HPU Men’s Lacrosse Announces Captains For 2014 Season

HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point University men’s lacrosse head coach Jon Torpey has announced that Bucky Smith, Garrett Swaim, Dan Lomas, Matt Thistle and Pat Farrell have been selected as team captains for the 2014 season.

“Our program is very fortunate to have these five young men leading us in the 2014 season,” Torpey said. “As a young team we have asked a lot out of our captains and leaders. Both Bucky and Garrett did a tremendous job of leading in 2013 and I truly believe this group of five has the passion it takes to build on an already strong foundation.”

Smith and Swaim captained the Panthers in their inaugural season in 2013 and return to lead the Panthers for a second year. Smith, a redshirt-senior midfielder, played in all 15 games, tallying 13 points on nine goals and four assists. Smith also picked up seven ground balls and caused one turnover. Swaim anchored the HPU defense last year, starting all 15 games. The redshirt-senior returns after leading the team with 18 caused turnovers in 2013. He also grabbed 37 ground balls and had one assist in HPU’s win over Michigan.

Lomas, Thistle and Farrell were voted by their teammates to join Smith and Swaim as captains. Lomas was the team’s leading scorer in 2013, notching 35 goals with five assists. The sophomore attackman also had 31 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers.

Thistle is a sophomore attackman who led the team with 42 points last year. He scored 19 goals with a team-high 23 assists while picking up 37 ground balls.

Farrell, a junior, was also a staple on High Point’s defense in 2013. He started all 15 games and was second on the team with 14 caused turnovers. He also had eight ground balls on the season.

High Point opens the 2014 season on Feb. 2 at Delaware in a rematch of the Panthers’ program opener last season. High Point will host Saint Joseph’s Feb. 15 at 1 p.m. in the home opener.