DANBURY, Conn. - The Western Connecticut State University men's lacrosse team opens the 2008 season at WestConn Athletic Complex on Wednesday, March 5 against Mount Ida College.

The Colonials are coming off a 10-8 season, finished at 3-3 in the Little East Conference and made an appearance in the ECAC New England Championships.

Third-year Head Coach Jason Ouellet welcomes back a very experienced and talented group of veterans including the top four scorers from a year ago.

Heading the list is senior attack and co-captain Dennis Skarda. In 2007, Skarda led the Colonials with 50 total points and was fifth on the team with 16 goals. His team-leading 34 assists was far ahead of senior Ron Pac's 17. Pac finished with 48 total points and was also second on the team with 31 goals a year ago.

Sophomores Adam Lanehart and A.J. Barbieri had 49 and 40 total points, respectively in '07. Lanehart led the club with 36 goals scored during his first collegiate campaign.

Defensively, junior co-captain Kyle Wood returns to defend the net after enjoying an impressive season in 2007. In 17 games, all as a starter, Wood registered a 9.11 goals-against average and had a 53.4 save percentage in nearly 890 minutes between the pipes. Sophomore Drew Doyon will serve as Wood's back up again this season. In four games last season, he allowed four goals and made nine saves.

Seniors Gary Schultz and Nick Spirito are the top returning players in the WestConn defense which allowed 9.23 goals a contest in '07. Spirito will be one of four captains for the Colonials in his final season.

WestConn welcomes back the majority of its midfield and defensive corps this season as well. Co-captains Mat Castelot and Tom Nahornick finished in second and third on the team with 46 and 39 ground balls, respectively in '07. Junior midfielder Terry Stroz was well ahead of the pack with a team-high 104 ground balls. He was the Colonials top face-off man and controlled 61% (166 of 274) face off in his second season. Stroz finished seventh on the team in scoring with 11 goals and 16 total points a year ago.

The Colonials will open the season with seven straight non-league contest before they open their Little East Conference slate at home against Plymouth State University on Saturday, March 29.