FROSTBURG, Md. - All of the following clichés can be used, in part, to describe the upcoming 2019 Frostburg men's lacrosse season; beginning of new era, a new chapter, a fresh start, etc., etc. However, with the changes surrounding the program's coaching staff and FSU's impending move to NCAA Division II, it would be hard to find anyone with close ties to the program talking about anything other than the '19 campaign that starts on Wednesday, February 27 at Lebanon Valley at 4:00 p.m.
 
Sure, the men's lacrosse program is facing just its second coaching staff since the resurgence back to varsity status prior to the 2011 season. But, first year head coach Steve Gartelman and his staff have nearly 30 returners and five starters coming back from a team that won 10 games last year and appeared in the CAC Tournament for the fifth-consecutive season.
 
"What drew my attention to the program was the established success of the program," said Gartelman. "The program was maintaining a high level of success and once I got to campus and started meeting some of the captains, it was a very welcoming environment. It was almost a natural fit."
 
A closer look at the statistic sheet reveals that the Bobcats return four of their top scorers from a year ago, a 15-game starter on defense and a two-year starter in goal.
 
"The most important thing was getting to know one another," said Gartelman about his staff and players. "We are going to build this together. We didn't have to win a championship in the fall so it was a long calm process. I'm a big believer in enjoying our time together."
 
Up Front
Frostburg graduated its top three scorers from last spring, but juniors Paul Ruppert and Michael Sipes along with sophomore Jason Clinton had impressive seasons in their own right, combining for 73 points in 32 starts.
 
Ruppert and Clinton are the leading returners with 32 points last season as both scored 23 goals and handed out nine assists. Ruppert collected seven multi-goal games, while Clinton opened his collegiate career in impressive fashion with 10 goals and one assist in his first three games.
 
"Jason has worked very hard in the offseason and he's improving his all-around game," added Gartelman. "He's not just going to be a goal scorer this year."
 
"Paul is our right hander coming out on attack," said Gartelman. "He played a little midfield last year and with his experience he's feeling very comfortable in that role."
 
Sipes started three of the nine games in which he appeared and he scored six goals with three assists.
 
"Sipes is a vocal leader for us and a spark plug of the offense," said Gartelman.
 
In the Middle
Senior captain Jake Howarth, junior Jimmy Lucas and junior Jordan Edwards will solidify the attacking end of the midfield for the Bobcats.
 
Howarth has posted 10 points in each of the last two seasons, while Lucas is just one of two returners to start all 19 games a year ago. Lucas finished the season with 16 goals and 10 assists and was sixth on the roster in points. Edwards will take a larger role on this year's team after playing in four games with one goal as a sophomore.
 
"Jimmy is going to be a two-way midfielder for us this year," mentioned Gartelman. "He's been able to play on the offensive end his whole career and now we are asking him to play on the defensive end. We are finding out he can do it really well."
 
"Jake puts in a lot of work all day every day and those efforts are coming through for him now on the field," said Gartelman.
 
Gartelman and his staff also welcome back three short-stick defensive midfielders in junior Taylor McVean, along with sophomores Griffin Ocker and captain Shawn Winans. McVean played in all 19 games last spring with 15 ground balls and eight caused turnovers, while Ocker and Winans combined to play in 12 games.
 
Two seniors and a first-year player make up the long-stick midfielders as Greg Giles and Nick Mattis return for their final seasons after appearing in a combined 36 games last spring with 65 ground balls and 22 caused turnovers.
 
"Nick and Greg are a one-two punch for us and are tenacious and smart," added Gartelman.
 
 
Getting Defensive
The Bobcat defense returns several players from a unit that caused over 10 turnovers a game last spring, while allowing under 10 goals per game.
 
Junior captain Garrett Colvin might be the only starter returning, but collectively the group of junior Dante York, senior Joey Lucas, sophomore Colson Gregory and senior Joe Cooper have all contributed significant minutes in their careers.
 
Colvin appeared in 18 games and started 15 contests as a sophomore and he caused 15 turnovers. York started in four games and played in all 19 with 24 grounds balls and seven caused turnovers.
 
"We have a lot of really good players and it's a great thing to have on your roster," added Gartelman. "We expect them to exhaust themselves and get a lot of pressure. The whole group is selfless and they are more about the unit than individual playing time."
 
"I think the defensive side of the ball is our strength as we have the most returners in that group," said Gartelman. "The group is challenging our offense every day."
 
At the X
Gartleman and company lost last year's faceoff specialist to transfer, but it makes little difference for this season as junior Sam Natvig returns to the lineup from injury and should take over.
 
As a first-year in 2016, Natvig won 12-of-25 faceoffs and will be accompanied by senior Drew Mash and sophomore Mike Thorne.
 
In Goal
Junior Jack Marks has made a home in front of the Frostburg goal for the last two seasons and should push his way into the conversion as the top player in the CAC.
 
Marks has started every game since arriving on Frostburg's campus prior to the 2017 season and he has 314 saves on his resume, while facing nearly 1,100 shots.
 
A 16 game winner, Marks has 15 games with 10 or more saves and he enters his third season after closing his sophomore campaign with 50 saves over the final five games as Frostburg made a run to the tournament semifinals.
 
"Jack is one of the staples and an important piece to build around," said Gartelman. "He's had a really a good career and he's settling into his role as a leader as a junior this season."
 
Opening The Season
The Bobcats open their season on Wednesday, February 27 on the road at Lebanon Valley at 4:00 p.m. The team will then kick off their home opener at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 2 against Washington (Md.). For up-to-date game information, including live stats and video streaming, visit frostburgsports.com.