The Wheeling Jesuit Men’s Lacrosse team found
success in 2009

The Wheeling Jesuit Cardinal’s men's lacrosse team recently finished the 2009 season with several new accomplishments that add to their increasingly impressive reputation amongst the Division II ranks. The Cardinals key victories along being voted “Most Improved Division II team in the Country” continues to show that Wheeling Jesuit lacrosse will be a top team at the Division II level.

The Cardinals finished the 2009 season with a record of 8-4 only losing to four teams in the national top ten ranking. After back-to-back 4-8 seasons, first year Coach Jay Sothoron turned things around. The WJU squad had many key victories during 2009.  The Cardinals beat Belmont Abbey, Seton Hill, Queens, Pace, D3 Wittenberg, and D1 Detroit Mercy. The Cardinals ended the year ranked #11 in the country by lax power. 

Senior captains Ryan Ferris, John Miller, Kip Stoffel, Mike Jacques, and Trevor Veres led the 2009 Cardinals. Along with team awards, WJU also received some individual accolades. The Cardinal defense finished ranked 10th in the country in goals allowed. Junior attackman Jack Malone finished ranked 5th in the country with 32 assists. Junior goalie Joe Sims finished strong with ranked 9th in the country with a .576 save %.
 
Wheeling Jesuit looks forward to their future as they strive for greatness in 2010. They will enter into the East Coast Conference (ECCSports.org), which boasts many of the best teams in the country. An ECC team has won 11 of the past 17 NCAA Division II national championships. The Cardinals opening game in 2010 will be against ECC rival Molloy College on Long Island. The Cardinals don’t lose a lot to graduation and have 18 freshmen arriving in August. The next few years look very promising for the Cardinals lacrosse squad.

If you are interested in learning more about Wheeling Jesuit Lacrosse, please contact Coach Sothoron 304-243-2102 or Jsothoron@wju.edu.