Men's lacrosse announces captains
NEWPORT, R.I. – Head coach Pat Cooney has announced the captains for the 2013 Salve Regina men's lacrosse team.
Leading the team this season will be senior midfielder Taylor Braun (Commack, N.Y./Commack High) and senior defenseman Michael Horn (Marston Mills, Mass./Barnstable) along with junior attackman Chad Hollenshade (Lutherville, Md./Avon Old Farms).
"We are excited to get the 2013 season underway and I am proud to have these three young men lead us back into competition," said Cooney. "Each of the respective captains, as voted by the team, has shown tremendous perseverance, spirit, and leadership. On and off the field they have positively pushed the team culture toward being the best the team can be."
Anchoring the midfield this season will be Braun. Offensively, he possesses what coach calls a "nifty stick" and has a good shooting range. Braun is aggressive in dodging and attacking, as he can draw and dump or take it to the cage himself. In his career, Braun has collected nine goals and handed out 11 assists. Because he can run between the lines well and is equally strong in running both ways, the team will look to Braun to control the tempo and lead a young group of offensive talent. On the defensive side of the field, Braun's athleticism helps his match-ups while his lacrosse IQ helps him on and off the ball.
Off the field, Braun boasts an overall grade point average of 3.6 in chemistry and will go to medical school after graduation. He has been a member of the Dean's List for three years and was a member of the Commonwealth Coast Conference All-Academic team his sophomore and junior years. Braun has served as the team's representative on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) as well.
Originally a midfielder for the Seahawks, Horn has converted into a defenseman for SRU and will anchor the Seahawk defense this season. Coach has seen a "tenacious approach to playing the game" from Horn and "he has improved immensely on and off the ball over the last two years." The coaching staff will look to Horn to cover the opposition's top scoring threat while his strong stick skills and quick anticipation will allow him to fight for ground balls. Horn was tied for second on the team last season with 21 groundballs. Once he has the ball, Horn is efficient and quick in moving the ball up the field and is instrumental in pushing the transition game. Coach Cooney is impressed with Horn's work ethic and said that "Horn's dedication and hard work in the weight room has paid dividends individually while helping to further promote a team culture of excellence."
A leader off the field as well, Horn will graduate in May with a degree in administration of justice and will be pursuing a career in law enforcement. Currently, he boasts an overall GPA of 3.4 and is serving as one of the team's SAAC representatives this year.
Rounding out the trio of captains is junior attackman Hollenshade. Hollenshade is one of four juniors on the team this year and is a two-sport athlete for the Seahawks, also competing on the men's ice hockey team. After finishing the hockey season, Hollenshade will lead a young offensive attack. Hollenshade returns as the leading scorer from a year ago with 13 goals and three assists to push his career totals to 57 goals and 17 assists. He will be relied on to set the tone and push the attack unit as he has an "excellent game sense and soft hands. He is a threat to score and pass and will keep the offensive flow moving and attacking," as coach Cooney stated.
In 2011, Hollenshade was recognized as the Rookie of the Year and is currently serving as one of the team's SAAC representatives. He has an overall GPA of 3.0 in business administration with a minor in sports marketing.
The Seahawks will open their 2013 campaign at Gaudet Field in Middletown, R.I. on February 23 against Hartwick College. The opening faceoff is set for 1 p.m. and is the first ever meeting between the Seahawks and Hawks. The February 23 opening date is the earliest for Salve Regina since the inception of the men's lacrosse program in 1998.