Captains (l-r): Joe Cea, Jamie Fabian and Brent Quinn.

The Southampton Graduate Campus Men's Lacrosse team expects to make it to the inaugural NYCAC conference playoffs with a good seed this season. The Colonials are experienced and talented enough to compete for the NYCAC title and an NCAA playoff birth.

Experience is the key word for a team that has 16 players returning for the 2004 season including seven seniors, three juniors and six sophomores. This experience combined with a talented group of newcomers will give the team a depth they haven't known in recent years.

Leading the offense this year will be pre-season All-American David Ortiz along with 2002 All-Conference captain Jamie Fabian. Ryan Smith will look to continue his strong performance from his rookie campaign into his sophomore year and Anthony Barberio is expected to keep finding the net after leading the team in goals last year.

Key midfielders will be senior captain Brent Quinn and sophomore Nick Cardaci. Quinn is arguably one of the best two-way players in the Conference while Cardaci is a face-off specialist.

On defense senior captain Joe Cea will be expected to have another big season along with big fast senior Andreas Nilsson, hard hitting sophomore Patrick O'Brian, and skillful Joe Vertullo.

In goal will be senior standout Jay Selleck. Selleck, elected best defensive player by his coaches in 2003, will determine much of the team's success by his performance in net.

New players who look to give have an immediate impact are sophomore transfer Matt DeVivo, sophomore Danny Harrison and freshman Matt Donnelly. The Colonials compete in the best Conference in the nation with 2003 national champions NYIT, the 2002 national champions Adelphi and the 2001 national champions C.W. Post. "We expect to be competitive this season," said coach Ralph Pepe. "These guys are working hard and that should pay off as the season progresses.

The Southampton Colonials have produced many All-Americans under the leadership of 12-year veteran Coach Ralph Pepe. The latest, goalie standout Larry Falkman, was drafted directly after his senior year by the 2001 MLL champions, the Long Island Lizards. "What we hope in the beginning of the season is that some guys step up as leaders. This year we're so deep that it's nice to have choices and nice to be able to show teams some different looks."

SOUTHAMPTON COACHES

Blayney McEneany and Ralph Pepe.

Head Coach Ralph Pepe inherited Southampton Graduate Campus' lacrosse team in 1993 and has been involved in the sport for over 30 years. Entering his 12th year as a head coach, he has led his team to eight winning seasons, three playoff appearances, two ECAC titles and a winning reputation despite being in a league with several of the country's best teams. "We've gained a lot of respect in the lacrosse community," said Pepe, whose record is 77-60. "Our players and coaches take a lot of pride in that." He has been an assistant coach at SUNY-Stony Brook and Sachem High School and a head coach at Smithtown West High School. Pepe, a 1978 graduate of Dowling College, teaches at Sachem High School North. He lives in East Quogue with his wife, Mary, and four children, Kate, Ralph, Emily and Megan.

Blayney McEneany brings his defensive expertise to the Colonials for a tenth season as assistant coach. "When a player gets individual instruction from Blayney, it really improves his skill on defense," Pepe said. "He also has an exceptional knowledge of game strategy." The 1968 Yankton College graduate coached at Sachem High School for 10 years and in 1979 led them to a state title. He lives in Miller Place with his wife Janet and three children, Moira, Kara and Blayney.

Assistant Coach Desmond Megna enters his third year with the Colonial staff. A four-year player for the Colonials, Megna made a name for himself by being an excellent ground-ball man. Megna coaches the players on an individual basis that is crucial for their individual development and their contribution to the team. Megna teaches in Westhampton.

Assistant Coach Mark Carlson joins the coaching staff after being a student assistant in 2003 and a four-year player for the Colonials. Selected All-Conference his last two seasons as a defender, he now specifically coaches the defensive unit. Carlson teaches in East Quogue.

Men's Lacrosse Scenes from Plattsburgh Game

2003 Archive

• 2003 Men's Lacrosse Page

• 2002 Men's Lacrosse Page
• 2002 Team Results
• 2002 Player Stats

• Pictures from 2001
• 2001 Team Page
  

• 2000 Lacrosse Team Page
• 2000 Team Results
• 2000 Player Stats