February 27, 2013
For Immediate Release
Fort Wayne, Ind. – The Indiana Tech men’s lacrosse team will open its 2013 campaign on Friday, Mar. 1 when they travel to Vadnais Heights, Minnesota to take on the 6th ranked Bison of North Dakota State University. The next day the Warriors will face No. 1 ranked, and defending national champions, University of St. Thomas.
Following a 9-8 year where Indiana Tech played one of the toughest schedules in the country, Head Coach Terry Nichter and his Warriors will begin their new season ranked at No. 10 in the MCLA DII Coaches Top 25 Poll.
The Warriors will be returning with an almost identical roster from last season where they finished with their second straight CCLA Central division title, and advanced to the CCLA tournament semifinals before falling to Grand Valley State University 9-8.
Tech will look to its upperclassmen for leadership this season. With the team’s inaugural class now seniors, the Warriors are loaded with experience and talent. Leading the way are the All-American trio of Jeff Harter, Brent Nichter, and Craig Schaepkens. Harter is the backbone of a very tough Tech defense while Nichter and Schaepkens lead the attack. Nichter scored a team-high 45 goals last year, which ranked fifth in the CCLA while Schaepkens’ 80 points (38 goals, 42 assists) also ranked among the league leaders.
In addition to Nichter and Schaepkens, the Warrior attack will feature Josh Puckett who has amassed 91 goals in his first two seasons. The junior standout gives Tech three of the league’s premier scorers.
The midfielders are another strength led by seniors Josh Ambrose, Tony Cremeens and Nick Lichtsinn. All three have the ability to lend some offensive firepower. Cremeens contributed 13 goals last season while Ambrose and Lichtsinn chipped in nine apiece.
Senior Adam Macciomei returns as the Warriors top face-off specialist after winning 54 percent of his face-offs, and scooping up 32 groundballs.
Along with Harter, Third Team All-CCLA selection Dylan Johnston will anchor the defense. Harter picked up 22 groundballs a season ago and Johnston grabbed 50.
Tony Loftus is back between the pipes for the Warriors. Loftus made 142 saves last year and owned a .518 save percentage. Newcomer Justin Famiglietti will also compete for playing time at the position.
Indiana Tech’s first home game will be on Mar. 15 when they host No. 16 Liberty University. The following week the Warriors play host to Washington University-St. Louis.
The divisions have realigned for the new season and Indiana Tech is now in the CCLA West along with rival Grand Valley State, setting up a huge game on Apr. 13 between the Warriors and currently No. 2 ranked Lakers in Fort Wayne that could decide the divisional winner.
Postseason play begins on Apr. 27 with the CCLA Quarterfinals where the Warriors will look to make another deep tournament run.
For more information on Indiana Tech athletics please call the Athletic Office at 260-422-5561 ext. 2492 or visit our website at http://www.indianatech.edu/athletics
