One year removed from an 11-3 season in which they were left home from the NCAA Championships, the Pioneers, under third-year head coach John Jez, return in 2009 with the goal of a conference championship title and postseason berth. 

The Pioneers mark the 50^th anniversary of men's lacrosse on the Brookville campus this season. Rich with talent throughout the years, the Pioneers have produced 100 All-Americans and in 1996, took home a national championship title. 

This season, the Pioneers have a roster that is more experienced with 43 returning lettermen, including five All-Americans and one of their best recruiting classes ever.  “We're hoping more leaders will pop up and upperclassmen will step up to a leadership role,“ remarks Jez. 

The focus this season for the Pioneers is improving the offense up and down the field while playing more consistently and building on last season's success.  “We like to push the ball and run hard,” says Jez. 

Jez will have a number of offensive options at any time on the field, including two returning All-Americans. 

Much of the offense will be centered on senior attacker Greg Cerar (Massapequa Park, N.Y.), who had a breakout season where he led the Pioneers with 44 goals and 27 assists and was a USILA First Team All-America selection.   

Senior Dave Loftus (Merrick, N.Y.), who received All-America USILA Honorable Mention in 2008, returns following a noteworthy season in which he scored 33 goals that included a team-leading seven man-up goals. Loftus led the ECC with six game-winning goals. He can be described as one of the hardest shooters in Division II and his velocity on net could prove to be a key to the Pioneer offense.

The offense will get a boost from junior James Davis (Levittown, N.Y.) who returns to the squad after a two-year layoff. Arguably one of the best all around attackers, Davis tallied 51 points (24g, 27a) between 2005 and 2006 and has the ability to create scoring opportunities.

Sophomore Vito Minerva (Nesconset, N.Y.) had a solid campaign in 2008 and will compete for additional playing time.

Redshirt freshman Marc Andreassi (Holbrook, N.Y.) and Eddie Plompen (West Islip, N.Y.) look to find time playing on the second and third lines. 

The Pioneers return solid midfielders from last season that remain intact and are mature with experience. Graduate student Matt Dimler (Long Valley, N.J.) along with junior midfielder Joe Meo (West Sayville, N.Y.) and ECC Rookie of the Year Mike Messina (Sayville, N.Y.) are the top returners for the Pioneers.

Dimler was a USILA Second Team All-America and ECC Second Team selection and was fourth in scoring with 17 goals and 10 assists last season. He is described by Jez as the smartest player on the field and plays as the quarterback on offense. 

Meo can prove to be difficult for opposing defense to mark up and he looks to improve his numbers from last season. Messina had a surprising freshman season in which he scored four goals with five assists and was named the ECC Rookie of the Year. With the added experience, he is primed for a breakout season.   

Junior Matt Merritt (Long Beach, N.Y.) looks to repeat from his freshman season and sophomore James Johnston (Farmingville, N.Y.) should factor into the Pioneers' offensive strategy. Freshmen Keith Rodriguez (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) and Brad DeSouza (Trumbull, Conn.) are solid additions and should see time on the first and second lines.

Junior Mike Cama (Levittown, N.Y.) is the top returning face-off specialist in the region, having won 179 of his 259 face offs with a team-high 102 ground balls. Freshman Andrew Madsen (Arden Hills, Minn.) will provide back up on face-offs. 

Sophomore Nick Lacagnina (Farmingville, N.Y.) started all 14 games last season and proved crucial on defense with 47 ground balls. Lacagnina is described as a workhorse and his success could be the key to winning face-offs.

Sophomore John Wood (Marblehead, Mass.) had a breakout rookie season and returns with junior Brian Andrews (Hicksville, N.Y.) for a starting role. Junior Austin Wolfson (Merrick, N.Y.) and redshirt freshman Wade Ungar (Middle Island, N.Y.) will provide depth to the position.

Long stick midfielders Daniel DaCosta (Putnam Valley, N.Y.), Joe Blount (Inwood, N.Y.) and Mike Celano (Merrick, N.Y.) also return to starting positions.

Junior Bryan Leonard (Yorktown, N.Y.) returns as the leader on a defensive unit that is experienced and can shut down opposing offense. Leonard, who received a preseason All-America nod from Inside Lacrosse magazine, led a defensive unit last season that ranked second in the ECC in caused turnovers, averaging 8.86 per game. Leonard caused nine turnovers and picked up 16 ground balls and was selected USILA Second Team All-America. Senior Jon Kology (West Babylon, N.Y.) returns as the leader in caused turnovers (18). 

Senior Mike Bedford (Rocky Point, N.Y.) was one of seven Pioneers to start all 14 games. With his 6-2 frame, Bedford proved a bigger obstacle to opposing offense and forced 11 caused turnovers while picking up 22 ground balls.   

Junior Richard Schmidt (Hicksville, N.Y.), an All-American while playing at Nassau Community College, should bring experience and leadership to the backfield.

Also returning to the defense are junior Daniel Neugebauer (Sayville, N.Y.), sophomore Erik Boyd (Coram, N.Y.) and redshirt freshman Jimmy Sporing (Bethpage, N.Y.).

The Pioneers return with a solid group with senior Dan Sciulla (Merrick, N.Y.) and sophomore Michael Giordano (Farmingdale, N.Y.) appearing as the front runners to start. Sciulla started 10 games last season and posted a 6.81 goals against average with 65 stops in goal. Giordano started four games in goal and posted a 6.68 goals against average while making 26 saves. The Pioneers add junior Drew Smith (East Hampton, N.Y.) who a transferred from Adelphi and will also battle for time between the pipes.  Juniors Jonathan Matzelle (Stony Brook, N.Y.) and Dylan Flegar (New Rochelle, N.Y.) will provide depth.

C.W. Post's slate includes some of the tougher teams in the region as Jez has scheduled six teams with preseason rankings, including a home contest against reigning national champion New York Institute of Technology on April 4, and a date up north with runner-up Le Moyne College on March 21. 

The Pioneers open their season with a two-game swing through North Carolina beginning Feb. 14 at Wingate University followed by Catawba College on Feb. 17. They return home to host Assumption College Feb. 28 followed by Dominican College on March 3. A trip up north to Bentley University on March 7 will be one of the Pioneers' toughest tests of the season.