DENVER – The University of Denver men's lacrosse program has named Jake Edinger, Jack DiBenedetto, Alec Stathakis and Adam Hangland captains for the 2023 season, 14^th-year head coach Bill Tierney announced on Tuesday.
 
"We are thrilled that these four young men have been selected by their teammates to be their captains for this year," Tierney said. "Each has a unique personality and skill set, which will help our team through our challenging schedule. Besides these four, we feel like we have a very special senior class who will assist them in the leadership and mentoring of the many young players who will see the field for us this year."
 
Edinger has played in 34 career games in Denver's defensive midfield, laying claim to the top SSDM position in Denver's defense a year ago. In transition, Edinger had five points on a goal and four helpers, picking up 15 ground balls and nine caused turnovers.
 
DiBenedetto has played in 38 career games in the Pioneers' close defense, picking up 43 ground balls and causing 27 turnovers in his three-year Pioneer career. A season ago, DiBenedetto played and started in 15 games, picking up 16 grounders and forcing 11 turnovers from the opposition. The Buffalo, N.Y., native was a 2022 All-BIG EAST First Team selection a year ago.
 
Stathakis has won faceoffs at a 60-percent clip in his first three seasons as a Pioneer, going 505-of-843 from the stripe in 38 career games. A season ago, Stathakis went 225-of-399 (.564) in 15 games and picked up 111 ground balls, while scoring three goals and adding an assist. Stathakis was a 2021 BIG EAST First Team pick and a 2022 BIG EAST All-Tournament Team selection.
 
Hangland enters his second season as a captain for Tierney's squad, playing 37 games on Denver's close defense. He has picked up 40 ground balls and forced 16 turnovers in his three years as a Pioneer. Hangland played and started in 14 of Denver's 15 games a year ago, forcing eight turnovers while picking up 14 ground balls.
 
Up Next: Denver will get its fall competition schedule underway on Saturday, October 15, when the Pioneers travel to Canada to take on the Canadian National Team and St. Joseph's. The Pios will wrap-up the fall with their annual Alumni All-Star game on October 22 at 12 p.m. MT at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium.
 
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