The University of Detroit Mercy men's lacrosse team announced that seniors Chris Butts, Vince Diana, Pat O'Shea, and Tim Shoemaker will serve as team captains for the 2010 season.

"It is always hard to find leadership in a young program, but these individuals were chosen by the team for that exact reason," said head coach Matt Holtz. "All four are seniors who have not only been through our system here, but have a few years of collegiate lacrosse experience, which should help all of our young players."

For O'Shea (Dix Hills, NY/Half Hollow Hills East), it is the second-straight year that he has been named captain after receiving the honor as one of the first captains in program history last season. He started all 11 games for Detroit at attack and was second on the team in points (17), goals (11) and assists (6).

Butts' (Riverhead, NY/Riverhead) size was a great asset for the first-year program on defense as he started all 11 games for Detroit, finishing third on the team with 26 groundballs. Off the field, he was also a member of the UDM Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Diana (Massillon, OH/Jackson), a member of the Athletic Director's Honor Roll, was the Titans' top goalie in 2009, starting every game and finishing fourth in the country with 13.55 saves per games as well as second on the team with 32 groundballs.

Shoemaker (Rochester, MI/Rochester) saw action in all 11 games in the Titans' inaugural season, making 10 starts as the long stick midfielder. He was tied for sixth on the squad with 18 GB's, while earning a spot in the Athletic Director's Honor Roll.

The Titans recently wrapped up fall practice, where Detroit went 1-1 at the Nick Colleluori Classic, defeating new conference rival Saint Joseph's, 9-7, before falling to Lafayette, 16-8, in a game that took place on grass just 20 minutes after the first contest ended. UDM enters the 2010 season as a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) with full post-season benefits.

2009-10-23