Elmira, NY -- The 2013 Men's Lacrosse team looks to rebuild as it adds a number of talented young players to this year's roster, while returning some experienced players and a strong goalie to stabilize the back. Preston Chapman, entering his 16th season on the Elmira sidelines, brings in 13 freshmen as he looks to revamp a unit that went just 3-10 overall and 0-7 in Empire 8 play a season ago.

The Soaring Eagles played in seven contests decided by six goals or less in the 2012 season and will look to get off to good starts and finish strong this season. Elmira gave up nearly twice as many shots to its opponents in the first quarter as it took last year. Overall, the team scored 40 fewer goals than its opponents in the first half of contests during the 2013 campaign.

Offensively, the Soaring Eagles return four of their top five scorers from last season led by David Evert '14. The junior led the team with 31 goals, while adding 22 assists for 53 points. Jackson Correia '14 finished with 30 points on 17 goals and 13 assists, while Brady Richards '14 tallied 18 goals and 11 assists for 29 points. Meanwhile, then-freshman Mike DeMar '15 registered 22 points on 12 goals and 10 assists.

Returning for his final season in net is senior captain Dave Bucchino '14. The New Hampshire native missed a significant amount of time last season due to injury and looks to be back in prime form for his final season in the Purple and Gold. Bucchino was credited with all three Elmira wins last season finishing with a 13.66 goals against average, .528 winning percentage and 132 saves.

The coaching staff will count on senior defensemen Paul Tagari '13 and Brad States '13 to provide veteran leadership and guide a large recruiting class that will be expected to contribute right away during the 2013 season. 

Elmira will look to its 13 incoming freshmen to make a large impact as EC looks to climb the highly competitive Empire 8 standings. AJ Bourdon '16 and Jeremy Lofgreen '16 will make their presence known at the close defensive positions.

Meanwhile, Jeff Salvatore '16 and John Bigelow '16 will serve as important assets to the team at the long stick midfield position. The Soaring Eagles will look to Nashua, NH native TJ Duffy '16 to fill the important face-off roll vacated due to graduation.

With a balanced blend of returning scoring and added depth all around the field the 2013 Men's Lacrosse team will look to fight its way up the conference standings and battle for Empire 8 postseason play. The team opens its season Friday at 3:00 p.m. at the Elmira Free Academy turf field against visiting Houghton College, who is in their first season as a program.