Demorest, GA -- Day and night, through rain, sleet, and snow Piedmont's Men's Lacrosse team has practiced to get ready for the 2014 season. Head Coach Pete Manderano hasn't given his crew of roughnecks any breaks and they're not willing to take any until after they get their first winning season, "The snow last week was crazy, but we were able to practice on Tuesday afternoon and that helped us get better. The players and coaches had to deal with adversity, but we all handled it well!"

Coach Manderano is excited with the shape his boys are coming out of preseason, "We have some bumps and bruises, but nothing that is keeping our guys from getting on the field to practice. We have worked hard in the off-season in the weight room and our kids have bought in to getting in the weight room and becoming stronger." With a 27 man roster, Piedmont won't be short on subs this year. The Lions aren't willing to rest on their laurels come game time. Coach Manderano and his assistants expect the players to be working 100% of the time they spend on the field at practice or in games.

The team has gained a lot of experience since starting the program in 2012. Eight of the freshmen that began with Manderano in year one are still here as juniors and can't wait to show the fans and opponents how far they've come since that first match. One of those eight, Steve Blanchard, is finally back from an arm injury that kept him out the entirety of the 2013 season. Blanchard has been itching to get back in the uniform after leading the team their first year in points (50), assists (27), and coming in second in goals (28). "He is going to bring a lot to the attack and is going to work very well with the other members of the offense", said Manderano of the returner. The junior will finally get some playing time alongside the two sophomores and classmate Spencer Ortis in the attacking third, "Holin Axley has worked on his stick protection during the offseason to get better. Taylor Carter is coming back from an injury that sidelined him for the last 3 or 4 games last year, but he is a big frame with a hard shot that'll keep opponents on their toes" said Manderano. Carter was second in goals with 20 behind Nick Green's 24 last season. Ortis tied Green in points; the pair each had 27 scoring an abundance of goals between them. Axley used his agility to get in behind the defense before serving up his team-leading 14 assists last season.

Last year's team couldn't have been successful without the solid midfield that is returning. "Branson Mikell is becoming a more complete player and has improved tremendously from last year", stated the head coach about his talented sophomore. He couldn't help but bring up his huge list of juniors in the middle, "Nick Green, Sumner Gantz, Patrick Ammons, Parker Ellison. All of these guys bring something different to the table and we will lean on them for leadership on and off the field. We are very deep at midfield and we are very excited to see them produce!"

Defensively, the Lions bring back experience and some smart freshmen looking to contribute. Manderano had this to say, "Juniors Ryan Price, Steve Miraglia, Austin Crowe all three bring back experience in the back. Freshman Jeremy Beck has a great lacrosse IQ and is always in the right position. He will be someone we expect to help us on defense. Brian Sweeting is only in his second season ever playing the game, but his athleticism and big frame has helped him be successful at the game." Included in the back is Junior goalkeeper Dale Morley who has put in solid performances since 2012 although he missed much of last season due to an injury. Morley is joined by sophomore returner Mick Baker and freshman Josh Parris who's working hard and getting comfortable in the cage for Piedmont.

Piedmont won the first three games of 2013, including the second match at Millsaps College - Saturday's opponent for the season-opener. Sophomore Taylor Carter lit up the scoreboard with 4 goals in the game including the go-ahead goal in the 3rd period that the Majors could not recover from, eventually falling 10-7 to Manderano's Lions. Going into the last practice this afternoon before the game this weekend, Coach Manderano thinks there's still room for improvement before game time, "You are never ready for the speed of the game during the preseason, so we are looking forward to improving our game speed and getting ready for a long, grueling season!"

The Piedmont Lions have finished the past two seasons with 6-9 and 5-7 records. As they look to continue steadily improve, Manderano points out, "We have talked about building our program through a process and not talking about winning. We believe that if we do everything right with our fundamentals, our character and our attitude we will be successful." The Lions are expected to become better players and better people at the same time. Whether it's on the field or in the classroom, the program is committed to becoming better. With the game this weekend hosting Millsaps, the head coach would like to come away with nothing more than the right attitude and desire from his players, "We want to see our young players make an impact and see how they react to their first college action. We want to be better after the game no matter what the outcome."

Game time is set for 1:00 PM this Saturday, February 8th in Demorest, Georgia. Live statistics will be broadcast online for the match and every other home match at the Walker Athletic Complex. Select events denoted on the schedule page will include a live video broadcast through the Mane Event Broadcasting Network brought to you by Piedmont College.