BROCKPORT, N.Y. – The College at Brockport men's lacrosse team is gearing up for the 2017 campaign, with momentum propelling the Green and Gold forward, and a bright season within reach for the Golden Eagles.
 
A year ago, head coach Ben Wineburg's squad rose to the challenge, hosting their first-ever SUNYAC playoff contest after earning the No. 2 seed and finishing State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play with a 4-2 mark. Wineburg, who was tabbed the SUNYAC Coach of the Year, led his squad to a runner-up finish in the Conference Tournament Championship, narrowly missing against SUNY Cortland.
 
With a new year in front of them, and a lot of fresh faces for the Golden Eagles, the 2017 season is bursting with potential. In the first SUNYAC preseason men's lacrosse poll, the Green and Gold were picked to finish third overall, with 37 points in the poll.
 
"I'm okay with the SUNYAC preseason poll," noted Wineburg. "It's not how you start, but how you finish."
 
Hoping to build on their finish from a year ago are the veterans returning to the field. Leading the charge are Colin Blind, Jake Giudice, Brendan Fitzgerald and Conor Nowak, all of whom were All-SUNYAC selections in 2016.
 
Blind was a key contributor to a stingy Brockport defense that allowed less than seven goals a game, and limited opponents to less that 27 shots a contest. He accounted for 29 caused turnovers in 2016, and picked up 48 ground balls on the year, and was also named as a Preseason All-American by Inside Lacrosse Magazine. Also looking to play a role on the defensive side of the ball will be Pat Quinlivan, who accounted for 15 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers in his sophomore season.
 
Nowak was selected as a goalkeeper, where he had a breakout year for Brockport, cementing his name in the records with the most wins in program history (9) and the best goals against average at 7.17.
 
On the offensive side, the Green and Gold return two offensive All-SUNYAC picks in Giudice and Fitzgerald. Giudice picked up 33 goals, 13 assists for 46 points, while Fitzgerald tallied eight goals and 18 assists for 26 points. Liam Cannon also returns to the offensive lineup, as the now sophomore posted 45 points in his freshman campaign.
 
In addition to the All-SUNYAC players, Brockport will look to the experience of Steven Gurin and Zach Cook in addition to Fitzgerald and Giudice, who will all serve as captains for the Green and Gold in 2017.
 
"Our goal for the season remains the same as it has in the past," noted Wineburg. "To make the post-season and to give ourselves a chance to play for the SUNYAC championship."
 
The Golden Eagles will embark on their journey to the championship on March 1, when they kick off the season at Alfred University, with opening face-off set for 4 p.m.
 
Be sure to stay up to date on all your Golden Eagle scores and awards by following @BportAthletics on Twitter and by liking the "Brockport Golden Eagles" Facebook page.