UMD Announces 2010 Captains
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – University of Minnesota Duluth Lacrosse
Duluth, MN – The University of Minnesota Duluth Men’s Lacrosse team has announced the captains for the 2010 season. Three seniors and one junior will lead the Bulldogs in the upcoming season. The captains are senior midfielder Dan Pitzl (Totino Grace HS, Minn.), senior defenseman Charlie Nesser (Totino Grace HS, Minn.), senior midfielder Chris Hutton (Apple Valley HS, Minn.) and junior midfielder Max Thomas-Olson (Minneapolis HS, Minn.).
Pitzl, an athletic two-way midfielder had 37 goals and 12 assists last season, finishing third on the team in total points while earning UMLL Offensive Player of the Year honors and a spot on the second team All-America squad. Pitzl was a member of the 2008 USA West Team. Head Coach Rob Graff notes, “Dan’s abilities as a player are well known and indisputable. He has taken to a leadership role with the same diligence and passion that he’s brought to his play.”
Nesser, a leader on the Bulldog defense, is back for his first full season after recovering from an injury in July 2008. After his sophomore year in 2008, he was a named first team All-UMLL, second team All-American and a member of USA West Team. Defensive coordinator Sam Litman commented, “Charlie speaks softly, but his words reverberate in our practices. Charlie’s work ethic, rapid return from injury and ability on the field imbue him with respect among our players.”
Hutton is an intelligent midfielder who is a true student of the game. “Chris was a very level-headed and vocal leader for us during our biggest games,” observed Graff.
“I really think that the team noticed that in big games, Chris never hesitated to keep everyone focused on the goal – winning. And the coaches noticed that he always had incisive comments about what the opponent was doing on the field,” commented assistant head coach Frank Clark.
Thomas-Olson is another athletic two-way midfielder who had 30 goals and 14 assists in his first season with the Bulldogs, finishing fourth on the team in total points. As a transfer from CW Post in 2008, Max made an immediate impact to the program. Max not only earned the respect of his teammates quickly but was named a first team All-UMLL and was a recipient of the Admission Department Academic Award for the highest GPA in the junior class. Coach Clark notes, “Max was a unique person and player for us last year – and that was as a sophomore. We think he can have a lasting effect on this program as a captain and player this year and next.” Coach Graff commented, “The team recognized Max’s unique leadership qualities quickly last year, and formalized that recognition with their voting him the only junior in the captains group.”
Duluth finished 13-4 overall last season and made its eighth trip to the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) National Tournament as the fourth seed.
