Seniors Nick Bonacci, Ryan O?Connor and Wilson Handler have been named Captains of the 2007 Dartmouth Men's Lacrosse Team

Seniors Nick Bonacci, Ryan O'Connor and Wilson Handler have been named Captains of the 2007 Dartmouth Men's Lacrosse Team

Hanover, N.H. – Dartmouth College lacrosse coach Bill Wilson has named seniors Nick Bonacci (Crofton, Md.), Ryan O'Connor (Babylon, N.Y.) and Wilson Handler (Weston, Conn.) tri-captains for the 2007 season.

"With each passing practice the leaders of our program continue to unify our team and express their intensity and competitive nature. We had a very productive fall lacrosse season. In addition, we continue to find out who we are as a team on a daily basis. Whether it was practice, individual instruction, or strength and conditioning, our team has taken advantage of the opportunity to grow individually and as a unit. Being unified in our team goals and in the development of competitive edge and spirit were two prominent goals for the fall season. While we have made strides this fall, team chemistry will be the most important defining factor for the 2007 Big Green lacrosse team."

Bonacci, an attackman, is working his way up the Dartmouth top ten record lists. He was named team MVP as a junior. Last season he led the team with 29 goals and 34 assists, breaking a Dartmouth record for assists in a season that had stood since 1965. He is seventh on the all time Dartmouth list for assists in a career. Bonacci earned first team All-Ivy honors, was named the Class of 1948 Scholar-Athlete, First Team ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District I, Academic All-Ivy, USILA Honorable Mention All-America and First Team All-New England.

Coach Wilson on Nick - “Nick, a team first player, has continued to make strides in his game. After having a breakout season in 2006, Nick returns this pre-season poised to work toward being our team's hardest worker while sharpening his skill sets working on any apparent holes in his game.

A tough defenseman, O'Connor started 14 of 15 games last season as a junior. Took one shot on goal and scored against Fairfield. The Big Green was trailing 12-10 with 4 minutes left in the game when O'Connor scored, kicking off a four-goal rally for a 14-12 victory. As a sophomore O'Connor saw action in 12 games, finishing fourth on the team with 36 groundballs.

Coach Wilson on Ryan - "The leader of our defense, Ryan has worked diligently this season helping speed up the learning curve of our 2007 team defense. He is one of the brightest players I have ever had the opportunity to work with. If we are to be the best we can be this season defensively we will all have to follow Ryan's off-field work ethic as well as his on-field work ethic. Ryan puts in the extra time that is necessary to be successful in Division I lacrosse. He is proven to be a player committed to preparation."

Handler is a three-year letterwinner for the Green. He has played in every game the last two seasons.

Coach Wilson on Wilson - "Entering his senior season, Wilson is poised to have a break out year as a two way midfielder. Being a team first player, Wilson took on the role of a defensive short stick specialist in 2006 due to the needs of the team. Wilson has quickly become an established offensive player by demonstrating consistent knowledge of our offensive schemes. Playing in every game the last two seasons, Wilson adds stability to the midfield upon the graduation of the Class of 2006."

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