An experienced group of Buccaneers returns to the fold for the Massachusetts Maritime men's lacrosse squad in 2009, as Head Coach Barry Joyce welcomes back 18 letterwinners from last year's team that posted four victories overall, including a pair of triumphs in Pilgrim Lacrosse League play.

Here's a look at how things are shaping up for the Bucs as pre-season preparations begin for the 2009 campaign:

ATTACK. Joyce welcomes back his top two scorers from a year ago, as the junior brother tandem of Brian and Connor Burke (Del Mar, Calif./Avon Old Farms) each scored 14 goals as sophomores, with Connor collecting 10 assists for a combined 24 points and Brian registering seven helpers for 21 points. Senior Kevin Schultz (Crofton, Md./South River) lends additional experience up front for Massachusetts Maritime, as he netted a pair of goals in three appearances in 2008.

MIDFIELD. Middies will comprise the majority of experienced veterans returning for Joyce this spring, as six midfielders are back in the fold, led by senior John Herman (Stamford, Conn./Westhill), who netted seven goals and four assists for 11 points. Sophomore Ryan Linn (Bourne, Mass./Bourne) and senior Dan O'Brien (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) combined for nine goals and two assists for 11 points last season, while the combination of senior Paul Hynes (Dorchester, Mass./Boston Latin) and sophomores Craig Nichols (Marshfield, Mass./Marshfield) and Maxwell Wigglesworth (Beverly, Mass./St. John's Prep) combined for 15 match appearances in 2008. Junior Matthew Lane (Avon, Mass./Archbishop Williams), sophomores Matthew Gerry (Honolulu, Hawaii/Radford), Adam Jaspon (Bridgewater, Mass./Bridgewater-Raynham) and Michael Kerrigan (Marshfield, Mass./Marshfield) along freshman Will Doucette (Manchester, Mass./Manchester-Essex) will all be vying for time in the middle as well for the Bucs in 2009.

DEFENSE. Senior Brendan Linn (Bourne, Mass./Bourne) provides a veteran presence on the defensive side for Joyce's crew, as he appeared in all 12 matches during his junior campaign. The trio of senior Nicholas Sacco (Haverhill, Mass./Haverhill) and sophomores Matt Donahue (Westwood, Mass./Westwood) and Ryan Delaney (Whitman, Mass./Xaverian) combined for 19 contests last spring, while freshman Peter Gels (Boston, Mass./Hyde Park) will be looking to impact during his inaugural season with the defensive unit.

GOAL. The duo of senior Alex Deveaux (Northboro, Mass./Algonquin Regional) and junior Christopher Perry (Milton, Mass./Milton) will provide the last line of defense for Massachusetts Maritime, as Deveaux appeared in four matches in 2008, registering a victory and 17 saves with a 6.55 goals against average.

The 2009 edition of Massachusetts Maritime takes the field for the first time on Sunday, March 15th when the Buccaneers host SUNY-Cobleskill in a non-league match at Commander Ellis Field beginning at Noon EST.