BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Five captains have been selected to lead the University of Bridgeport men's lacrosse team for the 2017 season. Bernard Timberlake III, Obataiyeh Forrester, Alberto Moya, Rihath Uddin, and Nate Costanos were selected as leaders by their peers this spring.

All five captains were able to show their leadership during the fall season, though they bring a diversity of experience to the table, with two seniors, a junior, a sophomore and one freshman composing the captaincy.

Timberlake has been a captain and a full-time starter at close defense since the beginning of the program. A four-year varsity member at Copiague High School on Long Island, he has been the most decorated player in Purple Knights lacrosse history. An all-PCLL honorable mention defense selection in 2015 and second team all-PCLL selection in 2016, Timberlake will continue to lead an aggressive and athletic defensive unit. A stalwart of the program, he will look to repeat his all-conference honors going into his senior year.

Forrester, a JuCo transfer student from Hudson Valley, was a starting long-stick middie for the Vikings in 2015 before his arrival in Bridgeport. In short order, he was able to secure a starting spot at close defense, teaming up with Timberlake to solidify the backline for the 2016 season. He will continue in that role for 2017.

Uddin, a sophomore attackman out of Queens, was brand new to the sport of lacrosse last year as a freshman. His absolute dedication to the team, the wall, and the game has allowed him to improve drastically. This jump, combined with on and off the field leadership, showed his teammates that he was worthy of captaincy for the 2017 season as he stands to lead a young offensive front.

A utility player and overall athlete, Moya was a member of the 2015 team but was forced to leave school due to personal reasons. Upon his return to campus, he has been a vocal leader and one of the hardest working players within the program. Moya will work mostly out of the defensive midfield but did show two-way midfield abilities in fall ball, scoring three goals in three fall contests.

Costanos is a freshman, and was a two-time captain at Bishop Loughlin (N.Y.) Catholic. Costanos has not missed a beat, bringing his leadership and lacrosse abilities to Bridgeport and has quickly won over his teammates as a player and leader. At Bishop Loughlin, he was a first team all-conference midfielder, leading scorer and Mayor’s Cup selection. Costanos looks to continue to carry his success at the next level.

The Purple Knights open their season at home against Rhode Island on Feb. 12.