LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Bellarmine University lacrosse program has landed a recruiting class of 10 incoming freshmen and one transfer for the 2012-13 season.   It marks the first recruiting class for Bellarmine Head Coach Kevin Burns, who was hired just before the beginning of the 2011-12 school year.

“We are extremely excited to welcome the class of 2016 to Bellarmine University,” Burns said. “Although only freshmen, we anticipate that many of these players will contribute immediately all over the field. With 31 players graduating between the 2012 and 2013 seasons, this current crop of Knights will be the basis for all of our future success," Burns said.

Burns added, “It's a fun experience to watch these young men from all over North America integrate into a very diverse team that has players from 15 states and four Canadian providences. “

The 2012-13 recruiting class:

Paul Brebber                     Nanaimo, Canada            Vancouver Island University      Midfield

Brebber is a transfer student and was until now attending Vancouver Island University in British Columbia where they do not have a field lacrosse program.  He is a standout player for the Victoria Shamrocks of the British Columbia Junior Lacrosse League and should have an immediate impact on the Knights.

Chris Cousins                     Westerville, OH             Olentangy High School             Defense

Cousins is an athletic defenseman who was a captain and the defensive MVP of Olentangy High School his senior year.  He brings toughness and a strong work ethic to the Knights.

Paul Garcia                         Noblesville, IN                 Noblesville High School           Attack/Midfield

Garcia is an all-around skilled athlete from Noblesville High School who led the state of Indiana in scoring his senior year.  He was also a member of the Indiana Elite club program.  He was a team captain and we are excited to see how his athleticism will translate to the Division I level.

Shane Healy                      Scituate, MA                      Scituate High School              Defense

Healy is a two time captain and defensive MVP of Scituate High School.  He was a first team All-League defenseman and a three sport athlete.  His speed and toughness will help him compete at the next level.

Cole Killion                        Louisville, KY                     Trinity High School                    Defense

Killion is an athletic defenseman with good size and a lot of potential.  He was a Kentucky High School All-American and was widely considered the best defenseman in Louisville. He was also a member of the Bluegrass Bats lacrosse club and could push for playing time on a young Bellarmine defense.

Tyler Kirkby                        Burnaby, Canada              Burnaby South Secondary    Attack/Midfield

Kirkby is a tough competitor with an excellent shot.  He played club lacrosse for Burnaby Mountain Select Senior Elite and was named the Team MVP in 2011.  Tyler also plays box lacrosse for the Burnaby Lakers of the British Columbia Intermediate Lacrosse League and led the team in scoring.

Michael Plisco                  Brentwood, TN                 Brentwood High School          Defense

We are excited about the addition of Michael Plisco to the Bellarmine Lacrosse family.  He is an intense and aggressive defenseman who was named a Tennessee High School All-American at Brentwood.  In the off season he played with Team Stickhead and excelled in a number of recruiting showcases.

Davis Reykdal                    Red Deer, Canada            Red Deer High School           Midfield

Reykdal had an excellent summer and was the leading scorer in the Alberta Junior Tier I lacrosse league.  He is a skilled midfielder who does a variety of things well.  Inside Lacrosse has him ranked as the #13 Canadian recruit of the 2012 class.

Nick Soriano                      Flemington, NJ                 Hunterdon Central                Defense

Soriano brings a physical presence and works hard both on and off the field.  He has great size and will join his brother Steve who is a junior midfielder on the team.

Taylor Stuart                      Port Moody, Canada      Heritage Woods                     Midfield

Stuart is an explosive athlete and a versatile lacrosse player.  As a member of the U19 Team British Columbia he received MVP honors of the 2011 Field Lacrosse Provincial Championships.  He played this summer for the Coquitlam Adanacs in the British Columbia Intermediate Lacrosse League.

Sean Tucker                       Boca Raton, FL                   Pope John Paul II               Attack/Midfield

Tucker was the team MVP and attackman of the year for Pope John Paul II.  He is a dynamic athlete and displays the speed and quickness needed to compete in the ECAC.