Cobras Tabbed Fourth in SAC Preseason Poll; Martiello, Smith and Wilson named to Preseason All-SAC team

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – To say the 2014-15 season was a historic one for Coker men's lacrosse would be understatement in the eyes of many. The Cobras won a regular season conference title, a program-best nine wins, seven conference wins, scored wins over the eventual conference tournament champion and runner-up, had five players named to the SAC all-conference team, had the South Atlantic Conference coach of the year, three players named SAC players of the week, the SAC Men's Lacrosse Scholar Athlete of the Year and the list could go on and on. However, for third-year head coach David Olliver the journey is not done yet.

"Last season was a huge step for the program, but a program is judged off its consistency and not off one season," said Olliver. "So the challenge to this years team is to not only reach the bar set from last season, but to establish themselves as the 2015-16 team that everyone will be talking about."

After a record shattering performance last season, the 2015-16 edition of the Coker men's lacrosse team is hungry to not only match those previous accolades, but to rewrite those records and bring home some hardware of their own.

"We want to repeat as SAC champions, make it to the SAC tournament championship game with hopes of winning that," said Olliver. "Other goals we have set is to become ranked and win 10 or more games this season, both of which have never been done in the program's history."

The Cobras are in prime position to make another deep postseason push after being picked fourth in the South Atlantic Conference preseason poll. Queens was selected first, while Lenoir-Rhyne came in a close second.

"We do not look into the preseason poll that much, if anything we use it as motivation," stated Olliver.

This year's roster is one of great variety with eight freshmen, 10 sophomores, eight juniors and four seniors making up the 30-man roster. Those seniors come in with a wealth of experience and will be tasked with leading this squad.

"Seniors are always the key to a season," said Olliver. "We will go as far as they take us, they have to be leaders in all aspects on and off the field, what they do will trickle down to everyone else."

Headlining the roster is the senior scoring trio of Mike Martiello, Josh Smith and Shane Wilson. Martiello and Smith were named to the preseason All-SAC first team at the midfield position, while Wilson was named to the All-SAC second team at attack.

"We are really expecting these guys to step up and continue to make plays," said Olliver. "It is no secret to everyone that these three are good players. I think Marty (Mike Martiello) will finally get the respect he deserves and earn the accolades he is due, but I know all he wants is to bring home another conference title and tournament title."

However, Olliver was quick to state that it will take more than those three for this team to be successful.

"Rylee Marsh is a guy that is just a sophomore that had a really solid freshman season," Olliver stated. "He has come back this year with a lot of confidence. Another guy is freshman Garrett Kilgore, he is making leaps and bounds when it comes to getting into a starting position."

On the offensive side of the ball, the Cobras return four of the top six point-scorers from last season's roster and they will be tasked with topping the 10.93 goals per game average from last season, which was third in the conference.

"We have great chemistry on offense this year, we have a lot of guys that can create matchup nightmares for teams we play this season," said Olliver. "Our guys are buying into the system and putting the ball in the back of the net."

The defensive side of the ball is where the Navy and Gold may lack in the experience department, having to replace 2015 all-conference selections Dylan Marks and Tim Ryan, along with John Elliot and Sean Buff. However, it may be a pair of short-stick defensive midfielders in DeShaun Ormond and Patrick Timothee that will be tasked to lead a youthful defensive bunch.

"It's no secret we are going to be young on defense and we aren't looking for guys to replace those seniors on the defensive side of the ball, but we are looking for three or four guys that gel well together as a unit," said Olliver. "Pat and DeShaun will be the key to our defense, they communicate well and are excellent athletes."

The Cobras have 15 games slated for 2016, with matchups against USILA preseason top 20 schools Pfeiffer (No. 15) and Queens (No. 20) headlining the schedule to go along with games against three Sunshine State Conference schools.

"We like our schedule this year, the guys liked seeing some of theses tough teams on there," said Olliver. "Playing those schools will get us ready for conference play and will make sure strength of schedule will not hurt us."

10 of those 15 games will be played at home, which is now on the Coker Athletic Field.

"We are excited about playing on campus," said Olliver. "As far as an environment for the guys, playing on campus is a difference maker. If we can take care of business at home, there are our 10 wins we are striving for."

Be sure to come out and support Coker men's lacrosse when they take on Rollins College on Friday (Feb. 12) in the 2016 season opener.