SCHENECTADY, NY – The Union College men's lacrosse team has finalized its 2018 roster and welcomes 14 newcomers to sport the garnet and white this season.

"This is one of the best groups I've ever had come in, in my almost 40 years of coaching," Head Coach Paul Wehrum says of his 12 freshmen and two transfer student-athletes. "With the offensive talent we were able to bring in and with how hardworking this group is; a number of them are challenging for starting spots on the team."

Transfers Michael Sands and Sean Patterson, along with first years Kieran McGovern and Keaton McCann will all look to make an impact on the team as attackers this season

Sands joins the Dutchmen after spending time at Lafayette College. Associate Head Coach Derek Witheford expects Sands to, "bring a spark to us offensively, especially with his ability to shoot and dodge with a big frame."

Fellow transfer Patterson was previously at Sacred Heart University. According to Wehrum, "Sean is one of our most skilled newcomers." Patterson is expected to produce offensively, as he's known for being capable of shooting right and left-handed, having quality speed and the ability to finish inside.

 "As a freshman, McCann is a top offensive player," Wehrum said of one of his young attackers. "He's a strong shooter who can release the ball at a great velocity and has developed into an outstanding four-man."

McGovern joins McCann as a duo new attackers for the Dutchmen.

"He's improved offensively every day," Witheford said. "He also comes to us with an excellent lacrosse IQ."

Hayden Frey comes to Union from an outstanding program out of Lincoln-Sudbury in Massachusetts.

 "He's one of our top recruits," Wehrum said." "Hayden is extremely versatile, tough, and a great ground-ball man."

Chris Kelly, also a Lincoln-Sudbury alumnus, possesses a similar versatility to Frey, just on the defensive end.

"He's capable of playing long and short stick defense, and has developed nicely over the course of the season so far," Witheford noted.

Other first year defenders include, Quinn Helmig, Ethan Hale, Ryan Puglisi and John Blomquist.

"Helmig has been one of our biggest surprises on the defensive end," Wehrum said. "He has great size and will definitely be seeing playing time as a freshman."

Hale is another solid defenseman, according to Wehrum. Despite a setback due to injury, he consistently shows signs of "being a real student of the game."

In Puglisi, Wehrum sees great lacrosse pedigree.  

"He's one of the most aggressive defenders I've ever coached, as only a freshman," he added. "You don't usually see it in guys that young, but he's tough, smart and extremely athletic."
 
Witheford believes Blomquist can make an instant impact with the Dutchmen.

"He's an outstanding defenseman with a great stick and good positioning," Witheford says of the Massachusetts native.

Lastly, the Dutchmen bring three midfielders to their roster and the addition of a young face-off wiz.

"Aidan Flood can shoot both right and left handed and is highly skilled," Witheford noted. "He'll be more of a threat for us on offense, but he's been developing well on the defensive end as well."

Matthew Georgiades and Owen White bring size and stature to Union's midfield.

"Georgiades' size could be a problem for other teams, and we really like the things he brings to our game," Witheford said of the 6'3 freshman.

"White is another big strong midfielder who's been working on his foot speed, but comes to us with an outstanding lacrosse IQ," Wehrum added.

Cory Sachs is Union's new, young faceoff get-off man. According to Wehrum, he's an incredibly hard-worker who has put in the time to make the proper adjustments to the college game.

"Face offs are different at the collegiate level," Wehrum said. "It's more critical now, but he does a great job with his role and is really able to both face off and get off, and that will be huge for us."

Union's 14 newcomers and the rest of the 40-man squad hit the ground running in less than two weeks, as they take on Endicott College at Frank Bailey Field, Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m.