Three years ago, Paul Cantabene ended his second season with Maryland's lacrosse program. Cantabene is a veteran lacrosse coach and player, having coached at Maryland, Johns Hopkins and Towson before taking over at Stevenson.

He played at Loyola College and then for various professional teams. He was an All-Star in the indoor and outdoor leagues. Cantabene was an important member of the Baltimore Bayhawks' championship team in 2005, often considered the greatest team ever. He is known as one of the top faceoff men of all-time. And while his friends and teammates might call him “Beaner,” his last name is actually pronounced "Cant-a-be-nay."

Cantabene is in his fifth season as men's lacrosse coach at Stevenson. Last season, his Mustangs had the most impressive season of any men's lacrosse team in school history. They finished with an overall record of 13-4 and a 6-1 record in the Capital Athletic Conference. The Mustangs reached as high as eighth in the nation and ended the season at No. 10.

Cantabene has been married for six years to a friend of mine, Tracey, and they have a beautiful 4-year-old daughter, Lilly, who was a star interviewee on the 2009 E-Lacrosse Convention show with Sparky Burns. Cantabene is from Rochester and attended Irondequoit High School before starring at Loyola College.

How is the preseason progressing?

Paul Cantabene: The preseason is progressing along just fine. The boys have come back in shape and have really given a great effort during the preseason. We have a few bumps and bruises, but overall this is our best effort to date.

What are your specific goals for the preseason?

Paul Cantabene: Our preseason goals are very simple:

1. Have a winning record
2. Win our conference
3. Make the NCAA tournament
4. Win a NCAA championship
5. Become a team

Give us a preview of your probable starting personnel for 2009.

Paul Cantabene: On attack, Richie Ford is a junior, Jimmy Dailey is a sophomore and Steve Kazimer is a junior. On midfield, our first line is senior Chris Baldwin, senior Nicola Bevacqua and sophomore Kyle Moffitt. Our second line is seniors Brett Yoder and Greg Furshman, as well as freshman Rob Lamey. Our defense is seniors Mike Simon and Austin Hale, as well as sophomore Evan Douglass. There is a battle at goalie, which will be Geoff Hebert, Eric Fleegle or Andrew Harrington. We have a faceoff battle going on, too, between Ray Witte and Doug Reidt.

How will the personality of this 2009 team differ from the 2008 squad?

Paul Cantabene: I think this team differs from last year’s team in that this team has taken ownership. It’s a group that has built this program and wants to see it be successful on the field, but off the field as well.

Who are your captains and what are their strengths?

Paul Cantabene: Ford is a leader by example. Bevacqua is a very tough and caring person. He’s a difference maker on the field and in the locker room. Simon is very smart and a tough leader. Hale is our vocal leader and most physical player. Furshman is a very talented and Vocal leader. He can be the best midfielder in the game if he wants to be.

What is the biggest weakness of your 2009 team or the thing you will look to improve over the season before the playoffs?

Paul Cantabene: Our biggest weakness last year, and over the years, has been senior leadership. We hope this year with 10 seniors and guys that have all played for us since they were freshman that they will supply that leadership needed.

Are there any freshmen that will break into the lineup and impress us?

Paul Cantabene: Lamey is a freshman midfielder from Ridley, Pa., and Danny Shanne is a freshman attackman from River Hill.

Who's your hardest shooter?

Paul Cantabene: Bevacqua or Kenny Whittaker.

Best stickhandler?

Paul Cantabene: Kazimer and Dailey.

Fastest midfielder?

Paul Cantabene: Lamey.

Toughest defenseman?

Paul Cantabene: Simon.

Unsung hero?

Paul Cantabene: Evan Douglass.

Surprise player?

Paul Cantabene: Jake Stockdale and Ian Hart.

What is the strength of your 2009 squad?

Paul Cantabene: Team depth and experience.

Are you missing anyone with injuries?

Paul Cantabene: Jimmy Kleb is out with an ACL injury, and he will be back around midseason. Fleegle also has an ACL injury, and he will hopefully be back March 1 or earlier.

How do the coaching roles work in your program? What are the key responsibilities of your assistants?

Paul Cantabene: I am the offensive coordinator. Brian Myers is my offensive assistant, and he coaches midfielders. Tim Puls is the defensive coordinator. Bob Tarring is in charge of the scouting team. Brian Davies is our box coach and attack coach. Zach Clark is our defensive assistant. Pat Gill works with our goalies, and Brandon Hastings works with the faceoff men.

How strong are your seniors?

Paul Cantabene: It’s a very strong group. They have a very mature approach that has been learned over their four years at Stevenson.

Who's the opposing coach you fear the most?

Paul Cantabene: Bryan Collins.

Are there transfers that change the composition of your 2009 team?

Paul Cantabene: Yoder, Christian Clark, Ian Bolland, Tyler Brown, Holt Skovoran and Zach Alrak.

How strong is your conference in 2009?

Paul Cantabene: It’s one of the top four conferences in the country.

Do you like the NCAA tournament in New England?

Paul Cantabene: No. It's too tough to travel, and it's not located in a major city.

Would you like Baltimore, New Jersey, Denver or New England to host in the future?

Paul Cantabene: Baltimore, New Jersey or Denver.

What do you think of the stick rule change that is coming for 2010?

Paul Cantabene: I think it’s not going to change a whole lot of things.

Give us your feedback on any rule changes you think are good or bad for 2009.

Paul Cantabene: It’s good that they are letting the players play more and not calling fouls on legal hits just because they are big hits.

Are there changes you'd like to see?

Paul Cantabene: No horns -- all subs on the fly.

How strong is the Maryland/Baltimore area for recruiting these days?

Paul Cantabene: It’s the strongest area to recruit in the country.

Where's the farthest you've gone to get a recruit?

Paul Cantabene: California and Texas.

Do you hold a summer camp?

Paul Cantabene: I run Old School Lacrosse Camps (www.oldschoollacrosse.com) and the Baltimore Hawks club team.

How many camps should a kid participate in during the summer if he wants to play in college?

Paul Cantabene: Three.

Are you a fan of multi-sport athletes when recruiting?

Paul Cantabene: I think the more sports a kid plays the better it is.

Who were your influences in coaching?

Paul Cantabene: Tony Seaman, Bob Knight, Phil Jackson and Urban Meyer.

Would you rather be the underdog or favorite in a big game?

Paul Cantabene: Favorite.

Do your players see you as a friend, father figure, teacher or boss?

Paul Cantabene: All of those combined.

What's the most important trait of a great player?

Paul Cantabene: Toughness!!

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Washington College coach J.B. Clarke