Men's Lacrosse Picked Sixth In Preseason Poll: Ferreira And Stewart Earn Preseason All-Conference

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Lenoir-Rhyne has been chosen first in the South Atlantic Conference's men's lacrosse annual preseason poll, it was announced today by the league office. The League's head coaches gave the Bears seven first-place votes and a total of 77 points.

Queens was voted No. 2 in the poll with 69 points and one first-place vote, while Wingate was voted No. 3 with one first-place vote and 64 points. Tusculum came in fourth with 44 points, while Mars Hill and Lincoln Memorial tied for the No. 5 slot with 37 points. Catawba was voted No. 7 with 34 points and Coker's 31 points was good for the No. 8 position.  Brevard finished poll with 14 points.

The South Atlantic Conference also announced its Preseason All-Conference. Garrett Sadler of Queens, Lenoir-Rhyne's Mike Hanlon and Jeremy Sullivan from Wingate were named the first team attackers.

Dallas Wade from Tusculum was voted first-team mid fielder. Lenoir-Rhyne's Ben Corrigan was also added to the list and Daniel Godwin from Wingate wrapped up the first team mid fielder selections.

Collin Lett of Lenoir-Rhyne was named the preseason first-team long pole midfielder, while Wingate had two student-athletes earn first-team defender honors as Anthony Criser and Chris Gazzio received the honors. Queens' Ryon Bellamy wrapped up the first-team defender selections.

Catawba's Conner Eakes was the preseason first-team specialist and Wingate's Jacob Ormerod was named the first-team goalkeeper.

The 2017 South Atlantic Conference Men's Lacrosse schedule is set to get under on Saturday, Feb. 4.  The 2017 South Atlantic Conference Men's Lacrosse Championship is slated for April 25, 27 and 29 with quarterfinals at campus sites and the semifinals and finals at Queens University.

Rk    Team (first-place votes)               Points

1.     Lenoir-Rhyne (7)                                   77

2.     Queens (1)                                             69

3.     Wingate (1)                                            64

4.     Tusculum                                                44

5.     Mars Hill                                                  37

        Lincoln Memorial                                  37

7.     Catawba                                                  34

8.     Coker                                                       31

9.     Brevard                                                   14

2017 South Atlantic Conference Mens Lacrosse Preseason All-Conference

2017 South Atlantic Conference Men's Lacrosse

Preseason All-Conference

First Team

A – Garrett Sadler, Queens

A – Mike Hanlon, Lenoir-Rhyne

A – Jeremy Sullivan, Wingate

MF – Dallas Wade, Tusculum

MF – Ben Corrigan, Lenoir-Rhyne

MF – Daniel Godwin, Wingate

D – Anthony Crisera, Wingate

D – Chris Gazzio, Wingate

D – Ryon Bellamy, Queens

LP – Collin Lett, Lenoir-Rhyne

Spec. – Connor Eakes, Catawba

GK – Jacob Ormerod, Wingate

Second Team

A – Austin Murphy, Wingate

A – Dima Ferreira, Mars Hill

A – Ben Boyd, Tusculum

MF – Adam Golia, Lincoln Memorial

MF – Nathan Stewart, Mars Hill

MF – Billy Kopsky, Lincoln Memorial

D – Nick Rizzieri, Queens

D – Gus Weber, Catawba

D – Ryan Benck, Lincoln Memorial

LP – Griffin Stechmiller, Queens

Spec. – Jonathan Paige, Queens

GK – Ryan Applegate, Catawba