NEWS

SAILFISH SEASON PREVIEW: PBA Prepares for Exciting 2009; ranked 12th in SELC-II

Monday, January 12th 2009

Junior captain Fritz Van der Grift will lead the 'Fish in net.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL –– 'Excited' is the buzzword that has become closely associated with Palm Beach Atlantic University lacrosse already this season. For PBA, the program is anxiously awaiting a new season and the high expectations that come with it. Last season brought a 4-6 record––but on a team with only three seniors, the Sailfish have minimized roster turnover and instead reloaded.

PBA lacrosse welcomes back eleven players from last year's roster, including most of its' starting lineup. In fact, over 90% of last season's goals scored came from players returning this season. The Sailfish offense will be led once again by senior Lance Villio (Charlottesville, VA/The Covenant School) who returns this season after enrolling in the PBA Graduate School program. Villio's points-per-game average was good enough for 3rd nationally.

He will be helped by returning attackmen Andrew Lockhart (Winter Park, FL/Winter Park) and Jayson Schmidt (Brighton, MI/Howell), in addition to last year's high scorer at midfield, Jordan Jones (North Myrtle Beach, FL). These four returning players accounted for most of the PBA offense in 2008 and should do the same this season. Trae Brant, Michael Kaiser and Mark Sinclair are all returning midfielders who should provide solid depth at the midfield position.

On defense, the tandem of Jay Shewan (Indianapolis, IN/Heritage Christian) at close defense and Fritz Van der Grift (Palm Beach, FL/Elizabethtown College) in goal should continue to give opposing offenses trouble. Matthew Layton returns from last year and should help the defense too.

PBA welcomes a very talented incoming class to help facilitate a successful season.