Princeton University Athletics
Photo by: Shelley M. Szwast
Gianforcaro, Lockshin, Billings Named 2024 Captains
October 09, 2023 | Men's Lacrosse
The Princeton men's lacrosse team graduated its largest senior class ever, one that ran 16 deep. Will there be a leadership void on the Tigers this coming spring? Hardly.
The 2024 Tigers will have three captains — goalie Michael Gianforcaro, attackman Bear Lockshin and defenseman Pace Billings — and, well, this is what head coach Matt Madalon says about them:
"All three are natural leaders. It's obvious when you're around them and when you see how their teammates respond to them. All three represent the very best of what we want for our program, and we couldn't be more thrilled with having them as our 2024 captains."
Gianforcaro and Billings were both second-team All-Ivy League selections last year, when Princeton won the Ivy League tournament to reach the NCAA tournament for the second straight year, after the 2022 team reached the Final Four. Gianforcaro, in his first year as a starter, was second in Division I in save percentage, and he led the Ivy League in both save percentage and goals-against average. Billings often guarded opponents' top attackman or was bumped up to longstick midfield to cover top middies.
As for Lockshin, he has been a backup for his entire career, and yet his impact on the team has always been dramatic. It was Lockshin who read a letter from former head coach Bill Tierney to the team on 9/11, and his role has always included being a vocal advocate for the entire program.
The team that they will lead competed in the Bob Kemp Classic at Georgetown Prep against defending NCAA champion Notre Dame Sunday in its only fall appearace against another team. Princeton unofficially won the game 18-5 in four quarters and 20-7 after five.
A 2024 schedule will be released shortly.
The 2024 Tigers will have three captains — goalie Michael Gianforcaro, attackman Bear Lockshin and defenseman Pace Billings — and, well, this is what head coach Matt Madalon says about them:
"All three are natural leaders. It's obvious when you're around them and when you see how their teammates respond to them. All three represent the very best of what we want for our program, and we couldn't be more thrilled with having them as our 2024 captains."
Gianforcaro and Billings were both second-team All-Ivy League selections last year, when Princeton won the Ivy League tournament to reach the NCAA tournament for the second straight year, after the 2022 team reached the Final Four. Gianforcaro, in his first year as a starter, was second in Division I in save percentage, and he led the Ivy League in both save percentage and goals-against average. Billings often guarded opponents' top attackman or was bumped up to longstick midfield to cover top middies.
As for Lockshin, he has been a backup for his entire career, and yet his impact on the team has always been dramatic. It was Lockshin who read a letter from former head coach Bill Tierney to the team on 9/11, and his role has always included being a vocal advocate for the entire program.
The team that they will lead competed in the Bob Kemp Classic at Georgetown Prep against defending NCAA champion Notre Dame Sunday in its only fall appearace against another team. Princeton unofficially won the game 18-5 in four quarters and 20-7 after five.
A 2024 schedule will be released shortly.
Players Mentioned
Defense
/ Men's Lacrosse
Goalie
/ Men's Lacrosse
Attack
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