June 22, 2005

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University head men's lacrosse coach Lars Tiffany is pleased to announce the 2005 recruiting class. Nine newcomers will don a Seawolf uniform next spring in a class that features seven freshmen and two transfers. The newcomers will enroll at Stony Brook in the fall and begin play with the Seawolves in the spring of 2006.

Joining the Seawolves next year will be Phil Cavallo (Cedarhurst, N.Y./Lawrence/Binghamton), Ryan Crimi (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip), Taylor Eason (Freeport, N.Y./Freeport), Dan Forsyth (Plymouth, Minn./Armstrong), Chris Gignilliat (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-No. Syracuse), Patrick Kujan (Mastic Beach, N.Y./William Floyd), Mike Lashomb (Watertown/Watertown IHC), Nick Maturro (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip /UMass) and Caz Rubacky (Germantown, Md./Seneca Valley)

Cavallo transfers to Stony Brook after three years at Binghamton University. The Long Island native was a two-time All-America East selection at attack, garnering first-team honors in 2004 after scoring 27 goals and helping the Bearcats to the regular season conference title. Cavallo scored 66 goals in three seasons at Binghamton. "Phil is a talented and proven goal scorer," Tiffany explained. "His experience at the Division I level provides him the ability to step into our program and make an impact at either midfield or attack."

Crimi, Maturro's former teammate at West Islip High School, was an honorable mention All-Division and All-County pick in high school under Scott Craig. This past season he helped his team to an appearance in the Suffolk County and Long Island Championship games. "Ryan brings with himself the winning tradition of the West Islip Lacrosse program," Tiffany said. "His big game experience, combined with his sound fundamentals of defense, provide Ryan a solid foundation to grow into a competitive Division I defenseman."

Eason joins the Seawolves after a tremendous athletic career at Freeport High School. The three-sport star was a three-year starter at attack/midfield for the Red Devils and earned All-County honors in 2004 and 2005. Eason also was a starter for three seasons on the football team, earning All-County honors at quarterback as a senior while being selected to play in the exceptional senior All-Star game. Eason also pulled down All-County recognition as a basketball player. He was a co-captain in all three sports and earned team MVP honors in both football and lacrosse. "An outstanding athlete, Taylor also possesses great leadership qualities," Tiffany commented. "As a quarterback in football and point guard for the basketball team, Taylor knows how to motivate and direct his teammates to victory. He is an outstanding young man that will be a great addition to the team and Stony Brook University."

Forsyth, Stony Brook's first lacrosse player from the state of Minnesota, enjoyed an outstanding three-sport career at Armstrong High School where he was a two-time All-State and All-Conference selection at midfield. Forsyth also starred as a member of the football and hockey teams, garnering All-Conference and All-Area honors as a linebacker and tight end. "Dan's best lacrosse is ahead of him," Tiffany said. "The athleticism Dan possesses will give him the opportunity to get on the field early in his career. And his intense love for the game will motivate him to focus and improve every day."

Gignilliat, a punishing defender from upstate NY, received second-team All-League honors at Cicero-No. Syracuse High School under head coach Bill Aldrich. Following the spring season, he played in the NY State North/South All-Star game. "Tough is the best adjective to describe Chris," Tiffany said. "He is a physical presence on the athletic field, whether it be the gridiron as a linebacker, or the lacrosse field as a bruising defenseman. This young man only knows one intensity level - extreme."

Kujan played defense at William Floyd High School under head coach Vic Guadagnino. "Patrick's speed and stick skills allows him to play at either the long-stick midfield or close defense positions," said Tiffany. "A smart player for an improving William Floyd program, Patrick had a big role in the Colonial's best season in recent history."

Lashomb, a midfielder from Watertown, N.Y., earned All-League and All-Central New York honors on two occasions. He was also voted an All-Northern All-Star following his senior season. "An aggressive offensive threat, Michael has the skills to create and finish," Tiffany stated. "His quickness allows him to slice into a defense. After playing both midfield and attack at Watertown IHC, he will focus at the midfield position his freshman year here at Stony Brook."

Maturro transfers to Stony Brook after one semester at UMass last fall. Maturro was a standout defenseman at West Islip High School where he earned honorable mention All-America honors and was a two-time All-County pick. He will help the Seawolves replace three starters at close defense that graduated at the end of the season. "We are excited to have Nick back on Long Island," said Tiffany. "Another member of the Class A Long Island Champion West Islip Lions, Nick's size and strength are quite evident when you meet him. Nick combines both an aggressive defensive personality, possessing good range on his checks, with solid positional fundamentals."

William "Caz" Rubacky enjoyed a stellar career at attack for Seneca Valley High School in Maryland under head coach Keith Linton. The 2005 Montgomery County Player of the Year racked up 107 points on 56 goals and 51 assists to lead his team to the Western Regional final game. He earned 2005 US Lacrosse High School All-American recognition while also pulling down first-team All-County and All-Division honors. He also grabbed postseason recognition from several publications including The Washington Post (All-Met), The Gazette (First-Team), and The DC Examiner (First-Team). He finished his career as his high school's all-time leading goal scorer (168), assist leader (129) and point leader (297). "Caz is a talented, savvy lacrosse player and understands the game well," said Tiffany. "Caz has the knack for finding the open man, or finding the net himself. Coming off a tremendous senior year, we are excited to see how he can make Stony Brook better."

Stony Brook finished the season with a 10-6 mark, a season highlighted by the team's first-ever appearance in the Top 20 and an appearance in the America East title game for the first time since 2002.