The Navy men's lacrosse team took a big step forward last season. The Midshipmen compiled a 9-5 overall record and tied for the Patriot League regular-season championship with a 6-2 mark.

That was easily the best season since Navy went 11-5 and captured the Patriot League tournament title in 2009. It marked a major improvement for the Mids, who went a combined 7-20 overall and 4-10 in the conference the previous two years.

Fifth-year coach Rick Sowell hopes Navy can build off its 2015 success, and with eight starters and 19 lettermen returning, it appears the parts are in place to do so.

“We have our sights set on taking the next step, which is not easy,” Sowell said. “Just because we return most of our team, that doesn't automatically mean we're going to be better. We've spent considerable time making sure the players understand that, and I think they do.”

Sowell nodded when asked whether the program's confidence has increased as a result of last year's accomplishments. Navy broke a six-game losing streak to archrival Army, defeated two ranked opponents and had four one-goal wins.

“From what I've seen so far, I would say we are a more confident bunch,” he said. “Our guys have been going about their business in a way that certainly makes you feel they have a better understanding of what it takes to win and the level of preparation necessary to do so. I think the players have done a good job of responding to everything we've thrown at them.”

Navy has 15 seniors, and Sowell credits the class with providing maturity and direction. Co-captains Patrick Keena and Jules Godino have held their teammates to a high standard in the preseason.

“I could not be more pleased with the leadership of Patrick and Jules. They are two of the best captains I've ever had,” said Sowell, who was previously head coach at Dartmouth (1999-2003), St. John's (2005-2006) and Stonybrook (2007-2011).

Navy returns its entire starting attack with Keena and fellow senior T.J. Hanzsche leading the way. Keena was named the team's Most Outstanding Offensive Player after leading the Mids in scoring with 36 points (14 goals, 22 assists) in 2015. The Landon School graduate developed into a playmaker and will again be the primary ball carrier.

Hanzsche was second in points with 33 (20, 13) while attackman Jack Ray led the Mids with 22 goals. Sowell expects the 6-foot-6, 235-pound Ray, who was bothered by a hamstring injury at the beginning of last season, to become more of a force.

“I really like the makeup of our attack. We have two seniors who have played a lot of lacrosse and a unique weapon in Jack,” Sowell said. “Patrick is a multidimensional type of player, T.J. is a dangerous finisher, while Jack is a big, physical force.”

Senior Kevin Wendell, junior Colin Flounlacker and sophomore Spencer Coyle made up the first midfield a year ago but might not this season. Wendell, the team's leading midfielder scorer last season with 20 goals, will run on the first line. Sophomore Casey Rees and freshman Greyson Torain are challenging to join him.

It appears Flounlacker will float between first and second midfield, the latter of which will also feature Coyle, senior Zach Hirsch and sophomore Ray Wardell. Sowell said the 6-5, 216-pound Wardell is a “big, strong kid with a tremendous upside who is starting to figure it out.”

Torain, a Glen Burnie resident who attended Naval Academy Prep School, has shown the ability to be a transcendent talent. The 5-11, 183-pound speedster, the Washington Capital Athletic Conference Player of the Year as a senior at DeMatha, will play the wing on faceoffs and some defensive midfield in addition to running first midfield.

“Greyson can do it all and has the potential to be the next great Navy midfielder,” Sowell said.

Junior Chris Fennell, the 2015 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year and a third-team All-American, gives Navy a dominant cover man. The 6-2, 211-pound Fennell can match up with big, strong attackmen or small, quick ones with ease.

Godino is somewhat of a glue guy, an outstanding communicator and help defender. Sophomores Hiram Carter and Michael Strack are still neck-and-neck in the battle to replace the graduated Ryan Everson as the third starter.

Senior goalkeeper John Connors will anchor the Navy defense, which ranked 13th nationally with 8.57 goals allowed per game. Connors took a huge step in his second season as a starter, stopping 54 percent of shots and earning second-team All-Patriot League honors.

Navy figures to be solid in the specialty areas as top faceoff specialist Brady Dove and No. 1 long-stick midfielder Matt Rees return. Junior John Trainer is an experienced short-stick defender, although the Mids graduated two good ones in Alex Heyward and Brendan Gaine.