For Immediate Release: February 11, 2008
Binghamton 2008 Men's and Women's Lacrosse Media Day

Seventh-year head coach Ed Stephenson of the BU men's lacrosse team and first-year head coach Tony Zostant of the women's lacrosse team held a joint media day Monday as they prepare for their respective 2008 seasons.

Both squads will play their home games in the new, state-of-the-art Bearcats Sports Complex, the university's new 2,500-plus seat synthetic turf facility. The men's first game is at Cornell on February 26 while the women open at William and Mary on February 17.

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Season Previews: [men's...] [women's...] 

Men's Lacrosse
Seventh-year head coach Ed Stephenson:
On this years talented newcomers:
"We're relatively new in Division I lacrosse, yet we've had a lot of success. We've been to four conference tournaments in a row. Each year our recruits are getting better and better and the success from the previous groups certainly helps us out with that. This year we brought in the most talented freshman group to date. A lot more speed, and some really key programs of high school lacrosse are represented in our freshman class and we're certainly looking for a lot of impact players this year."

On the newcomers potential impact:
"We're focused on that next step, getting into the NCAA playoffs In order to do that, one of the things we need to do is win a conference championship. We've won the regular season and we came a goal away in a double overtime loss to UMBC from hosting the tournament here for the second time in four years. We're excited about the prospects this year, we've set the bar higher."

On the Bearcats Sports Complex:
"Probably the biggest thing for us this year has been the new facility. We've been outside every day so far except for today because of the weather."

Junior goalie and three-year captain Larry Kline :
On the teams potential:
"We're still really young but it's the best team we've had yet. But the potential doesn't mean anything unless you do something about it. I think it's the strongest team we've had at Binghamton so hopefully we can act on it."

On teams leadership:
"I think as long as our team leaders pull everyone along we'll be in good shape and our leadership has stepped up big time over the past two weeks.

On the team's coaching staff preparing them for the season:
We've got great coaches. They bring us along day by day. I think once we start playing together as a team, which we've already started and once we get through our next couple scrimmages, I think we'll be ready for the first game."

Junior defenseman and captain Chris Winter:
On his outlook for the team:
I think we're looking real strong. We've got a lot of good leadership … our defense is really strong, we return a lot of guys from last year and overall we feel that we've improved a lot.

On teams biggest challenge:
"I think our biggest challenge is going to be to make sure that we are mentally prepared for every game but with the amount of leadership we have, it shouldn't be a problem."

On the Bearcats Sports Complex:
"The new field has absolutely helped. We have been outside earlier than ever this year. It's going to be a big advantage, we got Cornell in 15 days and last year we weren't outside until early March so its going to be a huge help."

Sophomore midfielder and 2007 AE Rookie of the Year Steve Carlson:
On teams season:
"We've improved every year and we are only getting better. We have been working hard this year and we all know what is at stake."

Women's Lacrosse

First year head coach Tony Zostant:
On starting the season:
"Well, we're pretty anxious right now. We have been scrimmaging ourselves for about a month and we're looking to get our first win under our belt."

On his expectations of the team:
"Our expectation is to be competitive… that is the biggest thing. The W's will be the outcome if we can be competitive."

On being able to play outside earlier because of the new field:
"We've asked the captains and (according to them) we have been way ahead of where we've been the past few years. We scrimmage every day and we are happy to be outdoors. We are tired of beating up on ourselves though and are ready for some competition."

Junior midfielder and Captain Kelsey Pieper:
On the teams outlook:
"We're really excited. We got a lot of new freshman in, and they bring a lot of great speed . It's going to be a good year."

On the new sports complex:
"It's great. We've been outside everyday, we've been able to have full-field scrimmages. It's really helped our game a lot."