LAKEWOOD, NJ (Feb. 12, 2024) - Georgian Court Men's Lacrosse starts their 2024 campaign here at home tomorrow afternoon.

Opponent (2023 record)
University of the District of Columbia (0-10, 0-6 ECC)

Where
Lakewood, NJ - Georgian Court Track and Field Complex

When
Tuesday, February 13 - 3 p.m.

How to Watch
• Tuesday's game is available to watch via a free-to-view broadcast on the Georgian Court portal of the CACC Digital Network powered by HUDL. Live stats are also available at gculions.com. 

Weather Advisory
• Tomorrow's forecast is calling for a chance of rain, snow and cold temperatures. If attending the game please be sure to dress for the conditions. 

Previously vs. The University of the District of Columbia
• These two teams met last year with the Lions coming out on top 22-4.
• Brett Bridges scored six points with four goals and two assists. 
• James Sanford and Cody Kromer both scored twice.
• The Lions were able to play four different goaltenders. Vincent Burkhart got the win.
• All four goaltenders made at least two saves. 

Last Time Out
• The Lions season ended in tough fashion in the CACC Championship game. The top seeded Lions fell behind 6-1 to No. 2 Chestnut Hill at the half.
• Georgian Court came roaring back scoring eight of the next nine goals and took a two-goal lead, 9-7 with 8:30 to play in the fourth.
• Chestnut Hill rallied to tie the game with four minutes left to play and with just four seconds left in regulation, hit the game-winner for a 10-9 win.
• Vincent Guinta and Tallen Smith each had two goals and two assists. Dan Burnham and Brett Bridges each scored twice as well.
• Vincent Burkhart made 14 saves in goal. 

2024 Preview
• Georgian Court brings back five All-CACC performers from the 2023 team that went 7-0 and won the CACC Regular Season. This includes Rookie of the Year Brett Bridges and Second Team Goaltender Vincent Burkhart.
• The Lions did graduate two of the most prolific scorers in team history in Daniel Burnham and Michael Ventresca, Nos. 1 and 2 all-time in goals scored.
• The backline for the lines should be as strong with the likes of Joe Murphy, Max Dennington and Michael Schone all returning, plus Burkhart as the last line of defense in goal.
• The offense will look to the likes of Bridges, who led the team in goals last season, Tallen Smith who scored 28 goals and 50 points and Joe Zerr, who scored half of his 18 goals with the man-advantage. Vincent Burns and Doug Mackenzie also reached double-figure goals as freshmen in 2023.
• Following the game against UDC, the Lions will be on the road throughout the rest of the month at regional foes Adelphi, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Mercy. They also have Pace, Saint Rose, Assumption and Molloy as non-conference opponents lined up this season.
• The conference season gets underway in the same place it ended last year, in Waterbury, CT. Georgian Court opens CACC play at Post.
• The CACC welcomes Holy Family into the league for Men's Lacrosse. It'll be their first year in the program.
• The CAC Tournament starts April 28 at campus sites and the tournament final will be in Orangeburg, NY, hosted by Dominican May 5. 

Individual Milestones
• Tallen Smith can move to third all-time in points with two more. Three more will get him to 125.
• Justin Iannarone is nearing 500 career face-off wins needing 22 more. He's also three ground balls away from 300. 
• One man-up goal from Joe Zerr will make him the Lions all-time leader. 

About the Opponent
University of the District of Columbia Firebirds
• After coming back from not playing in 2021 because of COVID-19, UDC won three games in 2022. They did not secure a win for the 2023 season, finishing the year at 0-10.
• Leading scorer Dylan Donaldson returns after scoring 18 goals and 20 points as a sophomore. 
• Julian Schemm also returns after totaling 18 points in 2023. Donaldson and Schemm accounted for 32 of the Firebirds 48 goals. 
• Najee Wilson started all 10 games in goal in 2023 averaging. He led the country averaging 19.5 saves per game. 
• The Firebirds as a team though were last in scoring defense as they surrendered more than 23 goals per game. 
• UDC will have to find someone to replace Carnell Lofton, Jr. who was fourth in the country winning 66% of faceoffs.
• Those faceoff wins didn't translate to much offense though as UDC had a clearance rate of just 59.5% and their 4.80 goals per game were near the bottom of Division II.