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Rockhurst University Athletics

Jonah McConnell
Jayson Ortiz

Men's Lacrosse

Men's Lacrosse open season with lofty goals

Jonah McConnell was the GLVC Co-Freshman of the Year last year
The 2025 Rockhurst men's lacrosse season kicks off today at Quincy with high expectations. Head coach Kevin Kelley has two specific goals: winning the GLVC Tournament and earning their first ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

"We're going to be a very well-balanced team this year," said Kelley, whose team is ranked 19th in the USILA preseason D2 poll. "We have a great culture. Our guys really enjoy one another. It doesn't matter if it's a senior and a freshman; they're all friends, and they're all inclusive for the whole group."

The Hawks return six all-conference honorees from last year, highlighted by sophomore attackers Jonah McConnell and Linus Toward. McConnell was the GLVC Co-Freshman of the Year while scoring 33 goals and collecting 12 assists. Toward led the conference with 47 goals.

"Jonah is now bigger, faster, stronger, and his game is more developed and refined this season. He's a terrific team player and is a terror for any opposing defense," Kelley said.

"Linus added size to his frame this year and he's so much more confident in his game this year. He's a very coachable player who just quietly goes out and does his job, and the next thing you know, he's filled up the scoring sheet."

Junior Tyler Smith also started as an attacker last year, posting 16 goals and 14 assists. Seniors Luke Jones and Parker Jones add depth to the offense along with sophomore Austin Winship, who is a transfer from Rutgers.

The midfield will be strong with returners Lars Yarkosky, Adam Husaby and Avery Moody. Transfer Rocco Hicks brings size and power to the midfield after playing football for four years at Bowling Green University.

"Avery is our jack-of-all-trades. He ran the wings on faceoffs, played man-down defense, and was an honorable mention All-GLVC short-stick defensive midfielder. He has a gas tank that never hits empty," Kelley said.

"Rocco was a great high school lacrosse player from Kansas City, who decided he wanted to play the last two years of his eligibility in college lacrosse. He's a great athlete who will play a role as a face-off specialist and a defensive midfielder.  At 6-4, 240 pounds, there's not many that can move as well as he can with that size."

Matthew Kallberg is the senior captain and team leader on defense. The second team All-GLVC player is a vocal leader, who has a knack for causing turnovers. Connor Falkner, Leo Piscitiello and Ian Keylon also return to solidify the defense.

Daniel Besheer will be a valuable addition to the defense after playing at Lindenwood. "Daniel brings great communication at the defensive end of the field. A terrific on-ball defender, he will make a big difference for us this season," Kelley said.
 
The faceoffs will primarily be shared by junior Carson Bradshaw and sophomore Oran Lautenbach. The two combined for 277 faceoff wins and 142 ground balls last year.

Junior Brock Ollila returns as the starting goalie after recording 144 saves last year. "Brock is tremendous in the clear game and can eat up anything from the outside, but he will make some wild saves in close if the situation calls for it. He's a natural leader, very steady and reliable," Kelley said.

The Hawks will play six nationally-ranked teams among their 13 games. "We have a tough schedule. We play some great in-conference and out-of-conference games. It's time to see what we can do," Kelley added.
 
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Players Mentioned

Carson Bradshaw

#2 Carson Bradshaw

M
5' 9"
Junior
Connor Falkner

#43 Connor Falkner

D
6' 1"
Sophomore
Adam Husaby

#11 Adam Husaby

M
6' 2"
Sophomore
Luke Jones

#3 Luke Jones

A
6' 0"
Senior
Parker Jones

#42 Parker Jones

A
5' 7"
Senior
Matthew Kallberg

#22 Matthew Kallberg

D
5' 10"
Senior
Ian Keylon

#13 Ian Keylon

D
5' 11"
Senior
Oran Lautenbach

#27 Oran Lautenbach

FO / M
6' 2"
Sophomore
Jonah McConnell

#15 Jonah McConnell

A
6' 0"
Sophomore
Avery Moody

#5 Avery Moody

M
6' 3"
Junior
Brock Ollila

#1 Brock Ollila

G
6' 2"
Junior
Leo Piscitiello

#23 Leo Piscitiello

M
6' 2"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Carson Bradshaw

#2 Carson Bradshaw

5' 9"
Junior
M
Connor Falkner

#43 Connor Falkner

6' 1"
Sophomore
D
Adam Husaby

#11 Adam Husaby

6' 2"
Sophomore
M
Luke Jones

#3 Luke Jones

6' 0"
Senior
A
Parker Jones

#42 Parker Jones

5' 7"
Senior
A
Matthew Kallberg

#22 Matthew Kallberg

5' 10"
Senior
D
Ian Keylon

#13 Ian Keylon

5' 11"
Senior
D
Oran Lautenbach

#27 Oran Lautenbach

6' 2"
Sophomore
FO / M
Jonah McConnell

#15 Jonah McConnell

6' 0"
Sophomore
A
Avery Moody

#5 Avery Moody

6' 3"
Junior
M
Brock Ollila

#1 Brock Ollila

6' 2"
Junior
G
Leo Piscitiello

#23 Leo Piscitiello

6' 2"
Sophomore
M