NEWARK, Del. -- University of Delaware men’s lacrosse head coach Bob Shillinglaw has announced that sophomore goalkeeper Noah Fossner, senior defender Braedon Dennis, senior attackman Nick LoManto (at right), and junior midfielder Martin Cahill will serve as team captains for the 2009 season.

The Blue Hens, a 2007 NCAA Final Four team, has posted a school record tying five straight winning seasons, including a 9-7 mark last season when Delaware advanced to the Colonial Athletic Association semifinals. The Hens will open the 2009 season Feb. 7 vs. Saint Joseph’s.

"Our staff is extremely excited about the selection of these four as captains for the 2009 team,” said Delaware head coach Bob Shillinglaw, who will enter his 34th season as a head coach and needs just one victory to reach 250 for his career. “These four players are well respected by the team members and coaching staff and will provide the leadership needed to meet our goals for the upcoming season."

Fossner, a sophomore goalkeeper from Niskayuna, N.Y. (Niskayuna High School), will be expected to battle to take over the starting goalkeeper spot with the graduation of three-year starter and 2008 All-CAA selection Tom Scherr. After sitting out a redshirt season in 2007, he served as the backup to Scherr and Warren Mayberry, both of whom graduated, in 2008. Fossner appeared in just one game a year ago and recorded two saves and allowed two goals in a setback to No. 12 ranked Georgetown.

"Noah is very vocal and does a great job directing and motivating players both on and off the field,” said Shillinglaw. “His energy and enthusiasm is contagious and creates a spark to the defense and carries over to the whole team. Although Noah is a red shirt sophomore he has the respect of everyone on the team."

Dennis, a senior defender from Upper Arlington, Ohio (Upper Arlington HS), will play a key role in the Blue Hen defense this spring as a fourth-year member of the squad. He appeared in 11 games as a backup in 2008 and recorded five groundballs and one caused turnover.

“Braedon has an unbelievable work ethic and provides a great example for all of the team to follow,” said Shillinglaw. “He has a great relationship with all of the team and is a terrific communicator.”

LoManto, a senior attackman from Miller Place, N.Y. (Miller Place HS), is a three-year letterwinner who will battle for a starting spot this spring. He appeared in 13 games a year ago and contributed two goals, netting one each vs. UMBC and Brown. He has played in 36 career games and has contributed 10 goals and five assists.

"Nick stepped up this fall and has been a great leader,” said Shillinglaw. “He leads by example and is a tremendous communicator who will reinforce what the coaching staff and team overall goals are on a daily basis.”

Cahill, a junior midfielder from Malden, Mass. (The Governor’s Academy), will be a third-year member of the squad this spring and will be a strong candidate for All-American honors. In just two seasons, he has contributed 38 goals and 10 assists in 35 games. He earned first team All-CAA honors a year ago when he was the team’s fourth leading scorer with 38 points on 29 goals and nine assists.

"Martin is one of our top players and should be a pre-season All American,” said Shillinglaw. “He is one of the most popular players on the team. The intensity and effort he gives on the field, in the weight room, and in games carries over to everyone on the team. He will demand excellence from everyone on this team."

Delaware will return four starters and 19 letterwinners from last year’s team, including senior All-American attackman Curtis Dickson, who ranked among the national leaders in scoring with 46 goals.