MAC 2024

[Laxattackjack]

Yeah, good video of it on Twitter.

You have to bench that kid for at least a half right?

Personally, I doubt Cantabene will. But there was most definitely a conversation had that was most likely unpleasant for the player.

let’s be real. Cantabene would not bench the kid unless ncaa came down hard. i can picture the coach doing what the kid did.

[StevieUAlum]

Yeah, good video of it on Twitter.

You have to bench that kid for at least a half right?

Personally, I doubt Cantabene will. But there was most definitely a conversation had that was most likely unpleasant for the player.

let’s be real. Cantabene would not bench the kid unless ncaa came down hard. i can picture the coach doing what the kid did.

Cantabene has thrown one of his own starting attackmen out of a game before.

But keep the hate for Cantabene coming Jack! You love making a fool of yourself in these forums.

[Duckalum]

Some head scratchers here especially at attack!!!

Below is the 2024 All-MAC Freedom Men's Lacrosse Team.

2024 All-MAC Freedom Men's Lacrosse Team
Attackman of the Year: Matthew Pergola, Stevens
Midfielder of the Year: Keegan Hughes, Stevens
Defenseman of the Year: Luke Lesizza, Stevens
Specialist of the Year: Bryan Creamer, Stevens
Goalie of the Year: Kevin Holtby, Stevens
Rookie of the Year: Jackson Penn, Stevens
Coach of the Year: Gene Peluso, Stevens

First Team

Position Name Year School
Attack Matthew Pergola Sophomore Stevens
Attack Billy Burton Senior Arcadia
Attack Connor Bevan Sophomore Misericrodia
Attack Jake Bollinger Senior Lebanon Valley

Midfield Keegan Hughes Senior Stevens
Midfield Alex Kiviniemi Graduate Student Lebanon Valley
Midfield Mikey Whiteside Junior Stevens

Defender Luke Lesizza Sophomore Stevens
Defender Tyler Ravenelle Graduate Student Arcadia
Defender Taylor Wikert Sophomore DeSales
Defender Trey Stasse Junior Misericordia

Long Pole Midfield Aidan Long Junior Stevens
Long Pole Midfield Spencer Sundeberg Graduate Student Misericordia

Short Stick Specialist Bryan Creamer Junior Stevens

Faceoff Specialist Brett Sciascia Graduate Student Arcadia
Faceoff Specialist Jackson Penn First-Year Stevens

Goalie Kevin Holtby Graduate Student Stevens

Second Team
Position Name Year School
Attack Joseph Grippo Senior Stevens
Attack Nate Perry Junior DeSales
Attack Colin Adams Senior DeSales
Attack Patrick Schuett Senior DeSales

Midfield Kyle McLaughlin Junior Arcadia
Midfield Beau Neff Senior DeSales
Midfield Michael Kilgallon Senior Misericordia

Defender Luke Cifuentes First-Year Stevens
Defender Liam Lacon Graduate Student DeSales
Defender Sheadan Makosy First-Year Lebanon Valley

Long Pole Midfield Ryan Gannon Sophomore Arcadia
Long Pole Midfield Eric Goliaszewski Junior DeSales

Short Stick Specialist Tyler Wolverton Senior DeSales

Faceoff Specialist Anthony Gash Junior DeSales

Goalie Chris Dindino Junior Misericordia

Honorable Mention
Position Name Year School
Attack Tristan Johnson Sophomore Arcadia
Attack Jack Savarese Senior Stevens
Midfield Chris Kirschner Graduate Student Stevens
Midfield Dylan Garber Sophomore Arcadia
Midfield Ben Spencer Junior King's
Defender Maxwell Henry Senior Arcadia
Short Stick Specialist Dalton Moyer Senior Arcadia
Short Stick Specialist Alex Herka Senior Arcadia
Goalie TJ Lowe Senior DeSales
Goalie Nathanial Hudgins Sophomore Arcadia

I’m not sure which attack-man you are talking about, but to me, one player does stand out. Jack Savarese deserves way more than just an honorable mention. He just broke the all-time goal record for Stevens and is on the verge of breaking the all-time point record, and all he gets is a lousy HM? Either the MAC teams are purposely ignoring him, or the coach is not pulling for him. I’m not one to jump to conclusions, but let’s face it, he was the top points scorer last season on the team and didn’t even get first-team all-conference or all-American recognition. Maybe something is going on in that locker room, and it’s starting to look like the coach isn’t in his corner. I can’t be the only one that thinks this.

I can’t speak for Jack, but as a former player it’s definitely Gene. All stevens alum know how Gene operates and majority of stevens alum are not happy with him being the coach which is evident as the alum donation fund has never been in great shape. It’s crazy how a lot of alum want him out the only reason he is still in the position he is is because the school brings in talent due to its academics and he just profits off of that. All alum know Stevens has better potential but Gene just isn’t a good coach or person. You guys want evidence take RIT as an example after he “left” RIT went on a roll and never looked back.

[Duckdad]

Haha not even close. Raise money each year and our raise all other sports. Coach is tough and fair and has recognized savarese every step of the way in his career. Nonsense. You are prob an alumn who didn’t get playing time. The alumni show up and help with careers and with donations. You are clearly disconnected. Peluso wins and demands great from his players. Can’t speak for RIT but stevens has performed at the highest level since his arrival.

[laxrules]

Congrats to the MAC schools in their advancement. Watched both games on stream. Both very intense games to the end!

[Duckalum]

Haha not even close. Raise money each year and our raise all other sports. Coach is tough and fair and has recognized savarese every step of the way in his career. Nonsense. You are prob an alumn who didn’t get playing time. The alumni show up and help with careers and with donations. You are clearly disconnected. Peluso wins and demands great from his players. Can’t speak for RIT but stevens has performed at the highest level since his arrival.

That’s funny and you are entitled to your own opinions but what I’m saying are facts. I was a three year starter and an all conference player so I did see the field and a lot of it too. In fact you are the one that is disconnected. I am still very prevalent in the alumni community and I know what is being said about him. I know what goes around and Ik how he treats his players because I have seen it with my own two eyes. If you think he is fair you must be delusional.

[StevieUAlum]

Haha not even close. Raise money each year and our raise all other sports. Coach is tough and fair and has recognized savarese every step of the way in his career. Nonsense. You are prob an alumn who didn’t get playing time. The alumni show up and help with careers and with donations. You are clearly disconnected. Peluso wins and demands great from his players. Can’t speak for RIT but stevens has performed at the highest level since his arrival.

That’s funny and you are entitled to your own opinions but what I’m saying are facts. I was a three year starter and an all conference player so I did see the field and a lot of it too. In fact you are the one that is disconnected. I am still very prevalent in the alumni community and I know what is being said about him. I know what goes around and Ik how he treats his players because I have seen it with my own two eyes. If you think he is fair you must be delusional.

This isn't a d*** measuring forum gentlemen. Keep it about lacrosse.

[Duckdad]

I know what I know. We're here supporting our team and the coaches. You are coming from a real negative point of view. I have been around college lacrosse programs for years and know what I hear from my son and other kids on team. Tough, Fair and Caring is what I hear.
The networking and fundraising (your comment) continues to be very strong and the alumni show up in both areas.

[Duckdad]

I’m also very excited to see Stevens get some more runs versus strong competition. I think they have the horses on the team to run with a lot of groups.

Stevens played strong defensively. offense went quiet in second half/4th quarter. Big timeout called with about 1 minute left or that would have been loss of possession. Allowed Stevens to get the win. Kudos to the defense and the goalie play.

[laxrules]

I’m also very excited to see Stevens get some more runs versus strong competition. I think they have the horses on the team to run with a lot of groups.

Stevens played strong defensively. offense went quiet in second half/4th quarter. Big timeout called with about 1 minute left or that would have been loss of possession. Allowed Stevens to get the win. Kudos to the defense and the goalie play.

Kammerman from Roanoke is a great player to keep him to 2 points is a great job by the defense.

[RealStevensAlum]

Just activated today, just to say that Coach P is a leader of men and is a smart, caring and great coach. I played for him earlier in his career at Stevens. He is tough on those that need it (most of us did), and since graduation I have felt connected and have been involved in all of the networking events, he started 7 years ago. The other alumni that I played with (some played for both Peluso and former coach as well) feel like Coach P has brought a lot of communication. We get emails from players on the team weekly, they are saying great things, and we try to help them with career advice. Each winter we do an alumni lacrosse career event and I have been a part of it. A ton of alumni at event....sometimes too many.

He has honored fallen teammates, he has supported many of us through tough times, we were offered "personal days" in season, he is excellent with references for jobs, and he coaches at a very high level.

I am not telling anyone how to feel, but I oppose "majority" comments. Maybe you have a group of other "disgruntles", I only ask that Alumni (even disgruntled) get behind the current team and support.

I sent text to coach immediately after the game last night and his response was "Thank you it was great to hear from so many of us"...(alumni)

#ROLLTECH

[Duckdad]

Just activated today, just to say that Coach P is a leader of men and is a smart, caring and great coach. I played for him earlier in his career at Stevens. He is tough on those that need it (most of us did), and since graduation I have felt connected and have been involved in all of the networking events, he started 7 years ago. The other alumni that I played with (some played for both Peluso and former coach as well) feel like Coach P has brought a lot of communication. We get emails from players on the team weekly, they are saying great things, and we try to help them with career advice. Each winter we do an alumni lacrosse career event and I have been a part of it. A ton of alumni at event....sometimes too many.

He has honored fallen teammates, he has supported many of us through tough times, we were offered "personal days" in season, he is excellent with references for jobs, and he coaches at a very high level.

I am not telling anyone how to feel, but I oppose "majority" comments. Maybe you have a group of other "disgruntles", I only ask that Alumni (even disgruntled) get behind the current team and support.

I sent text to coach immediately after the game last night and his response was "Thank you it was great to hear from so many of us"...(alumni)

#ROLLTECH

Well said!

[BigBoy]

Just activated today, just to say that Coach P is a leader of men and is a smart, caring and great coach. I played for him earlier in his career at Stevens. He is tough on those that need it (most of us did), and since graduation I have felt connected and have been involved in all of the networking events, he started 7 years ago. The other alumni that I played with (some played for both Peluso and former coach as well) feel like Coach P has brought a lot of communication. We get emails from players on the team weekly, they are saying great things, and we try to help them with career advice. Each winter we do an alumni lacrosse career event and I have been a part of it. A ton of alumni at event....sometimes too many.

He has honored fallen teammates, he has supported many of us through tough times, we were offered "personal days" in season, he is excellent with references for jobs, and he coaches at a very high level.

I am not telling anyone how to feel, but I oppose "majority" comments. Maybe you have a group of other "disgruntles", I only ask that Alumni (even disgruntled) get behind the current team and support.

I sent text to coach immediately after the game last night and his response was "Thank you it was great to hear from so many of us"...(alumni)

#ROLLTECH

I can’t disagree with your experience, but it seems a bit dated to me. As a more recent alum who keeps on close contact with many current players and parents, it seems that Peluso has not kept such a clean track record. Stevens consistently attracts an abundance of talent, yet seems to hit a roadblock at the same point in the NCAA tournament every year. In recent years, the team has played a pretty weak schedule and consistently loses to top 10 programs. Thats a coaching issue to me. If the boys pull off a win tonight I would be elated and stand corrected.

I want to see the ducks make a national championship run as much as the next alum, parent, or player, but Peluso has failed time and time again. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results

-BigBoy

[RealStevensAlum]

We can agree to disagree. Wesleyan in the last two years were top 10 team and Stevens beat them twice. Recruiting is the name of the game and he continues to do that well! Good luck to the Ducks!

#rolltech

[longshaft22]

Just activated today as well to provide a truthful response to these comments on Coach Peluso. As a 4 year starter who also receive multiple all conference accolades, I can say that although Coach Peluso has been around the game a long time and is competitive, he is far from a “caring” coach, is definitely not an ideal “leader”, and this comment about communication seems to be from an account made by someone in Coach Peluso’s inner circle (since this was in issue brought up directly to the athletic board just this past year based on end of year surveys and the players complaints).

Throughout my time at Stevens we have had great players quit the team or contemplate quitting every year strictly due to the poor coaching and the personality of Coach Peluso. The only thing keeping this team together is the bond these players have with each other. Coach Peluso is much more focused on his own interests rather than the team and what is considered “fair”. Many of these issues have been brought up to the school, but they still choose to not do anything about it and it is definitely hurting the team. I know many players on that team now and recent graduates who would have been happy to see him go.

I won’t go into detail on specifics as I don’t think this is the right place for that, but bottom line is this team has always had the ability to be one of the best in the country, but it won’t until there is a change in coaching.

I as well would love to see the ducks win tonight, and will continue to support this team, but I don’t want false information about the coaching and dynamic of this team to be spread.

[BigBoy]

The ducks were unable to pull it off last night. Halted again in the round of 16. From what I could see they ran the same schemes they’ve run all year and made no adjustments to their game plan on the defensive end, in the ride, or on the clear. At least not until late in the game.

The talent was there and we’ve seen it throughout this year against both Dickinson and Wesleyan. The coaching, however, was not up to par.

My experience with the program was far more aligned with what longshaft22 had to say than anything else I’ve read on this forum. I thinks it’s about that time we see a change.

As I mentioned before, there has been no shortage of talent coming into the school. I’ll add that Peluso has now been through a few different, and very talented, assistants - namely Ryan Licht - but that hasn’t had much of an impact on the Duck’s success.

Breaking down the equation, the only constant is Gene Peluso. You can replace every part in a car, but if the steering wheel is broken you’ll never make it to your destination.

-BigBoy

[HockeyLaxGolf42]

The ducks were unable to pull it off last night. Halted again in the round of 16. From what I could see they ran the same schemes they’ve run all year and made no adjustments to their game plan on the defensive end, in the ride, or on the clear. At least not until late in the game.

The talent was there and we’ve seen it throughout this year against both Dickinson and Wesleyan. The coaching, however, was not up to par.

My experience with the program was far more aligned with what longshaft22 had to say than anything else I’ve read on this forum. I thinks it’s about that time we see a change.

As I mentioned before, there has been no shortage of talent coming into the school. I’ll add that Peluso has now been through a few different, and very talented, assistants - namely Ryan Licht - but that hasn’t had much of an impact on the Duck’s success.

Breaking down the equation, the only constant is Gene Peluso. You can replace every part in a car, but if the steering wheel is broken you’ll never make it to your destination.

-BigBoy

Have sent a few of my former players to Stevens and have followed the program for a while as I had two sons play in the same conference as them. I will say a few things that may very well be situation specific:
1. The HC was rarely involved in the recruiting process. Seemed to have mostly been delegated to assistants
2. They have dominated their (softball) conferences with several different renditions of assistants
3. They struggle against top competition
4. Seems as if the lack of adjustments has been common for years (same 10 man ride year in and year out, etc)
5. They punch well above their weight and team wide performance when it comes to AA selections and major awards

[TheLaxRat]

After following the Stevens Ducks closely this season I will leave my following thoughts
Stevens falling short this year is not for a lack of talent. The game plan against CNU in the sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament seemed stale and uninspired. Rarely do you see a capable team crumble under the pressure as the Ducks did this year. This team was #legit beating Weslyan(NESCAC champs) and going to OT with Dickison (centennial champs) Through the first half of the game the ducks kept it a close game (although cook, 28, was having his way). The clear and TOP were the ducks biggest enemy as they were unable to compose themselves under CNU’s heavy pressure. Despite this, the ducks showed some life (goals from 77 24 gave Stevens hope). However, as halftime rolled around we continued to see the lack of adjustments plague the ducks. The offense from the 3rd quarter on was incredibly stagnant, allowing the veteran Capitans to play passively and protect their growing lead. The Ducks leading scorer was held to 0 shots in the first 56 minutes of their biggest game of the season. 1st team all American (56 CNU) provided a big boost for the capitans. Despite the effective defense played by 56 it was clear a change was needed. This cannot fall solely on the players shoulders, the offensive scheme needed adjustment but this change never came. Out groundballed, out hustled, out played. These big moments continue to be the biggest issue for this group. These kids obviously play with a lot of grit and fight and it is sad to see the MAC freedom champions taken out in such embarrassing fashion. Assuming all stays the same the Ducks will return many of their critical playmakers and look to reload the positions they are graduating for the 2025 season. We can only hope to see improved coaching and play when they next get the chance.

[DeepPocket]

Proud of the season the Mustangs had and getting the program back into the tournament and on the national radar again.

Sunday the boys just didn't have the depth to hang for a full game. Was 9-5 at one point but Tuffs depth really showed and with no answer at the faceoff dot, the task became too daunting to overcome.

Whole offense returns while the the entire defense graduates. Will be tough replacing guys like Quine me Mulvey, staples down low for 5 years.

Stevenson has every right to be proud of the season’s final results.

They’ll have holes to fill, as will York, but rest assured both will be back competing. Messiah emerging, Eastern taking some momentum from making the championship game, and even Hood ending their season with a program first win over Eastern, will all make for some great conference play in 2025. I think Widener had gotten a little too comfortable being penciled in for that last playoff spot, and I see them coming back with a big chip on their shoulder after being usurped by Messiah too.

[jerseyjames]

I have heard Gene is rarely in office (none of the coaches are), basically shows up right before practice, coaches practice and then is out.

The Stevens assistants are talented but Stevens might be the most attractive assistant coaching job in D3 given its location, built to hire a young up and coming mid to late 20's coach. They really ought to have a young assistant that lives in town and someone who can be in the office and around consistently. Not to mention bringing a fresh young perspective.