harford 
BEL AIR, MD – Harford Community College will host the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Men's Lacrosse Championship for a third consecutive year, this Saturday and Sunday, May 10-11, as its men's lacrosse team aims to capture its third straight national championship. If successful, the Fighting Owls will be the first team to accomplish the feat since Onondaga Community College (2017-2019). Coincidentally, No. 1 seeded Harford faces No. 4 Onondaga in the first semifinal match on Saturday at 1 p.m.
"Our program takes a lot of pride in competing to be the best we can be all the time," said head coach Aaron Verardi. "Last year, we learned the hard way that we can't forget that and disrespect what it takes to win a big game against a very good opponent."
The Fighting Owls (12-0) boast a roster that features student-athletes from three countries (U.S.A., England and Canada) and 11 states, including Maryland (16), Pennsylvania (9) and New York (3), to name a few. Harford has been dominant so far this season, outscoring its opponents 258-97. The Fighting Owls go into this weekend with a 37-1 (.974) record over the last three seasons and Verardi enters with a 99-35 (.739) record in 11 seasons at the helm.
While there is a lot of talent to go around, the Fighting Owls offense tends to run through Liam Forsyth (Webster, N.Y.), Kohl Wesner (Lancaster, Pa.) and George Shonfeld (Stockport, Manchester, England). Forsyth leads the country in goals scored with 56 and has earned All-Region 20 First Team and Region 20 All-Tournament team honors. Wesner has scored 41 goals and tallied 10 assists in 12 games and has Region 20 Player of the Month (March), Region 20 Tournament Offensive MVP and Region 20 Offensive Player of the Year honors to his name. Shonfeld is the ultimate helper, ranking second in the nation with 47 assists to go along with his 28 goals and has also earned All-Region 20 First Team and Region 20 All-Tournament team accolades.
On defense, the Fighting Owls have Jack Donovan (Towson, Md.) between the pipes. Donovan earned All-Region 20 First Team and Region 20 Tournament Defensive MVP, and leads the NJCAA in save percentage (60.6) and goals-against average (8.44). Anchoring the rest of the defense are Ryan Sweiderk (Grasonville, Md.), Carson Crawford (Centreville, Md.) and Palmer Austin (Millersville, Md.), all of whom were voted to the All-Region 20 First Team.
Championship Schedule (All Times ET)
Saturday, May 10
1 p.m. No. 1 Harford Community College vs. No. 4 Onondaga Community College
4 p.m. No. 2 Nassau Community College vs. No. 3 CCBC Essex
Sunday, May 11
1 p.m. National Championship
Tickets
General admission tickets are $15 per day (good for both semifinal games).
Tickets can be purchased online at www.harfordevents.com
Tournament Website
https://www.njcaa.org/championships/sports/mlax/index
Media Credentials
Request media credentials for the championship here: https://www.jotform.com/210834332986056
Contacts
NJCAA Media Contact: Amanda Cover ([email protected])
Harford Community College Contact: Rocco Geppi ([email protected])
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Players Mentioned
-
#32
Liam Forsyth
- Attack/Mid
- 5' 8"
- Sophomore
-
#5
George Shonfeld
- Attack
- 5' 10"
- Freshman
-
#6
Carson Crawford
- SSDM
- 5' 10"
- Sophomore
-
#8
Ryan Sweiderk
- Defense/LSM
- 5' 9"
- Sophomore
-
#19
Jack Donovan
- Goalie
- 5' 11"
- Freshman
-
#23
Palmer Austin
- Defense
- 6' 0"
- Freshman
-
#35
Kohl Wesner
- Midfield
- 6' 0"
- Sophomore
Players Mentioned
-
#32
Liam Forsyth
- 5' 8"
- Sophomore
- Attack/Mid
-
#5
George Shonfeld
- 5' 10"
- Freshman
- Attack
-
#6
Carson Crawford
- 5' 10"
- Sophomore
- SSDM
-
#8
Ryan Sweiderk
- 5' 9"
- Sophomore
- Defense/LSM
-
#19
Jack Donovan
- 5' 11"
- Freshman
- Goalie
-
#23
Palmer Austin
- 6' 0"
- Freshman
- Defense
-
#35
Kohl Wesner
- 6' 0"
- Sophomore
- Midfield
