LAFAYETTE, La. – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns lacrosse team is excited to announce our captains for the 2016 season. Redshirt senior defenseman Eric Giesemann, sophomore goaltender Michael Olivio, and junior attackman Tanner Castagna have been selected by their peers to lead the team.

Giesemann (New Orleans, Brother Martin), is a three-time captain and returns to the field after sitting out last season with a shoulder injury.

"Eric has been a leader of the team since he stepped on campus. Has a high lacrosse IQ, and plays with a bit of a mean streak." said head coach Cliff White. "He has an ability to fire up the team with the plays he makes on the field, and is a vocal leader of the team. Losing him to injury in the first game of last year really hurt us not only from a production standpoint, but also by losing a field general. Having him on the field this year will add lots of experience to the defense."

Michael Olivio was selected in just his first year as a full-time starter for the Cajuns after backing up Brodie Lejune last season. Olivio, a New Orleans native, is a 2014 graduate of Brother Martin High.

"Michael is living proof of a guy biding his time and making the most of the opportunities when given the chance," said White. "He sat behind a four-year starter last year, but never heard him complain about lack of playing time. When he got his opportunity because of injury, he led us to a victory against Mizzou. He has taken the reigns this year between the pipes and is one of the hardest working guys on the team."

Junior attackman Tanner Castagna will don the 'C' for the second-straight year.

"Tanner is one of those guys who is not very vocal, but leads by example and lets his actions speak rather than his words," White said. "I don't think the team means as much to anyone in the program more than it means to Tanner, and the rest of the guys can see that. He has been a starter since he got to campus, and we expect him to help run the offense as he has more game experience with us than any attackman on the roster."

Giesemann, Olivio, and Castagna will help lead the team through a gauntlet of tough opponents throughout the 2016 season.