Pressler announces Bryant freshman class
SMITHFIELD, R.I. - Bryant University head men's lacrosse coach Mike Pressler has announced the Bulldogs' 13-member freshman class that will suit up for the Black and Gold this spring.
"With 20 plus practices, the Headstrong Tourney and Fall Ball 2018 behind us and in the books it is with great pleasure as we announce our freshman class of new recruits," said Pressler. "It is a balanced group by position, it is a very diverse group geographically and after almost two months on campus has represented Bryant University very well not only on the field but the classroom as well. We have a couple of newcomers that will make an immediate impact this spring. We have some others that still need to grow physically and figure out the speed of the game. Overall, we could not be more pleased with their collective team-first attitude, work ethic and competitive spirit."
The freshman class consists of student-athletes from nine states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. The class includes three attackmen, six midfielders, three defensemen and one goalie.
2019 Bryant Lacrosse Freshmen
25 | Mason Balch | A | 5-11 | 195 | Westfield, Mass./Williston Northampton School
Before Bryant
Played in two NEPSAC championships in two years at Williston Northampton School … Won a league championship as a junior in 2017 … Two-time first-team all-NEPSAC … NEPSAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2017 and US Lacrosse All-America honoree in 2018 … Transferred from Westfield (Mass.) HS, where he was a two-time all-Western Mass selection … Also played three years of football … Played his club lacrosse for 3d New England.
Personal
Son of Ivy Beltrandi and Michael and Michelle Balch … Father played football at American International … Has five siblings, Chloe, Kendall, Delaney, Jaxon and Blake.
33 | Ryan Bergner | A/M | 6-1 | 180 | Englewood, Colo./Kent Denver
Before Bryant
Played four years of lacrosse at Kent Denver School … State semifinalists in 2015 and 2017 before finishing as state runner-up in 2018 … First-team all-state as a senior and second-team honoree as a junior … Also played one year of basketball.
Personal
Son of Michele and Bill Bergner … Has one brother, Brandon … Intends to major in Business.
44 | Luke Caracciolo | GK | 6-0 | 190 | Centreville, Va./Paul VI
Before Bryant
Played four years of lacrosse at Paul VI Catholic … Virginia state champion and Washington Catholic Athletic Conference runner-up in 2018 … State and WCAC semifinalist in 2017 … Team went 69-17 during his four seasons … First-team all-state, second-team All-WCAC and second-team All-Met in 2018 … Second-team all-state and third-team All-WCAC in 2017 … Also played four years of football … Played his club lacrosse for Madlax National Team.
Personal
Son of Susan and Damian Caracciolo … Has one brother, Donato, who is a long snapper on the Bryant football team … Intends to major in Finance … Plans to attend officer candidate school following graduation to serve in the United States Military.
14 | David DeMartino | D | 5-11 | 185 | South Windsor, Conn./Salisbury School
Before Bryant
Played three years of lacrosse at The Salisbury School, winning a WNEPSLA championship in an 18-2 season in 2018 … Crimson Knights were ranked No. 5 in the UA/IL National Rankings during his senior season … Played his freshman year at East Catholic High School … Also played three years of football … Played his club lacrosse for Sweetlax.
Personal
Son of Debby and Darren DeMartino … Has three siblings, Lauren, Johnny and Tony … Intends to major in International Business.
17 | Lucas Flynn | M | 6-0 | 180 | East Setauket, N.Y./Ward Melville
Before Bryant
Played four years of lacrosse at Ward Melville High School … Patriots won the New York State championship in both of his varsity seasons (2017, 2018), going 41-3 … Team was ranked No. 1 in the nation by Inside Lacrosse in the final rankings of 2018 … Played his club lacrosse for Patriot Elite.
Personal
Son of Lisa and Richard Flynn … Mother played softball at Delaware … Father played lacrosse at Ohio Wesleyan for Bryant head coach Mike Pressler and went on to play five seasons for the New York Saints of the NLL … Has three siblings, Zachary, Tyler and Keira … Intends to major in Business.
29 | Keaton Jones | M | 5-10 | 195 | Austin, Texas/Westlake
Before Bryant
Played four years of lacrosse at Westlake High School … Chaparrals were Central Texas champions and state semifinalists in Jones' sophomore year in 2016 … Two-time all-district and two-time academic all-district selection … Also played four years of football and competed in track and field for four seasons … Played his club lacrosse for Iron Horse and Texas Mustangs.
Personal
Son of Laci and Scott Jones … Has one sister, Averi.
1 | Logan McGovern | A | 5-7 | 165 | Darien, Conn./Darien
Before Bryant
Four-time league champion and three-time state champion at Darien (Conn.) HS … Blue Wave posted an 88-5 record in McGovern's four seasons … Two-time US Lacrosse All-America selection … Two-time first-team all-state honoree … 2018 Connecticut Player of the Year … Tallied 124 points as a junior in 2017.
Personal
Son of Deirdre and Mark McGovern … Has two brothers, Conor and Trevor … Conor played golf at Bryant from 2011-15 … Intends to major in Finance.
4 | Dy-Jae Pearson | D | 6-0 | 185 | New York, N.Y./Blair Academy
Before Bryant
Played a postgraduate year at Blair Academy after four years at Frederick Douglass Academy … Went 31-1 in his final two years at FDA … 2017 PSAL All-American … 2017 City Champions … Also played two years of football along with a year of basketball at Blair … Plays defensive back for the Bryant football team … Was a member of Harlem lacrosse.
Personal
Son of Tamieka Pearson … Has one sister, Th'Kye … Intends to major in Business.
24 | Max Persico | D | 5-8 | 170 | Briarcliff Manor, N.Y./Iona Prep
Before Bryant
Four-year starter on an Iona Prep team that won three NY CHSAA AA League Championships … Gaels won a state championship in Persico's freshman year in 2015 … First two-time captain in Iona Prep history … Three-time first-team all-league honoree after a second-team nod as a freshman … US Lacrosse Academic All-America selection … Played his club lacrosse for Long Island Express North.
Personal
Son of Moira and Marc Persico … Has two siblings, Joe and Mia … Brother is a member of the lacrosse team at Utah … Intends to major in Finance.
5 | Ryan Ramirez | M | 5-10 | 175 | San Diego, Calif./Torrey Pines
Before Bryant
Played four years of lacrosse at Torrey Pines High School … State and league champions in 2018 … First-team All-Avocado League and second-team All-CIF in 2018 … Academic All-American.
Personal
Son of Cathryn and David Ramirez … Has one sister, Ashley … Intends to major in business.
77 | JJ Rose | M | 5-9 | 185 | Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista
Before Bryant
Played four years of lacrosse at Desert Vista … State champions as a freshman in 2015 … State runner-up as a sophomore in 2016 … Team went 44-8 in his four years … Led his team in points in each of his final three seasons.
Personal
Son of Kathryn Roa.
36 | Thomas Schofield | M | 6-0 | 190 | Medfield, Mass./Medfield
Before Bryant
Played four years of lacrosse at Medfield High School … Named a Boston Herald and Boston Globe All-Star, BostonLax D2 All-State and Tri-Valley League All-Star in 2018 … State champion in 2016 along with three straight league championships from 2016-18 … Also played four years of hockey … Played his club lacrosse for Laxachusetts.
Personal
Son of Nancy and Thomas Schofield … Has two siblings, John and Lauren … Intends to major in Management.
49 | CJ Sweitzer | M | 6-2 | 195 | Hatfield, Pa./Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
Before Bryant
Played four years of lacrosse at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy … Team captain as a senior … Recorded over 200 points in his high school career …. Also played four years of basketball, serving as a two-time captain.
Personal
Son Erin and Tom Sweitzer … Has three siblings, Savannah, Delaney and Harry … Intends to major in Business.
The Bryant men's lacrosse team begins its 20th season and 11th Division I campaign in February. The full 2019 schedule will be announced next week.
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