2018 Men’s Lacrosse Year in Review: #57 Holy Cross Crusaders

With the 2018 college lacrosse season complete, it’s time to start looking back at how all 71 teams did during the season, as well as what to expect from each squad for 2019.

We’ve already begun looking back to 2018 with some team recaps thus far and continued our series this week with Mercer, Wagner, Bellarmine, and Manhattan

So with that, let’s continue the recaps!

#57 Holy Cross Crusaders

Conference: Patriot League
2018 Record: 4-9 (2-6 in Patriot League play)
Head coach: Judd Lattimore (4th Year)

Statistical Leaders

Goals: Kevin Kodzis (21)
Assists: Logan LeBlond (10)
Points: Kevin Kodzis (28)
Faceoffs: Dan O’Connell (151-of-263; 57.4%)
Ground balls: Dan O’Connell (57)
Caused turnovers: Matt Farrell (19)
Goals against average: Jonathan Tesoro (10.84 GAA)
Save percentage: Jonathan Tesoro (44.5%)

Personnel Losses

Key seniors departing: A Logan LeBlond (10 Gs, 10 As, 13 GBs), D Jake Maruna (14 GBs, 10 CTs), SSDM Henry Lilly (34 GBs, 14 CTs, 1 G, 3 As)
Senior scoring departing: 24 of 131 points (18.3%)
Senior starts lost: 23 of 130 (17.7%)

Season Summary

After two seasons of somehow making it to the Patriot League Tournament despite having a bad overall record, Holy Cross took a step back in 2018. 4-9 is the range where they’ve usually been for a majority of the past 10+ years. But the year ended in some turmoil.

Let’s start with the beginning of the year. After two losses to Providence and Vermont, the Crusaders somehow got their first win of the season against Harvard in double overtime in Cambridge. It was very short-lived. Holy Cross lost their next five games, including a 19-8 drubbing by Brown.

That’s where a change occurred at head coach. Lattimore was placed on administrative leave and replaced by assistants Peter Burke and Nico Capron. The duo turned Holy Cross’ season around for a short bit, first by beating Quinnipiac by a goal. After falling to Navy in a 5-4 affair, the Crusaders defeated Lafayette in overtime as well as Colgate to still keep their Patriot League Tournament chances alive. However, a 9-4 loss to Boston University ended all hope.

Sophomore Kevin Kodzis was the only player to record at least 20 goals on the season (21), with junior Drew Babick behind him at 16. Logan LeBlond’s 10 assists was the only double-digit assist mark on the squad. Sophomores Justin Lynskey and Sean Mullaney, as well as freshman Rowan Hart, also recorded at least 10 points.

Looking Ahead

The big question that was just answered today was the head coach. For now, Burke will lead the team on an interim basis next year. Capron took an assistant coaching job at Division III Colby College.

Burke should have a bulk of the team returning if no players decide to quit. Only four seniors depart, with LeBlond and defenseman Jake Maruna being the key guys. But Kodzis, Babick, Lynskey, Mullaney, and Hart provide a great young core of players on offense.

Defensively, senior Matt Farrell returns after causing 19 turnovers last season. So does junior Ben Marchand, sophomore Sean New, and freshman Philip Turner. Another year of Jonathan Tesoro in goal and Dan O’Connell taking faceoffs also helps.

Here’s who the Crusaders will be adding to their roster for next year.*

*Compiled from a multitude of websites. Schools usually officially announce their recruiting class during the fall semester.