The Mount Ida College Men’s Lacrosse team enters the 2008 season with high expectations. Coach Andrew Fink, who is in his fifth season as head coach, has a perfect record against North Atlantic Conference (NAC) competition and plans to keep the Mustangs undefeated in NAC play through 08’. Last season ended with MIC reaching the Division III NCAA Tournament for the first time in team history but an early exit left more to be desired. The addition of 13 freshmen to the roster shows that Fink has reloaded his team and is ready to take the next step in the progression of his program.

Leadership is a major part of any athletic team and for Men’s Lacrosse at Mount Ida it starts with their three captains.Senior midfielder John Lightbown (Melrose, MA/Malden Catholic) enters his first season as captain. Last season Lightbown put up 58 points on 29 goals and 29 assists. Four of his goals came in the NAC Championship against Castleton State in which Mount Ida escaped with an 11-10 victory in overtime. Lightbown’s success at Mount Ida includes NAC Rookie of the Year, 1st Team All-Conference for his first 3 seasons, and the NAC Championship MVP in 2007. Lightbown plays an aggressive and balanced style of lacrosse that sets the tone for the other midfielders on the team. For the 2008 season Lightbown will bring both his leadership abilities and offensive ability to the table looking to make 2008 another successful season for Mount Ida Lacrosse. High School: In his senior year at Malden Catholic his club posted a 21-2 record and made it to the MA Division I State Finals and was runner-up in a close game to state powerhouse Duxbury.Senior midfielder Luke Philip Wilson (Essex, MA/Ipswich) enters his final season as a Mustang and his first as captain. Wilson is a spirited teammate who brings the emotion and leadership to the captain position that any team would desire. Wilson brings a different style to the midfield position for MIC. The transition to the college level for Wilson included a change in position.

As a long-pole defenseman in high school, Wilson was asked to switch to short-stick midfield and not only be a presence on defense but on offense as well. Wilson has shown through his play that he is willing to be the scrapper, the ground-ball king, the one who will out hustle someone before he outscores them. This is clearly shown in the stat sheet as Wilson snagged 56 ground-balls in 2007. Wilson’s versatile abilities will be a key part for the success of the 2008 campaign. High School: In his high school years Wilson was a member of the varsity lacrosse program every season at Ipswich High School. 2003 was his most memorable for Wilson and his Ipswich squad as they took the MA Division III State Title.

Senior defenseman Will Cullen (North Haven, CT/North Haven) also enters his first year as captain in his final season as a Mustang. Cullen displays the qualities in a player that every coach and teammate can admire. As a three year starter in high school at North Haven, Cullen was given the Rudy Award.

This award was given to the player who kept the team moral at a high level, the one who gave 100% effort 100% of the time. In college if there was an award for perseverance Cullen would be a first ballot selection. After suffering a season ending knee injury in 2006 it has been an uphill battle to return to the field. In limited play during the 2007 season Cullen displayed that he still had the quickness and speed to compete as a defenseman.

The only explanation for Cullen’s return is that he was determined to rehabilitate and get back to the field. The example that Cullen sets for the younger players as a hard-worker and one who hates to lose makes him a perfect fit for captain of the 2008 team.