4-2 with the win.

The Cyclones got off to a fast start and used two goals from senior Jason Rieg (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris) to take a 4-1 lead in the first quarter. Stockton then went on to score five of the next six goals in the game to even the score at halftime, 5-5. Stockton then outscored Centenary 6-2 in the second half to get the final 11-7 score. 

Rieg scored four goals and recorded two assists for the Cyclones while junior Joe Swantkoski (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) scored two goals and had one assist. Sophomore goalie Kyle McVay (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick) made 13 saves for Centenary. For Stockton, Josh Dybus scored three goals and had two assists and Matt Bologno scored two goals and assisted on two others.

Next up for Centenary will be a home conference contest on Wednesday, April 7, against Neumann University.


Boxscore

RADNOR, Pa. (April 1, 2010) The Centenary men’s lacrosse team lost its first conference game of the season, falling to No. 16 Cabrini College 26-3. The loss dropped Centenary to 4-3 overall and 1-1 in the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC). The Cavaliers improved to 6-3 and 2-0 in the CSAC.

Cabrini took control of this game from the get go, racing out to an 8-0 lead in the first quarter. The Cavaliers were able to push the score up to 13-0 before Centenary got its first tally, a goal from freshman Chris White (Middle Twp., N.J./Middle Twp.). Cabrini outshot the Cyclones 62-15.

Centenary had three different players record points, White with a goal and an assist, senior Jason Rieg (Chester, N.J./West Morris) also scored a goal and assisted on another and freshman Conor Nolan (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata) scored one goal. Senior defense Eddie Montalvo (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) picked up eight groundballs.

Next up for the Cyclones will be an out of conference match up with in-stat rival Stockton College on Saturday, April 3.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (March 29, 2010) – Centenary men’s lacrosse freshman Conor Nolan (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata) was named to the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Weekly Honor Roll, the league announced Monday. Nolan guided CC to a 1-1 week, posting four goals and six assists in the two games.

Nolan was also named to the CSAC Weekly Honor Roll on March 15. In the latest NCAA statistical rankings, Nolan is first in points per game, second in assists and 14th in goals. He was a factor in all three of Centenary’s goals in the team’s loss to Kean, with two scores and one assist. In the Cyclones’ 13-10 win over Shenandoah, Nolan finished with two goals, five assists, nine groundballs and two caused turnovers.

CC returns to action on Wednesday, March 31, with a road game against defending CSAC champion and No. 14-ranked Cabrini at 3:30 p.m.

March 29 CSAC Weekly Awards

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (March 27, 2010) – Freshmen Robert Nuzzolese (Woodbury, N.Y./Syosset) and Conor Nolan (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata) each recorded seven points to lead the Centenary men’s lacrosse team to a 13-10 win over Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) foe Shenandoah, Saturday in Hackettstown, N.J. With the win, the Cyclones (4-2, 1-0 CSAC) stopped a two-game losing streak while the loss marked an end to a two-game winning streak for the Hornets (2-6, 0-1 CSAC).

Nuzzolese scored a game-high five goals and tallied two assists while Nolan finished with a game-best five assists and found the back of the net twice while also grabbing a team-high nine groundballs. Senior Jason Rieg (Chester, N.J./West Morris Central) contributed three goals and two assists and freshman Matt Trengrove (Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan) tallied two scores.

Sophomore goalie Kyle McVay (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick Twp.) stopped nine shots to pick up his third win of the season. Senior Eddie Montalvo (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) finished with eight groundballs and freshman Sean Lowe (Westminster, Md./Westminster) grabbed seven. PJ Cooper led Shenandoah with three goals.

Centenary scored the first four goals of the contest, but Shenandoah came storming back, cutting the lead to one, at 6-5, before Nolan assisted on three goals to help give the Cyclones a 9-6 halftime lead. In the second half, CC built a 13-8 lead with 2:34 remaining, but the Hornets tallied twice, including a goal with a minute remaining, before Centenary held on to win by three.

The Cyclones return to action on Wednesday, March 31, with a road game at No. 14 Cabrini at 3:30 p.m.

Boxscore

UNION, N.J. (March 24, 2010) – The Centenary men’s lacrosse team fell to in-state rival Kean, 20-3, Wednesday in Union, N.J. The Cyclones (3-2) have lost two in a row after winning their first three while KU (4-4) stopped a two-game skid.

Kean outshot CC, 45-12, and doubled up the Cyclones on groundballs, 34-17. Centenary gave up 25 turnovers and won only five faceoffs while the Cougars won 22.

Freshman Conor Nolan (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata) was a factor in all three of CC’s goals, finding the back of the net twice and recording an assist. He also grabbed a team-high six groundballs. Fellow classmate Robert Nuzzolese (Woodbury, N.Y./Syosset) scored one goal and senior Jason Rieg (Chester, N.J./West Morris Central) tallied one assist. CJ Gannon contributed three goals and one assist to lead Kean.

Centenary returns to action on Saturday, March 27, with its home opener against Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) foe Shenandoah at 1:00 p.m.

Boxscore

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (March 24, 2010) – The Centenary men's lacrosse team returns to action with a road game at in-state rival Kean, today at 7:00 p.m. The Cyclones are coming off their first loss of 2010, a 16-7 decision at Whittier on March 17.

In that game, freshman Conor Nolan (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata) finished with three goals, two assists and three groundballs while senior Jason Rieg (Chester, N.J./West Morris Central) tallied two goals, two assists and two groundballs. In the latest NCAA statistical rankings, Nolan is first in points per game (6.3), second in assists per game (3.0) and 14th in goals per game (3.3). Rieg is eighth in assists (2.5) and 29th in points (4.5) and junior Joe Swantkoski (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) is 39th in goals (2.8). Senior Eddie Montalvo (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) is 65th in the nation with 5.8 groundballs per game.

In CSAC standings, Nolan is first in goals, assists and points, and second in shots (10.3). Rieg is tied for fifth in goals, second in assists and points and fifth in shots (8.5). Swantkoski is third in goals per game. Montalvo ranks fourth in groundballs.

After today’s game, Centenary returns to action on Saturday, March 27, with its home and conference opener against Shenandoah at 1:00 p.m.

WHITTIER, Calif. (March 17, 2010) – Sophomore goalie Kyle McVay (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick Twp.) stopped a career-high 18 shots but it was not enough as the Centenary men’s lacrosse team (3-1) suffered its first loss of the season, falling to Whittier (4-3), 16-7, Wednesday in Whittier, Calif. The defeat ended the three-game winning streak for the Cyclones while the victory stopped a three-game losing skid for the Poets.

Centenary was out-shot, 52-24, including 34-14 in shots on goal. WC grabbed 48 groundballs to the Cyclones’ 20 and won 19 faceoffs to Centenary’s eight.

McVay’s previous personal-best in saves was 15, set against Stockton on March 21, 2009. Offensively, the Cyclones were led again by freshman Conor Nolan (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata), who tallied three goals and two assists. Senior Jason Rieg (Chester, N.J./West Morris Central) contributed two goals and two assists and freshmen Robert Nuzzolese (Woodbury, N.Y./Syosset) and Chris White (Middle Twp., N.J./Middle Twp.) scored a goal apiece. Sam Russell led Whittier with four goals and two assists.

The home team held a 4-2 lead after the first period but scored seven goals in the second quarter to take an 11-5 lead into halftime. Centenary scored the first goal in the third stanza as Nolan found the back of the net off an assist from Rieg, but Whittier tallied five consecutive scores to put the game out of reach.

The Cyclones return to action on Wednesday, March 24, with a game at in-state rival Kean at 7:00 p.m.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (March 15, 2010) – Three Centenary student-athletes received Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Weekly Awards, the league announced Monday. Softball junior Kristin Durborow (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional) was named Pitcher of the Week while women’s lacrosse senior Megan Mars (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) and men’s lacrosse freshman Conor Nolan (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata) were each named to the Honor Roll.

Nolan finished with a team-high six points on two goals and four assists to lead Centenary to a 10-9 win over Mt. St. Vincent on March 11. The freshman leads the team with 20 points on 10 goals and 10 assists as the Cyclones are 3-0, the best start in program history.

The men’s lacrosse team next plays on Wednesday, March 17, at Whittier in Whittier, Calif., as part of their Spring Break.

March 15 CSAC Weekly Awards

YONKERS, N.Y. (March 11, 2010) – The Centenary men’s lacrosse team continued its best-start in program history, improving to 3-0 with a 10-9 win over Mount Saint Vincent, Thursday in Yonkers, N.Y. The game marked the first loss of the 2010 campaign for MSVC, which dropped to 2-1.

Six Cyclones tallied points for Centenary, led by freshman Conor Nolan’s (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata) six points on two goals and a game-high four assists. Senior Jason Rieg (Chester, N.J./West Morris Central) and junior Joe Swantkoski (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) scored three goals apiece while freshman Robert Nuzzolese (Woodbury, N.Y./Syosset) found the back of the net twice while recording one assist. Sophomore Peter Florucci (Barre, Vt./Spaulding) and freshman Chris White (Middle Twp., N.J./Middle Twp.) each contributed an assist.

Defensively, sophomore goalie Kyle McVay (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick Twp.) stopped 11 shots to earn the victory. Freshman Sean Lowe (Westminster, Md./Westminster) led the team with six groundballs while Nolan, White and senior Eddie Montalvo (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) each recorded five apiece.

Centenary returns to action on Wednesday, March 17, with a road game at Whittier in Whittier, Calif., at 9:00 p.m.

Boxscore

AMBLER, Pa. (March 6, 2010) – Freshman Conor Nolan (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata) recorded career-highs in goals (six), assists (four), points (10) and groundballs (nine) to lead the Centenary men’s lacrosse team (2-0) to a 16-0 defeat of PSU-Abington (0-2), Saturday in Ambler, Pa. The victory marks the first shutout for the Cyclones since they defeated Alvernia 20-0 on March 14, 2002.

Nolan also led Centenary with 12 faceoffs won. Another freshman set personal-bests as Robert Nuzzolese (Woodbury, N.Y./Syosset) scored the first four goals of his career and also grabbed five groundballs. Senior Jason Rieg (Chester, N.J./West Morris Central) led the team with five assists and tallied one goal and junior Joe Swantkoski (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) recorded three scores.

Freshman goalie Kyle Burgess (Glen Gardner, N.J./Voorhees) recorded a career-high three saves as he and sophomore Kyle McVay (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick Twp.) combined to pitch the shutout. For the game, CC outshot PSU, 51-5, and grabbed 41 groundballs to the Lions’ 23.

Nuzzolese tallied three of Centenary’s first four goals, the first coming 20 seconds into the game. Freshman Chris White (Middle Twp., N.J./Middle Twp.) also found the back of the net for the first time as a Cyclone as the road team took a 12-0 lead into the half. Nolan and Rieg collaborated for two scores in the third and fourth quarters as Centenary was content to grind out the 16-0 win.

CC returns to action on Thursday, March 11, with a road contest at Mount Saint Vincent at 7:00 p.m.

Boxscore

AMBLER, Pa. (March 5, 2010) – The Centenary men’s lacrosse team (1-0) returns to action with a road contest against Penn State-Abington, Saturday at 9:00 a.m., at Spark Field in Ambler, Pa. The Cyclones opened their season with an 11-9 come-from-behind win at Alvernia on Feb. 24.

In their season-opener, junior Joe Swantkoski (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) scored a game-high five goals, taking 11 shots, including 10 on goal. He also recorded two groundballs and won all five of his faceoffs. Senior Jason Rieg (Chester, N.J./West Morris Central) finished with five points on two goals and three assists and fellow classmate Eddie Montalvo (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) tallied one goal, eight groundballs and four caused turnovers.

Freshmen Conor Nolan (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata) and Sean Lowe (Westminster, Md./Westminster) played well in their first collegiate contest. Nolan recorded two goals, two assists and one groundball and Lowe tied for the team lead with eight groundballs. Sophomore goalie Kyle McVay (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick Twp.) finished one save shy of his career-high, stopping 14 shots, while setting a personal-best with eight groundballs. 

Penn State-Abington opened its season with a 20-0 loss at Hood on March 3. Last season, CC defeated PSU 11-8 behind six points from Rieg, on three goals and three assists.

Due to field conditions at PSU, the game will be played at nearby Spark Field, which is located at 725 Susquehanna Road, Ambler, PA 19002.

READING, Pa. (February 24, 2010) – Junior Joe Swantkoski (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) scored a game-high five goals as the Centenary men’s lacrosse team (1-0) opened its season with an 11-9, come-from-behind victory over Alvernia (0-1), Wednesday in Reading, Pa. The Cyclones found themselves down 4-0 after the first quarter and 7-4 entering the fourth before outscoring the Crusaders 7-2 in the final period to win by two.

Swantkoski took 11 shots, including 10 on goal. He also recorded two groundballs and won all five of his faceoffs. Senior Jason Rieg (Chester, N.J./West Morris Central) finished with five points on two goals and three assists and fellow classmate Eddie Montalvo (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) tallied one goal, eight groundballs and four caused turnovers.

A pair of freshmen acquitted themselves very well in their first collegiate game, as Conor Nolan (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata) recorded two goals, two assists and one groundball and Sean Lowe (Westminster, Md./Westminster) tied for the team lead with eight groundballs. Sophomore goalie Kyle McVay (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick Twp.) finished one save shy of his career-high, stopping 14 shots, while setting a personal-best with eight groundballs. 

Trailing 4-0 after the first quarter, Centenary scored three consecutive goals, including two by Swantkoski, to open the second period. Nolan scored his first goal as a Cyclone during that stretch. But Alvernia tallied twice to end the stanza and went into the locker room with a 6-3 halftime lead.

Both teams’ defenses stiffened in the third quarter, as only two goals were scored, one by each squad. In the fourth quarter, however, Centenary found its scoring touch, scoring six straight goals at one point to take an 11-8 advantage. Alvernia cut the lead to 11-9 with 35 seconds remaining but CC was able to hold on for the victory.

The Cyclones return to action on Saturday, March 6, with a road game against Penn State-Abington. Last season CC defeated PSU 11-8 behind six points from Rieg, on three goals and three assists.

Boxscore

Centenary opened its 2009 season by dropping six of its first seven games, when injuries crippled the team. But the Cyclones rebounded nicely, as head coach Matt Klank guided them to a 5-2 record in their final seven regular-season games, including a 5-0 mark in CSAC action, to reach the conference tournament. Although CC was bounced in the first round of the playoffs with a hard-fought loss at Marywood, 12-8, the Cyclones’ push down the stretch is an indication of the direction the team is headed.

“I think we overachieved last year,” said Klank. “We lost a lot of talent from 2008. We only played with 16 guys last season and they did a great job. I give all the credit to the players, certainly Jason Rieg and Eddie Montalvo kept the team together. When you have only 16 active players on your roster it doesn’t give you many substitutes, so our guys definitely overachieved.”

Rieg and Montalvo have been key figures on the team since they arrived on campus. Rieg, an attacker, was the only player not from Cabrini to be named to the CSAC First Team last season after earning Second Team All-Conference honors the previous year. Montalvo is the team’s best defender and is a two-time Second Team All-Conference selection. They were each named team captains for the second straight season.

“Rieg and Montalvo lead by example and they are our hardest workers,” said Klank. “They know what we need to do, what we expect from the players. They do everything they are supposed to do as captains, which is really an extension of the coach. I am comfortable with them leading the team and they have done a great job with it the past two years.”

Offensively in 2009, Rieg led the team in goals (43), assists (28) and points (71). He ranked 10th in points, 22nd in goals and 29th in assists in the final NCAA statistics, and was second in assists, second in points and third in goals in the final CSAC standings. He was a two-time CSAC Player of the Week and earned ECAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors once.

“Rieg certainly has the opportunity to repeat as a First Team performer,” said Klank. “He will be counted on to do what he did last year but he will have some help, so he will be able to play within himself some more. Robert Nuzzolese is a freshman attack from Syosset who has played attack his whole life and will be counted on to put the ball in the back of the net for us.”

Centenary has depth at the attack position, as sophomore Jeff Prudente and freshman Anthony Ciaston are both in the mix to serve as the third attacker. The Cyclones could also move a midfielder to the third attack spot if need be.

At midfield, Centenary returns junior Joe Swantkoski, who was named Second Team All-CSAC last season after recording 34 goals, three assists, 49 groundballs and five caused turnovers. He will certainly be a factor at that position, as will Conor Nolan, a top recruit from Immaculata High School. The other midfielder will be Chris White, a left-handed player from Middle Township.

“Joe has definitely upgraded his game this year, but I would like him to see the field a little bit more,” said Klank. “Conor is probably the best recruit that has ever come through here along with Sean Lowe, who will play defense. Conor will play for us at midfield and he is going to be special. I think he has the opportunity to be All-Conference this year, Rookie of the Year and eventually be an All-American. Players like White, left-handed midfielders, don’t grow on trees. He is raw in terms of his knowledge of the game but he gives us some versatility up top and is very aggressive towards the goal.”

The second midfield unit includes three players who can spell any and all of the other midfielders. Matt Trengrove is a sophomore who was recruited but did not play his freshman year; he could play attack if needed. Freshman Dan Webster will take some faceoffs and play some defensive midfield as well.

The coaches also expect to play a defensive midfield group. Sophomore Peter Florucci appeared in 13 games in 2009 and returns to join a group that includes sophomore Sean Stanton and freshman James Reed. Stanton comes to Centenary from Eastern University in St. Davids, Pa., after playing one season on its men’s lacrosse team. Reed is another transfer, from N.J.I.T., and played scholastically at Egg Harbor Township High School.

“Florucci will play at short stick defensive midfield,” said Klank. “He is athletic, has a good understanding of the game and continues to get better. Stanton has a really good game IQ and a decent stick so he will be able to help us get the ball up the field on clears. Reed has a lot of athletic ability and he is working very hard to improve his skills. He will be used on faceoffs and has the opportunity to shut down opponents once he gets a better grasp on what we are doing defensively.”

Centenary has three freshmen in the mix for the pole position in Mike Stephenson, CJ Walter and Steven Sosa. Stephenson can play both down low and up top and is expected to start.

Defense is where Klank expects the team to excel. Montalvo is a shut-down defender who will be counted on to guide this group. Last season he ranked 68th nationally and second in the CSAC with 70 groundballs and he recorded 10 caused turnovers. The coaches feel Lowe has the chance to be a special player and possibly an All-American. Centenary also returns Tom Monks, Jr., who played in 11 games in 2009 and is very good in the slide packages. He has improved his ball handling skills and the team will look to him to help them on clears.

In goal, the team will have to replace three-year starter Brian Troilio, who graduated. Sophomore Kyle McVay played in eight games for the Cyclones in 2009, recording 39 saves. The coaches believe he is ready to step up and be a leader at the position.

“Kyle has solid skills and good positioning and he has the potential to be a top goalie in this conference,” said Klank. “It just has to come together for him and I think that will happen through a lot of playing and this year. Backing him up will be Kyle Burgess, a freshman from Voorhees, we need him to practice and be ready if we need him to go for any reason.”

Centenary only has seven returning players and 14 newcomers, but Klank is excited about what the new class will bring to the team.

“This group is probably from top to bottom the best freshmen class we have had here,” he said. “The class is deep, especially if you add the transfers. The guys love the game and they are always together, so they are building a bond off the field which then correlates to being team players and wanting to work together on the field. Besides Nolan and Lowe, you have depth with Stevenson, Nuzzolese, White and Webster, so we have some guys that are going to see the field right away as freshmen.”

Centenary opens its 2010 campaign with five consecutive road games, starting with Alvernia on Feb. 24. The season-opening road trip includes a match against Whittier in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 17. CC will return home to open its CSAC slate against Shenandoah on March 27 and then travels to take on defending league champion and preseason favorite Cabrini on March 31. The Cyclones have four home games in April, including conference contests against Neumann and Marywood, and closes out their CSAC schedule with a road game at Gwynedd-Mercy on April 29.

“We know we have to take care of business with our first four games because the schedule at the end of March gets significantly harder,” said Klank. “Kean (March 24) is a tough team from last year, Shenandoah will be a battle and then Cabrini is obviously the class of the CSAC. So we need to start well to deal with that tougher schedule in March. Stockton (April 3) will be a tough contest, and then our final two conference games will decide whether we make the playoffs or not.”

The conference tournament is always a goal for Centenary men’s lacrosse. The Cyclones were picked to finish fourth in the CSAC, but Klank believes they can do even better. The team’s motto is to play hard, smart and together, and if the squad can do all three of those things while staying healthy, they have a chance to be very successful in 2010.

“We have more depth this year than last season so there aren’t any outs for us,” said Klank. “We don’t talk about wins and losses. Our philosophy is to play hard, smart and together every single day. That’s our philosophy. If we play hard, smart and together, I think we will be happy with the results no matter what happens, but I think doing those three things will lead to a successful year for us. Our goals are to finish with a winning record, earn a conference playoff berth and reach the championship game, and I think they are all attainable goals.”

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (February 23, 2010) – The Centenary men’s lacrosse team was selected to place fourth in the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) preseason poll, the league announced Tuesday. Defending league champion Cabrini was chosen as the favorite.

On the men’s side, Centenary tallied 25 points, trailing Cabrini (49), Marywood (42) and Gwynedd-Mercy (29). The Cavaliers received all seven first-place votes from the league coaches. Last season the Cyclones finished 4-2 in conference action to take the third-seed in the CSAC Tournament, where they lost at Marywood, 12-8.

Centenary opens its season on Wednesday, Feb. 24, with a road game at Alvernia at 3:30 p.m.

2010 CSAC Preseason Poll