DETROIT (12/13/2013) -- The 2013 MAAC Champion University of Detroit Mercy men's lacrosse team added to its riches as head coach Matt Holtz announced the signings of nine preps for next year in Mark Anstead (Potomac, Md./Gonzaga), Sean Birney (Plymouth, Mich./Catholic Central), Jeff Fernandes (Whitby, Ontario/Donald A. Wilson), Brady Gagner (Scottsdale Ariz./Brophy Prep), Charlie Hayes (Shelby Township, Mich./Eisenhower), Adam Perroni (Whitby, Ontario/Donald A. Wilson), Austin Polson-McCannon (Prior Lake Minn./Prior Lake), Travis Sparling (Novi, Mich./Novi) and Michael Turnbull (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne).

All nine will enroll in school next fall as freshmen.


Mark Anstead * Attack * 5-11 * 170-LB * Potomac, Md. * Gonzaga College High School
A three-year letter winner and a two-year captain as he enters his senior season… Was ranked #3 by the Under Armour Inside Lacrosse rankings… Helped lead his school to back-to-back conference championships… Posted eight goals and 12 points as a junior… Plays club with Blackwolf Lacrosse… Off the field, he is a member of campus ministry and the Gonzaga Young Republicans.

Coach Holtz On Anstead: "Mark is possibly the most polished player in this class. He comes from an excellent program and knows how to play the game at the highest level."









Sean Birney * Midfield * 6-1 * 175-LB * Plymouth, Mich. * Catholic Central
A name that is easily recognizable in UDM athletics, Sean is the younger brother of current Titan junior and 2013 MAAC Championship MVP Mike Birney and sophomore Kylie Birney of the Detroit women's lacrosse team… A three-year letter winner in lacrosse as well as a two-year letter winner in football…Had a great junior campaign topping all the midfielders on the team in goals… Plays club with Team Total and led his squad to a title at the Pipe City Chicago Tournament and the Cherry Bomb Tournament, earning Offensive Team MVP at Pipe City.

Coach Holtz on Birney: "Sean is a great athlete. He is going to be another weapon in our arsenal at offensive mid for years to come and we can expect great things from him."








Jeff Fernandes * Attack * 6-0 * 170-LB * Whitby, Ont. * Donald A. Wilson
Played football, hockey, volleyball and lacrosse as a prep… His lacrosse coach in high school Shawn Williams plays in the NLL for the Buffalo Bandits and he is from the same school that produced former UDM women's lacrosse standout and Team Canada member Emily Boissonneault… A team captain, he was named Team MVP as a junior… Also awarded the OFSAA True Lacrosse Award in 2013… Played minor lacrosse with Whitby and has been a part of three field provincial A championships and five box provincial A championships… Tallied 39 points on 13 goals and 26 assists this past season playing Jr. B lacrosse… Also a member of the Brogden Cup as a junior and was the 2012 Jammer Classic MVP.

Coach Holtz on Fernandes: "He is a consummate goal scorer. He knows how to finish around the goal and how to put himself in places to score and he will be an important part of our offense in the future."






Brady Gagner * Attack * 6-1 * 180-LB * Scottsdale Ariz. * Brophy Prep
Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Gagner has three letters in lacrosse as he begins his senior season… Guided Brophy Prep to two-straight undefeated seasons and state titles… A member of the AZ Burn club team and the West Coast Starz Elite traveling team, he has also attended a number of elite camps, including the Adrenaline High Rollers, Sonoma Shootout and Top 205, earning an All-Star Appearance at the Adrenaline Challenge… Co- Captain of the 2008 box lacrosse national champions.

Coach Holtz on Gagner: "Brady is an athletic and tall attackman who can score in multiple ways. His skills combined with his frame will be a great asset to our program.








Charlie Hayes * Midfield * 5-11 * 180-LB * Shelby Township, Mich. * Eisenhower
A multi-star athlete lettering in lacrosse, football and basketball… Has earned a number of accolades in his lacrosse career including All-State Honorable Mention as a junior as he helped his team to a second-straight MAC Red championship… Also tabbed All-League as a sophomore and junior and All-Region all three years… His team made a regional finalist appearance in 2012… Played club with GP Select… In other sports, he was All-League in basketball as a sophomore and ended his football career this past fall as All-County Second Team and Team MVP.

Coach Holtz on Hayes: "Charlie is just a pure athlete. He is a player who can fill a lot of roles for us and we are excited to have an athlete of his caliber joining the program."







Adam Perroni * Midfield * 6-3 * 185-LB * Whitby, Ont. * Donald A. Wilson
Another Canadian product and teammate of fellow Titan signee Jeff Fernandes, Perroni has earned four varsity letters in lacrosse and football… He has been a team captain all four years… Played club with the Green Gaels Jr. B this past summer and totaled 15 points on 11 assists and four goals… Also played minor with the Whitby Warriors… A member of Team Ontario.

Coach Holtz on Perroni: "He is a fantastic athlete and extremely skilled player. He is a natural leader and as he grows as a player, he will turn into a big part of what we do."









Austin Polson-McCannon * LSM * 5-7 * 165-LB * Prior Lake Minn. * Prior Lake
Lettered in hockey and lacrosse as a prep… Earned All-Section and was Mr. Hustle at his school… A team captain for both hockey and lacrosse… Led Prior Lake in ground balls and scored two goals as a junior.

Coach Holtz on Polson-McCannon: "Austin is a very aggressive and athletic LSM who will be able to help us out on the defensive end in short time."










Travis Sparling * Defense * Novi, Mich. * Novi
A three-year letter winner in lacrosse... A two-time All-State player earning second team as a sophomore and first team as a junior… Led his team in caused turnovers and was among the leaders in ground balls in 2013 as he guided his squad to a KLAA Association championship for the second time in three years… As a freshman, he helped his team win a regional championship… Has attended a number of camps and showcases, including the Blue Chip All Star, Wolverine War camp All-Star, Chicago Showcase All-Star and Carolina Shootout All Star… Played club with Team Total and Go Blue Lacrosse, helping his teams to third place at the Dick's Sporting Good's Tournament of Champions as well as titles at the Pipe City Lacrosse and Cherry Bomb tournaments… Was a member of the U-15 Michigan All-Star Select Team.

Coach Holtz on Sparling: "Travis is a strong and athletic defensive midfielder who plays a very smart and aggressive style. He will fit in very well to our system."






Michael Turnbull * Goalie * 5-9 * 155-LB * Columbus, Ohio * Worthington Kilbourne
A four-year letter winner in lacrosse at Dublin Scioto High School, while also earning a letter in wrestling and football … Holds the single game record for saves at his high school with 25, breaking the mark of former Titan and All-MAAC standout A.J. Levell… He was tabbed Honorable Mention All-Midwest and All-MSLCA as well as All-Region his freshman season… A Resolute Lacrosse member, he attended MVP, Tri-State and Long Island Classic tournaments helping his squad to a championship at MVP.

Coach Holtz on Turnbell: "Michael is a great ball stopper who has really rounded his game out as of late and he is going to be a fantastic goalie for us."