For the better part of four months, many of us watched some exciting college lacrosse, whether it was on TV, online, or in person. There were good games, which included all of Championship Weekend, and there were bad games, such as low scoring affairs and of course, the horrendous winter weather. I take a look back at all 69 Division I teams and how they fared this season and what to look forward to in 2016.
Check out previous recaps: NJIT Highlanders, UMass Lowell River Hawks, VMI Keydets, Manhattan Jaspers, Canisius Golden Griffins, Robert Morris Colonials, St. John’s Red Storm, Wagner Seahawks, Binghamton Bearcats, Bellarmine Knights, Jacksonville Dolphins, Furman Paladins, Lafayette Leopards, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers, Siena Saints
COMPARING 2014 AND 2015 IN NUMBERS
| 2014 Record | 7-9 |
| 2014 Conference Record | 1-4 (5th in CAA) |
| 2014 Scoring Offense | 9.13 Goals Per Game (48th in DI) |
| 2014 Scoring Defense | 9.00 Goals Against Per Game (18th in DI) |
| 2014 Goals Leader | #13 Dan Keane – Senior (27 Gs) |
| 2014 Assists Leader | #20 Beau Jones – Junior (15 As) |
| 2014 Points Leader | #13 Dan Keane – Senior (33 Pts) |
| 2014 Goaltending Leader | #2 Conor Peaks – Sophomore (.542 SV %) |
| 2014 Face-Off Leader | #8 Tyler Barbarich – Junior (.637 FO %) |
| 2014 Ground Balls Leader | #8 Tyler Barbarich – Junior (83 GBs) |
| 2014 Caused Turnovers Leader | #12 John O’Connor – Sophomore (13 CTs) |
| 2014 Quality Wins | Villanova (11-8), Massachusetts (15-7) |
| 2014 Bad Losses | Ohio State (15-9), St. Joe’s (12-9) |
| 2015 Record | 5-10 |
| 2015 Conference Record | 1-4 (Last in CAA) |
| 2015 Scoring Offense | 9.07 Goals Per Game (T50th in DI) |
| 2015 Scoring Defense | 10.67 Goals Against Per Game (41st in DI) |
| 2015 Goals Leader | #15 Tom Holland – Senior (26 Gs) |
| 2015 Assists Leader | #20 Beau Jones – Senior (22 As) |
| 2015 Points Leader | #20 Beau Jones – Senior (40 Pts) |
| 2015 Goaltending Leader | #1 Brett Anton – Senior (.547 SV %) |
| 2015 Face-Off Leader | #8 Tyler Barbarich – Senior (.474 FO %) |
| 2015 Ground Balls Leader | #42 Jackson Finigan – Sophomore (44 GBs) |
| 2015 Caused Turnovers Leader | #33 Brandon Worrall – Senior (12 CTs) |
| 2015 Quality Wins | Bucknell (12-11), Holy Cross (18-8) |
| 2015 Bad Losses | Binghamton (11-7), Drexel (9-8 OT), Fairfield (12-11 2OT) |
YEAR IN REVIEW
Compared to 2014, the Blue Hens recorded a very similar season in 2015. The team won two less games, but the biggest dip was in the defense, dropping from 18th to 41st in the nation in goals against. Brett Anton was in the cage for the season, replacing Conor Peaks who started in all of 2014. But Peaks might have some brand new competition entering 2016.
But first, how about we take a look back at Delaware’s 2015 campaign. The Blue Hens took on High Point in the first game of the 2015 season, falling to the Panthers 15-10 down in North Carolina. The Hens then recorded a quality win against Bucknell by a goal, and would continue alternating between a loss and win for the next four games, which included a win against Holy Cross. Delaware then had two bad losses at home against Binghamton and Rutgers before getting back into the win column against Manhattan. But what would happen next would be a five game losing streak, including an overtime loss against Drexel and a double-overtime loss to Fairfield. Wins in both games would have put Delaware in the CAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons. But the Hens did defeat UMass to get a CAA league win and to finish their season off on a high note.
Four of Delaware’s top five scorers will be graduating, part of 12 departing Blue Hens, including Acton. Conor Peaks will return, along with Andrew Dirks, but there will be a new face coming into the scene. He is redshirt sophomore Parker Ferrigan, a former Under Armour All-American and transfer for Syracuse after not getting any playing time at the school. He should pressure Peaks for the job, as he will not want to be on the sidelines for another season, something he was trying to get away from in Central New York. The Blue Hens must improve in offense in 2016 after two seasons of similar results, which will be led by midfielder Jackson Finigan.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2016
| NAME | POSITION | HIGH SCHOOL |
| Garret Jacobs | LSM | Eastern Tech (MD) |
| Nick Pressler | Defense | Shawnee (NJ) |
| Austin Haynes | Defense/LSM | Moorestown (NJ) |
| Nate Williams | Defense/LSM | St. John’s (DC) |
| Paul Cundiff | Goalie | Seneca Valley (PA) |
| Campbell Parker | Attack/Midfield | Hill Academy (ONT) |
| Luke Vassos | Midfield | Gonzaga (DC) |
| Thomas Aloe | Midfield | Caesar Rodney (DE) |
| Jake Stanford | Midfield | Lambert (GA) |
| Joe Eisele | Attack | St. Augustine Prep (NJ) |
| Parker Ferrigan | Goalie | Baldwinsville/Syracuse (NY) |
| Don Eidson | Midfield | Lake Highland Prep (FL) |
| Brett Quartuccio | Goalie | Regis Jesuit (CO) |
| Chase Young | Midfield | St. Augustine Prep (NJ) |
| Stephen Hirschmann | Midfield | Archbishop Spalding (MD) |
| Tommy Brown | Defense | Boys’ Latin/CCBC Essex (MD) |
| Kevin Sheahan | Defense | Caesar Rodney (DE) |
| Jake Hervada | Midfield/FO | Haverford School (PA) |
| Chase Konkel | Midfield | Regis Jesuit (CO) |
The Blue Hens will bring in 19 recruits and transfers for 2016, including the aforementioned Ferrigan. Some players to watch include Joe Eisele and Chase Young from St. Augustine Prep. The two helped the Hermits to successes in their high school careers in New Jersey. Jake Hervada was a major component to the undefeated Fords in 2015, helping the powerhouse Inter-Ac team gain extra possessions to help beat teams such as McDonogh and IMG Academy. With Tyler Barbarich graduating, Hervada might be the guy taking the face-offs next season. But the best recruit might be Austin Hayes from Moorestown. The defenseman/LSM is Ty Xanders’s 68th best recruit in the senior class, and will look to make a major impact on the Blue Hen defense next season.
