Wesleyan men’s lacrosse had a great 2008 season, going 10-5 for its ninth straight winning season, although it was a bit below their astronomical standards: The two previous years, the team had advanced to the NCAA Division III tournament semi-finals. One player who has been there through it all is Spike Malangone ’09, an outstanding defender who was honored as a second-team All-American last year. Inside Lacrosse magazine has even tabbed him as its preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Malangone is one of seven starters, 16 seniors, and 31 letterwinners returning from last year’s squad. Add in a stellar recruiting class, and the Cardinals have enormous potential this year, and numerous magazines have ranked them in the top 15 nationally in Division III preseason polls.

“We have the weapons to play run and gun or to grind games out,” Malangone said. “Either way we have some great pieces in place, from seniors to freshmen, that can really help out for what should be an exciting year for us.”

Wesleyan opens its NESCAC slate with a pair of games against the last two foes to defeat it in the NESCAC Championship. Wesleyan travels to Brunswick to take on Bowdoin in its season opener; the Polar Bears defeated the Cardinals in the 2008 semifinals, 11-9. The following Saturday, the Cards will take on Middlebury, which defeated Wesleyan in the previous four NESCAC title games.

“This year we have all the talent to be a truly special team, but we learned last year that talent does not take you many places,” Malangone said. “We have worked really hard in the off-season and in the first couple of weeks to make sure we earn everything. We are all really excited to get going and for our first game against Bowdoin.”