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Bucknell Men's Lacrosse Captains Announced

Michael Abou Jaoude, Matt Baran, Patrick Lenhart to Captain Squad in 2006

Nov. 16, 2005

LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell head men's lacrosse coach Frank Fedorjaka has announced that seniors Michael Abou Jaoude (San Francisco, Calif./St. Ignatius), Matt Baran (Wilmington, Del./Tatnall School) and Patrick Lenhart (Hingham, Mass./Hingham) have been selected as team captains for the 2006 season.

All three captains will be a major part of Bucknell's defensive core this spring. Abou Jaoude is a First Team All-Patriot League defenseman who is the team's best one-on-one defender. Baran, a Second Team All-Patriot League pick in 2005, will be in his third season as Bucknell's starting goalie. Lenhart this season moves from attack to short-stick defensive midfield, where he will help shore up a position that was hit hard by graduation.

"I am extremely pleased that Michael Abou Jaoude, Matt Baran and Patrick Lenhart were selected by their peers to be captains at the conclusion of the fall season," said Fedorjaka, who will be in his first season as Bucknell's head coach after spending the last seven as an assistant. "All three possess outstanding leadership skills, not to mention that they are also outstanding lacrosse players."

Michael Abou Jaoude

Abou Jaoude's selection to the all-conference team marked the fifth straight season that a Bucknell defenseman earned first-team honors. Taking over the role vacated by 2004 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Blaise Fletcher, Abou Jaoude quickly developed into the team's top cover man. He led a Bucknell defense that allowed only 7.9 goals per game last season, the 11th-best figure in the nation and the second-best in the conference, behind only national leader Navy. Following last season Abou Jaoude was invited to participate in the USA World Team tryouts.

"Mike is our `shut down' defender," said Fedorjaka. "He regularly gets assigned to the opposition's top offensive player and we simply do not slide to him. Mike is as good a cover guy as there is in Division I lacrosse. He has worked hard on his stick skills and has become very good at the clearing game. Mike is also a great team defender. He gets it. He is a tireless worker who exhibits a passion for the game on a daily basis."