WESTON, Mass. – The Regis College men's lacrosse team will welcome one NCAA Division III and two Division II transfer students along with nine incoming freshmen for the 2014 season, making up what Head Coach Josh Blumenthal considers a group of immediate impact players.
The incoming student-athletes include Peter Fucci (Amherst, N.H./University of Tampa), DJ Johnston (Southampton, Bermuda/Adelphi University), Josh Giarratano (Warwick, R.I./Anna Maria College), Brandon Mehler (Bay Shore, N.Y.), Chris Draper (Otisfield, Maine), Tyler Estes (Geneva, Ill.), Alex Ferran (Miami, Fla.), Josh Healy (Colchester, Conn.), D.J. Barrile (Medford, Mass.), Colby Connell (Warwick, R.I.), Kosta Zygouras (Ashland, Mass.) and Nick Romig (Dedham, Mass.).
Hailing from eight different states and the country of Bermuda, the class includes six midfielders, three goalies and three defenders.
"Bringing in the caliber of talent as seen in these twelve young men coupled with our returning nucleus, helps position us to become a truly strong NCAA New England lacrosse program," Blumenthal explained.
Fucci is a former midfielder from the University of Tampa (Division II) and New Hampshire high school state champion in football, lacrosse and track. The Bishop Guertin graduate also secured a spot on the All-State Lacrosse team during his senior campaign. The Amherst, N.H. native will reconnect with former teammate and rising sophomore Andrew O'Reilly (Hollis, N.H.) on the midfield unit this season.
Former Adelphi University (Division II) midfielder Johnston returns to Massachusetts after completing his high school years at Cushing Academy. The Bermuda native served as captain for the 2008 Bermuda Under-19 National Team before joining the senior world team in 2010. Johnston has previously played for Blumenthal at both the collegiate and international levels.
A GNAC Goalie of the Week recipient from Anna Maria College (Division III) in 2013, Giarratano will be coming to Weston this year after playing one season for the AMCATS. He backstopped 12 games including nine starts with a 10.83 goals against average. A graduate of Toll Gate High School in Rhode Island, he joins forces with former teammate and incoming freshman defender Colby Connell. He also previously earned a spot on the first team Rhode Island Coaches Association All-State team.
A face-off midfielder from Bay Shore High School, Mehler will add depth to an already gritty faceoff unit next season. The Long Island native helped his squad to a second round playoff appearance in 2013 along with a well- respected finish in the New York State Class A standings.
Draper, who hails from Maine, joins a strong contingent of new and returning players for the 2013-14 Pride lacrosse team. The 5-11 midfielder completed his senior campaign at Oxford Hills High School as an offensive midfielder.
Goaltender Estes, an MVP from Marmion Academy, will bring his defensive skills east from the state of Illinois. A multi-team varsity letter-winner, he will be called upon early in his collegiate career to add some strength to a veteran defensive unit. He recently completed his high school career as a two-year Illinois Suburban Christian High School League All-Conference selection while competing in the Illinois High School All-Star Lacrosse contest.
Ferran is a 2013 Columbus High School second team All-District and All-Dade midfielder from Miami, Fla. He helped lead his team to the Florida High School Athletic Association regional finals this past season. The midfielder reunites with former Explorer and current Pride team member Nicky Rodrigo (Miami, Fla.) on the Regis turf this spring.
Defenseman Healy comes to Weston this year from Colchester, Conn. A captain for Bacon Academy, Healy was a 2012 Connecticut Super Juniors selection prior to his senior season.
Boston College High School captain and starting goalie Barrile will round out the goalie contingent. His back stopping talents yielded the Medford, Mass. resident a captain role while being a two-year varsity letterman along with a spot in the state semi-finals this past season.
A Warwick, R.I. native Connell travels up I-95 this season to join the Pride this year. The 2013 Toll Gate High School graduate was a First Team All-City and Second Team All-Division defender. A team captain he also earned a spot and played in the Rhode Island high school senior all-star lacrosse game.
A defender, Zygouras joins Regis from Ashland High School where he was a two-sport athlete for the Clockers. An offensive and defensive player on the football team he predominately played on the close defensive unit for the lacrosse squad.
Midfielder Nick Romig of Dedham, Mass. will wear the Cardinal and Gold for the Pride next season. A senior captain, he recently garnered a spot on the Bay State Conference All-League team where he played his final two seasons for under current Regis goaltender coach Tom Duca at Dedham High School.