Despite the fact that 23 of the 26 players on Hood College’s men’s lacrosse roster have one year of collegiate experience or less, the outlook is nothing but positive for the 2009 squad.

A program-record 26 names dot the Blazer men’s lacrosse roster this spring, including three juniors, 10 sophomores and 13 freshmen. Under the direction of former assistant and first-year head coach Curt Foxx, the Blazers are committed to ending the daunting 46-game losing streak that has plagued the program since 2005.

Hood’s top returning scorer is junior attackman Sofiane Lazar, who registered 15 goals last season. He ranks seventh all-time with 32 scores in the blue and gray.

Foxx also welcomes back junior Blake Rust as well as sophomores Dominique Shorter, Kris Miner and Michael Matteson, all of whom contributed to the Blazer attack last season. Hood’s substantial contingent of newcomers includes midfielders Troy Hubbard and Michael Gallion, in addition to attackmen Nick Spicer and Corey Roberts.

Foxx will turn to junior Jeff Tarleton to provide stability on the defensive end. Tarleton started 12 of Hood’s 17 games last season and collected 25 groundballs. Sophomore Harrison Bliss will also have a major role on Hood’s defensive unit. He started 10 of the 13 games he appeared in and amassed 37 groundballs. Newcomers John Butterfield, Michael Lancaster and James Larrimore are among the newcomers vying for time in the starting lineup.

Freshman Hector Montoya took most of the face-offs during fall ball and should continue in that capacity this spring.

In goal, the Blazers will turn to sophomore Nick O’Brien, who served as a capable backup to four-year starter Sam Hofmann last season. O’Brien logged just under 188 minutes between the pipes as a freshman and made 41 saves in the 10 games he appeared in.

One of the top priorities for Hood’s coaching staff is to rewrite every mark in the Blazer record book this spring. Hood will begin that quest Saturday, Feb. 21, when it travels to Virginia Wesleyan College. The Blazers’ home opener is slated for Tuesday, Feb. 24, against Gwynedd-Mercy College, a first-year men’s lacrosse program. Hood will also host Capital Athletic Conference opponents Salisbury University, Wesley College, York College (Pa.) and St. Mary’s College (Md.).