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DETROIT -- The Titan defense returns almost everyone from a group that helped Detroit lead the nation in caused turnovers a year ago at 11.63 per game. This unit includes four upperclassmen and an All-MAAC performer.

“We are an aggressive defense and that is what we want to be,” said head coach Matt Holtz. “We have some extremely talented offensive players and we want to get the ball in their hands and I feel our aggressive defense allows us to get more possessions for those guys, which also cuts back on the time that our opponents have the ball.”

Detroit's defense was a big reason the Titans won six games and advanced to the MAAC Championship game last season, holding opponents under 10 goals in five of their wins, while holding Ohio State to four goals on the road in a tough 4-3 setback.

Seniors Jason McDonald (Bayport, NY/Bayport-Blue Point) and Adam Nolan (Ann Arbor, MI/Pioneer) along with juniors Jamie Hebden (Farmington Hills, MI/Brother Rice) and John Dwyer (Novi, MI/Detroit Catholic Central) lead the experienced defenders on the Titan roster.

“We are still looking at some different combinations out there, but this upperclass group will be the players we lean on. We are a run and gun team and that starts with this defense and that style of play really fits the players we have,” added Holtz.

McDonald has started 42-straight games for Detroit – actually every game in the history of the Titan program. One of the captains on the team, he finished third on the squad with 21 caused turnovers in 2011 – good for 48th in Division I with 1.31 caused turnovers per game - while picking up 22 ground balls. In his career, he has tallied 46 caused TO's and 58 GB's.

“Jason is one of our main players who has been here right from the start. He is our leader and team captain and his leadership is his biggest asset,” said Holtz.

Hebden took home second team All-MAAC honors a year ago after a great sophomore campaign. He was the Titan Defensive Player of the Year in 2011 finishing fifth in the nation in caused turnovers per game (2.5) and 52nd with 3.75 ground balls per contest. In the MAAC semifinals victory, Hebden forced a career-high five turnovers as the Titans limited Marist to eight goals just one week after the Red Foxes scored 14 on Detroit in the regular-season finale.

“Jamie is our most talented defender and he is a captain for us,” said Holtz. “He leads by example and works extremely hard on and off the field. He is smart and he knows how to play.”

Dwyer had a solid sophomore season and it would have been even better if not for a nagging ankle injury. He played in 14 games for the Titans and had 11 caused turnovers and 12 ground balls, while coming up with some big defensive plays in the wins over Manhattan and at Siena.  Nolan is an experienced player who has been a part of the Titans since their inaugural season in 2009 and has played in 28 games with 12 caused turnovers and 26 ground balls.

“John is very similar to Jason in that he very vocal on the field and plays really the same style,” said Holtz. “Adam played really well in the fall and is continuing that so far in practice. He knows this is his last season and he is doing a few things more than we are asking him to do and really being aggressive out there for us.”

Sophomore Brian Smith (Riverhead, NY/Riverhead) along with freshmen Joe Gifford (Rochester Hills, MI/Notre Dame Prep) and Chris Shevins (Merrick, NY/Mepham) will also vie for playing time. Smith saw action in two games in his rookie year and is a stout 6-0, 190-LB defender. Gifford is a two-time All-State player who was a winner throughout his prep career, helping his school to four-straight Catholic B Division titles and a regional championship in 2010. Shevins is another big body at 6-1, 220-LB, who was an All-Conference honoree as a junior and senior. He had over 250 ground balls in his last two years and 76 caused turnovers.

“I like the young talent we have here,” said Holtz. “Smith is back and Gifford and Shevins are two promising freshmen. Gifford is improving every day and really starting to pick-up when to be aggressive, and Shevins is a vocal strong kid who is going to be a good player for us.”