JOHNSON, Vt. – Head Coach Matt Heitman, entering his third season at the helm, returns 13 players and adds eight talented newcomers to the 2012 Badger lacrosse roster as the team looks to improve on last season’s 1-10 overall record and 1-6 mark in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC).

Included in the JSC returners is 2010 and 2011 All-NAC selection Maxxwell Connolly (Rollinsford, N.H./St. Thomas Aquinas). Connolly, a junior that plays long-stick mid as well as on the defensive unit, is a skilled, athletic, and versatile player that tallied a pair of assists in 2011. Also back is senior attackman Alex Petti (East Greenwich, R.I./East Greenwich) who led the Badgers with 31 points (28 goals, 3 assists) last year. Senior Justin Connolly (Jeffersonville, Vt./Lamoille) will lead the midfield after a junior season in which he scored 11 goals and dished out seven assists.

Junior Zach Jerome (Waterford, Conn./Waterford) will be leaned on heavily as the full-time goalkeeper this season after seeing limited minutes over the past two seasons.

JSC will need strong contributions from seniors Nate Durick (South Burlington, Vt./South Burlington) to key the defense and Justin Nelson (Lakeville, Mass./Bishop Connolly) to provide offense after recording five goals and 10 assists in 2011.

“I am excited for the upcoming season,” stated Coach Heitman. “Our roster is deep and we have a lot of talent and drive. All this should make for an exciting season.”

The Badgers opened their season on the road in a non-conference tilt on Sunday, March 18 when they traveled to Daniel Webster College. JSC’s home-opener is slated for Saturday, March 31 at 1:00 pm hosting new NAC member New England College.