RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan College men's lacrosse team adds an impressive 16-man recruiting class to their program for the 2011 season. The class of 2014 is a deep and talented group covering every position on the field and consists of 15 freshmen and one transfer.
Staying geographically close in proximity to the school, head coach Tim McIntee, now in his 14th season, selected highly regarded players from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Ontario, Canada.
"This class ranks as one of the best in my tenure at Manhattan College," McIntee said.
"We wanted to focus on local products this year. I'm 100 percent happy with our guys and their mental approach to the game. They are bringing great energy to our practices and I look for them to contribute early this season."
Joining the Jaspers this season are: Rich Akapnitis (Hauppauge/Hauppauge, N.Y.), Mike Casson (John F. Kennedy/Bellmore, N.Y.), William Gerard (Christian Brothers Academy/Spring Lake, N.J.), Marcel Godino (Summit/Summit, N.J.), Paul Grubb (Calhoun/Merrick, N.Y.), Mike Kenney (Smithtown East/Saint James, N.Y.), Brett Madarasz (Smithtown West/Smithtown, N.Y.), Dan McGreevy (Rocky Point/Rocky Point, N.Y.), Sean McMahon (New Milford/New Milford, C.T.), Kyle Mendelson (Staples/Westport, C.T.), William Murphy (Sachem North/Holbrook, N.Y.), Ryan Payton (William Floyd/Moriches, N.Y.), Levi Radbourne (John F. Ross/Guelph. ON), Greg Smith (Ward Melville/Setauket, N.Y.), Mike Strebel (Northport/East Northport, N.Y.) and Dan Sweeney (Salisbury College/Harborfields/Centerport, N.Y.)
Rich Akapnitis is the career lacrosse saves leader at Hauppauge high school. The Hauppage, N.Y. native was a two-time All-County selection for lacrosse and also starred as a member of the football team.
"Rich is a tremendous asset to our team. He has great size and uses it to take away space in the net," McIntee exclaimed. "He is one of the newcomers who will compete for a starting job right away."
Michael Casson received All-Conference and All-County honors during his junior and senior seasons at John F. Kennedy high school. The Bellmore, N.Y. native was also an All-Conference wrestler in the 171-189 lb weight class.
"Mike is a big and physical player who will contribute by using his frame to create opportunities on the offensive side," McIntee said.
William Gerard was an All-Conference First Team member during his final two seasons at the Christian Brothers Academy. The Spring Lake, N.J. native won two conference titles in high school and was a member of the wrestling team.
"William is a base defender known for his grit, toughness and ability to move people around," McIntee explained." He will be a nice player in the defending zone."
Marcel Godino was a Newark Star Ledger Third Team All-State lacrosse selection as well as an All-County and All-Conference member after leading his team in goals during his senior season at Summit high school. The Summit, N.J. native also spent two years on the football and cross country teams.
"Marcel comes from a tremendous program where he excelled at the outside mid position," McIntee beamed. "He might be the most athletic player on the team and we are excited to see what he can do".
Paul Grubb was a captain and three-year letterwinner for the lacrosse program at Calhoun high school, where he received All-County and All-Conference accolades. The Merrick, N.Y. native also played quarterback on the football team and defense on the hockey team, serving as a captain on both squads.
"Paul is the definition of a skill guy and true attacker," McIntee affirmed. "He has a chance to really grow with this program and make a difference."
Mike Kenney was a three-year letterwinner for the lacrosse team at Smithtown East high school. The Saint James, N.Y. native also participated and lettered as a member of the swimming team.
"Mike has a tremendous IQ for the game," McIntee added. "He is still developing as a player but should grow into a solid long stick defender with time."
Brett Madarasz was the team MVP and an All-County lacrosse selection during his senior season at Smithtown West high school. The Smithtown, N.Y. native also played point guard on the basketball team and wide receiver on the football team.
"Brett is going to be a top six player, he's that talented," McIntee declared. "His ability to create at the outside mid position is impressive and we expect him to play immediately."
Dan McGreevy was a senior All-County lacrosse selection and won the 2008 New York State Championship at Rocky Point high school. The Rocky Point, N.Y. native was also a two-year letterwinner at outside linebacker for the football program.
"Dan is probably the most athletic defenseman we have," McIntee remarked. "There are a lot of things he can do defensively and we are very excited to add him to the team."
Sean McMahon garnered All-State Class LL and All-Conference lacrosse accolades as a senior at New Milford high school. The New Milford, C.T. native was ranked the No. 2 defensemen in the Southwest Conference. He also played center on the school's hockey team and was named an All-Conference member.
"Sean has a tremendous motor and plays big for his size," McIntee stated. "He's got a bit of a mean streak which makes him a true asset for our program."
Kyle Mendelson won the William L. Rexford award as a senior at Staples high school for his excellence and dedication on and off the lacrosse field. The Westport, C.T. native also earned FCIAC All-Honorable Mention and was Second Team All- State during his final year on the team.
"Kyle is someone who brings leadership to the team and will provide us with a bright future in the middle for years to come," McIntee boasted.
William Murphy earned lacrosse team MVP honors and won a Big 6 Championship at Sachem North high school during his senior season. The Holbrook, N.Y. native also spent two years on the volleyball team as a left side hitter.
"William is a smaller goaltender but he makes up for it with great athleticism and stick movement," McIntee added. "He's off to a strong start and has a chance to start for us."
Ryan Payton was named All-County his senior year as an attacker for the William Floyd high school lacrosse program. The Moriches, N.Y. native also spent time at tight end for the football team and as a sweeper on the soccer squad.
"Ryan has a fantastic first step and the potential to be a goal scorer here at Manhattan," McIntee explained. "He will push for playing time right away."
Levi Radbourne spent three years as a member of the Ontario Edge Lacrosse Program. The Guelph, Ont. native also participated in football and was the rugby team captain and MVP at John F. Ross high school.
"Levi is the first Canadian lacrosse player at Manhattan College," McIntee noted. "He has tremendous stick skills and is a very physical defender, two great attributes."
Greg Smith emerged as one of the lacrosse team's top offensive players during his senior year at Ward Melville high school. The Setauket, N.Y. native also played tight end and defensive line on the football team.
"Greg is a great finisher and could be one of the top attackers on this team," McIntee predicted. "He has goal scoring ability whenever he has the ball."
Mike Strebel was an All-Division selection and won a Big 4 Championship as a senior at Northport high school. The East Northport, N.Y. native also played quarterback on the football team, where he earned All-Division recognition.
"Mike is in the running for the most athletic player on the team," McIntee declared. "He is a true utility player; being able to do so many different things on the field and we need that."
Daniel Sweeney was a two-year letterwinner for the Harborfields high school lacrosse and football team. The Centerport, N.Y. native transferred from Division III Salisbury University in Salisbury, Md., to play closer to home.
"Daniel is someone who has a lot of ability with the stick," McIntee attested. "He can play in the back or in the middle for us which is a bonus."
The Jaspers open the season on Feb. 20th, against Big East Conference foe Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. It will be one of two local games this season featured on FIOS 1 digital cable television.
To follow Manhattan Athletics on Twitter, go to twitter.com/GoJaspers or visit Manhattan's Facebook fan page.