Above – The Lions will need players to step up to replace leading scorer Matt Obermeyer this season

Saint Leo Lions’ Head Coach, Brad Jorgensen, likes what he has this season.  He’s got the 2014 DII top face off man, Will Cothron, returning.  This year he will start the year as a “Face Off Year Book” pre-season All American.  The Lions also return 1st Team All SSC goalie, Dave Moore.  The Lions have a favorable home conference slate this season as they play host to three though conference rivals, Tampa, Florida Southern, and Florida Tech.  The down side is the fact that two of those games, Tampa and FSC are back to back. A challenge to be overcome this season by the Lions is the loss of two long term starters, high scoring Matt Obermeyer and defensive leader Doug Moore.  Replacing Obermeyer’s production will be a team effort, according Coach Jorgensen.  “A special player can’t be replaced by one person.  You can’t just make a one for one trade.”   It will be up to guys like Miles Bratton (27 points last season,) Eric Gendron (22 points last season,) and middie Dylan Yonts (28 points) to pick up the slack. Lake Mary’s Doug Moore started from day one.  It’s tough to replace a four year starter.  Coach Jorgensen believe that the work Doug did at Saint Leo will continue to benefit his team. “He’s a great kid and a great player.  He really helped out the  younger guys.  Many of our players have been influenced by Doug.” We won’t be surprised if we see some freshmen having an impact this season for the Lions.  A solid recruiting class of 18 freshmen on the roster is bound to hold a couple of kids ready to break out.  “Recruiting is not an exact science but I think we had good luck this year.  We got some good quality guys, that’s more important than the numbers.” The class includes some quality Florida talent like Ponte Vedra’s Jason Randolph, Wellington’s Jason D’Aoust (a Bob Scott Award winner) and Timber Creek’s Bruce Preeschl. There are a total of eight Florida freshmen on the Lion’s roster. Coach Jorgensen says, “I like our group.  We have a lot of the pieces in place.  The Face Off X, we are really good up the middle, and we have good depth at the midfield.” The Lions will need to start strong this season as they take on DII NCAA finalist LIU post in their second game of the season.  The Lions take on the Pioneers at the Wounded Warrior Classic at Flagler Palm Coast High School on February 27th. Players to watch – Attack – Miles Britton, Eric Gendron Midfield – Will Cothron (F/O,) Dylan Yonts Defense – Dylan D’Airo, Sean Connolly Goalie – Dave Moore