OSWEGO, N.Y. – The Oswego State men's lacrosse program and second-year head coach Ryan Martin enter the 2012 season with two simple goals: qualify for the State University of New York Athletic Conference Tournament and play the best possible brand of Laker lacrosse at the end of April.

A fresh attitude and renewed work ethic has been seen throughout the non-traditional season, practices and scrimmages, as there has been more competition at every position on the field despite owning a roster filled with 18 freshmen and five transfers. This has been due in large part to the leadership of senior co-captains Eric Miccio (Sr., Syracuse, N.Y.) and Ian O'Brien (Sr., Gansevoort, N.Y.), who have helped bring the newcomers along in Oswego State's system.

As a result of the youthful squad, the Lakers will have young players at nearly every position of the field throughout contests. The team's success will rely on these athletes' ability to acclimate to the collegiate level of competition. However, Coach Martin has been more than satisfied with the results in the spring scrimmages.

Junior Casey Balzer (Nassau, N.Y.) and sophomore Chris Porten (Auburn, N.Y.) will be at the forefront of the Oswego State attackmen. Porten, who was third on the team in scoring last year (16-8-24), has had one year to adjust to the college game, while Balzer has moved to attack exclusively this season after handling face-offs and playing in the midfield last year. He ended 2011 one point behind Porten with 13 goals and 10 assists to go along with a squad-leading 55 groundballs. Junior transfer Connor Brown (Syracuse, N.Y.) and freshmen Brandon Dzwonkowski (Syracuse, N.Y.) and Cody Hoose (Syracuse, N.Y.) are challenging for playing time at a position where the players are starting to let the ball “do the work” according to Coach Martin by improving ball movement.

At midfield, the Lakers return Second Team All-SUNYAC senior Britt Leone (Schenectady, N.Y.) and junior Chad Smith (Fulton, N.Y.). Leone led the Lakers with 17 goals last season, including ten markers in league play, and was second in points with 24. Smith, who is coming off an injury that forced him to sit out most of 2011, was one of Oswego State's top scorers in 2010 finishing with 14 goals.

Joining Leone and Smith in the middle are junior transfer Dan Allgeier (Bayport, N.Y.) and freshmen Connor Khammar (Camillus, N.Y.), Mike Koos (West Islip, N.Y.), Ron Mckay (Waterford, N.Y.), Ben Morrill (Webster, N.Y.), and Matt Palmer (Pittsford, N.Y.). Coach Martin has been pleased to see that all of the players vying for action can shoot the ball on the run better than in previous seasons.

Eric Miccio anchors the defensive unit followed by junior Josh Roetzer (Williamsville, N.Y.) and sophomore transfer Brian Murphy (Vestal, N.Y.), which has improved communication over the course of the year. Freshman Brian Slattery (St. James, N.Y.) has shown early on to be a promising long-stick middie, which will be important for the Lakers' clearing efforts. Junior transfer Dan Viviano (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) and freshman Joe Jacovino (Hauppage, N.Y.) will also likely see significant playing time for Oswego State.

In the cage, the Lakers are fortunate to have four goalies that are proven shot stoppers. Ian O'Brien has stepped up his level of play as the battle of the starting position has been a competitive one with freshman Jason Ketchoyian (Binghamton, N.Y.). Sophomore Bryan Martin (Saint James, N.Y.) and senior Tom Gropp (Fairport, N.Y.) have pushed the other goaltenders, while also pushing their teammates during practice. However, clearing the ball following saves will need to be improved on as the season wears on.

Oswego State starts action on Saturday, March 3 when it travels to Morrisville for an 11:30 a.m. contest. The Lakers close out the season on their home field against Cortland on April 25.

2012 Roster

2012 Schedule

2011 Statistics