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DETROIT -- Detroit returns three letterwinners and two starters from a defense that kept the Titans in a lot of games last year, while finishing among the nation's leaders in caused turnovers. Juniors Jason McDonald (Bayport, NY/Bayport-Blue Point) and Adam Nolan (Ann Arbor, MI/Pioneer) along with sophomore Jamie Hebden (Farmington Hills, MI/Brother Rice) are back to once again lead the “D” that was third in the country with 10.47 caused turnovers per game.

“Last year our philosophy, which at times worked and at times didn't, was just to try and not let teams have the ball that long,” said head coach Matt Holtz. “Traditionally, a lacrosse mind would say we were over aggressive, but we focused on how to recover and we pressed up far enough that we would have time to recover. It also didn't hurt that we have athletic kids who could go out there and play that way.”

McDonald and Nolan have been a part of the building blocks since the program's first year in 2008. McDonald is the only Detroit player to start all 26 games in Titan history and enters his junior campaign as a captain. He ended last year third on the squad with 19 caused turnovers, while collecting 25 ground balls. In his career, McDonald has 36 GB's and 24 caused turnovers.

Nolan has posted 25 ground balls and 12 caused TO's in his two seasons with UDM and will look to make an impact wherever he is needed.

“McDonald is a very solid guy who needs to do a better job at controlling his penalties and he has done that in practice,” said Holtz. “Nolan has contributed for two years here and will help us at both defense and LSM.”

Hebden came in as a freshman last year and immediately established himself as not only one of the team's best defenders, but one of the top defensemen in the MAAC. He started all 15 games and ended his rookie year 25th in Division I with 1.6 caused turnovers per game. His 24 takeaways was the second most on the team and the third most of any freshmen in the country, trailing only LSM teammate Jordan Houtby (32) and Cornell's Jason Noble (27). He also picked up 28 ground balls and added an assist.

“He was one of the better defenseman in the league last year and I think he has a chance to become the best defenseman in the MAAC,” added Holtz.

Behind those three, Detroit will rely on the defensive efforts from their LSM's in senior Tim Shoemaker (Rochester, MI/Rochester) and sophomore Jordan Houtby (St. Catharines, ON/Holy Cross Secondary).

UDM will also have sophomore John Dwyer (Novi, MI/Detroit Catholic Central) back to add depth and will have three freshmen looking for minutes in Nick Garippa (Rochester Hills, MI/Notre Dame Prep), Max Zwolan (Ann Arbor, MI/Pioneer) and Brian Smith (Riverhead, NY/Riverhead).

“We have some change of pace guys in Nolan, Dwyer and Zwolan that will see some time so we feel very good about the depth and the rotation we have,” commented Holtz.