MCCC Men's Lacrosse: A Young, Successful Program

1/23/24

 

Mercer men’s lacrosse will begin their sixth season in program history in 2024, which includes a shortened 2020 season due to the Covid pandemic.  Mercer has only had one losing season in four full seasons and has won two Region 19 Championships.

 

The program got its 25^th win on April 14^th, 2023 in a 14-10 win at Sussex CCC.  When the Vikings travel to Harford CC on March 9^th, it will be the 50^th game in program history.  The Vikings best season was their first season in 2019, when they went 10-6.  In 2023, Mercer had the second most wins in program history, going 6-5.

 

In just four full seasons, MCCC has had 18 All-Region 19 performers, two Region 19 Players of the Year, two Region 19 Offensive Players of the Year, one Region 19 Defensive Player of the Year and one NJCAA All-American.

 

Mercer will bring back some very talented players, including All-Region performers: attacker Jack Kalinowski (Yardley, PA/Pennsbury), faceoff specialist Izzy Miranda (Tampa, FL/Tampa Catholic), midfielder Braden Travaglini (Berlin, NJ/Eastern Regional) and defender Theo DeBerghes (Howell, NJ/Howell HS).

 

Justin Brown (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) scored the most goals in MCCC men’s lacrosse history with 42 in 2019.  Brady Moore (Yardley, PA/Hopewell Valley) scored 39 goals in 2019.  Kalinowski scored 36 goals in 2023 and could come close to scoring the most single season goals in program history and most goals over two seasons in program history.

 

Moore has the most assists in program history with 27 in 2019 and the most points, with 66, also in 2019.  Travaglini had 19 assists last season, which is second most in program history, tied with 19 by Jack Earley in 2019.

 

In 2022, Brandon Guios (East Windsor, NJ/Hightstown HS) won the most groundballs in program history with 93. Returning defenseman Theo DeBerghes (Howell, NJ/Howell HS) has the second most groundballs in program history with 75 in the 2022 season.

 

Guios has the most faceoffs won with 162 out of 289 in the 2022 season.  Dylan Ritchkoff (Yardville, NJ/Hamilton West) has the second most faceoffs won with 114 out of 184 in 2019 and returning faceoff specialist Izzy Miranda has the third most in program history with 67 out of 100 in 2023.

 

The Vikings All-Region goalie Thomas Casuccio(Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) who played in 2022 and 2023 has the most saves in program history with 251 in the 2022 season, when he earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. 

 

Despite being a young program, MCCC men’s lacrosse has had a great deal of success in a short amount of time.  We can’t wait to see the program continue to grow and succeed under the leadership of first year Head Coach Ben Whitcraft!

 

For the latest news, roster and schedule on men’s lacrosse, visit: https://www.mccc.edu/athletics_men_lacrosse.shtml