GROVE CITY, Pa. – The Grove City College men's lacrosse program will field the largest, deepest and potentially most talented roster in its five-year history as the Wolverines prepare for the 2022 season.

Eleven returning senior letterwinners, including three United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) All-Americans, will help lead Grove City in its quest for the Presidents' Athletic Conference title and a third straight trip to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.

Fifth-year head coach Alec Jernstedt, the 2021 PAC Coach of the Year, will count on that veteran group, along with 11 other returning lettermen and a talented crop of newcomers this spring.

Faceoff specialist Grant Evans (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper Saint Clair), midfielder Brett Gladstone (Marriottsville, Md./Marriotts Ridge) and defender Cody Adams (Pullman, Wash./Pullman) all return after earning All-America honors in 2021.

A Third Team All-American and PAC Defensive Player of the Year last season, Evans ranked second in NCAA Division III by winning 80 percent (184 of 230) of his faceoff opportunities. He also ranked third nationally in ground balls per game, averaging 13.50.

Evans added eight goals and six assists in last season's 13-game campaign. He led the nation in faceoff percentage as a freshman in 2019 and will again be a key asset for the Wolverines this season.

Gladstone earned Honorable Mention All-America and PAC Offensive Player of the Year recognition in 2021 after firing in a conference-leading 54 goals. He added 14 assists and ranked third on the team with 68 total points.

A three-year starter for Grove City, Gladstone pumped in 46 goals as a freshman in 2019.

Adams has been a stalwart on Grove City's back end since his freshman season. Last season, he earned Honorable Mention All-America after causing 15 turnovers and helping the Wolverines post a 6.93 goals-against average for the season.

Senior long stick midfielder Addison Bennett (Haddonfield, N.J./Haddonfield) returns for his fourth season as an integral part of the Grove City defense. An All-PAC selection last season, Bennett led Grove City with 27 caused turnovers. Bennett also ranked second on the team with 45 ground balls.

Senior defender Sam Luithle (Elgin, Ill./South Elgin) looks to earn a full-time starting spot this season after seeing duty during his first three seasons at Grove City.

In goal, senior R.J. Miller (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks East) played in seven games last season and posted a .778 save percentage. He aims to become the full-time starter this season.

Several fourth-year veterans return at midfielder. Senior Jed Speers (Medina, Ohio/Medina) ranked third on the team with 35 goals in 2021 and earned First Team All-PAC distinction. He returns for his fourth year as a starter.

Senior Michael La Forte (Waterford, Conn./Waterford) joined Speers on the PAC's First Team after racking up 33 goals and a conference-leading 41 assists last season. Both men will be key components of Grove City's offensive attack.

Senior Keith Torrillo (Latrobe, Pa./Latrobe) played in all 13 games last season as a midfielder and faceoff specialist. He will contend for a starting spot this spring.

Senior attack Blaise Bishop (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) and senior attack Josh Spicher (Erie, Pa./McDowell) also return for their fourth seasons up front for the Wolverines.

Bishop ranked fifth on the team with 28 goals and 44 points last season, earning Honorable Mention All-PAC.

Injuries sidelined Spicher in 2021, who has 15 career goals in 14 career games played. He aims to return to the lineup this season.

Grove City also welcomes back seven junior lettermen, several of whom will likely have key roles in the Wolverines' defensive efforts.

Goalie Jack Petit (Pensacola, Fla./West Florida High School of Advanced Technology) compiled an 8-2 mark last season after earning the regular starting nod. A Second Team All-PAC selection last year, Petit will look to maintain the starting assignment in 2022.

Junior defenders Bailey Decker (Howard, Pa./Bellefonte) and Brock Simmons (Akron, Ohio/Cuyahoga Valley Christian) return after starting on a regular basis in 2021.

The Wolverines also welcome back junior defender Charley Brannan (Tampa, Fla./Plant) after injuries limited Brannan to four games in 2021.

Junior long stick midfielder Kyle Coogan (Annapolis, Md./Annapolis Christian) appeared in all 13 games last season and returns to again bolster Grove City's defensive efforts.

Junior midfielder Max Chmura (Wadsworth, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary) won 70 percent of his faceoffs last year and added eight goals in 11 games. He is a two-year letterwinner.

While Grove City's offensive attack features several seniors, junior attack James Petrolle (Damascus, Md./Damascus) will again have a leading role for the Wolverines after earning the conference's Newcomer of the Year award in 2021. Petrolle led Grove City with 78 total points last season as he accumulated 49 goals and 29 assists in 13 games. Petrolle earned First Team All-PAC in 2021 after leading the league in points.

Sophomore midfielders Griffen Agawa (San Ramon, Calif./California) and Jack Carpenter (Newtown, Conn./St. Joseph) both saw extensive action as rookies and will contend for starting spots this season.

Agawa led the team's freshmen with 10 goals last year while Carpenter led the rookie class with 13 assists.

Sophomore Jack Atwood (Hudson, Ohio/Cuyahoga Valley Christian) returns after missing the 2021 season. He recorded six goals and 22 assists during his freshman season and will look to reclaim a starting spot.

Danny Stone (Chantilly, Va./Flint Hill) made three appearances in goal last season and will push Petit and Miller for time this season.

A number of newcomers, both freshmen and transfers, will also compete for time this year, according to Jernstedt.

Grove City will open the season February 12-13 with a pair of games in Memphis at Rhodes College. The Wolverines will face Rhodes on the 12^th, then face 2021 national quarterfinalist Colorado College the next day.

Grove City's non-conference schedule also features a trip to national semifinalist Christopher Newport, a home date with 2021 national quarterfinalist Illinois Wesleyan and battles against NCAA Tournament qualifiers Denison and John Carroll.

Presidents' Athletic Conference play begins Saturday, April 2 against visiting Saint Vincent.