Mary Washington College's men's lacrosse team had a record-breaking campaign -in 2002, setting the school record for victories with eleven, and ranking among national leaders in defense for the second straight season. With just five seniors on the roster, Kurt Glaeser's Eagles continued to evolve into one of the top programs in the region.
After dropping the season opener in overtime to Swarthmore, MWC snapped a five-year losing streak to Virginia Wesleyan College with a come-from-behind 9-8 victory. Then, the Eagles nearly handed nationally ranked Salisbury its first-ever Capital Athletic Conference loss, falling 10-8 after, holding an 8-4 lead in the fourth quarter. The Eagles moved into spring break with a thrilling 5-4 win over Dickinson College, as Matt Wiles scored the game winner with ten seconds remaining in regulation.
The Eagles dropped a 10-9 overtime game to Richard Stockton to fall to 2-3, but then won a school-record six straight games. The Eagles started the streak with a pair of wins and a tournament championship at the Guilford College Invitational, downing Wooster and Guilford. Junior middie Jamie Test was named the tournament MVP, scoring four goals and three assists in the weekend event.
The Eagles then won three straight in Capital Athletic Conference play, downing Catholic University (17-1), York College of PA (12-3), and Goucher College (8-7). The Eagles handled Shenandoah University, 15-2, to bring the win streak to six. After a 9-8 loss at St. Mary's College of MD, MWC closed the regular season with a 15-8 win over Maryrnount University.
Entering the CAC Tournament as the third seed, the Eagles edged York College in the opening round before gaining revenge at St. Mary's in the semifinal, downing the Seahawks, 6-5, to advance to the conference championship for the first time since the league expanded from its original four members. The Eagles fell at Salisbury in the ride game but closed the year with a best-ever 11-5 record.
A pair of newcomers bolstered the Eagles' offensive attack in 2002. Sophomore transfer Matt Wiles was named to the All-CAC second team after leading the squad with 31 goals and ten assists. His 31 goals were the most scored in one season by an MWC player since Risto Worthington's 42 tallies in 1999. Freshman transfer Dave Justen also emerged as a top scoring middie, with 15 goals and a team-high 13 assists. Junior Jeb Boland improved steadily throughout the season, notching a career-high 18 goals and eight assists to finish third on the team in scoring. Junior middie Jamie Test (12 goals, 9 assists) and senior attacks Joe Boulier (15 goals, 9 assists) and Will Gunther (10 goals, 9 assists) provided depth on the offensive end of the field as well, as did soph Chris Doddridge, who scored the game-winner against Goucher and Virginia Wesleyan.
The midfield was ably manned by All-conference junior Paul Schutzman (14 goals, 7 assists), as well as Test, Boland, Justen, and MarkMalone (10 goals, 5 assists). Ryan Brown, Randy Fulk, John Madtes and Catesby Beck provided defensive skill and depth to the midfield.
Defensively, the Eagles ranked nationally in goals against average for the second straight year. Senior all-GAC defender Andrew Tremaglio led an outstanding group; including defenders Brian Laudate and Tony Ridpath and long stick middie Ryan Zdarwwicz. Others who contributed on the defensive end included Chris Burton, Jamie Stoddard, and Drew Cartwright. Sophomore goalie Mike D'Eredita became one of the top keepers in the region after switching from the, midfield prior to the 2002 season, posting a very impressive 6.68 GAA and .547 save percentage.
With a solid group of returning players for 2003, the prospects are very high for Mary Washington to again challenge for the Capital Athletic Conference championship and receive an NCAA Tournament bid.