CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 16, 2005) — Queens University of Charlotte's men's lacrosse coach Jim Fritz recently announced the addition of 19 players to the team as part of the class of 2009. This group marks the 3rd class that Coach Fritz has brought in since being hired in 2003 to start the program. The class includes 4 attackmen, 10 middies, 3 defensemen and 2 goalies. Last year in just their second season the Royals finished 2nd in the Deep South Conference and second in the South Region.
At attack, the Royals welcome Zach Jacobs (North County HS, MD ), Deandre Ingram (South East Raleigh HS, NC ), Brian Lipscomb (Hilton Head HS,SC) and Tyler Hines (Myers Park HS, NC). Jacobs, a 4 year letter winner at North County was also 2nd team all-county, and led Ann-Arundel County in scoring with 72 points. Ingram was a second team all-state selection and lead the team in goals, assists and points and was a 3 time all conference pick and a 3 year letterman in football. Lipscomb was twice named all-American and first team all state and will be the first high school all American for the Royals. He was also selected to play in the US Lacrosse high school showcase game. Hines was a 4 year starter in lacrosse and two year letterman in football. He was previously team MVP, selected to play in the Queens City all-Star game and is the schools all time leading scorer. "I think this a very talented group, said Fritz, "They all bring something to our program and Ingram might be one of the best athletes I have ever coached."
Queens' large group of midfielders features Canadian Stephan Leblanc ( Highland Secondary School, Ontario, CAN) Ross Hackett (Worthington Kilbourne HS, OH), Pat Rieley (Mt.Vernon HS, VA), Cory Thomas (Riverhill HS, MD), Cody Burke (Northport HS, NY), Jeremy Thilman (Troy-Athens HS, MI), Andrew Capallo (CM Wright HS, MD), Pat Doyle Clarkstown (HS, NY) Jackson Van Yahres (Quaker Valley HS, PA) and Andrew Delamielleure (Riverside HS, NC /Cape Fear CC). Stephan Leblanc played for the Burlington Chiefs in Junior A where his 54 points helped him finish 18th in the league and garner rookie of the year for the Chiefs. He also played for the Burlington Cougars in Junior A hockey where he had 21 points. Hackett was a 3 year letter winner for coach Wolford and his senior year he was team captain, had 21 G and 7 A and was voted honorable mention all Mid -West. Reiley was a two time captain and lettered in 4 sports while at Mt.Vernon. His 44 points helped them to a 13-2 record and secured his second team offensive MVP award. He was also a three time all district selection and was named HM all-region as a junior and 2nd team all-region team as a senior.
Thomas, a 3 year letterman at Riverhill, finished with 110 career points, was captain his senior year and was named first team all county and was the teams first winner of the prestigious Adrian Cmerek ward for heart and leadership. Burke was a 3 time letter winner for Northport, who lost in the county semifinals to county champion West Islip, and was a 2 year letter winner in football as well. Thilman, a two year captain, was a 2nd team all state selection as a junior and 1st team all-conference and a 1st team all state pick as a senior. Andy Capallo helps continue the Harford County connection for Royals. Andy was a 3 year varsity letter winner, captain his senior year and was a 2nd team all-county pick. He also lettered in football and swimming, where he was also captain and lettered for 4 years. Doyle was a three year letter winner for Clarkstown North. Van Yahres finished his career as a three time letterman and tallied 208 points playing both attack and midfield. He was the team MVP, and a second team all Division pick and was named to the Western PA North South All-Stars. Delamielleure, class of 2008, is the lone transfer. Andy started his career at Queens where he had 19 points as a freshman. "Last year we just were not deep enough at the midfield so that was a priority for us in this class. Coach Wray helped us in recruiting Leblanc, who brings a lot to the table for us. I think we got a great group and a very athletic group. I am looking for many of them to make an impact right away and like the rest of the class, we feel they give us impact players for the future as well," said Coach Fritz.
On the defensive end, the Royals welcome Paul Huebner (Ann Arbor- Huron HS, MI) who can play both close and long pole, Murray Forbes (Riverside HS, NC) and Jake Leonard (Lassiter HS, GA) and in goal, Tyler Rauch ( Lake Mary HS, FL) and Steven Lemmeyer (Mt.Vernon HS,VA). All three led their team to the playoffs and were also selected to their respective all conference and all State teams. Huebner and Forbes were both captains and each received a prestigious award as well. Forbes, who was named to the US Lacrosse national showcase game, was one of two winners of the Tony Cullen Scholarship. Huebner was named Michigan's Don Lutz award winner. Both Rauch and Lemmeyer were team captains and named to their all district teams. Lemmeyer was also all region and Rauch was all conference and was team MVP and selected to Florida North South team. "The poles are very athletic and that should give us some good depth there. I feel that as a whole defensive unit, we got a very strong group that will not only contribute this year but give us a solid foundation on the defensive end for the next few years," said Fritz.
"Our plan was to bring in speed and lefthanders as well as get deeper and I think we have done that with this class. I am very excited about this group not only this year, but also for the future. I think they match our last two classes in terms of athleticism, ability and character. This class will give us the depth we need and we will be looking for many of them to contribute quickly. They also give us the foundation for the future as we will be so senior heavy next year. We want to compete not only for Deep South title but hopefully for a playoff spot and I think this class can help us do that now and in the future."
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 6:05 am