As the lacrosse program moves into its ninth season, the Saints come into the 1998 season with a strong group of returning lettermen and the finest collection of recruits in Limestone's brief history.

The Limestone men's lacrosse team also comes into the 1998 season after a rather disappointing 1997 campaign. After starting fast out of the gate with a record of 6-1, the Saints hit an unfortunate tailspin and dropped five of its last six games ending the season with a 7-6 record. The late season skid dropped Limestone into the #9 ranking in the NCAA Division II Coaches Poll, well below Limestone's lacrosse mission.

Limestone still has good talent and depth to be competitive with anyone in Division II. Mike Cerino's team returns a good nucleus from last year's squad and has added an impressive group of newcomers to the Limestone lacrosse program. The Saints will have much to prove when the 1998 season starts.

On the attack, the Saints return the team's leading scorer, Gavin Higgins. Higgins, a junior from Northport, NY, comes off a record breaking season and earned First Team All League honors. Joining Higgins on the attack will be senior Jonathan Farr. Farr, a native of Calgary, Alberta in Canada, has led the Saints in goal scoring in each of the last two seasons.

Iggy Levelev, a transfer from Towson State, will likely join the starting lineup. Junior College transfer, Dan Hart, a transfer from Catonsville CC, will also be looking to break into the starting lineup. Look for freshman, Chris Campbell to see a lot of playing time for the Saints. Campbell, a native of Sudlersville, MD, comes to Limestone after a great career at Queen Anne's County HS.

Expect dramatic changes in the midfield position for the Saints. Only sophomore Brendan Spilker and junior Brian Bauer return to Limestone's midfield unit from last season's first two midfield lines. Spilker, a Glen Burnie, MD native, played both midfield and attack last season for the Saints. A versatile player, Spilker played brilliantly in both positions and had an outstanding freshman campaign. Bauer, a first team All league performer for the past two seasons, also had his best year as a Saint last season. Also hailing from Glen Burnie, MD, Bauer fired 20 goals and added seven assists as a junior last season.

Looking to make immediate impacts at the midfield will be junior Jake Lawson and freshman Rob Bookhamer. Lawson, a native of Nanaimo, British Columbia in Canada, transferred from Niagara University where he led the Purple Eagles in goals in his first two seasons. Bookhamer, a Pasadena, MD native, was an All Metro performer as a senior for Chesapeake HS. Pete Murdza and Shannon Hiteshew, both transfers from Catonsville CC, also are vying for spots at the midfield. Hiteshew who has great stickhandling skills and good speed, comes to Limestone after taking a year off. Also battling for a spot is Essex transfer, Tim Spielman.

The Saints will be youngest on the defense where sophomores Ryan Lanigan and Mat Wilde lead an athletic corps of defenseman after the departure of two-time All American Keith Nyberg. Lanigan, 6 foot 200 pounder from East Patchogue, NY, played last season at the long pole midfield position. Wilde, hailing from West Babylon, NY, started nine games as a freshman and played better as the season went on. Junior Mike Mercurio, from Hampstead, MD, is also looking to solidify a starting spot after two solid seasons for the Saints. Freshman, Greg Hiltz and Nick Breslin, are also looking to break into the lineup. Hiltz, hailing from Surrey, British Columbia in Canada, brings athleticism and good stickhandling skills to the defense. Breslin, a native of Baltimore, MD, comes to Limestone after an outstanding prep career at Boys' Latin School in Maryland.

The Saints are probably most experienced at the goaltender position. Limestone returns both Joe Bender and Keith Mursch to this year's roster. Bender, a junior from Pasadena, MD, is coming off another good campaign where he was among the Division II leaders in both goals against average and save percentage. Mursch, a sophomore from Aurora, CO, will be pushing Bender hard for the starting spot.

The 1998 team looks to add to the already impressive accomplishments and honors of teams past. However, the program continues to relentlessly pursue its main goal. Although Limestone was one of four teams to be considered to play in the NCAA Division II championship game in 1993 and again in 1995, the Saints are still striving for their ultimate goal of playing for the NCAA Division II National Championship.