EASTON, Pa.- Seniors Peter Lehman, Brian Collins, Tommy McGee, Charlie Cunniffe, John Mathes and Sean Rushton were selected to serve as team captains for the 2023-24 Lafayette men's lacrosse team, Leopard's head coach Patrick Myers announced Friday morning.

"This 2024 team is in a unique situation with three fifth year seniors returning to finish what they started when they chose to become Leopards.  Along with Peter, Charlie and John as senior leaders, Brian, Tommy and Sean bring fifth year experience and wisdom for a program that has been built from the ground up, said head coach Patrick Myers." "These six men truly embody our "redshirt" culture through their daily actions and unwavering love and loyalty for Lafayette Lacrosse.  They are TEAM first guys, who are always ready and willing to serve their teammates and the mission.  These guys are as impactful off the field, in the community, and the classroom as they are on the field.  We are excited to build on the foundation laid, and these six men will be counted on to take this program to the next level.  They are more than capable of leading the way.  As a Head Coach, I could not be prouder to see where these six guys take us along with the rest of a very experienced senior class."  

Lehman, an attackman from Warminster, Pa. earned Second-Team All-Patriot League honors for the second year running, Academic All-Patriot League honors and was named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team in 2023. Lehman has started 42 games since 2021. Last season, Lehman surpassed the 100 career-points milestone in the 18-9 win over Hampton. He recorded 38 points during the 2023 season while leading the Maroon and White's attack with 29 goals and nine assists. Lehman was a Scholar All-American in 2022.

Collins, a midfielder from Vienna, Va. played in 15 games for the Leopards last season scoring three goals and dishing out one assist. Collins was a major asset on defense causing nine turnovers and picking up 37 groundballs in 2023. He has played in 44 games since 2020 and has tallied 21 points and 77 groundballs in that time span as a defensive midfielder.

McGee, who hails from Ridgewood, N.J. has been a mainstay for the Leopards on defense since his arrival to College Hill in 2020. He has seen time in 46 games collecting 44 starts along the way. In 2023, the economics major led the team in groundballs and caused turnovers, tallying 38 and 16. He also added two goals and two assists to his stat-line in 2023 which were both career-highs.

Cunniffe, an attackman from Newton Square, Pa. started and played in 15 games for Lafayette in 2023. During his junior campaign, the economics major racked up 19 goals and led the team in assists with 27. Out of his 41 career appearances, Cunniffe has managed to start in all 41 games. He also led the program in points and game-winning goals in 2023, tallying 46 points and two game-winners. Cunniffe surpassed the 100-career points milestone after scoring four goals and providing four assists in the Leopards' 14-13 overtime win over Patriot League foe Bucknell. Cunniffe enters the 2024 season with 52 career goals and 57 assists. Cunniffe was a Scholar All-American last season.

Mathes, a midfielder native to Ridgefield, Conn. started and played in 12 games for the Leopards last season. The economics major tallied 18 goals and four assists during his junior campaign. Across his career, Mathes has seen action in 41 games, starting 35. He currently sits on 58 career goals, 11 assists and 69 points since his arrival to College Hill in 2021.

Rushton, who hails from Media, Pa. is embarking upon his fourth consecutive year of being named a team captain of the men's lacrosse program. Last season, Rushton was named to the All-Patriot League Second Team due to his defensive performances. In 2023, the economics major played in 14 games with 13 starts. Rushton picked up 28 groundballs and added eight caused turnovers to Lafayette's' backline. The defenseman also supplied two goals and four assists which matched his career-highs from the previous season. Rushton was a Scholar All-American in 2023.

Lafayette is coming off a Patriot League Tournament Quarterfinal appearance while posting a 6-10 overall record and a 3-5 conference record. Two wins were against Bucknell and Colgate which were the Leopards first wins over those programs since 2010 and 2014 respectively.

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