The Rockhurst Hawks men's lacrosse team begins year four as a program with much promise, as they return a host of players off of last year's third-place Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference team.
 
Juniors Michael Beckham (Christian Brothers HS) and Jake Martin (Eureka HS) will headline the offense. The first team 2016 All-RMAC players bring a combined 90 goals and 147 points to the Rockhurst offensive unit in 2017. At the midfield position, Christian Schveninger (Christian Brothers HS) and Collin Fischer (Olathe South HS) bring their experience as returning first and second team All-RMAC performers. Other contributors on the offensive end could come from Nick Schveninger (10 goals, Christian Brothers HS), Shea Radel (11 goals, Pembroke Hill HS) and Alex Hebson (12 goals, Desmet HS). In addition, a host of returning players, transfers, and next level freshmen may surprise many, as the year gets under way.
 
On the defensive end, the Hawks return a host of starters, first team All-RMAC Mike Boehm (Desmet HS) and Connor Hill (Marquette HS), second team All-RMAC Luis Martinez (Christian Brothers HS) and honorable mention All-RMAC Hunter Krenek (Regis Jesuit). Rockhurst also returns four-time team captain Peter Hummel (St. Louis University HS), who has made the transition from offensive-midfield; newly voted team captain,Joe Burbach (Creighton Prep), and short-stick defensive midfielder Sean Dotson (Wentzville HS. Similar to the defensive end, the Hawks may surprise a few with contributions from newcomers.
 
At goaltender, the spot is yet to be determined, as four players are vying for the starting spot.
 
Lastly, the face-off position brings back Ian Meister (Christian Brothers HS), a returning two-time All-RMAC performer, who finished first in the NCAA D2 in faceoffs taken and third in faceoffs won. Expect freshman Zach Bodeau (Regis Jesuit) to handle face-offs from time to time.
 
The Hawks open up this Saturday, Feb.  4 at 11:00 a.m. at Bourke Field against pre-season NAIA #1 Missouri Valley.