Men's Lacrosse selects group of seniors for captain's role
MEQUON, Wis. -- Concordia Wisconsin's Men's Lacrosse team has named its captains for the 2017 season, as announced by head coach Michael Fahey. The leaders of the Falcons will be seniors James Warner, Matthew Erickson, Kellen Asmundson and Benjamin Smith.
The Falcons are looking to improve upon their runner-up finish in the 2016 Midwest Lacrosse Conference Championship, which was the second year a row they reach the title game. Each of the five seniors elected will play an integral role in the success of the program, bringing their own unique style of leadership to the forefront.
Midfielder James Warner (Ham Lake, Minn.) is familiar with the title, as this will be his second-straight season serving as team captain. He is coming off his most productive offensive season to date, which garnered him All-MLC Honorable Mention honors in 2016. Warner started 16 of the team's 17 contests last year and tallied a total of 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists – tied for first on the team). He provided the game-winning overtime goal against Carthage on April 13 in a 7-6 home victory.
Goalkeeper Matthew Erickson (Antioch, Ill.) appeared in four games in the 2016 season, bringing a relentless attitude to the field in both games and practices. His effort was so noticeable, the coaching staff felt it necessary to name him a captain at the end of the last season. Erickson has always showcased his excellent ball stopping ability, producing a career save percentage of .645. He was also named to the MLC Sportsmanship Team as a junior.
Attackman Kellen Asmundson (Inver grove, Minn.) has emerged as one of the most vocal leaders on the team. Asmundson appeared in 12 games in 2016, posting four points (1 goal, 3 assists). The 2016 season served as his first season in a Falcons uniform, coming in as a mid-year transfer student. A true testament to his leadership, in that he has already emerged as a leader for the program in the short time he has been on the field at CUW.
Defensemen Benjamin Smith (Round Lake Beach, Ill.) is coming off a 2016 season in which he was named to the All-MLC First Team. He is a four-year starter and led the team with 35 caused turnovers, and was tied for 26th nationally with a 2.50 ground balls per game average. Smith will be called upon to be both a vocal leader and an anchor for the Falcons defense this upcoming season. He will continue to play an essential role for the team that looks to improve on one of their most successful seasons in the program's history.
