2018 Men’s Lacrosse Year in Review: #42 Marquette Golden Eagles

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 Hofstra, Brown, St. John’s, and Delaware.

So with that, let’s continue the recaps!

#42 Marquette Golden Eagles

Conference: Big East
2018 Record: 6-8 (3-2 in Big East play)
Postseason: Lost to Denver in Big East semifinals
Head coach: Joe Amplo (7th Year)

Statistical Leaders

Goals: John Wagner (30)
Assists: Jack Zerrillo (10)
Points: John Wagner (39)
Faceoffs: Zachary Melillo (131-of-228; 57.5%)
Ground balls: Zachary Melillo & Noah Richard (48)
Caused turnovers: Brendon Connolly (17)
Goals against average: Cole Blazer (9.67 GAA)
Save percentage: Cole Blazer (47.5%)

Personnel Losses

Key seniors departing: G Cole Blazer (9.67 GAA, 47.5% SV %, 19 GBs), FOGO Zachary Melillo (57.5% faceoff draws, 48 GBs, 1 G), SSDM Colin Riehl (22 GBs, 6 CTs, 3 Gs, 1 A), SSDM Teddy Goltzman (6 GBs, 3 CTs, 1 G, 1 A), FOGO Owen Weselak (61.9% faceoff draws, 5 GBs)
Senior scoring departing: 7 of 166 points (4.2%)
Senior starts lost: 14 of 140 (10%)

Season Summary

Marquette achieved a lot in 2016 and 2017, winning the Big East Championship by defeating Denver and Providence to advance to the NCAA Tournament. But as expected, the Golden Eagles took a step back in 2018. Yet Marquette still made the Big East Tournament, thanks to St. John’s failing to win a game and Providence having a disappointing season.

The Golden Eagles began the season 3-0, including a big overtime win against Ohio State. But two days later, the team fell to Bellarmine in double overtime before getting blown out by Robert Morris and Michigan. Big East play began with an upset win over Georgetown at home before Villanova dominated them the following week. Marquette defeated St. John’s by a goal, but fell to Notre Dame by a goal as well a few days later. An overtime win over Providence three days later pretty much gave them a berth in the Big East Tournament. But the Golden Eagles fell to Duke and twice to Denver to end their season.

The offense only scored 110 goals with John Wagner putting up 30 of them. They didn’t have Tanner Thomson for the year due to injury, which did hurt. But Wagner, along with freshman Anthony Orsini, redshirt-freshman Griffin Fleming, sophomores Connor McClelland and Ryan Fazio, and redshirt-junior Jack Zerrillo, were the main contributors for Marquette.

Defense has been a large part of the team’s identity with Brendon Connolly, Nick Grill, and Jackson Ehlert leading the close unit. They also got support from LSM Noah Richard and short sticks Colin Riehl and Luke Anderson. Zachary Melillo was strong from the faceoff X at 57.5% and Cole Blazer stood tall for his final season in Wisconsin with a 9.67 goals against average.

Looking Ahead

Marquette maybe gaining more than they are losing in terms of talent. Melillo and Blazer are tough losses to deal with for the Golden Eagles. But with attackman Andrew Romagnoli (Delaware) returning to where he started and goalie John Hulsman (Bellarmine) coming to the program, Marquette looks strong than they did when the began the past season.

Add to that the return of Tanner Thomson and the only question is at the faceoff X. Sophomore Jared Hershman went 46.7% in four games (21-of-45) with seven ground balls. With Melillo and Owen Weselak gone, Hershman is the only returning option.

If Marquette can improve on offense, the Golden Eagles will be able to sneak into the Big East discussion, as they look to win their third conference title in four years.

Here’s who the Golden Eagles 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.