Rollins College Men's Lacrosse

Lewis' sixth at Rollins.  Coach Lewis enters his second season as Head Coach of the mens lacrosse team coming of the most successful season in the Programs history. In 2016, the Tars finished the year ranked #18 in the NCAA Division II national poll. During the season, the team was ranked as high as #17.  The Tars also set a new benchmark in conference play when they advanced to the Sunshine State Conference Championship for the first time in Program history. Lewis led the team to victories over 3 nationally ranked opponents: Lindenwood (10), Indianapolis (18), and Saint Leo (17), respectively.  The 2016 Team improved in nearly every statistical category from the previous year, but most importantly improved its overall record to 10-6, producing a winning record for the first time in program history. A 1988 graduate of SUNY Oswego, Lewis brings more than a decade of coaching experience in both football and lacrosse to the Rollins sideline.  Lewis will also help extensively with the recruiting, scouting, and game planning activities.  He immediately hit the recruiting trail spending time coaching and evaluating athletes in Maryland, New York, and New England prior to arriving in Winter Park at the start of the fall semester. Prior to his work with the Tars, Coach Lewis was named the head assistant coach for the Northeast Ten Conference-powerhouse Merrimack College Warriors before the start of the 2008 season.  He was assigned to work on the defensive side of the ball and quickly brought the unit to rank as one of the top defensive and man-down squads in Division II.  That same year, the Warriors were the top team in Division II in man-down defense, with a kill rate of 89 percent.  Additionally, the unit rose in the national rank for scoring defense from 10 to seventh, cutting 1.6 goals per game off their previous mark. In 2009, Merrimack's defense rose to fourth in the country as the team rode a strong overall team game into the Division II Final four, the first time the Warriors had competed in post season play. During the 2009 and 2010 campaigns, Merrimack ranked in the top-5 in scoring defense, while in 2011, the Warriors defense held opponents to 7.6 goals per game.  In his four seasons at Merrimack, the Warriors finished in the national top-10 in scoring defense. During Lewis' tenure at Merrimack College, the defensive players collected numerous postseason awards.  Over a four-year span, there were a total of 10 All-Northeast Ten Conference awards.  Goaltender Cory Spinale was a two-time All-American, winning the Division II Goalie of the Year award at the conclusion of the 2010 season.  Additionally, the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) honored multiple Merrimack defenders as All-New England selections.  The newly-named Rollins assistant coach was also named the head coach for the victorious East team in the 2010 NEILA All-Star game.

Sweeney mentored two All-Tournament Team players (Justin Diamond and Clay Phillips), as well as one 1st Team All-Conference honoree (Morgan Baker) and one 2nd Team All-Conference honoree (Jack Vonarb) in the 2016 season. Head coach Chris Lewis announced the addition of Matt Sweeney as assistant coach in August of 2015.  Sweeney will assist with all aspects of coaching as well as help organize recruiting efforts for the Tars. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Matt Sweeney again, said Lewis.  As a three year starter for me at Merrimack College, he set the standard for defensive midfield play.  Matt's experience as part of an elite D2 program will be invaluable to our young program.  He distinguished himself as an offensive force as a grad student, making him an ideal candidate to work on both sides of the ball, as well as with our face-off unit.  I have been after Matt to come to Winter Park for a couple years now, and I know his enthusiasm and versatility will make him an outstanding addition to the coaching staff." Sweeney brings with him a vast array of experience in all aspects of the game, both as a former player as well as collegiate coach.  In his most recent position, Sweeney was assistant coach at Curry College where he spent three years helping to guide the Colonels defensive unit, man-down defense, and face-off specialists.  Along with his duties as assistant coach, Sweeney also served as the night and weekend supervisor of the Miller Field House weight room. While at Curry, Sweeney helped coach an NEILA East/West All-Star, as well as two All-Conference Players while he focused on the defense, as well as the man-down defense and face-off specialists.  Along with coaching and facility management duties, Sweeney built the teams strength and conditioning programs. Prior to his time at Curry, Sweeney served as both an assistant coach, as well as interim head coach at Husson University.  As interim head coach in the fall of 2012, Sweeney mentored the 2013 Preseason All-American face-off specialist.  Under his duties as assistant coach at Husson, Sweeney served as both the defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator where he helped the team reach its second North Atlantic Conference Tournament Championship appearance in program history, finishing runner-up.  His guidance also helped Husson to its first ever post-season appearance in the ECAC tournament.  Under his assistance, the Eagles saw two NEILA East/West All-Stars, and six All-Conference honorees. Sweeney kicked off his collegiate playing career at Merrimack College where he was a three-year member of the mens lacrosse team as a defensive middie.  Appearing in all 46 games, Sweeney tallied two assists, 46 ground balls, and caused 36 turnovers.  With his help, the Warriors appeared in two Northeast-10 Conference Championship games, including earning the programs second Northeast-10 Championship title in 2010 where he led the team as a captain.  During his junior campaign, Sweeney helped the Warriors advance to the NCAA DII national semifinals while helping the team rank as high as fourth nationally. Sweeney went on to use his final year of eligibility donning the jersey for Husson University as a graduate student.  While with the Eagles, he was a First-Team All-North Atlantic Conference Selection in 2011 at the midfield position. That year, he was also invited to compete in both the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) and the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) All-Star Games. In just one season, Sweeney led the Eagles with 26 assists and finished second on the team with 46 points as he added on 20 goals to his scoring total.  Seeing time in all 18 games, he helped the team to its first ever NAC Conference Tournament Championship appearance, where the Eagles finished runner-up.  He was named First Team All NAC, earned USILA Scholar All-American honors, was selected to the USILA DIII North/South All-Star Game, and was a New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association East/West All-Star. A 2010 graduate of Merrimack College where he earned his bachelors degree in Criminology, the native of Norwood, Massachusetts went on to earn his Masters in Criminal Justice Administration from Husson University. Coach Sweeney begins his second season as the Offensive Coordinator at Rollins. During the 2016 campaign, the Tars offense set program records for single season points (241) and goals (162) as a team. The team improved its scoring output from 2015 to more than 10 goals per game, and 4.9 assists per game. Sweeney mentored two All-Tournament Team players (Justin Diamond and Clay Phillips), as well as one 1st Team All-Conference honoree (Morgan Baker) and one 2nd Team All-Conference honoree (Jack Vonarb) in the 2016 season. Head coach Chris Lewis announced the addition of Matt Sweeney as assistant coach in August of 2015.  Sweeney will assist with all aspects of coaching as well as help organize recruiting efforts for the Tars. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Matt Sweeney again, said Lewis.  As a three year starter for me at Merrimack College, he set the standard for defensive midfield play.  Matt's experience as part of an elite D2 program will be invaluable to our young program.  He distinguished himself as an offensive force as a grad student, making him an ideal candidate to work on both sides of the ball, as well as with our face-off unit.  I have been after Matt to come to Winter Park for a couple years now, and I know his enthusiasm and versatility will make him an outstanding addition to the coaching staff." Sweeney brings with him a vast array of experience in all aspects of the game, both as a former player as well as collegiate coach.  In his most recent position, Sweeney was assistant coach at Curry College where he spent three years helping to guide the Colonels defensive unit, man-down defense, and face-off specialists.  Along with his duties as assistant coach, Sweeney also served as the night and weekend supervisor of the Miller Field House weight room. While at Curry, Sweeney helped coach an NEILA East/West All-Star, as well as two All-Conference Players while he focused on the defense, as well as the man-down defense and face-off specialists.  Along with coaching and facility management duties, Sweeney built the teams strength and conditioning programs. Prior to his time at Curry, Sweeney served as both an assistant coach, as well as interim head coach at Husson University.  As interim head coach in the fall of 2012, Sweeney mentored the 2013 Preseason All-American face-off specialist.  Under his duties as assistant coach at Husson, Sweeney served as both the defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator where he helped the team reach its second North Atlantic Conference Tournament Championship appearance in program history, finishing runner-up.  His guidance also helped Husson to its first ever post-season appearance in the ECAC tournament.  Under his assistance, the Eagles saw two NEILA East/West All-Stars, and six All-Conference honorees. Sweeney kicked off his collegiate playing career at Merrimack College where he was a three-year member of the mens lacrosse team as a defensive middie.  Appearing in all 46 games, Sweeney tallied two assists, 46 ground balls, and caused 36 turnovers.  With his help, the Warriors appeared in two Northeast-10 Conference Championship games, including earning the programs second Northeast-10 Championship title in 2010 where he led the team as a captain.  During his junior campaign, Sweeney helped the Warriors advance to the NCAA DII national semifinals while helping the team rank as high as fourth nationally. Sweeney went on to use his final year of eligibility donning the jersey for Husson University as a graduate student.  While with the Eagles, he was a First-Team All-North Atlantic Conference Selection in 2011 at the midfield position. That year, he was also invited to compete in both the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) and the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) All-Star Games. In just one season, Sweeney led the Eagles with 26 assists and finished second on the team with 46 points as he added on 20 goals to his scoring total.  Seeing time in all 18 games, he helped the team to its first ever NAC Conference Tournament Championship appearance, where the Eagles finished runner-up.  He was named First Team All NAC, earned USILA Scholar All-American honors, was selected to the USILA DIII North/South All-Star Game, and was a New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association East/West All-Star. A 2010 graduate of Merrimack College where he earned his bachelors degree in Criminology, the native of Norwood, Massachusetts went on to earn his Masters in Criminal Justice Administration from Husson University.

Vosslers direction in 2016, the Tars defense allowed less than 10 goals per game, a first in the history of the program. The Tars allowed 7 or fewer goals in five games. In all but three of the games on the year, Rollins kept opponents from reaching their season averages for goals per game. Vossler will also continue his work with the face-off units. The team improved its percentage to better than 50% on the season, a marked increase from 2015. In 2016, Coach Vossler mentored two All-Tournament Team honorees (Lucas Brush and Connor McClellan), one 1st Team All-Conference player (Alex Petsos), and two 2nd Team All-Conference (Brush and McClellan). Head coach Chris Lewis announced the addition of Andrew Vossler to the coaching staff in August of 2015.  Vossler, a former standout for the Tars, brings with him over three years of collegiate coaching experience spanning across all three NCAA divisions. In his role with the Tars, Vossler serves as defensive coordinator as well as spearheads the teams strength and conditioning efforts. "I am excited to welcome Andrew Vossler back to Winter Park, said Lewis.  Andrew was a very talented LSM and captain for Rollins in my first year with the program.  As a coach that stood on the opposite side of the box in a game in 2010, I was interested in having the opportunity to coach him for his senior season, and he did not disappoint.  I watched his coaching career take off over the last few years, and every coach I spoke with said great things about him.  I am confident Andrew's work ethic and knowledge of the game will be vital to the continued success of our defense, and I cannot wait to work with him on a daily basis again." Vossler makes his return after serving as a volunteer assistant coach at Jacksonville University last season.  In his time with the Dolphins, Vossler was instrumental in elevating the teams overall face-off win percentage by 15, increasing the teams overall percentage from 37 to 52.  Under Vosslers guidance, the Dolphins went from being ranked 64th to 22nd nationally in faceoff win percentage as a team.  Individually, Vossler took the teams top face-off specialist and increased his win percentage from 42 to 54, ranking 21st nationally at the face-off X. Prior to Jacksonville, Vossler was the First Assistant Coach and Defensive Coordinator at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio.  While with the Blue Streaks, Vossler helped the team to a record of 13-4 in its inaugural Division III season, as well as an appearance in the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament Championship game.  While at JCU, Vossler helped coach a First Team All-OAC honoree, as well as six All-OAC honorable mention selections.  Vossler also headed up a defensive unit that posted a 6.5 goals against average, good for 16th in the country in DIII, as well as first in the OAC.  Along with his duties as defensive coordinator, he was also instrumental in JCUs scouting duties, daily operations, and recruiting efforts. Vossler began his coaching career at Adams State in Alamosa, Colorado, where he served as an assistant coach for the 2012-13 season.  With the Grizzlies, Vossler facilitated and helped implement a strength and conditioning program along with his duties as defensive coordinator.  In his time at Adams State, Vossler coached two individuals to league defensive player of the week awards, as well as led a defensive unit that was ranked second nationally in Division II for caused turnovers in a game, and sixth nationally in ground balls per game. The Manlius, N.Y. native was a four year member and three time captain of the mens lacrosse team at Rollins from 2009 to 2012.  The three-time All-Deep South selection currently ranks second in program record books for ground balls (192) and caused turnovers (72).  He also ranks third all-time in ground balls per game (3.84), third in caused turnovers per game (1.44), and started every game of his career (50), placing him fourth all-time in the record books. Vossler earned his degree in Environmental Studies from Rollins in 2012. Coach Vossler starts his second year as the Defensive Coordinator for the Tars. Under Vosslers direction in 2016, the Tars defense allowed less than 10 goals per game, a first in the history of the program. The Tars allowed 7 or fewer goals in five games. In all but three of the games on the year, Rollins kept opponents from reaching their season averages for goals per game. Vossler will also continue his work with the face-off units. The team improved its percentage to better than 50% on the season, a marked increase from 2015. In 2016, Coach Vossler mentored two All-Tournament Team honorees (Lucas Brush and Connor McClellan), one 1st Team All-Conference player (Alex Petsos), and two 2nd Team All-Conference (Brush and McClellan). Head coach Chris Lewis announced the addition of Andrew Vossler to the coaching staff in August of 2015.  Vossler, a former standout for the Tars, brings with him over three years of collegiate coaching experience spanning across all three NCAA divisions. In his role with the Tars, Vossler serves as defensive coordinator as well as spearheads the teams strength and conditioning efforts. "I am excited to welcome Andrew Vossler back to Winter Park, said Lewis.  Andrew was a very talented LSM and captain for Rollins in my first year with the program.  As a coach that stood on the opposite side of the box in a game in 2010, I was interested in having the opportunity to coach him for his senior season, and he did not disappoint.  I watched his coaching career take off over the last few years, and every coach I spoke with said great things about him.  I am confident Andrew's work ethic and knowledge of the game will be vital to the continued success of our defense, and I cannot wait to work with him on a daily basis again." Vossler makes his return after serving as a volunteer assistant coach at Jacksonville University last season.  In his time with the Dolphins, Vossler was instrumental in elevating the teams overall face-off win percentage by 15, increasing the teams overall percentage from 37 to 52.  Under Vosslers guidance, the Dolphins went from being ranked 64th to 22nd nationally in faceoff win percentage as a team.  Individually, Vossler took the teams top face-off specialist and increased his win percentage from 42 to 54, ranking 21st nationally at the face-off X. Prior to Jacksonville, Vossler was the First Assistant Coach and Defensive Coordinator at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio.  While with the Blue Streaks, Vossler helped the team to a record of 13-4 in its inaugural Division III season, as well as an appearance in the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament Championship game.  While at JCU, Vossler helped coach a First Team All-OAC honoree, as well as six All-OAC honorable mention selections.  Vossler also headed up a defensive unit that posted a 6.5 goals against average, good for 16th in the country in DIII, as well as first in the OAC.  Along with his duties as defensive coordinator, he was also instrumental in JCUs scouting duties, daily operations, and recruiting efforts. Vossler began his coaching career at Adams State in Alamosa, Colorado, where he served as an assistant coach for the 2012-13 season.  With the Grizzlies, Vossler facilitated and helped implement a strength and conditioning program along with his duties as defensive coordinator.  In his time at Adams State, Vossler coached two individuals to league defensive player of the week awards, as well as led a defensive unit that was ranked second nationally in Division II for caused turnovers in a game, and sixth nationally in ground balls per game. The Manlius, N.Y. native was a four year member and three time captain of the mens lacrosse team at Rollins from 2009 to 2012.  The three-time All-Deep South selection currently ranks second in program record books for ground balls (192) and caused turnovers (72).  He also ranks third all-time in ground balls per game (3.84), third in caused turnovers per game (1.44), and started every game of his career (50), placing him fourth all-time in the record books. Vossler earned his degree in Environmental Studies from Rollins in 2012.