Bel Air, Md. - After a great fall season for the men's lacrosse team, the Fighting Owls have announced Steven Hill, Dylan Bielatowicz, Chandler Schmidt, Chris Stallings, and Caleb Hippensteel as team captains for the 2018 season.

Hill is a second year captain who is an outstanding leader of the team. Hill started at Close Defense in 15 Games last season and was a leader of a defense that allowed just seven goals per game in 2017. Hel is a 2012 graduate of Fallston High School where he played for a State Championship in the 2012 season. He then served in the United States Marine Corps from 2013-2017 before coming to Harford as a student-athlete.
 
Bielatowicz is another returning Captain who was a starting attackman in 11 games last season and was an integral part of an offense which averaged 16 goals per game. He was also the 2017 recipient of the Bruce Hart Memorial Scholarship. A 2016 graduate of Bel Air High School, he was named to the All-County lacrosse team in his senior year where he led the Bobcats to the state semifinals.
 
Schmidt is a 2016 North Harford High School graduate who played in two games last spring before an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Schmidt has displayed tremendous work ethic and drive to get back to full health and become an outspoken leader of this 2018 squad. Schmidt was an All-County lacrosse player in 2016 as well as a finalist for the C. Markland Kelly Award.
 
Stallings is a local product as a goalkeeper who has been an outstanding leader the entire fall season. His work ethic and enthusiasm have inspired his teammates to nominate him as a captain. Stallings is a 2016 graduate of Harford Tech where he was named a First Team All-UCBAC Goalie in his hunior and senior seasons. In 2016, Stallings led Harford Tech to a school record for most wins in a season.
 
Hippensteel is a Florida Native and 2016 graduate of Apopka High School. His tireless work ethic and willingness to lead have stood out to his teammates this fall. Hippensteel was a standout faceoff specialist in high school, being named All-Metro in both his junior and senior seasons as well as leading the Blue Darters to the State Championship game in 2016. He was also a member of Apopka's Football Team which is a well known Florida powerhouse.
 
Head coach Aaron Verardi is thrilled with his captains for the upcoming season, "Steve, Dylan, Chandler, Chris, and Caleb complement each other very nicely. Steve is the elder statesman who is a born leader with lots of life experience to offer. Dylan and Chandler are two guys who lead by example. Both of them earn a lot of respect through their work ethic. Chris and Caleb bring a level of enthusiasm unmatched by many. They help inspire the atmosphere we need in order to be successful. All five of these guys have proved to their teammates and coaches that they are passionate and committed to the success of Harford lacrosse. We are excited and eager to see them learn and grow as leaders as they take on this role for the 2018 spring."

The Fighting Owls men's lacrosse season is slated to begin with a February 24 home match against Potomac State.