SAINT LEO, Fla. – The No. 9 Saint Leo men's lacrosse team is set to open the 2019 season on Friday, Feb. 9 at 12 p.m. against Alabama-Huntsville inside University Turf Stadium. The 2018 NCAA Division II National Finalists and Sunshine State Conference (SSC) Regular Season Champions are coming off a 16-3 season campaign under the direction of 14^th season veteran head coach and SSC 2018 Coach of the Year, Brad Jorgensen.
 
The Lions were ranked ninth among national competition by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Division II Coaches' Preseason Poll while being picked second in the SSC Coaches' Preseason Poll.
 
Saint Leo returns four 2018 SSC all-conference members; goalkeeper Thomas Tatarian, Charlie Kurtenbach at attack, long stick middle (LSM) Ethan Ticehurst, and short stick defensive midfielder (SSDM) Julian Taylor. Tatarian, Kurtenbach and Ticehurst were already honored as Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-Americans in December.
 
In 2018, Tatarian protected the Lions' net in all 19 games registering 263 saves and a 13.84 saves per game average, setting two new school season records. His outstanding redshirt-junior campaign lent to a 16-3 record in between the pipes.
 
Offensively, Kurtenbach quietly racked up 68 points scoring 39 goals and assisting in 29. He closed his junior campaign with a .402 shot percentage, placing .660 percent of his takes on frame.
 
In the middle, Ticehurst and Taylor kept busy taking leadership roles defensively helping the Lions transition game. Ticehurst put up 15 points with five goals and 10 assists while picking up 59 ground balls and causing 27 turnovers. Ticehurst helped the Green and Gold faceoff going 12-for-64 including the game-winning FO and goal to advance to the NCAA Semifinals, defeating No. 7 Tampa 12-11 in overtime. Taylor, who transferred to Saint Leo for the 2018 season, tallied 23 points scoring 12 goals and 11 assists. The SSDM picked up 50 ground balls and caused 11 turnovers.
 
In addition to the All-SSC team members, attackman Philip Buque and middles Matt Shand and Daniel Sparks headline a strong returning roster.
 
Buque adds depth to the returning attack seeing 19 games last season. He contributed 21 points from 19 goals and two assists, along with 11 ground balls and two caused turnovers.
 
Shand saw action in all 19 games of the 2018 season. From the middle, he generated 24 points for the Lions' offense scoring 15 goals and nine assists. Shand scored the game-winner in the Green and Gold's 12-11 win at Lenoir-Rhyne to become the first program from the State of Florida to represent the South Region in the NCAA Division II Men's Lacrosse Championship. Shand closed 2018 with a .469 shooting percentage while placing .705 percent of his shots on goal.
 
Sparks, wearing number 54, also impacted every game of 2018 as a key component to the returning middle. Sparks earned 18 points netting 14 goals and four assists.
 
The 23 newcomers will have opportunity to immediately impact the Lions defensive game and continue the program's goal to be national contenders.
 
Upcoming Promotions
The first 200 Saint Leo Lions fans to University Turf Stadium on Saturday will receive a Saint Leo rally towel. The National Runner-up and SSC Regular Season Champion trophies will also be at the stadium for photos!
 
The Home Lineup
Saint Leo will host nine home games with three games in February, another trio in March and three more in April. April's home lineup features three-straight home games, first welcoming Tampa on Saturday, April 6 followed by Florida Southern on Wednesday, April 10 and close the home slate against Florida Tech on Saturday, April 13.
 
Nationally Ranked Opponents
The No. 9 Saint Leo Lions are scheduled to face No. 14 Limestone and No. 6 Tampa. Saint Leo will meet No. 14 Limestone in Savannah, Ga. on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. The Lions will host all-time rival and SSC Coaches' Preseason Poll first-seed, No. 6 Tampa Spartans on Saturday, April 6 at 1 p.m.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo men's lacrosse, be sure to visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.