LIVONIA, Mich. – The Madonna University Men's Lacrosse team looks ahead to the 2024 campaign with all but five returners suiting up for the first contest on Saturday, February 24 against receiving votes Benedictine College (Kan.)

2023 SEASON RECAP:

The 2023 season was the second season under Head Coach Carlos Matta and the Crusaders improved immensely from his first season in 2022. The Crusaders went 8-8 in 2023 but in their 16-game season, went up against nine nationally ranked opponents. During the 2023 season, the Crusaders made it into the NAIA Coaches' Top 10 Poll for the first time since the 2021 season. 

Madonna would see their season come to an end in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Tournament Quarterfinals to No. 7 Aquinas.

RETURNING VALUE:

The Crusaders may have lost their NAIA All-American defender in Kentwestrick, but as mentioned earlier, the Crusaders return all but five athletes from the 2023 team. Madonna brings back five of their top seven scorers from 2023. However, probably the biggest piece the Crusaders bring back is senior goalie, Jeff Varner. Varner racked up the accolades in his junior season, he was a WHAC First Team All-Conference member, was the WHAC Defensive Player of the Year, and broke the school and WHAC single-season record for most saves in a season with (265). Coming into his senior season, Varner has 571 career saves and is 93 saves away from breaking both the WHAC and NAIA record for Most Saves in a Career. Former Aquinas goalie Clayton Boerigter (2019-23) is the current record holder with 663 saves. 

The Crusaders return their top two leaders in points from last season in junior Zachary Lane who last season had 56 points (19 G, 37 A), and 2023 WHAC Newcomer of the Year, Shane Alexander with 49 points (31 G, 18 A). Lane currently ranks fourth All-Time for Most Assists in a Career at Madonna and is 41 assists away from breaking the record one of Cole Gingell's (2018-22) Career Records.

ADDING VALUE:

With only losing five players from last season and only two of your top seven point leaders, the Crusaders come into this season feeling good about 2024. Head Coach Carolas Matta decided to go out and bring in more talent around this already experienced team. Long Stick Middie, Joey Van Goethem from Missouri Valley will bring a big defensive presence to this Crusaders team. In 2023 for the Vikings, Van Goethem accounted for 26 caused turnovers and 34 ground balls in 12 games. The Crusaders also added defenseman Danny Smith from St. Thomas Aquinas (N.Y.). In 2023 for the Spartans, Smith recorded 34 ground balls, 13 caused turnovers and one assist in 13 games. 

The Crusaders also found some freshmen who Coach Matta thinks can step in and make an impact right away. Those freshmen are defenseman Braeden McCullough and attack Reid Dunavant.

SCHEDULE:

The Crusaders are scheduled to play 14 games this season, with only five being home games. Madonna will be tested early and often this season as they open against a pair of teams receiving votes in Benedictine College (Kan.) and Columbia College (Mo.) this weekend. Over Spring Break, the Crusaders will head south to take on SCAD-Savannah (Ga.), receiving votes Tennessee Wesleyan, and No. 4 Cumberlands (Ky.). The Crusaders open their home slate on March 19 against No. 10 Saint Ambrose (Iowa). Big home games include showdowns with No. 9 Siena Heights on March 27 and April 13 against No. 2 Indiana Tech. The Crusaders wrap up the regular season against receiving votes Aquinas on April 17.  

UP NEXT:

The Crusaders will have their season opener this Saturday, February 24 against receiving votes Benedictine College (Kan.). Game time is set for 4:00 PM EST.

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