The 2020 Maritime College men's lacrosse team is coming off of one it's best seasons in program history, and they are ready to prove they are still at the top of the conference and aim towards another appearance on the national stage.

The 2019 season saw the Privateers boast a 15-4 overall record and an undefeated Skyline Conference slate. Maritime continued their dominance in post-season play as they defeated St. Joseph's Long Island and the United States Merchant Marine Academy to secure the program's first ever Skyline title. The Privateers went on to pick up the program's first ever NCAA tournament victory in the opening round by defeating Grove City in dramatic overtime fashion, 14-13. Sophomore attacker Matt DeMeo (Sayville, N.Y./Sayville) finished the year as the Skyline Conference Offensive Player of the Year and earned All-American honors. Additionally, Mark Buchner (Wantagh, N.Y./Wantagh) took Defensive Player of the Year, Kevin Buser (Babylon, NY/) Rookie of the Year, and Justin Manjares Coach of the Year.

"Last season was an incredible experience, but the time to enjoy those victories have long past and everybody is hungry to get back there," said Manjares. "It's been a great pre-season for us, but we are all just itching to get back on that field and show how we've worked harder and improved from last season."

Earlier this spring, Manjares named Danny Connell (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford), Bryan Keegan (Lake Grove, N.Y./Sachem North), DeMeo, Buchner, and Patrick McAllister (Levittown, N.Y./MacArthur) team captains for the season. Connell enters his senior campaign sixth all-time in goals, second in assists, and fourth in points as he looks to continue to be an integral part of the Privateers explosive offense. In just two seasons, DeMeo has already proved to be a premier Division III attacker as he is only nine goals away from becoming the program's all-time leading scorer and holding both the first and second spot in the program record books for goals in a season. Buchner was a dominant force on the defensive end for Maritime last season as he earned the Defensive Player of the Year nod and he also currently sits at seventh all-time in ground balls. McAllister will return to a leadership role in 2020 after being named a captain last season in addition to being a staple of the Privateers defense over the last three years. Keegan had a breakout year during his sophomore campaign as he improved from one goal and eight assists in 2018 to 26 goals and 15 assists in 2019.

After their successful 2019 season, Maritime looked to beef up their non-conference schedule as they will take on multiple difficult opponents. Highlighting their non-conference schedule is road contests at SUNY Cortland, SUNY Oneonta, and Vassar, while they will host SUNY Geneseo, Montclair St. and Coast Guard. "It's the first time that teams are going to be coming after us," said Buchner. "We've been seen as the underdog, but this year a lot of teams are going to want to come at us and I think our team is ready for the pressure that comes with that."

The Privateers will open conference action on April 1 at Farmingdale St. before returning home for back-to-back games against Mount Saint Vincent and Mount Saint Mary. They will then face a tough two-game road stretch against Manhattanville and USMMA before taking on St. Joseph's Long Island in their final home game of the regular season. Maritime will close out the regular season at Purchase College on April 24. 

The pre-season is coming to a close for Maritime as they will travel to Marywood University tomorrow, Feb. 22 for their season opener. Although the excitement around this season is higher than years past, Connell believes the Privateers are more locked in than ever before. "In previous years guys would come and go, and we would some lack of energy this time of year," said Connell. "However, this year something is just clicking with the team and everything has been high intensity and I can tell it's going to be a really good season."

Check out the full season preview video below, and click here to see the full 2020 schedule for Maritime.