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The 2006 United States Merchant Marine Academy Lacrosse Mariners will look to have another exciting season after earning a conference championship berth and a 7-1 league mark. Seventeenth year head coach Tom Gill returns an experienced team of 23 from last season?s roster, in addition to seven newcomers.

USSMA returns the bulk of its offensive firepower, including 2006 South/Metro Region All-Star Sean Dougherty who was the nation?s #1 leading goal scorer. He was also first on the team and the conference in goals per game (3.88 Avg. /G). Dougherty continues his campaign as one of the more prolific scorers in USMMA history. Currently, he is tied for 4^th in the All-Time Goals Leaders in school history with Clancy Cornwall (?92-96) at 136 goals, trailing behind Mike Sullivan (?82-85) at 174 goals, Rocky Curtis (?95-99) at 161 goals and John McClain (?89-92) who boasts 141 career goals. Dougherty also holds the school record for most goals scored in a season with 61 (2006).

The Mariners also return senior attackman Jim Flannery, who was second on the team in scoring with 63 points via 40 goals and 23 assists. Coach Gill also looks to return sophomore Brennan Dougherty who led the Mariners in assists in the 2006 season with 36. Dougherty was also third in goals with 23.

Other players who will aid to the attack include, juniors Ian Calley and Matthew Keeley and talented freshmen Brian Flannery.

At the midfield, senior Tony Buleza will likely see most of the face-offs this season. In 2006, Buleza accounted for 78 of the Mariners face-offs, winning 38, good for third place on a talented 2006 Mariner team. Also in the midfield will be senior Bryan Gray, junior Ryan Merritt , sophomores Robert De Pol, Brett Daniels and Kevin Miernicki and freshmen David Allen, Brenden Meyers and Ryan Homire.

Gill will look to seasoned starter, 4^th year John Pagano to guard the net after a 2006 campaign of tallying 185 saves for a .625 save percentage, earning the award for 1^st team All-Conference. Junior Robert Boyd and freshman Keegan Boyle will add depth to the position.

Most of the toughness and physicality return for the Mariners defense. Sophomore Michael Condron and junior Michael McGinnis returns after being ranked second and third on the team in Ground Balls with 58 and 47 respectively. Three year starter Lyle Armacost and returnee Zachary Brown, both hope to continue to be a defensive presence on the field for the Mariners.

Also representing the defense will be junior Tom Shannon , freshmen Kevin Campbell, senior Erik Anderson, sophomore Daniel Schanno, and Matt Godsell.

The Mariners will compete in 16 regular season games in 2007, ten of which will be played in the confines of Captain Tomb Field in Kings Point, NY.