Erie, Pa. - The early signing period came to a successful close for the Mercyhurst College men's lacrosse team with the announcement of seven commitments for the 2006-2007 season. "We are extremely pleased with the overall athletic and academic level of this years recruiting class," explains head coach Chris Ryan. "With the graduation of 18 seniors from last years team we had a number of positions remaining to fill and we feel that we have done this with talented student-athletes."

The class includes two attackmen, four midfielders, and a defenseman. The class consists of Mike Dugan (Cortland, NY/Homer), Derek Pino (Rochester, NY/Irondequoit), Christopher Blanchard (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads), Zach Manuel (Elmira, NY/Elmira Notre Dame), Tyler Burton (London, Ontario/Ridley), Kyle Plante (Watertown, NY/Immaculate Heart Central), and Michael Theetge (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads).

Derek Pino is a 5'11, 170 lbs attackman out of Irondequoit High School in Rochester, NY where he played for Coach John Van Etten. Heading into his senior year Pino has amassed 53 goals and 35 assists while playing the last three years on the varsity team. Derek was a starting attackman and the second leading scorer for the Western Empire Team in 2005. He is a member of the Rochester Blaze and is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes National Elite Lacrosse Team.

Coach Ryan of Pino; "Derek has a great deal of skill and experience. He is one of the best shooters that I have ever recruited to Mercyhurst. We see him having an impact on our program rather early if he continues to work hard and develop."

Mike Dugan is a 5'8, 170 lbs. attackman out of Homer, NY. Mike is a four-year varsity performer for Coach Mark Ferrito and has scored 107 goals and 34 assists over the last three seasons. He garnered 1st Team All OHL and All Central New York Honorable Mention in 2005. Dugan is a three-sport athlete at Homer High School. Along with lacrosse, Dugan is an all league performer in football helping his team to the Section III crown this past season and is captain of the basketball team.

Coach Ryan on Dugan: "Mike is a talented young man. He has a strong stick and a great sense of the game. He as proven over his high school years, that he has a nose for the net. I believe that Mike has the tools to be a successful college player."

Tyler Burton is a 6'0, 190 lbs. midfielder out of London, Ontario. Burton is a two-sport athlete at Ridley College under Don Rickers where he captains both the hockey and lacrosse teams. In 2005 he led Ridley to a Canadian Independent Schools Athletic Association Field Championship scoring 23 goals and 27 assists in only 11 games. Last summer Burton helped the Spartan Warriors Junior B lacrosse team under Eric Vinc to an 18-2 record chipping in 25 points along the way. Tyler has a great deal of field experience participating on the Ontario All Star Lacrosse Team and the U19 Niagara Raiders.

Coach Ryan on Burton: "Tyler gives us a physical presence at the midfield. He brings a great deal of competitiveness from the hockey rink to the field and can shoot the ball on the run very well. He possesses a great combination of athleticism and skill. and we expect him to be contributor for us in the future."

Kyle Plante comes to Mercyhurst from Immaculate Heart Central High School in Watertown, NY. Under the leadership of Coach Mike Shepis, Plante has developed his all around game and become a dangerous offensive weapon. In 2005, Kyle scored 36 goals, 15 assists and scooped up 74 groundballs. He is a four-year varsity player for the Cavaliers scoring 52 goals, 19 assists, and 100 groundballs over the past three seasons. He has earned All County, All Division and All Frontier League recognition. Plante has also been an All Star soccer player captaining the team both his junior and senior seasons. He is an honor roll student at IHC.

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2005-12-21