Men's Lacrosse Adds One to Class of 2014
NORTH ANDOVER, MA - Merrimack College
men's lacrosse head coach Mike Morgan is pleased to announce
the addition of Paul Jones to the Class of 2014.
Jones becomes the ninth men's lacrosse student-athlete to sign a
National Letters of Intent to enroll and participate in men's
lacrosse beginning with the 2010-11 season.
“We are very excited to have such a talented group from a
great selection of high school programs joining us next
year,” said Morgan. “This group should lead to the
continued success of Merrimack Lacrosse and our pursuit of a
National Championship.”
Paul Jones, Attack (Guilderland NY, Guilderland
H.S.)
4 year Varsity Starter...Adirondack Section 2 NY Empire State
team member...2010 Captain...Guilderland HS 2009 ended with 19 wins
and a Section 2 Class A Championship win...tallied 29 goals and 31
assists as a junior.
Morgan on Jones: "Paul is a very talented
attackman who we expect to contribute right away as a freshman. He
is a very good scorer as well as feeder and fits right into our
offense. Paul style of play also gives him the ability to play
midfield. We are excited to add him to the Class of 2014."
Connor Whittemore, Defense (East Walpole, MA/Walpole
H.S.)
4 Year varsity starter....Bay State All-Star....2 goals, 3
assists, 81 groundballs in 2009...Massachusetts State C Champion
2009.
Morgan on Whittemore: "Connor is an all-around
defenseman from a great high school program. He has the ability to
contribute on defense, in transition and with his leadership
skills. Walpole is a state championship program, and Connor has
been a very big reason for that over the past few years, guarding
some of the best players in the state. His versatility will give
him the ability to make an impact right away for our defense."
Brett Axelson, Attack (Cazenovia, NY/Cazanovia
H.S.) 
All-League 2009....40 goals, 17 assists in 2009.
Morgan on Axelson: "Brett is a very skilled
attack man who can bring a great deal to our offense next year. He
is an excellent dodger who has the ability to initiate the offense
to feed or score. Brett had a great career at Cazenovia, and we
expect him to contribute right away for us as a freshman. He has
the ability to develop his game into a complete attack man right
away."
Austin Waiter, Goalie (Westport, CT/ Staples
H.S.)
4 Year varsity player...2010 team captain .....58% save
percentage
Morgan on Austin Waiter: "Austin is very good
between the pipes and equally as good out of them in the clearing
game. He has a long frame and is a good presence in net for the
defense. We expect Austin to come in and compete for the starting
position as a freshman and continue the tradition of very strong
goaltenders at Merrimack."
Brandon Waiter, Defense/Lsm (Westport, CT/ Staples
H.S.)
4 Year varsity player.....71 groundballs as a junior
Morgan on Brandon Waiter: "Brandon is a very
quick and skilled defenseman with good size. He has shown an
ability to play in tight around the net or out on the perimeter
equally as well. He will look to compete for time as a freshman
with this very talented defensive class. Brandon has the skill to
make an impact very early in his college career."
Chad Hollenshade, Attack (Lutherville, MD/ Avon Old
Farms)
20 goals, 19 assists and 18 groundballs in 2009
Morgan on Hollenshade: "Chad is a big, strong
and quick attack man who can score and create very well on or off
the ball. He will give us an added dimension to our attack unit
next season, and we expect him to push to see significant time as a
freshman. Chad has the ability to be a very tough cover for
defenses due to his size and skill."
Matt Klepper, Attack (Manlius, NY/ Fayetteville Manlius
H.S.)
12 goals, 15 assists and 21 groundballs in
2009....All-Scholastic...Fayetteville Manlius finished 16-5 in 2009
Morgan on Klepper: "At 6'3, 175 pounds,
Matt has great size with equally as great talent to find the open
man. He is a great passer as well as a talented team-offensive
player and finisher. We expect Matt to fight for significant time
as a freshman and give us an attack man with the size we have never
had at Merrimack. Coming from such a successful program like F.M.
in an area known for great lacrosse, he has proven to be one of the
top offensive players from that area."
Ryan Usher, LSM (Golden Valley, MN/ Robbinsdale
Armstrong H.S.)
All-Conference 2009.....51 ground balls/2 assists as a
junior.....70% face-off percentage
Morgan on Usher: "Ryan is a very strong and
tough defensive player who is very strong on groundballs as well as
in the transition game. We are looking for him to compete for
significant field time as a freshman and give us the ability to be
more physical on the defensive side of the ball as well as helping
our transition game. He is one of the top defensive players from
Minnesota, and by adding him, it shows that Merrimack Lacrosse has
spread its name to the Midwest."
Mark Cyron, Defense/LSM (Lincoln University, PA/
Salesianum School)
All-American 2009...1st Team All-State 2009.....2007
& 2009 Delaware State Champions
Morgan on Cyron: "Mark is a very good cover
defenseman who aggressively knows how to put the ball on the ground
while guarding his opponent. He has the ability to play long stick
midfield as well as down defense for us next year. Mark played
against most of the top players from his area over the past few
years and has been very successful."
