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The official start of the college lacrosse season is just two days away and the Detroit Titans men's program will kick off the festivities when UDM host Bellarmine on Saturday at Ultimate Soccer Arena in Pontiac. Game time is set for 11:55 a.m., five minutes before St. Joseph's plays Delaware at noon making it the first lacrosse game of 2010. 

“It is going to be a battle,” said head coach Matt Holtz. “We are all excited to go out there and hit someone with a different uniform on. They have very skilled players and last year really got to us early, but we are better skilled and have more depth this time around.” 

The Knights, also making their season debut, downed the Titans last year 18-8 in Louisville. Junior Matt Gregson led the red, white and blue that day with a pair of goals and two helpers, while sophomores John Nowicki and Brad Janer each netted a marker and an assist. 

Tickets for the event are $10 per person with a special discount for groups of 25. 

Season Preview
It is not easy to build a program from scratch, but that was exactly what Detroit did when it announced in September of 2007 that it was adding men's lacrosse. It was not upgraded from Division III to I, nor was it a club team on campus that the University elevated. Head coach Matt Holtz had just about a half a year to get on the recruiting trail and get players together and that team he assembled showed heart and character through the rough 0-11 season in 2009, but in the end, it was the start of a program on the rise. 

This season, the Titan coaching staff has increased its roster size and have added skill at every position, and with the Detroit name out there as a Division I lacrosse school, the Titans will only continue to grow. 

“We have better depth then we had last year,” said head coach Matt Holtz. “Having a full year of recruiting has helped us get bigger in numbers as well as add skill. That is the biggest strength of our team is having numbers and options. We brought in a very talented group of kids that will compete with the returners and any time there is competition, it will help everybody work that much harder.”

Attack
While every facet of the Titan program will have an influx of new talent, the attack unit might feature the biggest changes with no starter from last season returning. 

“We have completely revamped our entire attack unit,” said Holtz. “None of the guys really played their last year and we have added some freshmen to help our scoring. The big thing is, we are really big in attack and we move well for our size.” 

One familiar face that will move to attack is sophomore Scott Harris, who notched three goals and an assist and will forever be remembered as the first Titan to ever score a goal. Harris was primarily a midfielder last season who brings good size up front. 

“We just think that is more of a natural position for him,” added Holtz. 

Three freshmen will look to make a huge impact for Detroit in Joel Matthews, Chris Nemes and Tyler Staruch. Matthews was a proven offensive weapon in high school and on the junior circuit. Nemes earned All-American honors at Detroit Catholic Central as well as All-State accolades and Staruch tallied an amazing 120 points on 86 goals as a senior. 

“Joel is someone that has all the tools to be great but needs to turn that corner,” said Holtz. “Tyler has great size and good hands and Chris brings skills and has the potential to be a great player for us.”
Sophomore Ty Marayuma, who appeared in nine games a year ago, along with freshmen Matt Arb and Erek Bender will provide good depth. Another important cog was to be freshman Wes Steen, but an injury in practice will probably see him miss the entire season. 

Defense
One of Detroit's most experienced position looks to be defense where senior Chris Butts and Tim Shoemaker (long stick midfield) along with junior Adam Nolan and sophomore Jason McDonald all return to man that side of the field. Butts, McDonald and Shoemaker played in all 11 games a year ago, while Nolan saw action in 10 games. 

“Adam and Jason have really worked hard this fall and I think Jason especially is going to be big for us,” said Holtz. “Chris will definitely benefit from playing a year at this level and Tim has battled some lingering injuries, but is a hard worker who will be ready once the season starts.” 

Junior Matt Clugston and sophomore Nick Hoye return to the unit that will also see some key freshmen in Jamie Hebden, Jordan Houtby (LSM), Andrew Khalil and John Dwyer. 

“Some of the freshmen have really come and played big for us in practice,” noted Holtz. “Jordan has the potential to be an All-Conference type player and Jamie is adjusting well to the college game.” 

Face-offs
Detroit will have a new main face-off man due to the season-ending injury to sophomore Danny Preston, but junior Matt Gregson does return after winning 31-of-67 attempts last year, including a 7-1 record at No. 3 North Carolina. Freshmen Brian Carr, Tyler Corcoran and Brandon Davenport will also be in the circle for UDM. 

“Preston is going to be a big loss for us since he is big bruiser who really did a good job for us last year,” said Holtz. We have three players coming in to help. Carr is someone who we knew can really be a good one, but Tyler and Brandon have really stepped up throughout the fall and in the pre-season working hard giving us some really good depth.” 

Midfield
The red, white and blue will have experience and talent at the midfield with Gregson leading the way. He was Detroit's best offensive player a year ago leading the team in goals (15), assists (10) and points (25). 

“Gregson is going to be a big part of what we do. He wanted to play Division I lacrosse and really gave us a spark all year,” added Holtz. 

Junior Tim Lehto and sophomores Brad Janer, John Nowicki, Jon Bemben, John Hogan and Adam Parrottino all return to the team. Lehto had two assists last season, while Janer added two scores and a helper. Nowicki had nine points and five goals in 10 games, while Bemben played in all 11 games. 

“Lehto has been working on his shooting and that is what he needed to do,” said Holtz. “Janer is a hard worker who has really put in the time since he got here. Nowicki will play a lot of midfield and I believe that is a better position for him. He is more of a north-south dodger and I feel he will do a lot more for us at the midfield.” 

The group will see a number of new faces in sophomore Mike Brown and freshmen Austin Keefer, Stephen Mastracci, Nick Schesnuk, Mike Fields and Joshua Summers. Fields, Keefer and Summers look to be the biggest additions so far with a great prep career behind them. Fields played in the US Lacrosse Senior Showcase after his brilliant career. Keefer had 53 points and 36 goals as a senior and Summers totaled 102 points, on 69 goals and 33 assists in just 34 career high school games. 

“Mike (Fields) is a good athletic fast middie who can really help us and Austin has really some around and shown some great things in practice,” Holtz said. 

Goalkeeper
Two Titans will battle for the reigns of the starting netminder in senior Vince Diana and freshman A.J. Levell. Both bring a certain skill set to the position, with Diana adding the experience of starting every game for Detroit a year ago. 

Diana faced 467 shots on the season, walking away with a.481 save percentage, Levell was a three time All-Region performer in his prep career where he posted over 1,000 saves. He ended his high school as US Lacrosse Ohio Chapter All-American. 

“There is a lot of competition at goalie,” said Holtz. “Vince really played well late last year and A.J. is very talented so that will come down to the very end.” 

MAAC
Detroit will enter its second year as a program as a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), with full post-season benefits. The acceptance into the conference has helped with scheduling – Detroit will have seven home games compared to just one a season ago- as well as recruiting with the MAAC having an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. That chance at a bid is what the team is working so hard for. 

“We want to win the same as every other program,” said Holtz. “We are in our second year, but just like every team in the MAAC, the goal is to keep improving and win and get yourself in the conference tournament. If we stay healthy, and we work hard and keep making progress, I believe it is a realistic goal to get to the conference tournament.”