Wheeling Jesuit Announces 2009 Captains

Wheeling, WV, January, 12, 2009---Wheeling Jesuit University men's lacrosse coach Jay Sothoron announced the captains for the 2009 season who are seniors: Ryan Ferris (Cincinnati, OH/Sycamore), John Miller (Kent, OH/Kent Roosevelt), Kip Stoffel (Detroit, MI/De La Salle), Trevor Veres (Windsor, Ontario/Harrow), Mike Jacques (Sarnia, Ontario/St. Clair Secondary). All five captains are in their fourth year with the Cardinal Lacrosse Program.

Ryan Ferris is an outspoken leader who plays short stick defensive midfield. "He is one of the hardest workers in the program," said Sothoron. "Ryan is a kid that will do whatever is needed to help his team win. He is a leader that everyone respects and is like having another coach on the field."

John Miller leads the first midfield and had 24 points (16g, 8a) in 2008. He leads by example as evidenced by his play at both ends of the field. He is a "throwback" middie who leads the team in groundballs and plays great defense.

"John is one of the best athletes I have ever coached," said Sothoron. "He is a very strong and powerful midfielder and is very versatile making him very effective on either end of the field."

Kip Stoffel and Trevor Veres anchor the Cardinal defense. Kip plays a very hard nose style of defense and is great on groundballs. He played short stick D middie and faced off during the 2008 season and has now found his home at close defense and had a very good fall.

Trevor Veres is a versatile player who has played all over the field for WJU. He was a mainstay at defense during his first two years and then switched to attack in 2008 where he was the second leading scorer on the team with 30 points (20g, 10a). The switch to attack during his junior year was made because of his skills as a Canadian box lacrosse player. His love is at close defense, and that is where he will play for the 2009 season.

"Kip is a kid who leads by example and our younger guys look up to him. He is the hardest working kid in the weight room and in conditioning. He is always pushing himself to get bigger, faster, and stronger. Kip plays a physical style of defense and he matches up well against any team's bigger attackmen," said Coach Sothoron, who continued, "We switched Trevor back to defense because I believe he is one of the best defensemen in DII. He has great speed and is very strong. Trevor will match up against every team's top attackman. He has the ability to take the ball away and create transition. Our underclassmen recognize how hard Trevor works on the field, and they have a high level of respect for him."

Mike Jacques was sixth on the team in scoring last year with 9 points (7g, 2a) coming from the midfield. He is a hard worker on and off the field who leads both by example and vocally. Coming to Wheeling from Ontario, Canada, Jacques brings his box lacrosse knowledge and experience to the field game. "Jacques is an extremely vocal leader – He is a kid that gets better every day," stated Coach Sothoron.