DETROIT (12/15/2014) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's lacrosse team had a great fall to prepare for the 2015 season and the future looks even brighter as head coach Chris Kolon '09 (MBA) announced the signings of 11 prospects during the early fall signing period in Connor Bennardo, Nick Boynton, Garrett Brunsvold, Tyler Conn, Terrence Haggerty, Lucas Leyba, Bo Pickens, Mike Sforza, Griffin Stephens, Blake Turner and Patrick Walsh.
 
All 11 will enroll at the University next fall as true freshmen.
 
"We're excited to welcome this group of fine young men to our Titan lacrosse family," said Coach Kolon. "We're confident in their ability to come in and make an immediate impact on the lacrosse field, in the locker room, and in our Detroit community. They come from extremely diverse backgrounds, but one thing that is consistent among all of them is their commitment to excellence in the classroom and on the lacrosse field."
 

Connor Bennardo * Attack * 5-9 * 170-lb * Greenlawn, N.Y. * Harborfields
 
A three-year varsity letter winner in lacrosse as well as a two-year letter winner in football… He was tabbed All-Division as a junior and led the team in assists the last two years and points in 2014… He tallied 22 assists and 10 goals in 2013 and came back with 20 goals and 36 assists for 56 points this past season, including handing out nine assists in one game… Played club lacrosse with the Long Island Outlaws and is a teammate of fellow Titan signee Terrence Haggerty… In football, he was selected All-County, All-Division, Academic All- Division and received the Coaches Award as a senior.
 
 






Nick Boynton * Midfield * 6-2 * 180-lb * Troy, Mich. * Troy Athens
 
Earned three letters in lacrosse as well as one varsity letter in power lifting… Tabbed All-State Third team the last two years as a midfielder in 2014 and on special teams in 2013… Also named All-Region last season… Played club with Go Blue Lacrosse along with fellow Titan signee Blake Turner and they helped the team to a Denver Shootout and Wolverine War championship.
 
 








Garrett Brunsvold * Midfield * 5-11 * 195-lb * Smithtown, N.Y. * Smithtown West
 
A multi-varsity letter winner in football, lacrosse and track… A two-year starter in lacrosse, he was part of a team that ranked No. 3 in the Tri-State by MSG Varsity and won a division championship in 2014… On the club scene, he guided his team to a Lehigh Laxfest championship and led the squad in goals and assists this past summer… He attended 205, Super Sophs and was an all-star at Peak 200… In football, he rushed for over 1,000 yards as a senior and as a track captain, he was third in the division for track in the 4x200-meter relay.







 

Tyler Conn * LSM/Defense * 6-2 * 170-lb * Seguin, Ontario * Rosseau Lake College
Played one year of lacrosse at his high school and earned the Team MVP award before the program was disbanded ... Caught the eyes of many college coaches playing field lacrosse for Edge Lacrosse and box with the Huntsville Junior Hawks ... Played box for eight years winning a provincial championship and has been named to the all-star team in a number of events ... Played junior lacrosse this past summer with the Orillia Kings in the Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League and earned the Coaches Award.










Terrence Haggerty * Attack/Midfield * 6-1 * 185-lb * Centerport, N.Y. * Harborfields
 
A varsity letter winner in lacrosse playing on the same line at Harborfields as fellow Titan signee Connor Bennardo… Has posted 71 career goals and 21 assists as a prep and was named First Team All-Division as a junior… Played club with the Long Island Outlaws and showed off his skills at such events as the Long Island Laxfest, Legacy Boston and NYLA.
 
 








Lucas Leyba * LSM * 5-10 * 155-lb * Littleton, Colo. * Columbine
 
Earned three varsity letters in lacrosse and a pair in cross country… A two-year captain, he was selected First Team All-Conference as a junior and Second Team as a sophomore… Also Honorable Mention All-Conference in cross country in 2013… Has recorded 88 career ground balls and two assists as a prep… Plays club with the Colorado Wild and helped the squad win the 2013 Colorado Cup and the Notre Dame Team Camp championship as well as take runner-up at the Denver Shootout, Vail Shootout and Sonoma Adrenaline Shootout.






 

Bo Pickens * Midfield * 5-9 * 185-lb * West Bloomfield, Mich. * Brother Rice
A standout on the lacrosse field and the gridiron, he is a three-year varsity letter winner in lacrosse as a defensive midfielder and earned two varsity letters in football ... Helped the Warriors to three state and three Catholic League Championships in lacrosse and received the Coaches Award as a sophomore ... Played club with the Michigan Warriors, Black Grizzles and 1763.










Mike Sforza * Midfield * 6-2 * 205-lb * Plainview, N.Y. * Bethpage
 
A multi-letter winner in football and lacrosse… Tabbed Honorable Mention All-Country and Academic All-County as a faceoff midfielder in 2014… As a junior, he was voted team captain and posted a school-record 80.0 winning percentage in faceoffs with 11 goals and four assists… Played club with Viper Lacrosse and the Long Island Braves and was part of the winning Trilax Tournament squad this past summer… In football, he recorded over 1,200 yards rushing and 800 yards receiving and totaled 16 touchdowns… Led his team in tackles the last two seasons and was All-Country as a senior, while being nominated for the Piner Award for the best linebacker in the county.
 
 





Griffin Stephens * Attack * 5-7 * 150-lb * Chagrin Falls, Ohio * Chagrin Falls
 
A three-year varsity letter winner in lacrosse, where he has totaled 110 goals and 174 points… Earned All-American accolades and OHSLA Division 2 Second Team All-Ohio as a junior ending the season with 50 goals and 20 assists, helping the Tigers to a runner-up effort at the state championship… Was also All-State and All-Region…As a sophomore, he tallied 42 goals and 32 assists en route to Honorable Mention All-State and First Team All-Region... Was a face-off specialist as a freshman winning 54.0% and recording 18 goals and 12 assists… Participated in Jake Reeds 2015 Nike Blue Chip Recruiting Camp.
 







Blake Turner * Attack * 5-10 * 180-lb * Williamston, Mich. * Okemos
 
Has earned three varsity letters in lacrosse heading into his senior year… Has been a starter since his freshman season and is a two-time All-State and All-Conference honoree… Led the team in assists as a sophomore and then came back to top the team in assists and total points as a junior, earning Lansing State Journal Dream Team recognition… Played club with True Lacrosse and Go Blue Lacrosse, where he was a teammate of fellow Titan signee Nick Boynton and the pair helped the squad to a Denver Shootout and Wolverine War championship.
 







Patrick Walsh * Midfield * 6-3 * 180-lb * Dundas, Ontario * Hill Academy
 
Lettered in lacrosse and hockey as a prep… Played lacrosse and hockey at the Hill Academy for one year and also played hockey for four years at St. Mary's… Made a name for himself on the club scene playing field lacrosse for Team Ontario in 2014 as well as with the Burlington Chiefs of the Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League, where he had a goal and nine assists this past season… Part of the Hamilton Bengals three provincial championships and had 14 goals, 23 assists and 37 points for the club in 2013.
 







The Titans just recently announced their 2015 schedule with six home games, including a visit from Ohio State. The three non-conference home games will all be played at Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, while the three MAAC home games will be played on campus at Titan Field.