MADISON, N.J. - The Drew University men's lacrosse team will open the 2022 season under the direction of first-year head coach and former Ranger standout Dan Leidl C'97.

Drew returns 16 players from last year's squad, including 10 who started at least one game. Offensively, seven players who scored at least one goal last season return this year, including junior attackman Craig Wilkie, who led the Blue and Green in goals (seven), assists (four), and points (11) over the team's six games a year ago. He will be joined on the attack by sophomore Connor Fair along with freshmen Mike DeMayo, Homero Ortiz, and Brian Windisch.

In the midfield, a dozen Rangers are set to compete for playing time, including five who scored a goal last season. Junior Tommy Larmore returns after tying for third on the team with six points on three goals and three assists while classmate Kyle Weeks is back after posting two goals and three assists. Sophomore Brett Spafford also returns after netting three goals and one assist in 2021. In addition, sophomores Alex Higgins (two goals), GJ Nazziola (one goal, one assist), and Michael Thomas also return as well as senior Paul Le Pera, who also provides the team with the most experience as a face-off specialist. In the team's Covid-shortned 2020 campaign, he finished a stellar 73.3% (55-75) at the X.

Newcomers who will provide additional depth in the midfield are sophomores Nico Castellano and Alan Norcott and freshmen Luke Bruther, Charlie Collins, and Trevor Spinelli.

Defensively, the Rangers return an incredibly experienced performer in fifth-year senior Jonny Bronander, who has racked up 128 ground balls and 53 caused turnovers over 41 games and 33 starts over the last four years. Senior Jack Tynan is also back after playing in 24 games and making 11 starts over the last three years, when he has posted 58 ground balls and 25 caused turnovers.

Five additional defenseman return in senior Michael Campanella III, juniors Aidan Duffy and Branden Walsh, and sophomores David Burke and Tyler McCarthy. Freshman Ben Johnson will provide an additional option.

Between the pipes, four newcomers will vie for playing time in seniors Jeremy Gottlieb and Anthony Tufaro; junior Yoel Ovadya; and freshman Niegel Lightner.

The Rangers play their season and home opener on Saturday, when they take on Albright College at 1 p.m. in a non-conference match. The team's Landmark Conference opener is scheduled for March 26 at Moravian University.