Men's Lacrosse Selects Captains for 2010 Season

DURHAM, N.C.-Duke University men's lacrosse head coach has announced the appointment of Ned Crotty, Sam Payton, Max Quinzani and Parker McKee as team captains for the 2010 season. The quartet of veterans will lead the Blue Devils in their quest for a fourth straight ACC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.

Crotty and Payton both served as captains in 2009, while Quinzani and McKee also earned their teammates recognition for their leadership skills. The captains are decided solely on a team vote.

"I'm delighted that the team overwhelmingly vote to return [Ned Crotty] and [Sam Payton] as captains this year," Danowski said. "It shows great confidence in their abilities to lead the team."

"For Max and Parker, I'm really happy for them," Danowski said. "These two guys came here not knowing what to expect or if what the program was going to be. They have been rewarded for their loyalty and vision of what could be for Duke lacrosse. These four guys will undoubtedly do great things for us on and off the field of competition this year."

The 2009 USILA National Attackman of the Year, Crotty returns to the attack for his final season. He led the nation in assists, finishing the year with 78 points from 23 goals and 55 assists to earn All-America first team recognition.

Joining Crotty on attack last season was Quinzani. Duke's leading goal scorer with 46 goals and 11 assists, he earned All-America honors for the second consecutive season. He currently owns the nation's longest scoring streak at 46 games.

Payton anchored faceoff duties for the Blue Devils in 2009. He won 54.5 percent of restarts, going 168-140 at the faceoff X. He led all players with 94 groundballs and tallied four goals and two assists for six points.

Anchoring the defense last season, McKee returns after bringing home All-America awards for the second straight season. He was a leader both at close defense and on the faceoff wing, scooping up an impressive 93 ground balls.

The Blue Devils officially kick off the season on Feb. 13 against Bucknell in Atlanta, Ga.

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