“As a staff, we are extremely excited to welcome a class of very talented young men,” Mearns said. “They come from near and far but all are capable ball players. Only two weeks into our fall ball season and it’s evident how much skill these first-year players have and will challenge for playing time immediately. Our team dynamic – spearheaded by great leadership from the Class of 2016 – has completely changed with a better culture associated within our program. We are excited how well these newcomers fit our culture and the senior and junior classes have really stepped up to take that next step forward.”
The 11 newcomers join 21 returning letterwinners from the 2015 campaign, which saw the Griffs return to the postseason by finishing third in the MAAC regular season standings and advance to the conference semifinals.
Daniel Balawejder • D
Toronto, Ontario/St. Michaels
Played four years at St. Michael’s College School • Named team captain during his junior and senior campaigns.
Mathieu Boissonneault • D/LSM
Whitby, Ontario/Hill Academy
Played at the Hill Academy for Coach Brodie Merrill • Totaled one goal and 15 assists as a senior • Named to the Canadian National Under-19 Team and earned a silver medal at the 2016 FIL Under-19 World Championship • Also played two years of box lacrosse with the Whitby Warriors Junior A team, earning Rookie of the Year accolades • Collected three goals and 17 assists in his two years with the Warriors.
Reece Eddy • LSM
Skaneateles, N.Y./Skaneateles
Earned four letters at Skaneateles High School, captaining the team as a senior • Three-time selection to the All-Central New York First Team • Earned Most Valuable Defenseman Award as a junior and senior • Totaled 12 goals and 20 assists during his career, including seven goals and 16 assists as a senior • Also a member of the hockey and soccer teams with the Lakers • Helped the Skaneateles hockey team to the state championship in 2015 and a runner-up finish in 2016 • Two-time All-Central New York honoree in hockey and one-time selection in soccer.
Holden Garlent • M
Thorold, Ontario/Denis Morris
Played four years for the St. Catharines Jr. A team • Team captain in 2016 • Named Team MVP in 2016 after totaling 18 goals and 11 assists in 18 games • Collected 59 points on 30 goals and 29 assists in 77 career games with St. Catharines • Also played two years of hockey for the Fort Erie Jr. B Meteors.
Cody Haas • GK
Sarnia, Ontario/St. Patrick’s
Member of the Team Ontario Field lacrosse team • Helped lead the squad to the Canadian National Championship and Brogden Cup title • Also played one year of box lacrosse with the Point Edward Pacers • Posted a .768 save percentage with the Pacers • Also earned the team’s Most Dedicated Award.
Alex Hornung • A
Westlake, Ohio/Saint Ignatius
Earned three letters at Saint Ignatius High School • Collected 189 points on 123 goals and 66 assists during his career with the Wildcats • Owns the school’s career goals record • Named a US Lacrosse All-American and Brine All-American in 2016 • Accumulated 73 points, 46 goals and 27 assists as a senior • Also earned first-team all-state, first-team all-region and second-team All-Midwest accolades.
Drew House • D
Buffalo, N.Y./St. Joseph’s
Earned three letters at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute • Named a team captain as a senior • Collected second-team All-Catholic honors as a junior • Totaled 35 ground balls and 20 caused turnovers in just 18 career games • Missed his senior campaign with an injury • Also earned two letters with the Marauders football team.
Tyler McPeek • F/O
Amherst, N.Y./Amherst
Played two years at Amherst High School • Named team captain as a junior and senior • Won 55 percent of his career faceoffs to go with 20 goals and 15 assists • Collected the team’s Coaches Award in 2014 and 2015 • Also played two years of football with the Tigers.
Frank Sotomayor • D
Melville, N.Y./St. Anthony’s
Earned two letters at St. Anthony’s High School • Collected all-league honors with the Friars • Also earned two letters with the football program.
Quinn Stanhope • A
New Westminster, British Columbia/New Westminster
Played two years of field lacrosse at New Westminster Secondary School • Named a team captain with the Hyacks • Also played two years of box lacrosse with the New Westminster Salmonbellies • Totaled 66 career points with the Salmonbellies.
Carter Stefaniak • M
Lancaster, N.Y./St. Joseph’s
Earned four letters at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute • Named team captain as a senior • Collected first-team All-Catholic accolades • Also earned team MVP honors with the Marauders • Totaled 60 points on 37 goals and 23 assists as a senior.
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